Church lawsuit to cost city $61,000

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

The City of Mountain Home expects to pay more than $61,000 in legal fees and damages as it settles a lawsuit against a local church.

No-Limits Christian Ministries will receive $24,000 in damages from the city following a dispute with Mountain Home officials to convert a downtown building into a church complex.

The Malcom-Baker law firm in Chicago filed the complaint on behalf of the church May 31, which sued the city over religious freedoms.

For the full story, pick up a copy of the Mountain Home News or click on this link to subscribe to the newspaper's online edition.

Comments
View 33 comments
Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. Please note that those who post comments on this website may do so using a screen name, which may or may not reflect a website user's actual name. Readers should be careful not to assign comments to real people who may have names similar to screen names. Refrain from obscenity in your comments, and to keep discussions civil, don't say anything in a way your grandmother would be ashamed to read.
  • *

    Wow thanks, its good thing mtn home has another church to go to, since we barley have any at all.

    personaly i wish i could tell that church to shove it.

    -- Posted by shockwave on Wed, Aug 24, 2011, at 9:55 AM
  • I think this should keep the city in check for awhile

    -- Posted by bloodyknuckles on Wed, Aug 24, 2011, at 10:19 AM
  • *

    Sue unto others...

    It's great to see people holding true to their beliefs!

    -- Posted by VicVega on Wed, Aug 24, 2011, at 10:34 AM
  • Maybe the Catholic church can sue and get their $40,000 back that the city took. Then the city can sue its laywers for giving bad legal advice. All the persons involved should resign now; city clerk,city lawyer, Issac and Mayor.

    -- Posted by gmoney on Wed, Aug 24, 2011, at 11:10 AM
  • Does this church realize that the $61,000..00 is coming from the citizens of this community who pay taxes. How do they think this will help them build a congregation? How do they think they will be accepted by this community? Are they really that uneducated that they thought the monetary judgment was coming from the city, or the mayor instead of the citizens? I think they need to ask themselves WWJD.

    -- Posted by Victoria Olson on Wed, Aug 24, 2011, at 12:27 PM
  • Nothing New!

    So much evil done in the name of the Lord. Take heart - what goes around eventually comes around.

    -- Posted by Offgrid on Wed, Aug 24, 2011, at 12:48 PM
  • This just upsets me to see that this religious group has to do this to the city of Mountain Home. That was $61,000 that could have went to the school system. but instead, The tax payers have to front the money for a church. Isn't there enough churches in Mountain Home? I personally have never been inside of a church and live just peachy. If these people feel the need to go to church, why can't they go in one that already exists in Mountain Home? Or if that doesn't tickle their fancy, they can congregate in one of their houses. If they can drive a $50,000 dollar Cadillac, then I'm sure they have a nice sized home with a bedroom they can convert, or slide the couches against the wall and set up some folding chairs in their living room. I don't have a problem with religious groups but to set and make the city pay $61,000 is more ridiculous than a Cadillac Escalade that has 33" tires with 31" rims.

    -- Posted by crtrnhrafan on Wed, Aug 24, 2011, at 1:11 PM
  • *

    I agree with most especially Victoria, where do those think the money was going to come from for their so called Church. What a nice way to get started in Mtn Home, looks to me like money from others is their point of religion. That whole outfit could just pack up and leave town and they won't be missed.

    -- Posted by Eagle_eye on Wed, Aug 24, 2011, at 1:11 PM
  • Werborg, your statements regarding the order of and source of certain events are factually incorrect. The councilmembers were never dismissed as individuals prior to the suit being dismissed with prejudice on August 18th. Other than to point out obvious factual inaccuracies, I won't comment further on here regarding the suit, but am working on a comprehensive account of what happened, and my opinion of it and its ramifications, on a blog to be published in the upcoming weeks.

    -- Posted by Councilman Schroeder on Wed, Aug 24, 2011, at 2:54 PM
  • *

    This is the church of sue thy neighbor and how can I shake down the citizens in the name of the lord. This church (using the tern very loosely) is no better than any cult or con-artist that is looking for a free payday from their neighbors. I think this place and the people that use it are despicable devils.

