MCM Sales 2
Judge hears testimony for LTGGA lawsuit
Updated: Mar 9, 2020
Seth Dukes:
Newsroom Coordinator
Those affiliated with the lawsuit that seeks to have the Nucor deal declared unlawful spent most of their Friday at the Meade County Courthouse for a hearing regarding a motion for a temporary injunction, filed by the plaintiffs on Feb. 13.
Several witnesses were called to testify, both on behalf of the defendants and the plaintiffs. Attorneys representing the plaintiffs, Lincoln Trail Grain Growers Association, Inc., called four witnesses to the stand. They were Ben Sheeran, David Padgett, Larry Edelen and Nicholas Hardesty.
Each of the grain farmers testified on how their lives and businesses would be affected if there was not a grain elevator in Meade County, both financially and otherwise. Nicholas Hardesty testified under oath about his removal from the Riverport Authority, David Padgett testified about the dangers of the extra miles he'd have to drive, recounting a deadly accident he was involved in.
Terry Ham, who is the Regional Project Manager for Consolidated Grain and Barge in Jeffersonville, Ind., is involved with the deconstruction process of the CGB facility in Brandenburg and was called to testify on behalf of CGB. He claims that deconstruction started on Feb. 3, and as of today, it would take at least six months to reconstruct the facility to the point where grain could be shipped out again.
Judge Butler ordered the attorneys to tender a proposed Findings of Fact and Order pertaining to the request for a temporary injunction by March 11. Parties are also still waiting on the Court to rule on the issue of standing. Another motion hour is scheduled for the case today at 1 p.m. The Meade County Messenger will continue to follow this case as it progresses.
see story here (week 10)