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Last edited on Wed Aug 12th, 2009 09:25 pm by wantsafewater

Last edited on Wed Aug 12th, 2009 09:23 pm by Nobodys Fool

"On the Fourth of July, when Americans everywhere were celebrating our most sacred national holiday with parades and barbeques, Governor Sarah Palin was busy having me, Shannyn Moore, declared an Enemy of the State.

In a rambling quasi-legal letter, the most powerful person in this state accused me of defaming her for pointing out the fact that there have been rumors, -rumors- of corruption, rumors that have been around for years.

When Sarah Palin gave her three-weeks notice to the people of Alaska, aborting her term as Governor, a lot of people wondered why she quit. Mid-level managers turn-in their notice, not elected public officials. It didn't make sense. It still doesn't. People have been trying to guess why she really quit, and everyone in Alaska has been playing the guessing game. They're rumors. There are a lot of rumors. And with all the corruption we've had here in Alaska, of course we wonder what's really behind her resignation.

Governors don't just quit. But Governor Palin did.

The governor's massive overreaction -on the Fourth of July no less- should make any reasonable person wonder what's wrong with her. The Lady protests way too much. Eventually we'll all find out why she really walked off the job.

Sarah Palin is a coward and a bully. What kind of politician attacks an ordinary American on the Fourth of July for speaking her mind? What's wrong with her? The First Amendment was designed to protect people like me from the likes of people like her. Our American Revolution got rid of kings. And queens, too. Am I jacked-up? You betcha.

Sarah Palin, if you have a problem with me, then sue me. Shannyn Moore will not be muzzled!"

RE: Johnson Utilities, L.L.C. Application for Approval of an Extension of its Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (Docket No. WS-02987A-09-0083)

The application of Johnson Utilities, L.L.C. for an extension of its Certificate of Convenience and Necessity has not met the sufficiency requirements Pursuant to A.A.C R14-2-411(C)(3), Staff may terminate an application if the applicant does not remedy all deficiencies within 60 calendar days of the notice of deficiency.

Last edited on Sun Jul 5th, 2009 01:22 am by Nobodys Fool

Last edited on Sat Jul 4th, 2009 08:53 pm by Against SLAPPers

SLAPP VICTIM RESOURCES:
SLAPP VICTIM SUPPORT GROUP EMAIL LIST
SLAPSUIT.ORG

Last edited on Sat Jul 4th, 2009 05:47 pm by Nobodys Fool

Last edited on Fri Jul 3rd, 2009 11:44 pm by Against SLAPPers

• In Las Vegas, a local doctor was sued over his allegations that a city hospital violated the state's hospital cost containment law.
• In Baltimore, members of a local community group faced a $52 million lawsuit after circulating a letter questioning the property-buying practices of a local housing developer.
• In West Virginia, an environmental activist faced a $200,000 lawsuit for criticizing a coal mining company's activities that were poisoning a local river.
• In Pennsylvania, a farmer was sued after testifying to his township supervisors that a low-flying helicopter owned by a local landfill operator caused a stampede that killed several of his cows.
• In Washington state, a homeowner found that she couldn't get a mortgage because her real estate company had failed to pay taxes owed on her house. She uncovered hundreds of similar cases, and the company was forced to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in back taxes. In retaliation, it dragged her through six years of legal harassment before a jury finally found her innocent of slander.
• In Rhode Island, a resident of North Kingstown wrote a letter complaining about contamination of the local drinking water from a nearby landfill and spent the next five years defending herself against the landfill owner's attorneys, who charged her with "defamation" and "interference with prospective business contracts."
• In South Carolina, an animal rights activist was sued for $4 million after writing a letter to an obscure research journal protesting an Austrian company's plans to use chimpanzees in hepatitis research.
• In Missouri, a high school English teacher was hit with a $1 million libel suit after complaining to a weekly newspaper that an incerator burning hospital waste was a health hazard.

Last edited on Fri Jul 3rd, 2009 04:20 pm by Against SLAPPers

Last edited on Wed Jul 1st, 2009 10:46 pm by Nobodys Fool

Last edited on Wed Jul 1st, 2009 06:38 am by conspirator_prime

Last edited on Tue Jun 30th, 2009 05:33 pm by Facts Only

Last edited on Tue Jun 30th, 2009 05:18 am by Nobodys Fool

Last edited on Tue Jun 30th, 2009 01:38 am by wantsafewater

The First Amendment covers all forms of communication including music,

theater, film and dance. The Constitution also protects actions that symbolically

express a viewpoint. Examples of these symbolic forms of speech include

wearing masks and costumes or holding a candlelight vigil.

