VERANDA PARTNERS FAILS TO SHOW UP FOR HEARING IN SLANDER CASE

Neither Kevin Azzouz nor any representative for Veranda Partners bothered to show up today for a Hearing in the Slander case they filed in March 2007.  See www.VerandaParkNews.com They didn’t even bother to send an attorney.  Of course I can’t imagine they could find an attorney that would want to argue their position in this First Amendment case against the Constitution and Florida Law.

A Motion For Default was Granted and Ordered by Judge Sprinkel in a short hearing this morning.

After a year and a half of frivilous legals filings, in this malicious Slander Suit, and after two major lawfirms, Bogin, Munns, and Munns, and Akermann Senterfitt, (representing the Plaintiff) withdrew from handling the case, it appears that the wheels of Justice, although slow, will work after all.

Freedom of Speech, although I’ve learned is not FREE,  is our right. It is our right as Americans to speak out against attrocities, and to petition our government for a redress of grievances.  A governmental entity can include many entities, maybe even HOA Boards. 

The questions now are:  How do we determine damages and how do we collect them against a major Corporation that may end up in Bankruptcy anyway?

AND

How do we prevent these tyrants, hiding behind the guise of Corporations, from using this tool in the future against those that dare to speak out?

In 2004, the Florida Legislature passed legislation against the filing of these types suits, but due to high powered lobbyists, the law was watered down so that it has no bite.

We must have legislation that specifically holds these powerful and influencial “Wolves”, that prey on our “Sheep”, accountable for their actions.

See www.VerandaParkNews.com/fourhorses.html

You can speak out!  I welcome your opinions and input, as that is exactly what I was fighting for.

Thank you for your support during these trying times.  Yes, it was worth it all.

HERE’S HOW I THINK IT ALL HAPPENED

Several years ago, about 2003, Bogin Munns and Munns represented me in a civil case that the results were less than satisfactory.  My dropping of the case for what I felt was exorbitant attorneys fees resulted in a small claims court suit by Bogin Munns and Munns against me and a Bar Complaint filed by me against them, my own attorney.  The resulting judgment was less than $1,000, but it left the attorney-client relationship with bitter feelings.

 On February 9^th, 2007, I put up the website at www.VerandaParkNews.com which was critical of some of the things that were going on in Metrowest and raised questions that many people wanted answers to. The website was totally unrelated to my previous conflicts with Bogin, Munns, and Munns, as I had long since moved on.

 Since the site had only 51 visits to it during the original time it was up, many of which were me putting it up and down, I’m sure someone notified Mr. Azzouz of the site.

 It’s my opinion that Mr. Azzouz, feeling the site was directed at him, took personal exception to the site and the comments on it.  He notified Rulon Munns, a friend and business associate of his,  to “take care of the problem”.

 Upon investigating, Munns assumed who the author was from Internet domain registration records. (I used my real name and address to register the domain name)  I suspect Mr. Munns reported back to Mr. Azzouz who the owner of the site was and also included the personal conflict we had had with our litigation. Mr Azzouz, as described in the newspaper article “From Rats To Riches” appears to be the type person that takes personal offense to opposition, whether real or imagined, and as described, ““That’s when Kevin pulls out his moneybags and starts hitting you upside the head until you are pounded into submission”. (Orlando Sentinel 2005 by Wes Smith)

I believe Mr. Azzouz instructed Mr. Munns to take care of the problem and the stern warning letter was sent, threatening a lawsuit to “teach me a lesson”.  The letter was served by a process server at my residence on my now ex-wife, who became hysterical over our being sued.  I immediately took down the website, not sure of what I had actually done.  I didn’t even know Mr. Azzouz at the time, was not referring to him specifically, and really just talked about Veranda Park, not Veranda Partners. 

Not giving it a second thought, I immediately took down the site and thought that would be the end of it, since that is what the threatening letter had stated.  I began preparing for an upcoming family vacation trip and didn’t give it another thought until the evening of March 9^th, the night before I was leaving to go out of town on the trip. That is when I was again served with a civil notice that I was now being sued for “SLANDER”. 

I was quite perplexed by the action, since I had complied with the demands. I had to leave town on our trip with this on my mind. The clock was now ticking and I only had 20 days to respond legally to the action or be in default. 

