"Am I therefore become your enemy,because I TELL YOU THE TRUTH...?"
(Galatians 4:16)

Religious bias basis for lawsuit in eastern Utah

A pair of eastern Utah businessmen have filed a federal civil rights lawsuit claiming a water district board member blocked their development plans because they aren't a member of his church.David Yeaman and Gene Brown filed their lawsuit against Ouray Park Water Improvement District board member Alan Cooper last week. It seeks a combined $2.1 million punitive damages.In court papers Yeaman, owner of the Four Star Ranch near Pelican Lake in Uintah County, and Brown allege Cooper is biased against residential and commercial development in eastern Utah. They claim Cooper denied them water needed to develop a gravel pit, RV park and a commercial camp on their properties."Cooper possesses a clear and absolute bias against residential and commercial development in the area and has openly and blatantly used his public position as a trustee to prevent and discourage the improvement of water resources and development,'' the lawsuit states.Court documents also say Cooper has stated publicly that he is"called by God'' to limit growth and exhibits a blatant bias against those who are not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.Cooper scoffed at the idea he was working on behalf of God as a member of the water board."I'm not that close to God,'' he said."I haven't had any revelations yet.''Cooper said the disputes stems from the water board's refusal to sell Brown eight water connections after he had paid the district $24,000 in fees. Despite the payment, Cooper said Brown failed to apply to the district for connections."They're just disgruntled because of some decisions the board has made,'' Cooper said."That's the beginning and the end of it.''Cooper said he isn't opposed to growth. He said the three-person water board is in the process of hiring a new attorney to address complaints in the lawsuit.
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