tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039563145970308239.post3996081225330679723..comments2023-10-24T08:25:49.233-07:00Comments on Ojai Valley News Blog: Three-judge Panel To Decide SLAPP AppealUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039563145970308239.post-74938588221481011852008-10-21T11:25:00.000-07:002008-10-21T11:25:00.000-07:00I heard the Court of Appeals has issued a ruling o...I heard the Court of Appeals has issued a ruling on Jeff's effort to uphold the rights of American's to vote on important local issues. I think we all owe Jeff a debt of gratitude for never giving up on this issue and not letting a bad ruling stand at the lower court levels.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039563145970308239.post-78213404794873531762008-08-07T20:46:00.000-07:002008-08-07T20:46:00.000-07:00This thread just kinda dropped dead, didn't it? I ...This thread just kinda dropped dead, didn't it? I guess the ACLU must have told JBF and SPK to STFU.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039563145970308239.post-1249284963468015572008-08-07T09:42:00.000-07:002008-08-07T09:42:00.000-07:00It's the girl in the video. C'mon, now. Try to kee...It's the girl in the video. C'mon, now. Try to keep up.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039563145970308239.post-45695198192942575492008-08-07T08:46:00.000-07:002008-08-07T08:46:00.000-07:00i don't get it... is suza lil' siddartha girl?i don't get it... is suza lil' siddartha girl?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039563145970308239.post-39600270893420917152008-08-06T23:00:00.000-07:002008-08-06T23:00:00.000-07:00Little Siddhartha Girl comes out of her garden.She...Little Siddhartha Girl comes out of her garden.<BR/><BR/>She's been "looking at it for months". Months.<BR/><BR/>Welcome to the world, child.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039563145970308239.post-15263257798805470202008-08-06T22:16:00.000-07:002008-08-06T22:16:00.000-07:00check out this u tube videohttp://www.youtube.com/...check out this u tube video<BR/>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45JJC4BuS_YAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039563145970308239.post-48632183783170981842008-08-06T15:47:00.000-07:002008-08-06T15:47:00.000-07:00Monte Widders is Suza's campaign manager? No Way!Monte Widders is Suza's campaign manager? No Way!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039563145970308239.post-82428645735912172122008-08-06T11:48:00.000-07:002008-08-06T11:48:00.000-07:00**News Flash**I'm told Monte Widders has endorsed ...**News Flash**<BR/>I'm told Monte Widders has endorsed SuZa Franzina for mayor!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039563145970308239.post-26136841241047672522008-08-06T09:02:00.000-07:002008-08-06T09:02:00.000-07:00Please, don't forget what was going on in Ojai...Please, don't forget what was going on in Ojai when Monte rejected this initiative.<BR/>I lived through the attition on Montgomery street - the Smiegel/Rice/Whitman et al waxed to the pinnacle of developer abuse in Ojai with a city council being canine...bankers on board! Sue Horgan hugging Lois on the street after the temporary defeat in court ...Monte and Friends.<BR/>My neghbors to the south in a rental owned by the Oakview living Ojai citizens of the year had young visitors dying after visits to the rental.<BR/>To the north my neighbors brought fill into Libby Park, built their property out, brought trees down the drive and ripped my roof so it leaked -and then an adult child who returned rejected from boot camp did rubber laying wheelies within 10 feet of my bed.Terrorizing me not once,but over and over, joined by his home invasion robber brother for a few thrills during the Lost Arboles construction. What were those neighbors thinking? Abusing an ill neighbor doesn't make a well community. Calls to the cops did nothing..If I went to a city meeting the cute chief would shadow me to the kitchen after DeVito nodded.I called the parents They treated me with true contempt and refused to control their issue. And the neighbors who heard it did nothing. They were having their business packages sent to my address because of their very limited commercial access. Have you ever gotten a credit card in your name at your neighbors address? A simple A B or C omitted really changes an address after a number- amazing.<BR/>This, and more was going on while this initiative was proferred to the city. <BR/>By now you must be able to identify this writer......Not living in Ojai.<BR/>I mention this because we were just a side show in the rampant evil greed of Ojai to stamp out anybody who got in the developers way.<BR/>This ties over to Mallory Way as that Banker Becker kept us in an escrow to nowhere .... Ask me about the natural gasline rupture and the unwashed oak that fell. Accident? Perhaps. Why didn't the arborist respond? <BR/>Ojai, get some real people in your city council before the charm is poof, like the acoustics of Libby Bowl,changed by Lost Arboles Condos . <BR/> -----------------<BR/> EARLY WARNING SIGNS OF FASCISM<BR/><BR/> POWERFUL AND CONTINUING <BR/> NATIONALISM<BR/><BR/> DISDAIN FOR HUMAN RIGHTS<BR/> IDENTIFICATION OF ENEMIES AS A <BR/> UNIFING CAUSE<BR/><BR/> SUPREMACY OF THE MILITARY<BR/> <BR/> RAMPANT SEXISM<BR/><BR/> CONTROLLED MASS MEDIA<BR/> <BR/> OBSESSION WITH NATIONAL SECURITY<BR/><BR/> RELIGION AND GOVERMENT<BR/> INTERTWINED<BR/><BR/> CORPORATE POWER PROTECTED<BR/><BR/> LABOR POWER SUPPRESSED<BR/> <BR/> DISDAIN FOR INTELLECTUALS <BR/> AND THE ARTS <BR/><BR/> OBSESSION WITH CRIME <BR/> AND PUNISHMENT<BR/><BR/> RAMPANT CRONYISM & CORRUPTION <BR/><BR/> FRAUDULENT ELECTIONS <BR/><BR/> -Laurence W Britt<BR/> c2004 <BR/> <BR/>Namaste .Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039563145970308239.post-68151357474865604502008-08-06T07:11:00.000-07:002008-08-06T07:11:00.000-07:00People who really cared about housing or chain sto...People who really cared about housing or chain stores actually went to the Council meetings.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039563145970308239.post-5197044601005731032008-08-05T19:29:00.000-07:002008-08-05T19:29:00.000-07:00oh sean turn-off your computer and for christ-sake...oh sean turn-off your computer and for christ-sakes get a life!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039563145970308239.post-14304828996432327192008-08-05T18:10:00.000-07:002008-08-05T18:10:00.000-07:00It is a sad day that the City of Ojai has sued an ...<I>It is a sad day that the City of Ojai has sued an average citizen that has two small kids, and has caused that family such grief.</I><BR/><BR/>SPK, you or another Jeff defender brought his kids into the discussion. The people that supported Jeff supported the idea of low-income housing (that would be paid for with someone else's money). Anyway, this conversation happened previously on this board, and will probably happen again when judgment is rendered at the end of Sept. Until then, feel free to pontificate about "civil rights".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039563145970308239.post-11028318282180897312008-08-05T18:07:00.000-07:002008-08-05T18:07:00.000-07:00Well Mr/Ms Anon, I'm not really sure about your be...Well Mr/Ms Anon, <BR/><BR/>I'm not really sure about your bestial proclivities, but I don't seem to recall anything about a canine during that affair. It does strike me that we have a formula retail and restaurant ordinance on the books here in Ojai though.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039563145970308239.post-46087069573666326362008-08-05T17:27:00.000-07:002008-08-05T17:27:00.000-07:00SPK didn't you screw the pooch on the DeVito recal...SPK didn't you screw the pooch on the DeVito recall? I suppose your selling that as victory for democracy...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039563145970308239.post-61990610829193558572008-08-05T16:08:00.000-07:002008-08-05T16:08:00.000-07:00anon 6:46 p.m. & 7:44 p.m.,You are painfully m...anon 6:46 p.m. & 7:44 p.m.,<BR/><BR/>You are painfully misinformed. I'll remind you and everyone else that the city, under the aegis of Mr. Widders and with the votes of the city council <B>sued Jeff</B>. He had to pay a lawyer to defend against the initial SLAPP suit. The people you claim don't exist donated money to help Jeff pay his attorney. The judge threw Widder's case out court because it had no merit. At the same time, the judge decided NOT to call the city's actions a SLAPP suit. That is why the ACLU got involved in the whole case and decided to appeal to a higher court. Insanely, Widders with the votes of the city council except for Carol Smith, decided to cross appeal and pit the city against the ACLU! <BR/><BR/>The ACLU is in this fight protect the direct democracy provisions of the California Constitution. If the city of Ojai gets away with this type of lawsuit against a citizen writing an initiative, then any city in California can use the same SLAPP tactic to stop meddlesome citizens from engaging in their direct democracy rights under California's Constitution. If the judges decide along already existing case law and the Constitution, the actions of the city will be called a SLAPP and the $100k+ that they have already spent on Mr. Widders' firm will be added to the bill for the ACLU lawyers. In the end Jeff will not be reimbursed for the initial cost of his attorney, and he will receive nothing more than the knowledge that the direct democracy rights of fellow Californians is protected. <BR/><BR/>In short, you are completely wrong and you would be well served to inform yourself on an issue before shooting your mouth off. But, then again, you're anonymous so go ahead and blather away. I'll thank you to leave Jeff's kids out of this. <BR/><BR/>SPKAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039563145970308239.post-60246812814492356352008-08-05T15:39:00.000-07:002008-08-05T15:39:00.000-07:00The point Pat’s making is that now we are in this ...<I>The point Pat’s making is that now we are in this mess, after paying Monty a lot of money....</I><BR/><BR/>Pat who?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039563145970308239.post-57069151468257514812008-08-05T10:51:00.000-07:002008-08-05T10:51:00.000-07:00Your comment “Jeff F. isn't representing me or any...Your comment “Jeff F. isn't representing me or anybody” is simply in error. At least a hundred “Doe’s” signed the original initiative and a lot of others supported it too. <BR/><BR/>Even if it was an ego trip for Jeff F, that does not change the fact that the judge threw out Monte Widders claim. The city was found wrong. <BR/><BR/>Could it be that Monte Widders is the one on an ego trip? But unlike Jeff F who received no money, Monty Widders is getting paid at our expense, no matter what the outcome? I don’t like to go here as it implies I know Monty’s motives, much as you seem to think you know Jeff’s.