Why had Mr. Azzouz and Bogin, Munns, and Munns, taken this action of filing a suit in Circuit Court, after stating in the letter, “this was my only chance to Avoid Litigation”.  What had changed that prompted this action?  I knew that I had complied with the demands, even though I didn’t agree with them.  Nothing else had transpired that I knew of to warrant this action.

It wasn’t until April 2007, that I finally figured out what I came to believe was the reason they filed the suit anyway after saying they wouldn’t.  I received an email from an unknown person, that directed me to look at the Clerk of Courts records in Orange County and to look at Mr. Azzouz’ driving record.  It wasn’t so much the record that I found interesting but the timing of one of his most recent traffic citations.  It appears from the Clerk’s records, that after sending me that threatening letter on Feb 23, 2007, Mr. Azzouz received a Speeding Ticket from what appears to have been an Orange County Deputy Sheriff. Although it’s my opinion the deputy gave some courtesy to Mr. Azzouz when issuing the citation by writing it for 6-9 miles over the limit,  I think Mr. Azzouz took personal exception to the citation and may have felt that I had something to do with the citation being issued. For the record, I can emphatically say that I did not have anything to do with the issuance of that citation, nor do I know the deputy that wrote it.  I do not condone or participate in that type action, but I can understand how Mr. Azzouz could have felt that way, especially if he is one that is used to blaming others for his own actions.

The citation was issued on March 7^th, 2007, approx. 12 days after the threatening letter was sent.  On March 9^th, two days later, the civil action lawsuit for Slander was filed against me in Circuit Court and it was served on me on March 13^th, in the evening, the night before I was leaving out of town the next day.  Was all this timing coincidental? Looking back, it doesn’t look so to me.

The malicious actions of Bogin Munns and Munns after the filing also seems to corroborate my thoughts.  When an attorney I found that was trying to help me, called and asked Mr. Balonavich for an extension of time to file the response to the lawsuit, they emphatically stated, “No, our client does not give extensions!” Since this is a common courtesy given between attorneys in efforts to keep relations civil in lawsuits, my attorney felt this was somewhat strange. When he also asked about them knowing that their law firm had represented me in a civil action only a few years earlier, and that they had all my financial records, tax returns, and other personal information, they replied they were aware of that, and did not feel this was a conflict of interest.

It was readily apparent the malicious stance they were taking, and even more apparent when they immediately filed to have a Video Deposition taken of me right after my answer was filed, and stating it would take “all day”.

It is my opinion that this case is clearly a frivolous and malicious lawsuit, filed against me for personal reasons, by a wealthy, tyrannical, individual, with a huge ego, and more money than he knows what to do with.  In a conversation I had with Mr. Azzouz, early on in this case, he stated to me,  “You know you can’t win this case. I will spend whatever it takes to destroy you!”

Mr. Azzouz stated to me at one point that he had spent over $200,000 on legal fees in this case and that he would spend more if necessary.  This has proven to be true, as he is now on his second law firm, after firing Bogin, Munns, and Munns for mishandling the case. I guess Bogin, Munns, and Munns, wasn’t big enough to handle a case of this magnitude, and he needed the powerhouse firm of Akerman Senterfeit, to use their influence to continue. It is ever so apparent to me now, that these large, powerful, and influential law firms are more than willing to sacrifice their principles, ignore their hypocritic creed, and abuse the system, if a client has the money to pay the exorbitant legal fees to keep a case going.  It is most disappointing to me that our court system and our society, will allow them to do it, even when the state law clearly prohibits it.

With my attorneys fees now at over $90,000, and nothing even resolved, I have long since realized that even by winning this case in court, I will be the only loser.  In the opinions of my attorneys, I have already “won” this case, as Mr. Azzouz has been unable to silence my voice and prevent me from speaking out against these atrocities. My websites are still up, and I am able to write this article, my opinions, for you to read and form your own opinions.  I have grown up my entire life believing in this right, and that this right is “Guaranteed” by the very First Amendment of the United States Constitution, a document that our country was founded on.  I respect the fact that many Americans have died over the years defending this right, and I refuse to allow a tyrannical dictator to take away our right because, “he got his feelings hurt.”

