Chuck Pattillo, former chief consultant of the state Assembly's Joint Legislative Audit Committee, has sued the legislative body, claiming wrongful termination by Chairwoman Rebecca Cohn. Pattillo says in his suit that the assemblywoman fired him because of a letter he wrote criticizing her actions during investigations of a dissolved $95 million software contract with Oracle Corp.

Jon Waldie, chief administrative officer for the Assembly Rules Committee, said he disagreed with Pattillo's claim. Cohn could not be reached for comment.

The rules committee is also investigating complaints made in February by five of Cohn's staff members, who said that she shared explicit details of her personal life and otherwise created an uncomfortable work environment.

Refugees to be honored May 14

As part of the statewide Refugee Awareness Month, the Refugee and Immigrant Forum of Santa Clara County will bring together refugees and immigrants from Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia in Worner Hall of the Church of the Ascension on May 14.

The 11th annual Refugee Awareness Day will acknowledge the contributions of refugees and those who help them. Ethnic food and entertainment will be provided at the event, which runs from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 12033 Miller Ave. To RSVP, contact Forum Chairwoman Vanessa Cooper at 408.325-5223 or vcooper@ccsj.org.

Get rid of that extra garbage

Saratogans have an opportunity to dispose of extra garbage at no additional cost. Residents may place an unlimited amount of garbage--with exceptions such as hazardous material and bulky items weighing more than 70 pounds--at the curb on their regular garbage pickup day through May 11.

All trash must be in containers such as 32-gallon garbage cans, 32-gallon plastic bags or secured cardboard boxes or tied in bundles no larger than 2 feet by 2 feet by 2 feet. For more information about the pickup, contact Green Valley Disposal at 408.354.2100.