The Southern Legal Resource Center

WEEKLY UPDATE

Good Friday, March 25, 2005

Published electronically every week by the Southern Legal Resource Center

P.O. Box 1235, Black Mountain, NC 28711/(828)669-5189/www.slrc-csa.org

Court hears oral arguments in FAA case

            SLRC Chief Trial counsel traveled with law intern Fred Taylor and the SLRC’s case manager, Allison Schaum to present oral arguments in its appeal of Fanucci v. Minetta before a 3 judge panel in Jacksonville, Florida.

The SLRC represents two Air Traffic controllers who sued the FAA after Confederate symbols were banned in the workplace.

Lyons and the Asst US Attorney were each given 15 minutes to argue.

The justices seemed very interested in the 1^st Amendment aspects of the case, asking the AUSA from DC quite a few questions.

A decision can be expected in 1-2 months.

Floridian wins Confederate Colony Land Auction

            BLACK MOUNTAIN – With a winning bid of $4,600, Jim Berchtold of Cape Coral, Florida won himself more than three acres of land at The Confederate Colony in Tennessee, in the SLRC Benefit Auction that concluded at midnight last night.

            Berchtold’s was one of nine bids received on the property, which is part of a 65-acre development near Lawrenceburg, TN.  Developer J. Pat Baughman says another Florida family is looking to buy a lot in the Colony as well.

            Information about the Confederate Colony, so called because of its theme of Confederate history and heritage, is available at the Colony website, www.confederatecolony.org.

SLRC mourns passing of Carl Barrington

            FAYETTEVILLE, NC – Fayetteville attorney Carl Barrington, a founding member of the Board of Directors of the SLRC, died Thursday.  His funeral services have been scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday (March 26) at Haymount Methodist Church, 500 Ramsey Street, Fayetteville.  Rogers and Breece Funeral Home of Fayetteville is in charge of arrangements.

            “Carl’s passing is deeply felt at the SLRC,” said Chief Trial Counsel Kirk Lyons.  “The SLRC was actually started right there at his office in Fayetteville.  His guidance will be sorely missed.”

Gettysburg College pushes FAA to ‘investigate’ flyover pilot

            GETTYSBURG, PA – The owner of an aerial advertising service who was hired by the Sons of Confederate Veterans to do a flyover at Gettysburg College’s homecoming game last fall is bring investigated by the Federal Aeronautics Administration, who say the college is “pushing” for him to be disciplined.

            Dave Dempsey, owner of High Exposure, Inc., received a letter from the FAA last week notifying him that the investigation would be conducted. Adverse action stemming from such an investigation could range from FAA probation to fines, to Dempsey’s suspension or possibly the revoking of his pilot’s license.

            During the November flyover, Dempsey’s plane carried a banner that criticized the college’s sponsorship of a controversial exhibit by artist John Sims, which featured a “lynched” Confederate flag. Dempsey said he was contacted almost immediately by the FAA and had several informal conversations with an FAA official.  He said the official later advised him that the college was “pushing the matter” and that the investigation letter would be issued as a matter of course.

            The SLRC, which has a suit pending against the FAA on behalf of two SCV members in Florida (see above) is now investigating the matter.  Dempsey is also consulting with counsel from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots’ Association.

SLRC extends Easter greetings

From Allison, Mim, H.K., Kirk and Roger to all our friends and supporters, best wishes for a joyous easter!

The Southern Legal Resource Center is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization, and contributions to it are fully tax deductible.  Credit card and PayPal donations may be made at our website by clicking on “How You Can Help.”  Checks payable to the Southern Legal Resource Center should be mailed to P.O. Box 1235, Black Mountain, NC 28711.

            “Thumbs Up for Dixie” stickers are available for SLRC and local heritage fundraising projects.  Contact Allison Schaum for details at slrc@slrc-csa.org  or (864) 476-0656.  If you wish to receive our weekly e-mail update, contact us at slrc@slrc-csa.org.

Please visit our website at www.slrc-csa.org and click on the "How You Can Help" tab.  We accept Visa , MasterCard, Discover http://www.slrc-csa.org/site/helpus.php and paypal: https://www.paypal.com/xclick/business=slrc%40slrc-csa.org

Please send in your pledge or donation today.  ALL PLEDGES OR DONATIONS ARE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE!

Our address is SLRC, P.O. Box 1235, Black Mountain, NC 28711. Phone:  828-669-5189

For more background on the plaques see our Texas Plaques webpage at:

http://www.slrc-csa.org/site/misc/txplaques/txplaques.php

If anyone has received this who does not wish to be on our distribution list, please let us know.

Allison Schaum
Case Manager SLRC
slrc@crystalink.com

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SOUTHERN LEGAL RESOURCE CENTER
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BLACK MOUNTAIN, NC 28711