I am thankful though for many lessons that I have learned over the past year from this case, the most important one though, that “Freedom of Speech, isn’t Free!” There is a price, a huge price, but it is worth it. 

I have also learned a lot about who I am, and what is really important to me in life. I have learned how deep my convictions really are and for that, I am proud to say, I am a true American. 

As for the case, if our judges do not have the courage to stand up to these tyrants, and intervene with a Summary Judgment, as required by the State Law, then I can only hope I can endure the barrage of discovery and depositions over the coming years, to make it to trial.  This is another right guaranteed by the Constitution, to let our peers, like you and I, decide what is right and wrong.

Until that time, and long after, I will continue to speak out against atrocities, and to defend the rights of all Americans, regardless of the cost. I am proud to be an American.

In the words of another famous American, Patrick Henry, “Give Me Liberty, or Give Me Death!”

 

Thank You.

Veranda Partners vs Giles - We Lost Round One

We Lost Round One.  Well, I’m a little surprised at this one.  The Circuit Court Judge Reginald Whitehead, decided to step down from the case after Azzouz and his lawyers decided they couldn’t get a fair trial from the judge because he (the judge) lived in the area.

 Apparently, according to John Bolanovich, the Bogin Munns and Munns attorney handling this case, Veranda Partners did not think they could get a fair trial from Judge Whitehead. On May 4th, 2007, we had a hearing on what seemed to be a small legal technicality. Judge Whitehead told us at the May 4th hearing that he lived in “the area”.  At that hearing Veranda Partners’ attorney told the judge that he didn’t see any problem with that. My attorneys also said, neither did we. 

 I  don’t really understand this recusal, because Judge Whitehead has a reputation for being fair, honest, and thoughtful.  But, Bolanovich went on the record stating that he talked to his client about it, and Veranda Partners did not think that Judge Whitehead could be the fair and impartial person that he is known to be.  I think that is slandering Judge Whitehead, but my lawyers tell me that it is not.  Even if it isn’t, it seems pretty unfair to kick the judge off a case, especially when he ruled earlier that Bogin, Munns, and Munns could stay on the case – even though they used to be my attorneys.  (See Motion to Disqualify Bogin Munns and Munns Link Below)

We tried to keep Judge Whitehead on the case.  First of all, we trusted him.  Second, the motion to throw him off the case was filed way too late . According to my lawyers, you’re supposed to file these things 10 days after you learn of the information that makes you think you can’t get a fair trial  Since the hearing was on May 4th, that means that he was supposed to file the motion to disqualify the judge by May 14th   On June 7th, (34 days later) Bogin Munns and Munns filed the motion to get rid of Judge Whitehead. That was two weeks before the scheduled hearings of June 21st for the case.   Why the delay?  Because Bogin Munns and Munns claims that they didn’t really know about all this until they got the transcript of the hearing that was held on May 4th.   In other words, their attorney was at the hearing on May 4th, when this information was disclosed, but Veranda Partners didn’t know about it until when?  Until a written transcript got sent to them?  I don’t know about other attorneys, but my attorneys call me 10 minutes after every hearing and tell me everything that happened at that hearing.  See, its called keeping your client informed.  Let’s just pretend that none of that matters, and the 10 days are from when they receive the written transcript. A delivery receipt shows the transcript was delivered on May 25th.  Bogin Munns and Munns claims they didn’t get the transcript until May 31st, according to a Declaration made by Attorney Bolanovich.   I know this seems nit-picky, but I know two things about what a lawyer is supposed to do 1)       They are supposed to be honest before the court. 2)       They are supposed to work efficiently. Bolanovich doesn’t claim, in his declaration, that this transcript wasn’t delivered until May 31.  He claims that it didn’t reach his in-box until May 31.   The transcript got to Bogin Munns and Munns on May 25.   Attorney Bolonovich says that it got to his in-box on May 31.   In other words, according to Bogin, Munns & Munns, it took six days for a delivery to get from the receptionist to the attorney’s desk.  What do they use for document delivery over there, Glaciers?  

