The former chairman of the New Zealand Greyhound Racing Association (NZGRA) is not talking about the sacking of its chief executive.
Jeremy Kennerley, of Wellington, had only a handful of words to offer when contacted by NZPA yesterday.
Among them were: "I have got nothing more to say."
It was announced earlierthis week that Kennerley had resigned as NZGRA board chairman after one year of a two-year term.
Kennerley's resignation came last Sunday which was just two days after the NZGRA board had dismissed its chief executive, Jeff Lenz.
Acting chairman David Kingston, of Christchurch, said Kennerley had not been pushed.
"No, definitely not," Kingston said yesterday. "It was just absolute work commitments."
Kennerley is also chief executive of the Nursery & Garden Industry Association. Kingston said he thought Kennerley was having trouble devoting his time to the two positions.
He added that the resignation had nothing to do with the dismissal of Lenz.
Kingston was not willing to offer any reason for Lenz's departure.
"I'm really not in a position to discuss that at this point in time."
Lenz said yesterday that he was taking a personal grievance case against the NZGRA for unlawful dismissal.
"I have been wrongfully dismissed and I need compensation for that," Lenz said.
"I haven't been dismissed for any reason that is lawful. In addition to that they didn't follow proper process.
"There is no justified reason for my dismissal. I have done absolutely nothing wrong."
Lenz, who had been under suspension on full pay since July 16, said he was advised of dismissal by his solicitor who had received an e-mail from the solicitors of the NZGRA at 4.57pm last Friday.
Lenz said the reasons given for his sacking had been described as "irreconcilable differences between the board and the CEO".
He was not sure what that meant.
Lenz said the resignation of Kennerley had come as a surprise.
"I don't know the circumstances around that, so I can't comment. But it is surprising given my misfortunes."
Lenz had been NZGRA's chief executive for 4 1/2 years after previously working as a handicapper with Harness Racing New Zealand. He felt "wrecked" at losing the job and was disappointed he could not compete his mission.