    -- Posted by Trouble2011 on Wed, Aug 24, 2011, at 3:15 PM
  • *

    Schroeder: you trying to say you going to write your own blog on here or someplace else. That should prove to be interesting LOL.

    -- Posted by Eagle_eye on Wed, Aug 24, 2011, at 3:39 PM
  • *

    Nothing new, this is one of the reasons I look forward to retirement and move north. This town is going to dry up fast soon and it will be by its own doing.

    -- Posted by scoutin on Wed, Aug 24, 2011, at 3:45 PM
  • Thank you for clarifying the source of that misinformation, werborg. Eagle- it'll be somewhere else. I'll post the link when it's ready.

    -- Posted by Councilman Schroeder on Wed, Aug 24, 2011, at 5:55 PM
  • We have way to many churches in MH. They're institutions that spread ignorance and hate.

    -- Posted by Mastermind on Wed, Aug 24, 2011, at 9:23 PM
  • *

    It almost sounds like Councilman Schroeder is getting a cut of the extortion money.

    -- Posted by Trouble2011 on Wed, Aug 24, 2011, at 10:27 PM
  • Why did the people who did this church just not go up 1 block and the next block and join. Come on folks 3 churches in 2 blocks. Drive by these churches I nor anyone in our neighborhood drive cars like any of these 3 churches. Going to drive and sit and wait to see where they live. I'm curious-:)...can waste my whole day doing this..and so can my spouse he will do one I will do the other.

    But maybe they will notice...alas cars are ten years old-:(

    -- Posted by Momof 2graduates on Wed, Aug 24, 2011, at 10:41 PM
  • *

    I too think Councilman Schroeder was in on the NLCM, Inc lawsuit. And just yesterday I heard a rumor he is being groomed for a top leadership position in "The Shifty 50". What say you Councilman ;-)

    -- Posted by bondyweb on Thu, Aug 25, 2011, at 9:02 AM
  • There's a lot of accusations thrown at Councilman Schroeder. MMMMhhh, where's the evidence?

    -- Posted by Mastermind on Thu, Aug 25, 2011, at 9:25 AM
  • *

    OMG, I can not believe that there are comments about what kinds of cars these folks drive... how jealous can some be. Oh well, back to the topic of the story. This church was awarded this money through a settlement with the city. "The City of Mountain Home expects to pay more than $61,000 in legal fees and damages as it settles a lawsuit against a local church."... the city of Mountain Home must have had to feel that they did something wrong in order to settle, or did they just get caught during selective governing, either way THE CITY SETTLED, this church could have walked away from that settlement and possible received more damages, so remember that when you all come back with "it was cheaper for the city to just cut its loses and settle"... that tells me they were afraid of something.

    -- Posted by workingbee on Thu, Aug 25, 2011, at 8:44 PM
  • *

    The story presented in the little blurb above doesn't really tell the whole story either. The $61,000 is only the amount the that the NLCM, Inc lawyers will get. It doesn't cover the amount the City of Mountain Home had to pay for "our" legal defense in this lawsuit. I think Mayor Rist said the total cost to the city would approach the $80,000 mark. Maybe the full story in the physical copy of the paper covers this little tidbit?

    -- Posted by bondyweb on Thu, Aug 25, 2011, at 8:46 PM
  • *

    OK... cant justwatch...yea distain...I am sure they didn't buy the "Glades" with just $24,000... well anyways... I am so hoping that this church takes that money and provides for those that are in need..then you can all eat crow.. cause you don't have a clue what this church is doing with that money now do you....

    -- Posted by workingbee on Thu, Aug 25, 2011, at 9:25 PM
  • *

    Yea, I sleep well at night knowing my local government is doing nothing but good...hahahahahahahahah...

    -- Posted by workingbee on Thu, Aug 25, 2011, at 10:14 PM
  • Do you know who failed the City? It was the lawyer/law firm hired who advised the City on this matter. That person or firm is truly liable for the amount of money the City is having to pay to settle this case and pay the bills. Had the City been properly advised, this would not be an issue today. The City has an obligation to sue the lawyer/firm to recoup the monies tied to this case and not place this burden on the taxpayers. If Mayor Rist and the City Council try to pass these costs onto the taxpayers, they are negligent and in violation of their oaths. I urge everyone to call City Hall and make your complaints heard. Do not allow this loss of revenue to be passed on to us, the taxpayers.