As you who have been following this case know, this is what has happened so far:  Veranda Partners has Bogin, Munns, & Munns send me this threatening letter.   http://mworlando.files.wordpress.com/2007/05/dema
nd-letter-veranda-bogin-munns.pdf  I decided to knuckle under to their bullying, and I did exactly what they “asked” me to do – I took down my website.    Veranda Partners decided to sue me anyway.   http://mworlando.files.wordpress.com/2007/05/co
mplaint-veranda-giles.pdf

 As I previously stated, Bogin, Munns, & Munns were my lawyers before this suit started.  I thought that was a little bit of a conflict of interest, so we filed this motion to disqualify them.   http://mworlando.files.wordpress.com/2007/05/mo
tion-to-disqualify-boginmunnsandmunns.pdf  The way I saw it, this whole lawsuit seemed to be (at least in part) motivated by Bogin, Munns, & Munns’ hatred for me.  See, I did file a bar complaint against one of their attorneys, Nancy Price (now Nancy Brandt) for how she handled my case.  Lawyers get mad at stuff like that.  I suspected that this case was as much about that as about any bogus “slander claim”  

When will the real issues be heard? Now we have to wait until a hearing date can be set for a new judge. For a complete list of the filings, go to http://mworlando.wordpress.com/the Thank You for your support!

New SLAPP Legislation being proposed in Florida

NEW SLAPP LEGISLATION IS BEING PROPOSED

Legislation is currently being drafted by an organization in Jensen Beach Florida to protect citizens from frivilous lawsuits being filed as “Slander”.

The bill would force private residents or businesses who file lawsuits against activist groups or residents to prove in court that they have a legitimate case, and not a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation, or SLAPP, said Tom Fullman, the founder of the group. Those lawsuits usually have no merit in the end and are filed only to run up the legal bills of defendants and intimidate them into dropping their opposition, Fullman said.

Attorney Viginia Sherlock is currently drafting the bill patterned after a California law that has existed since 1993. 

Sherlock said her bill would allow a group or individuals who have been sued to file a motion claiming they are the victims of a SLAPP. If a judge agrees the motion has merit, all legal work on the suit is stopped to prevent legal bills from rising. Then the plaintiff must show within 30 days that they have at least some proof of a legitimate legal claim and they are not just trying to silence the defendants.

Florida already has similar legislation but it only applies to government agencies and homeowner’s associations, Fullman said.(Palm Beach Post.com   June 17th, 2007 - Activists seek shelter from lawsuits)

This sounds particularly similar to what I am facing here in Metrowest, except, there is already a law that is supposed to protect citizens from this type of actions from government entities and homeowner’s associations. See (FL SS 720.304.) Three months and $50,000 later, we’re still arguing over whether they can get a fair trial from the judge and whether they can take my all day video deposition for discovery.

Residents of Florida, it’s time to stand up and speak out.  These are your rights too. If some wealthy, powerful, person, or business, gets offended by what you post on here, you could be next.  Unless they are the government or an HOA, you are not even protected by the current legislation. 

It’s time to stand together and let’s get this legislation drafted and passed.  Rep. Bill Snyder R-Stuart is considering sponsoring the bill but he wants to know it is supported by the people.  He also wants to know it has a chance of passing. I can understand his position as “sometimes” when I read the comments on here, I feel the same way.  What am I fighting for if no one else cares.  Fortunately for me, I get support, encouragement, and “thank you’s” from many that I talk to every day.  They can tell you, it’s what I talk about every waking minute of every day.

In the coming weeks, we will be posting information about the bill, names of representatives to email, and their addresses.

Is this a cry for help?   You bet it is.  When I got sued by King Azzouz, I could have crawled and groveled, and begged for forgiveness. I could have forgot my values and belief in our constitution, and tried to “make it go away!”  No,  I decided to carry the torch and lead the way in this fight. To stand up to this tyranny and protect the rights of everyone.  I have three years until I retire and then can choose to move anywhere in the world I desire.  I have committed all my resources and all my time to fighting this injustice and will see it through to the end, regardless of the outcome.  

If you want to read more about what my case is about, you can read the filings at:  www.mworlando.wordpress.com/the   or you can visit my website at www.MWOrlando.com.      

Regardless of your opinion in my case, which you are free to voice here, I’m listening, please get behind this legislation and support the protection of your rights to Free Speech and from frivilous SLAPP suits.

I read now many postings by many regular bloggers on this site, as well as many other sites. (It’s amazing how involved you get when everything you have is on the line.)  I read so much about how our rights are being taken away, and how the principles of the constitution are being eroded by our politicians. Well, this is your chance to “really” do something about it.

It will be a long, hard fought road, as the wealthy developers, with their high priced lobbyists, will be opposed to this legislation. They will not want to freely give up their “tool” at silencing opposition.  Let your voice be heard by your representative and let’s get this bill passed.

I thank each and every one of you and I look forward to shaking your hands one day as we celebrate the victory or saving our freedom. 

You’re true Americans!   

Larry Giles

MWOrlando

By Their Deeds, You Shall Know Them

By Their Deeds, You Shall Know Them

As many of you are aware, Kevin Azzouz’ company, Veranda Partners, has filed a lawsuit against me for Slander. Joseph Seebach, an executive at Veranda Partners, was quoted in the first Orlando Sentinel article about this case as saying

“It takes so much effort to build a good reputation and so very little to unfairly tear down the trust we’ve built in the community.”

Of course, I think that Veranda Partners and Kevin Azzouz have done more damage to their reputation by filing this frivolous lawsuit than anything that I (or anyone else) may have allegedly said.

As the Bible says, “By their deeds, you shall know them”

So, lets look at Mr. Azzouz and Veranda Partners’ deeds and see if we can know them a little better. But, lets look at their deeds through this lawsuit. Through these deeds, perhaps you will get to know them as I have.

I published a website that didn’t even say anything about Veranda Partners. In fact, I talked about “Veranda Park.” That is the new name of this community, or so I read in the paper: The ‘run-down’ area needs a new name, a developer says, Orlando Sentinel, June 21, 2006).

Nevertheless, somebody at either Veranda Partners or Bogin, Munns, & Munns (or both) decided that they were offended that I had something negative to say about how my neighborhood was being run, so they sent me this letter. (Demand Letter)

Mind you, they didn’t just mail it to me. No, that wouldn’t have had enough of a dramatic and intimidating affect. They had a process server come to my house and serve it on me as if I were a criminal receiving a summons.

So much for their respect for the First Amendment.

I was just trying to get the attention of my neighbors, my homeowners’ association, and my elected officials. It appears that I got the attention of the Master Homeowners’ Association, which Veranda Partners controls. Had they just called me, stopped by to talk, or sent me a letter asking for something to be corrected, I am a reasonable person. I would have discussed changing it. I am not opposed to the Veranda Park project. Quite the contrary. I just question the rationale of some of the “improvements” to the area. With a little discussion, they probably could have made me an ally, and I would have worked with them to improve things around Metrowest

Instead, they sent this threat. Threat Letter.

That threat demands that I take the website down within 36 hours (Saturday night), or they would sue me first thing Monday morning.

So much for being reasonable. Of course, that shocked me, and it did intimidate me a little. I knew that I was right, but who wants to go through a lawsuit to prove it? I took down the site, and figured that would be the end of it, since I did exactly what they asked me to do.

No such luck. They sued me anyway. Here is their complaint. The Complaint.

Everyone that has read it has laughed – well except me, since I am the one with the cost of being sued. To sue someone for slander, shouldn’t you at least tell them what it is they said that they are so offended about? They still haven’t said and still refuse to tell me. I get a feeling they never will.

The rest of the lawsuit documents are available at this link, at the bottom of the page.

MWOrlando.WordPress.com/the .

However, the most important one, I think, is The Motion for Sanctions.

This suit is so ludicrous that I think that the only punishment that should be doled out is against Veranda Partners and Bogin, Munns, & Munns.

Remember what Mr. Seebach said, “It takes so much effort to build a good reputation and so very little to unfairly tear down the trust we’ve built in the community.”

Perhaps he should have told Mr. Azzouz that before this frivolous lawsuit was filed. The Orlando Sentinel reports that the Mayor of Windermere called Mr. Azzouz a “crybaby” a while back.

(Azzouz project goes to hearing, Orlando Sentinel, May 3, 2007). I wonder why he didn’t sue the mayor for that? Maybe because the mayor has money and power, and would have been more difficult to beat up on? Bullies don’t usually pick on the big kid on the playground. However, I think that Azzouz, Veranda Partners, and Bogin, Munns, & Munns have underestimated me.

As a military veteran and a public servant for 29 years, I took an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States. That wasn’t just a promise. It was an OATH.

Kind of like the Professionalism Creed and Oath of Attorney that lawyers take. (I am happy to say that my lawyers take that oath very seriously). So a huge company is trying to crush me. Why? I think because they are trying to make an example of me. If they can crush me, they get to wave that victory around at all of the people opposing Veranda Partners’ projects throughout the area. If everyone is scared of Veranda Partners, then who will ever stand up to them?

“It takes so much effort to build a good reputation and so very little to unfairly tear down the trust we’ve built in the community.”

Do you trust Veranda Partners? When they said (unfairly) “take down your site or we will sue you,” I did what they said, and they sued me anyway?

Do you trust Veranda Partners now after they filed this frivolous SLAPP suit? What did more harm to the trust they tried to build up in the community? My little website that didn’t even name them? My little website that didn’t even bash anyone? My little website that was more about the trees and flowers in this community than anything? Is that what damaged the “trust” they built in this community? My little website had 51 hits before they told me to take it down. I don’t even know if those hits were by anyone other than me and Veranda Partners.

On the other hand, how many people are watching this lawsuit? The Orlando Sentinel is certainly doing a good job of shining a spotlight on Veranda Partners’ behavior. I bet Veranda Partners won’t have the guts to sue them though. They have enough money and power to stand up to them. On the other hand, I probably looked like an easy victim.

I am actually a little bit ashamed that I let Bogin, Munns & Munns bully me into taking down the website in the first place. But, now that they sued me anyway, I intend to fight this to the bitter end. I took an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution, and if I don’t stand up to Veranda Partners, Kevin Azzouz, and Bogin, Munns, & Munns, then I will be saying that my oath meant nothing to me all these years.

Well, my readers and fellow Americans, my oath means everything to me.

I’m not just standing up for myself. I am standing up so that regular people everywhere can know that the Constitution is there to protect our most cherished and valuable right – our First Amendment right to freedom of speech and our right to petition for redress of grievances. I will not let Veranda Partners, Kevin Azzouz, or Bogin, Munns & Munns, or anyone else take that away from us. Not if I can help it.

Are there any Other Victims?

Azzouz said in the Orlando Sentinel “”If you look at my track record, I don’t use litigation as a business tool.” However, at least one individual has come forward with information that contradicts this statement. I am wondering if there are any other people out there who have been sued (or threatened with a lawsuit) by Mr. Azzouz or Veranda Partners for anything similar to this case.

In the same Orlando Sentinel article, Joseph Seebach said, “We’ve had prospective customers call us asking about it.” The “it” meaning my website. If anyone out there actually called Veranda Partners asking about my website, I’d like to hear from you. More importantly, if you would be willing to serve as a witness in my case, I really need to hear from you. Anyone with any information, opinions, etc. about Veranda Partners is invited to email me at

mworlando@gmail.com. My sincerest thanks to all of you that have voiced your support so far and to all of you that I know support this cause.

SLAPP SUITS CONTINUE TO PLAGUE

Sunday May 20, 2007

What constitutes a SLAPP suit

By DAVE McMILLION   CHARLES TOWN, W.VA.-An attorney who represented three Jefferson County residents who faced a $2.15 million lawsuit over a development they opposed classified the action as a “SLAPP” lawsuit. SLAPP is an acronym for Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation. Such suits are designed to intimidate people who have spoken out against projects or issues at public meetings, said Martinsburg attorney David Hammer, who represented Richard Latterell, Sherry Craig and Mary MacElwee. Latterell, Craig and MacElwee were sued after they and other county residents expressed concerns about Thornhill, a proposed 595-home subdivision near the Shenandoah River. Berkeley County Circuit Judge Christopher Wilkes threw out the suit last month. People who are concerned about projects in the county take it upon themselves to go to public meetings and voice concerns, “as you should have the right to do,” Hammer said. But people who are active in local issues were fearful when they learned about the suit against Latterell, Craig and MacElwee, Hammer said. Jim Campbell, a Charles Town attorney who represented the developers of Thornhill in the suit against the three county residents, disagreed with Hammer’s assertion that the suit was a SLAPP action. Campbell said it could not be described as a SLAPP suit because state law does not recognize such a term. Hammer said state Sen. John Unger, D-Berkeley/Jefferson, has made attempts to implement anti-SLAPP suit legislation. Sen. John Yoder, D-Jefferson, said he has heard some lawmakers talk about banning SLAPP suits in West Virginia, but he never has had proposed legislation taken to him for consideration. Yoder said he would be willing to consider proposed legislation to control SLAPP suits.

