{"id":1790,"date":"2018-04-01T21:00:16","date_gmt":"2018-04-02T02:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/truthinaddison.com\/?page_id=1790"},"modified":"2018-04-01T21:00:16","modified_gmt":"2018-04-02T02:00:16","slug":"what-really-happens-when-something-like-the-wind-turbine-lawsuit-is-settled","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/truthinaddison.com\/?page_id=1790","title":{"rendered":"What Really Happens When Something Like The Wind Turbine Lawsuit Is Settled"},"content":{"rendered":"

What Really Happens When Something Like<\/strong>
\nThe Wind Turbine Lawsuit Is Settled<\/strong>
\nBy Susan M. Halpern<\/strong>
\nFormer Addison Councilmember (1992-1999)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Those who would divide us continue their negative spin about the settlement of the wind turbine lawsuit.\u00a0 Their willingness to attack the current council no matter they say or do is so very unfortunate, but it\u2019s our reality.\u00a0 This week, they quoted some alleged CIA slogan by way of suggesting conspiracy theories in connection with the settlement.\u00a0 It is absurd and they are simply wrong.<\/p>\n

Preparing settlement documentation takes time.\u00a0 The documents are critical, and we lawyers have to get them right.\u00a0 There are many factors involved.\u00a0 Complicated settlements can challenge the drafting ability of even the best lawyers.\u00a0 Sometimes, a stubborn opposing counsel delays things by resisting documentation even though it is clearly proper.\u00a0 Sometimes, the other party just needs some time to gather the money to pay the settlement amount.\u00a0 The courts fully understand these issues.\u00a0 So, when a court receives an announcement of \u201csettled,\u201d it removes the case from the trial docket, but neither demands nor expects the immediate submission of final documents.\u00a0 It\u2019s just how it works.<\/p>\n

Here, the payment of money may be part of the issue.\u00a0 It\u2019s right there in the email quoted by the negative spinners, but they left this part out.\u00a0 The email exchange started with notification from the court reporter that Judge Goldstein wanted confirmation of the settlement via email.\u00a0 Addison\u2019s attorney, John Sloan, provided that confirmation, adding to his email: \u201cI would appreciate a month to file dismissal documents, as I am not certain how quickly payment can be made for the settlement.\u201d\u00a0 The reference to payment is obviously great news for Addison.<\/p>\n

Should we be surprised that the quoted portion of John Sloan\u2019s email was omitted from the wild conspiracy piece published by the negative folks?\u00a0 Probably not.\u00a0 Omitting context is what they do.\u00a0 Should we be outraged?\u00a0 Sure.\u00a0 It\u2019s one thing to fairly debate truthfully presented issues; it\u2019s quite another to misrepresent the facts, omit necessary context, and deceive people as a way of attacking those who try to do good for our community.\u00a0 That\u2019s not discussion, that\u2019s propaganda.<\/p>\n

In this case, I would expect documents to be finalized soon.\u00a0 They\u2019ve had a month, which indicates to me that they are having drafting issues.\u00a0 If they can\u2019t resolve them soon, they should consider other options, like involving a mediator or other third party to help with the process.<\/p>\n

In the meantime, don\u2019t buy into wild conspiracy theories.\u00a0 The negative folks will spin them forever and a day.\u00a0 It\u2019s up to us to remain vigilant and never forget that this is the same group that continually supported the divisive, dictatorial tactics of the ex-mayor, whose stock in trade was secrecy, deceit and misinformation.\u00a0 That means that we must work hard to seek out the facts, expose the deceit, correct the misrepresentations, provide the context, and present the TRUTH.\u00a0 Because TRUTH in Addison will keep us on the road to a positive future.<\/p>\n

Addison deserves nothing less than that.\u00a0 It is the Addison Way.\u00a0 In the meantime, I continue to reserve judgment on the settlement of the wind turbine lawsuit until I hear its terms.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n