So, Why are These Women Being Sued if They Were Within Their Legal Rights To Protest?  Isn't this Frivolous?


Johnson sues 2 San Tan women for defamation
Sarah J. Boggan, Jason Massad, Tribune

June 27, 2008 - 11:32PM



UNSAFE WATER: Water sits at the bottom of Queen Creek Wash outside the Johnson Utilities water reclamation plant on June 17. A sign posted on a fence blocking access to the wash warns of the presence of E. coli in the water in the wash in Pinal County near Queen Creek.

Tribune File


Santan-area residents who have challenged developer George Johnson on the safety of their water and sewer are being sued by his company for defamation.

Residents to protest Johnson Utilities event

Raw sewage spill irks Pinal residents

Pinal County residents Bambi Sandquist and Kristi Fisher were named in a lawsuit filed by Johnson Utilities this week in Pinal County Superior Court. They are accused in the lawsuit of posting defamatory statements about Johnson Utilities on http://www.newszap.com. The Web forum is run by Independent Newspapers of Arizona, which publishes the Queen Creek Independent newspaper.

*Their postings were in regard to recent sewage spills from a Johnson Utilities facility that health officials say pose a public health hazard. State environmental and regulatory agencies are investigating the spills.

*Sandquist posted that Johnson should pay restitution to people in the spill area, lower his water rates, which are some of the highest in the state, and require his utility to be regularly audited.

**The lawsuit alleges Sandquist and Fisher posted pointed comments on the community Web site forum and helped organize a protest of a company “customer appreciation” event by carrying water bottles containing mock contaminated water, hoisting protest signs and distributing fliers to attendees.

The lawsuit says that the women used the Web site to “publicize that they intended to protest (Johnson Utilities) at the event, to disseminate water bottles bearing false and misleading labels, to wear gas masks and to carry baby dolls dyed blue.”

Sandquist is also accused in the lawsuit of slandering the company during a recent local news broadcast about the spills that spewed more than 10,000 gallons of raw sewage into Queen Creek Wash and the nearby Pecan Creek development. To illustrate her concern for potential harm to the company’s more than 20,000 customers, Sandquist placed a gas mask on a baby doll for the cameras.

“Is this so bad that we have to put gas masks on our children?” Sandquist asked in an interview Friday.

Sandquist said she was surprised by the lawsuit. She didn’t think company owner Johnson would “go after the little guy.”

Fisher could not be reached for comment Friday.

Arizona State University journalism professor Stephen Doig said the lawsuit treads on new territory.

“What can be said on blogs and boards hasn’t been litigated heavily,” Doig said. “There’s a world of trouble for people who don’t understand that when they make potentially libelous utterances on the Internet they can be held liable.”

As a public figure, Scottsdale developer Johnson would have a high burden of proof that his reputation has been stained by an effort to deliberately spread untruths on the Internet, he said.

The lawsuit could affect the willingness of residents to publicly talk about the issue, Doig said.

“All it takes is a hundred dollars to file a lawsuit,” he said. “All of a sudden that can be a chilling effect when a process server hits a (citizen) with a lawsuit.”

Sandquist said her comments on the Internet forum and the television news segment are protected under the First Amendment, and after recent problems with the utilties, residents have rallied to get answers.

Sandquist is encouraging her neighbors to attend an Arizona Corporation Commission meeting next week where commissioners are reviewing an application to expand the area where Johnson Utilities provides water and wastewater service.

Johnson has come under fire from ACC members who have expressed concern that the utility has spilled sewage and that it failed to build certain parts of its infrastructure to state environmental specifications.

Commissioner Bill Mundell said they will take public comments on the issue.

Johnson Utilities Vice President Brian Tompsett could not be reached for comment Friday.


