[Durham INC] BOCC opposes HRA intervening on their behalf in J Lake developer lawsuit

[Melissa Rooney]

Monday night, in closed session, the Durham board of county commissioners voted to OPPOSE having the Haw River Assembly intervene on their behalf in the developer lawsuit against them (the lawsuit insists that the Jordan Lake Boundary Map change be required, legislatively, without public hearings):
 
"Commissioners believe the Haw River Assembly isn't needed in the case because it "really represent[s] the same interests the commissioners are here to represent," County Attorney Lowell Siler said Monday, confirming the decision.

Lawyers for the county, the assembly and Southern Durham Development Inc. are due in court Thursday to argue about whether the environmental group should be allowed to participate in the case."
 
http://heraldsun.com/pages/full_story_news_durham/push?article-Commissioners+want+group+off+case%20&id=3599209-Commissioners+want+group+off+case&instance=main_article2
 
 
Why wouldn't the county want any and all help they can get?  At the very least, those three commissioners who voted against the HRA intervention owe us an explanation. 
 
I do not understand the board’s reasons for opposing the Haw River Assembly -- or anyone w/ legal standing -- to intervene on behalf of the county, unless they don’t actually want to WIN the lawsuit, but would rather make a settlement with the developers, in action if not in writing. 
 
Considering we have a new county attorney, with significantly less experience than his predecessor, one would think that intervention by a long-standing, local environmental group like the Haw River Assembly (and their very experienced legal team, the Southern Environmental Law Center) should be seen as a blessing, as well as an opportunity for the County’s legal team to work with those charged with protecting Jordan Lake. 
  
Here's a previous HS story on the issue, 1 month ago: 
http://www.heraldsun.com/pages/full_story/push?article-Haw+River+group+files+court+papers%20&id=3172254 
  
Please write your commissioners with your concerns about this decision. A quick letter to the editor at the Herald Sun and/or the News and Observer, would be great too! 
  
commissioners at durhamcountync.gov, beckymheron at nc.rr.com, brendahowerton10 at yahoo.com, ereckhow at aol.com, jbowser2 at nc.rr.com, mdelanopage at aol.com 
  
Websites for writing letters to the editor (even a short 5 sentence paragraph will do; it's still important even if it doesn't get published): 
  
http://heraldsun.southernheadlines.com/tools/letterstoed/letterform.cfm?sendLetter=letters 
  
http://www.newsobserver.com/484/story/433256.html 
  
http://www.indyweek.com/gyrobase/page?oid=31472#back 
  
  
Thanks for caring!
Melissa (Rooney)


      
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