CATER, the Committee of Anaheim Taxpayers for Economic Responsibility, maintains they are an organization dedicated to protecting the interests of Anaheim residents and taxpayers even if the vast majority of Anaheim taxpayers and residents have no idea who CATER is and what they fight for (anytime I meet anyone form Anaheim, it’s the first question I ask. Not a single person has ever heard of CATER at Downtown Disney, the parking lot of Angels or Ducks games, the Anaheim Downtown Farmer’s Market, or at any of the restaurants and small businesses I patronize in Anaheim).
CATER exists to file lawsuits against the city when a vote doesn’t go Mayor Tom Tait’s way. They lost their lawsuit on the convention center expansion and, according to new court filings, appear to be poised to lose a lawsuit aimed at the now dead Angels MOU.
In short, the courts have removed CATER from the final stage of their lawsuit against the city of Anaheim and CATER president Cynthia Ward had to refile to remain the sole plaintiff because the court determined CATER lacked standing. Much of CATER’s case has been dismissed from the lawsuit and the only thing that remains is the question, “Did the city of Anaheim provide Ward with every document pertaining to her exhaustive public records request?”
The court removed one Brown Act claim and CATER withdrew from one other, leaving CATER’s claim’s down to four issues:
- They want the judge to compel the city to disclose all remaining undisclosed public records that we subject to Ward’s request including unredacted invoices from consultant Charles Black.
- They want a judgement against the city claiming the city failed to fulfill its California Public Records Act requirements.
- They want legal fees and costs incurred for their lawyer, Greg Diamond (and a couple of others) for filing the suit (a.k.a Diamond’s big score).
- And lastly, “For such other and further relief as the Court deems proper.” Whatever that means.
That’s from the fourth amended complaint because the group couldn’t get it right the first three times and now several key elements of their argument are gone altogether.
According to sources in city hall, CATER has cost Anaheim taxpayers more than $150,000 in legal fees to date.
Unless Ward has specific knowledge of specific documents that were not turned over by the city, it appears CATER is going to lose this suit as well.
With the group opposing the new Disneyland deal and rumors that if Greg Diamond’s redistricting map is not selected by the independent panels of judges, CATER plans to sue the city again, one has to wonder how many times CATER has to lose in court before the city files some sort of countersuit.
Hey genius! I am a resident and I support CATER. Asking people at tourist destinations is pretty stupid – ask residents!
The Farmer’s Market isn’t a tourist destination. And I thought I made it clear, I asked Anaheim residents. Does it matter if they are at the game or the park? It matters that they live in Anaheim.
Greg Diamond threatened again to sue if he does not get his way. No one wants your plan you fat loser. Why don’t you try listening to the people rather than mocking what they want.
“2) Commenters may attack another poster’s or commenter’s words or ideas but not the person him/herself or his/her family members.”
From my perspective out here in west Anaheim I’d say that CATER is doing a damn good job trying to keep those flunkies in City Hall from giving away the store.
well, I’m sure CATER basks in the glow of your donations. CATER actually hasn’t changed a thing other than cause a slight delay in the convention center expansion