Related

Residents to protest Johnson Utilities event

Raw sewage spill irks Pinal residents

Comments





teachingaz wrote:
ok class, today's word of the day is "bully"
6/28/2008 1:44:54 AM




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onethought wrote:
The ladies, right or wrong, have the right to express their opinions. Mr. Johnson, if you want to be a big shot in the public eye, there are always going to be people who don't like you. Your parents should have taught you that when you were growing up. Suing them just makes you look like you have something to hide.
6/28/2008 5:45:03 AM






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silentshooter wrote:
Well the Johnson Utilities water does taste bad and I don't use it for drinking or cooking, and the bills are triple what I paid for in Tucson. Put me on the jury for a not guilty vote for the women.
6/28/2008 7:32:56 AM




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bigazonie wrote:
Can Mr Johnson explain why the drainage area under the control of his company was in such a sorry state 5 years ago?
He can try to bully his way through the deep doo-doo he is in (pun intended) but the problem existed way before the women he's suing got into the fray.
He is tossing frag grenades at all standing in his way (of getting HIS way !). He is a Spoiled despoiler of the desert and neighborhoods!
The AZ Corp. Commission has had a real checkered history, but this is one time they can come out looking like heroes.
The area in question is right next to (or near) the new Hospital site at Combs and Ironwood/Gantzel.
This is a matter of neighborhood health and also one of a PUBLIC health issue.
Has an EPA soil study been conducted on the affected site?
Suggest this be a mandatory requirement BEFORE the AZ CC rules and before the Hospital breaks ground.
6/28/2008 7:58:38 AM




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rightly wrote:
Women are protected under Freedom of Speech. Scare tactics used to cover up investigations of wrong doing on utilites part. Don't let this bully move affect you finding the whole truth about the situation! Residents need to keep asking questions and be agressively persistant in order to ensure the quality of water will not caused long term health issues, like what happened in Scottsdale. Shocking that an ASU journalism professor Stephen Doig (who should be praising freedom of speech) is warning residents to be quiet. What a hypocrite! I wonder what his ties are to Johnson Utilities and where he resides? Be very cautious of the ACC they have perfected the dog and pony show having to deal with SRP's fiascos in the past. Do not trust anyone! Hire INDEPENDENT investigators to research both Johnson Utilities and history of ACC decisions! Say nothing accept everything. Power in numbers keep fighting for accountable answers and actions which need to ensure the cleanliness of the water. I'm sure someone at San Tan Flats can help guide you through the process.
6/28/2008 8:17:21 AM




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defender wrote:
SLANDER - A false defamation (expressed in spoken words, signs, or gestures) which injures the character or reputation of the person defamed; distinguished from libel.

The defaming a man in his reputation by speaking or writing words which affect his life, office, or trade, or which tend to his loss of preferment in marriage or service, or in his inheritance, or which occasion any other particular damage.

so it comes down to that if they made an false comments at all they are screwed they better have proof of everything they wrote or said and prood it is true or they are screwd according to the law
6/28/2008 9:09:03 AM




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ejgausa wrote:
Defender you are only partially right, johnson utilities is a government type agency, therefore it is much harder to commit libel, slander, or defamation of character, if they made these statements against a person then they may be guilty, in this case I dont see a problem, ladies fight, fight, fight, contact A.C.L.U, contact the arizona institute for justice contact all the civil rights lawyers you can, do not give up you are not only fighting for yourselves but many others.
6/28/2008 9:51:54 AM




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ten16one0one wrote:
Johnson Utilities sucks...their prices are ridiculous and when my ice maker makes ice from the liquid passed off as water, the ice stinks. I will not drink the water even if i may be imminently dying of thirst. All possible violations of environmental policy and codes aside, the above is reason enough for something to be done. When I pay a premium price for anything, I expect to get a premium product and I do not. Johnson utilities is a huge factor in my choice of location for a new house (I do not want to be forced to pay their near-extortionist rates on a long term basis). It may be also a factor for other home buyers who have experience with them. Take it like a man, Johnson! You can't get away with charging a premium price for a substandard product forever - especially if it is discovered that any or all allegations you face are true!
6/28/2008 10:24:28 AM




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kvnhlstd wrote:
Well Ladies when you chase after the big dog on the block yapping like a poodle, don't be suprised when he turns around and bites you... Wonder how your husbands feel about losing their homes and livelihood too what amounts as neighorhood gossip.
6/28/2008 10:26:29 AM




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ten16one0one wrote:
That's what's supposed to be the great thing about our society is that the yap-er has to do significant harm to the yap-ee in order for there to be any founded suit. Not sure if that's the case here but NOBODY should ever be intimidated into keeping quiet when they know they should speak out... as long as we have the 1st amendment.
6/28/2008 10:33:03 AM







kvnhlstd wrote:
Just be sure you are yapping the absolute "TRUTH". Not what you all decide to be the truth over a starbucks coffee with your girlfriends
6/28/2008 10:44:19 AM




