[MissoulaGov] Need for attorneys

[Bob Jaffe]

I re-read my comments and I still wouldn't characterize them as disparaging or ridicule. I think you are being a bit oversensitive. But that aside, I also disagree with your conclusion here.  It is of note when attorneys show up because they are expensive and are only there because someone is very seriously considering challenging the outcome of what we are doing. Of course it is always everyone's right to challenge what we do but it is noteworthy when there is in fact a legal challenge.
I also don't agree that it is an indicator that something is wrong when the parties to a decision show up with attorneys. There are a lot of gray areas in our land use laws. This is how they become less gray. The various competing interests present their cases, we make decisions, those decisions get challenged in court. The court then clarifies the laws and we all go forward enlightened.
On a parallel track, policy is also improved through community planning processes. But these too are subject to the cycle of court challenge and judicial clarification.
 
bob  

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From: missoulagov-bounces at cmslists.com on behalf of ERIN TURNER JON TURNER
Sent: Fri 5/15/2009 2:19 PM
To: missoulagov at cmslists.com
Subject: Re: [MissoulaGov] Need for attorneys



 Thank you Ryan for hitting the nail on the head...the council has the luxury of legal advice for every decision they make, so why is it riduculed when citizens request that resource?  Our neighborhood would much prefer to spend our money in other ways, but we feel injustices are occuring and the political and public process is being ignored.  Another reality: none of us, neighbors or developers, have the time to dig through all the laws and regulations to make sure injustices are not occuring.  It should be a wake-up call to the council when both the developer AND the neighborhood show up with attorneys...that is a huge red flag that something, somewhere went astray.  It should have never gotten to this point.  


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