CT SMART GROWTH
...fighting sprawl and building communities...
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CT SMART GROWTH
...fighting sprawl and building communities...
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Tue Mar 06, 2007 at 10:12:36 AM EST
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| An update on the proposed 200,000 sq. ft. WalMart in Groton. As reported earlier, the Groton Planning Commission cited nine reasons for their denial of the application, with their primary concern being potential pollution of drinking water. The site is within a water protection area; a stream near the proposed parking lot and driveway feeds into a reservoir. At the time, Konover Attorney Diane Whitney warned the commission that it was acting like "mini EPA." A Wal-Mart representative also claimed that the commission may have exceeded its authority and that the chain might appeal.
Well, guess what, they have not only sued the town, but also six citizens who had the audacity to speak out against the project |
| commonweal :: Citizens get sued for speaking out |
| According to Peggy Burdo, one of the residents who voiced their concern, she was awakened on Saturday morning by a sheriff serving her the lawsuit. The lawsuit claims Burdo and five other citizens are interfering with the development of the WalMart store.
According to Konover, the petition is a legal formality, allowing them to appeal their case to the town. Actually, it is nothing more than a SLAPP SUIT. A Strategic lawsuit against public participation ("SLAPP") is a form of litigation usually filed by a large corporation to intimidate and silence a less powerful critic by so severely burdening them with the cost of a legal defense that they abandon their criticism.
In other words, these citizens are getting sued for invoking their constitutional rights of free speech and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. Welcome to WalMart Peggy Burdo -- now shut up and just shop! |
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| CORPORATIONS ARE NOT HUMANS |
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