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ejgausa wrote:
kvnhlstd, if you had to yap the absolute truth as you put it, there would be more civil trials than this, that is what the court decides in a civil case proponderance of the evidence, there is no absolute truth about it there is some room to work with, especially with the first amendment freedom of speech, get your facts straight, well maybe not because even you have a right to freedom of speech.
6/28/2008 11:44:35 AM




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ejgausa wrote:
spelled preponderance, look it up and as far as these ladies yapping like poodles from everything i am reading and hearing they are in this fight to the end, and i am confident they will win, ladies thank you, i would help but i am in a fight of my own right now, that does not matter you have more support than you know about.
6/28/2008 11:53:58 AM




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kvnhlstd wrote:
Its not about pre-ponderance of truth... its about the integerity of the person's involved, you are what's wrong with our legal system... you throw accusations at the wall and see what sticks, or should I say PAYS!!!! Bottom line the first amendment gives you the right to say what you want, it does not guarantee that you will not beheld accountable for what you say. If I was a betting man I would venture that a man as rich as Johnson probably hired a team of lawyers to research, test, and document everything these ladies have oraly vomitted. I am sure they have a great case.
P.S. I have more time in the courtroom than you have on the toilet.
6/28/2008 2:50:55 PM




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ejgausa wrote:
kvnhlstd, obviously you have had no time in court, criminal law is based on reasonable doubt, civil law is based on preponderance of the evidence, and you never bet in a court of law that sets you up for failure, you prepare and understand everything you are dealing with,this will be my last post as i am wasting my time, i have to prepare a case.
6/28/2008 3:42:47 PM




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kvnhlstd wrote:
Yea I bet your a lawyer, one that cannot cap an I once... Thanks for proving that our lawyers in america do not care about the truth, they only care about preponderance... and yes you are correct my background is in crim law "enforcement".
6/28/2008 5:42:32 PM




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yappypoodle wrote:
Wait...WHAT??? You question our integrity, kvn? Do you know any of us? You think we're looking for a payout? What a long, tiring and expensive way to go about it! You think we're a bunch of bored housewives looking for a way to finance our Louis Vuitton habits? If you wonder what our husbands think of what has been done...you should have asked them as they were standing next to us last week. Am I wasting my time responding to you with more of my "oral vomit"??? LMAO!
6/28/2008 11:29:47 PM




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kvnhlstd wrote:
You need to be prepping for your initial Deposition, not standing on the corner yapping. Good Luck against the man
6/29/2008 8:39:34 AM




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rightly wrote:
kvnhlstd,

How much are you getting paid for being the only blogger who doesn't live near Johnson Ranch and supporting potentially polluted water? Your probably Johnson Utilities lawyer on retainer who has convinced the company to file a lawsuit in order for you and only you to make more money! Dollars are the motivation here and the lawyers are the only ones who will benefit. The defamation is clearly stated on the sign in front of the Johnson Utilities which read "providing quality water to the community" there's more on the sign, but I can't remember the rest. Perhaps someone else can expound on the verbage of the actual sign. This is the promise to the residents and commitment Johnson Utilites provided to the community. Johnson Utilites needs to come clean with the community state a mistake has been made and every homeowner should be sent information on what steps have been taken to ensure the quality of the water is up to federal, state, and county's required levels and how the clean up will be achieved. The TCE in Scottsdale's water caused numerous people and animals to develop cancer over a number of years. There's been many articles written about this. The utilites were ill advised on how to handle this situation. Come clean and make peace with the community or suffer numerous lawsuits in the future. People's health are being compromised here. What are you going to do about it?
kvnhlstd, your the one who needs to calm down with a chamomile tea and perhaps meditation class.
6/29/2008 9:06:35 AM




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suppdawg wrote:
What country do we live in? I cannot believe that a buisnessman would attack people simply because they have an opposing view. I hope the ACLU helps these women out. If they establish a legal defense fund I will happily contribute.
6/30/2008 2:00:49 PM
 







kvnhlstd2 wrote:
Oh I hope you're a Pinal County deputy kvnhlstd. Then everything you've written makes sense. You are either Mr. Johnson's or Mr. Tompsett's little law lackey paid what to think and say. What's it like to be so utterly corrupted? Is the money worth it? You'd better be livin' heaven on earth fella....that's the opportunity you'll likely have.
7/1/2008 9:00:06 AM

Last edited on Mon Jun 29th, 2009 05:37 pm by wantsafewater