Numerous times each day, folks crawl over this blog searching Plainridge articles for something, anything, perhaps seeking a defamatory comment for which to slap me with a lawsuit as well. A little paranoid maybe?
Pity those folks haven't figured out how to program a 'google alert.'
The Plainville Board of Pickles has carefully prevented any consideration of the down-side of Predatory Gambling, including the increased CRIME that accompanies Gambling Addiction, the low wage jobs that drive down local wages and numerous surrounding issues.
To pretend otherwise is disingenuous and threatens the future economic survival of a small community.
Horse racing is a DEAD Industry that only survives with taxpayer subsidies.
ACLU comes to aid of Plainridge opponent
Posted: Thursday, September 20, 2012 8:00 am | Updated: 12:22 am, Fri Sep 21, 2012.
[Note: There is no indication of the 'update.']
The race track is seeking a state license for 1,250 slot machines and Thomas Keen of Plainville
The race track has filed suit against Keen saying his web site defamed the track, its employees and customers.
The ACLU has sided with Keen and asked Norfolk Superior Court to dismiss the suit. A hearing has not yet been scheduled.
The legal trouble started back in March when Keen’s home was broken into. He posted a photo of the subject taken from his home security system on his anti-Plainridge web site. A reader of the web site posted the comment: “I wonder if they checked over at the racetrack, lol.”
Gary Piontkowski, president of the track, said he does not object to legitimate criticism of the plan for slot machines and has no problem with the opposition group and web site. However, he said the comment about the break-in suspect being at the track is false and damaging to the reputation of his business.
He said the track wrote to Keen asking him to take the defamatory comment down and when Keen failed to respond, the suit was filed.
“We thought that crossed the line,” he said.
The suit includes an affidavit by police Patrolman William Lamb, who investigated the break-in. He said that at the time of the investigation, Keen said he suspected the track might be involved.
“I would not be surprised that the track had someone do this break-in in retaliation for our anti-gambling stance,” Lamb testified about Keen’s statement.
The ACLU, however, contends the suit is an attempt to intimidate gambling opponents into keeping quiet.
“Residents of Plainville need to know that they have a lot of protection for their participation in important debates, for example, whether casinos and gambling have harmful effects on their community and neighborhoods,” lawyer Jeffrey Pyle of the ACLU said. “They should not be scared off by lawsuits like this, which have no merit and often are aimed at making people too afraid to get involved in local issues.”
Keen said he has been afraid to post anything on the web site since the suit. The ACLU also said the comment about the break-in has been taken down, but the Plainridge suit continues because the track wants Keen ordered to refrain from making comments relating crime to Plainridge.
http://www.thesunchronicle.com/news/local_news/aclu-comes-to-aid-of-plainridge-opponent/article_b8a779bc-0279-11e2-b2d4-001a4bcf887a.html
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment