Last week COMET’s counsel set up a GoFundMe page, called “SAVE MENTONE NOW!” and it seeks a modest $15,000 to retain or give a down payment for legal fees, in order to associate in bigger-name lawyers. “I’m an old lady, a solo practitioner, not well known in the courthouse, and up against a big name law firm. I don’t know how the Court will rule on Redlands’ and LAFCO’s demurrer,” [Ed.’s note: see previous article on the January 15 demurrer hearing] she said, “but I think a big name law firm might be more impressive and get us farther,” she told COMET/Chamber members attending Tuesday night’s teleconference.
COMET’s attorney for the lawsuit against Redlands is donating her professional time to research Redlands’ activities and prosecute the lawsuit and has donated most of her office supplies, all of her postage and gasoline to take documents to the courthouse in order to save COMET dipping into its meager funds. “If the court does not completely throw out COMET’s lawsuit, COMET will have to pay for publishing the Amended Summons in an adjudicated newspaper near Redlands, which will cost $200 for four weeks; that will have to come out of COMET’s funds,” she concluded. Fundraisers usually provide funds for COMET’s activities but they are currently on hold because of the pandemic.
Readers who can donate to the GoFundMe page in these difficult times encouraged, to do so. Additionally, everyone is invited to join the Chamber, at $25 per year, and COMET membership is included.