resort after he was let go following 16 years of continuous service.

Gerald Van Der Meer has since returned to Holland with his son -- who was born here and was attending Warwick Academy -- while his wife Maria remains on the Island tying up loose ends.

She declined to comment on the matter and referred The Royal Gazette to her husband's lawyer, Richard Hector.

Mr. Hector said: "This is a man who has been employed by the hotel for 16 years, since it started, as an executive chef and an instructor.

"They unceremoniously decided to terminate his employment on the grounds that they wanted to give the job to a spouse of a Bermudian.'' This in itself was not the problem, continued Mr. Hector.

"We feel this was not done in the right way and we are taking action in that regard. It was done shabbily by Stonington Beach personnel considering the length of time he was on the job.

"He should be properly treated in terms of severance as an employee who worked with the company for 16 years continuously.

"A number of people who know this man feel he was very shabbily treated. We will try to bring this home to Stonington Beach.'' Originally a writ was filed against the Bermuda College but it was discontinued and redirected at the hotel.

Stonington Beach general manager Edmund Tucker was unavailable for comment yesterday.

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