First Amendment Protest

It was back to the street again this morning for another round of street protest.

 

It was another great day and the response was even greater today than yesterday.

A volunteer, Frank, came out to join me in the cause and he was a welcome addition.

Frank held the sign, “Honk if you believe in Free Speech?

The horns and waves were non-stop.

 Again today, many making the turn onto Hiawassee Rd. from Westpointe Blvd. would read the signs while they were stopped and give a thumbs up, or a verbal approval. Some too upon seeing Frank’s sign would honk several times, presumably in approval.

It was an uplifting experience for both of us and a giant step in re-affirming my faith in the residents of Central Florida and their beliefs in our rights as Americans.

In only a two-hour tour, we must have had over 1,000 cars go by, maybe even more. I believe the horn honks were up to 50%. It was Great! About 1 in 10 would read the sign and 1 in 20 would signal an approval, like a thumbs up.

Everyone was friendly and most waved back when we waived at them. I know now that waving is the universal friendly gesture.

I’ll be back in the morning to try the weekend traffic.   Honk if you come by!

What great people we have here in Central Florida. Well, at least Metrowest!

NEW RESTAURANTS IN METROWEST

OPENING SOON IN METROWEST

Several new restaurants are opening on Kirkman Rd. south of Metrowest Blvd. in Metrowest.  The new strip shopping center will become the home to a great selection of unique type restaurants that will offer a wider selection of eateries for residents.

Dinner Delites - Full home cooked meals made to take out, priced at less than $3 per person. I have heard of this concept on the east side near Casselberry, but hadn’t made the drive to check it out.  I surely will now that it’s in my own backyard.

Shane’s Rib Shack -   Wow, as much as I like ribs.  Have to try this one out. Will post a review in the future after they open and I make my visit.

Hurricane Wings -  I read abou this new franchise recently and that it is expanding rapidly across the country.  Saw this one here, and it’s open already. The wing competition is fierce here in Metrowest with the Wing Shack right down the street, Froggers, with 35 cent wings on Monday, right around the corner, and Gators also on Conroy.  Competition is great!

Asian Bistro - A little more upscale than the fastfood Chinese restaurants in the area. Hope the price of atmosphere isn’t too high.  It’ looks really nice.

Stopped by Sam’s Piano Bar the other day. Was going to do lunch but thought the menu was a little pricey for me.  We’re going to miss Sam Snead’s Restaurant.  It was a local favorite.  Stop by and check out Sam’s and please post your thoughts here.  I want to know before I go.

Waiting for Dan Marino’s to open in Veranda Park in the future. It was one of my favorites when it was at the Pointe on I Dr.  Could become the local hang out and sports bar. 

Guess I’ll start a Restaurant Review on here.  The selection is growing and boy do we love to eat out.

Larry Giles announces intention to run for Board of Directors

Longtime resident, Larry Giles, has announced his intention to run for the Metrowest Unit Five, HOA Board of Directors.  With the Annual election, coming up June 6th, 2007 and four of the five positions up for re-election, it’s time to make a change.

 Ballots and Proxies are being mailed and should be received by Friday, May 18th.  Additional candidates Rudy Bell, Judy Calvanelli, and Mike Schifhauer are also running.

 

Decal Security Program

The Board of Directors has proposed a new program to assist with the detection of crime in the neighborhood.  A decal would be produced and issued to residents for the vehicles that are owned by them.   Registration information would be available to authorities to determine the vehicles that belong in the area.

Do you think this program would be beneficial?

As a resident, do you want to see this program funded by the board?

What are your thoughts?