Bayview News: Law firm claims slander
The law firm of Wetzel, Wetzel, Bredeson & Holt recently sent a letter to the Bayview Chamber of Commerce and to two individuals threatening a lawsuit for slander. The lawyers allege they were slandered by Hobart Jenkins, speaking at a chamber meeting, and Jere Mossier, who allegedly spoke against the firm at a different forum.
Attorney Kevin P. Holt, whose firm recently merged with the former Wetzel & Wetzel, wrote that Jenkins and Mossier used the slur, “Weasel & Weasel” to characterize the firm. The lawyers demanded a public retraction. Holt’s letter states: “Your organization, as well as other groups and individuals in the Bayview area, have for years now, made unsubstantiated attacks upon our client, Waterford Park Homes, and Mr. (Bob) Holland personally. This law firm has represented hundreds of clients throughout the decades of its existence. The accusations made against Mr. Holland since Waterford first became involved in Bayview have either been half-truths without the benefit of all the facts, or, in most cases, downright mean spirited lies. The false accusations against our client have piled up one on top of the other to the point where no good deed, no matter how selfless, could possibly overcome the reputation heaped upon him by small-minded, bitter people who need no proof to throw stones. It has been our habit, and the habit of our client, to rise above the petty insults cast about by the venomous minority in Bayview.”
Following receipt of the letter, Chamber President Jim MacDonald, at the chamber’s regular monthly meeting, read a letter of contrition from Jenkins and Mossier, as demanded.
Sirens may signal disaster
In other news, an independent committee of concerned citizens, organized by Rosemary Brennen, has been meeting to ascertain what the community can do to prepare for natural or other disasters.
Pointing to the rock slide that a few years ago blocked the Cape Horn road, causing severe disruption, Brennen said, “A forest fire could cut off the cape, causing the need for immediate evacuation, something that at present we don’t have a plan for, or another slide.”
Monthly planning sessions are under way to discover various responses and remedies for a number of possible events. One suggestion that is being investigated, is installing a siren of the type used for tsunamis or the Cold War air raid alerts of long past.
Who’s the weirdest of them all?
Halloween is almost upon us and we would be remiss if we didn’t announce the continued tradition of Halloween as celebrated in Bayview. For as many years as we can remember, the Captain’s Wheel Restaurant has held a costume party. Not just a costume party, but the party. Folks from all over the Inland Empire – from the West Plains Spokane area, south to Lewiston and north to Canada – flock to Bayview to see who can out-weird the other. This year will be no different. Saturday is the date. Best costume wins $100.