<BR/><BR/>The point Pat’s making is that now we are in this mess, after paying Monty a lot of money, if the appeals court says it was not a SLAPP, ANY city attorney in ANY city could sue ANY citizen if her or she wanted to squash an initiative. Is that what you want or do you just not get it?<BR/><BR/>If it is found the City’s actions were a SLAPP, would you still be blaming Jeff or would you think our attorney gave us bad advice and our City Council should have listed to the many citizens that stood before them suggesting they get second opinion. <BR/><BR/>If one were to follow your logic, every innocent person would always be guilty. Maybe you should consider moving to China if you support such totalitarian government. actions.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039563145970308239.post-55286376061166664212008-08-05T07:44:00.000-07:002008-08-05T07:44:00.000-07:00It is insensitive of you to say this had had no af...<I>It is insensitive of you to say this had had no affect on the Furchtenicht family.</I><BR/>I said it was an ego-trip, don't misquote me. Jeff F. isn't representing me or anybody other than his own egotistical self; if he lost sleep, it is because his ego is on the line and not his wallet. And don't play the "victim", especially after you and your cohorts slam Widders, the City Council, etc. It is a legal matter now, so we will see what happens by October, no matter what invective or aspersions you throw out there.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039563145970308239.post-83324578241250096142008-08-04T23:42:00.000-07:002008-08-04T23:42:00.000-07:00Maybe it could have been written better, but that ...Maybe it could have been written better, but that does not change the fact that judge threw out Monte Widders claim. The facts are, that city was wrong. Get it –WRONG!!!<BR/><BR/>It is insensitive of you to say this had had no affect on the Furchtenicht family. I suggest you ask those who know them. Even the “Doe’s that signed the initial initiative lost sleep over this issue, and some sought legal advice. <BR/><BR/>The SLAPP appeal will determine if Monte Widders can do it again to you or me. That outcome concerns me, and it should you to.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039563145970308239.post-63681308005943740162008-08-04T18:46:00.000-07:002008-08-04T18:46:00.000-07:00This is no big deal.Just an ego-trip for an attorn...This is no big deal.<BR/><BR/>Just an ego-trip for an attorney who fancies himself a self-styled savior, and was too proud to simply rewrite the initiative as requested. He has no skin in the game, as the ACLU is picking up the tab. I hope his two kids will be proud of him one day, but this SLAPP suit won't be the reason.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039563145970308239.post-18617955773006707362008-08-04T18:04:00.000-07:002008-08-04T18:04:00.000-07:00Thank you OVN for making the SLAPP appeal so clear...Thank you OVN for making the SLAPP appeal so clear to the public. Now get ready for the decision that comes down as it will be a VERY BIG DEAL. Here is why:<BR/> <BR/>If the court decides it was not a SLAPP, even if we know our initiative is legal as in the case for Jeff Furchtenicht, the average citizen will not be able to afford the financial risk of being sued arbitrarily by a City. The entire initiative process will effectively be taken away from the average citizen. The only people that could afford to go up against the city in the future will be the big money interests like the developers and special interest groups. This truly will remove the initiative process as a means for the citizens to cause their government to do things they refuse to do on their own.<BR/><BR/>If the court decides it was a SLAPP, Jeff Furchtenicht & the ACLU would get their court costs paid, but no damages. But best of all for use citizens is that cities will know in the future not to falsely sue its citizens to stop the initiative process. The time for a City or anyone else to determine if an initiative is legal is after it becomes law, not when it’s just an idea that has not been voted on by the citizens.<BR/> <BR/>It is a sad day that the City of Ojai has sued an average citizen that has two small kids, and has caused that family such grief. Our city has uselessly spent $83 thousand dollars of our money that could have been used for more important things, and we may end up with a decision from the court that will prevent us Ojai citizens from being able to exercise our right to introduce an initiative in the future. This is really stupid, and our City Council continues to allow good money to be thrown after bad. <BR/><BR/>I challenge the OVN to do some in-depth reporting on this. The decision that comes down from the appeals court will have far reaching affects and will get attention all over the nation. THIS IS A VERY BIG DEAL.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039563145970308239.post-66378256537283279132008-08-01T09:26:00.000-07:002008-08-01T09:26:00.000-07:00me too!!me too!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039563145970308239.post-14976479657187432082008-08-01T08:44:00.000-07:002008-08-01T08:44:00.000-07:00Can Ojai do some fundraising for our CIVIL RIGHTS?...Can Ojai do some fundraising for our CIVIL RIGHTS? Would like to donate.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039563145970308239.post-16153499962041991842008-07-31T18:42:00.000-07:002008-07-31T18:42:00.000-07:00Thanks for the update, OVN and Nao Braverman. Hop...Thanks for the update, OVN and Nao Braverman. Hope to hear more in Sept/Oct. Much appreciated!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com