    -- Posted by GetRealNow on Fri, Aug 26, 2011, at 9:21 AM
  • *

    Councilman Schroeder...you put yourself front and center in this issue. Are you going to remain silent?

    -- Posted by bondyweb on Fri, Aug 26, 2011, at 9:35 AM
  • *

    Or the so called church could have said NO to the money and said we got what we wanted and that was a place to congregate.

    MONEY seems to be their motive not a building.

    It is all about the money no matter who they get it from. I hope everyone remembers this around election time. I wonder if 80K could have been used anywhere else in this town.

    -- Posted by Trouble2011 on Fri, Aug 26, 2011, at 10:58 AM
  • Here is the initial list of documents which are essential to understanding this case and some of its more complex parts. I'll reserve my comments to that site:

    http://churchandstateidaho.blogspot.com/

    -- Posted by Councilman Schroeder on Fri, Aug 26, 2011, at 11:22 AM
  • *

    Councilman Schroeder,

    I like what you think about the citizens of Mountain Home, our options and questions that don't seem to get an appropriate answer.

    "Due to the nature of the Mountain Home News "Banter Box" and news story comment sections to devolve into illogical, irrelevant, and nonsensical diatribes"

    I guess if someones option is different then yours they are not worthy.

    I really hope you don't get to hold any office in the future.

    -- Posted by Trouble2011 on Fri, Aug 26, 2011, at 2:37 PM
  • I do not know what the details are in this particular case but "Settling" doesn't always mean admitting guilt/fault/blame. Alot of entities will settle because its simply cheaper than even winning the lawsuit.

    -- Posted by ID=Home on Fri, Aug 26, 2011, at 2:42 PM
  • Statements like "I read in the news," and "I was told," indicate it's important people read the actual documents, many of which have not been available even to the news, until now. I have posted all of them (and a new post this evening) for anyone to review here:

    http://churchandstateidaho.blogspot.com/

    Comments on this case are welcome and encouraged there.

    -- Posted by Councilman Schroeder on Fri, Aug 26, 2011, at 6:37 PM
  • *

    I would think anyone with an "opinion" on what happened in the NLCM, Inc lawsuit against the City would get educated on the facts now that they are public. Councilman Schroeder posted the link below. Thanks Geoff

    -- Posted by bondyweb on Fri, Aug 26, 2011, at 10:21 PM
  • I can't believe mtn.home has more churches the DR.offices,shopping centers and schools. If that church is really god like they say, they would take the check and divide it up to the education and elderly prescription plan, that the real group that needs it. They all ready have the building . They knew religion is a touchy subject. What goes around comes around Karma. I can see at the service when They call for tide, what excuse will they use. ( WE HAVE NO MONEY ) . That what the next couple of sermons will be HOW TO SUE EACH OTHER IF U WANT TO GET CLOSER TO GOD. Like the old saying says, Do ever be greed, it will bit u in the butt.

    -- Posted by AFLORES121 on Sun, Aug 28, 2011, at 5:20 PM
  • Councilman Schroeder has hit the nail on the head with the information he has posted on site about this mess! This is not a matter of where people can go to pray or even who they are praying to but; more of a scam from the start. The good people of Mountain Home (or Idaho for that matter) do not need this kind of snake in the grass outfit. This type of thing may be ok in Chicago where their law firm is located but not here. Where does this place think the City is getting its money to pay them? Its the tax payers of the city that they are giving the shakedow to!

    Its just a good thing that one can not be tar and feather snakes like this any more!

    -- Posted by outatown on Tue, Aug 30, 2011, at 4:37 PM
  • "can waste my whole day doing this..and so can my spouse he will do one I will do the other."

    --

    @Momof 2graduates:

    maybe if you spent your Sunday's finding a job like these nice church folks you'd be able to purchase cars like they have.

    -- Posted by mbooglie on Thu, Sep 22, 2011, at 4:07 PM
Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: