On June 17, 2011 Rick Perry signed into law the Texas Citizens Participation Act which went into effect immediately. The law is meant to protect citizens from Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP). Unfortunately, this law comes to late for some Trophy Club citizens.
Denton County Defamation Case No. 2009-60142-393 (Town Councilwoman Kathleen Wilson v. Gregg Lamont, Steven Kohs) is a SLAPP action taken against Mr. Lamont and Kohs for participating in the election in 2009. Mayor Connie White, the Trophy Club Town Attorney and Municipal Utility District (MUD) Director Gary Carr are all participating in this lawsuit.
Mr. Lamont and Mr. Kohs were sued in retaliation for posting information on a political website exposing corruption, waste and violations of the Clean Water Act by the Trophy Club MUD.
Former Town Councilwoman Wilson, Mayor White, Director Carr and the Town Attorney all seem to have forgotten how governments work. Apparently these officials believe the Citizens of Trophy Club have no right to petition their local government when faced with corruption, waste and unlawful behavior.
So while the rest of the population of Texas benefits from this new law against SLAPP actions, it is the same unethical business as usual in Trophy Club. Perhaps something will change in the future to end this climate of fear and return basic rights to the citizens of Trophy Club. Until then, it would be wise to avoid publicly disagreeing with the Mayor.
UPDATE: For the latest on Trophy Club click here.
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