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Dallas-Ft. Worth Metro Golden Retriever
Club Lawsuit
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Home
Correspondence with the
Dallas-Ft. Worth Metro Golden Retriever Club (DFWMGRC) and Board :
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The below emails
represent correspondence to the DFWMGRC Boards by the Plaintiffs in
attempts to either resolve issues without having to take any legal action
or to pose questions to the DFWMGRC Boards, as well as correspondence
regarding the DFWMGRC Specialty Catalog advertising which the DFWMGRC
Boards were attempting to block Plaintiffs from participating in.
On February 14, 2006,
Sherri Farmer sent the following email to DFWMGRC members soliciting
advertisements for the upcoming 2006 DFWMGRC AKC Specialty Show's Catalog.
Sherri Famer email request for ads to DFWMGRC membership:
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From: "Sherri Farmer"
<sherrifarmer@verizon.net
To: "Lesley" <wildflowertexas2000@yahoo.com;
"Debra Allen" <debraallen71@hotmail.com;
"Brooke Annis" <b.b.annis@charter.net;
"Kathy Becker" <katbec@sbcglobal.net;
"Susan Gary Beckmann" <becksgold@verizon.net;
"Barbara Fred Bowen" <fbowen4@aol.com;
"Barbara David Brown" <tempogoldens@comcast.net;
"Dick Caldwell" <caldwel2@airmail.net;
"Mary Bill Chaillot" <HounHouse@aaahawk.com;
"Molly Chapman" <mchapman1916@comcast.net;
"Debra Clark" <dwclarkmoore@prodigy.net; "Ronna
Terry Combs" <rcombs@pisd.edu;
"Karen Couch" <karen.couch@dal.frb.org;
"Nancy Crowley" <camlingoldens@comcast.net;
"Anna Curry" <amcdogs@ticnet.com;
"Joan Ben Davis" <davisofdallas@aol.com;
"Barbara Dawson" <bdawson@austin.rr.com;
"Julie Dockery" <infinitygoldens@peoplepc.com;
"Janet John Fric" <jfric@aol.com;
"Carol Richard Gilbert" <okusgold@msn.com;
"Donna Gulledge" <dgulledge@velaw.com;
"Dawn David Hall" <drdavehall@comcast.net;
"Patrick MauriceThompson Harden" <patrickharden@sbcglobal.net;
"Ann Horton" <coralace@ev1.net; "Pat Ingram" <Priomom@sbcglobal.net;
"Margaret Frank Jewell" <mcjewell@aol.com;
"Kendra Benjamin Johnson" <topspingld@aol.com;
"Joan Tony Jung" <shiloh@aircanopy.net;
"Melissa Kato" <melissa.kato@gulfstream.com;
"Ken & Judy Bartels" <jude0120@aol.com;
"Holly Ross King" <kingoldens@sbcglobal.net;
"John Knapp" <jknapp@hannaprimeinc.com; "Debbie
Littleton" <wyndehills@aol.com;
"Laurie Roger Long" <denalikennels@earthlink.net;
"Earline Pete Loveall" <info@lovelranch.com;
"Sally Maag" <smaag@flash.net; "Karen Medzorian" <stukar@sbcglobal.net;
"Ellen Alan Meyer" <Goldenwind@worldnet.att.net;
"Linda Eddie Miller" <linda@edmillerservice.com;
"Vern Lynn Montgomery" <vernlynn@prodigy.net;
"Dawn Allan Morrill" <dlmorrill1@aol.com;
"LeeAnn O'Loughlin" <tofino@airmail.net;
"Holly Johnny Ragan" <jhragam@sbcglobal.net;
"Rita Robins" <rita.robins@dfwmgrc.org; "Sally
Sherman" <ssherman@landam.com;
"Bernadette Tetro" <tet4@aol.com;
"Peggy Thomas" <ptthomas@comcast.net;
"Kate MeganSteve Thompson" <casathompson@comcast.net;
"Terry Thornton" <tthornton@godwingruber.com;
"Donna Todd" <DTodd@dallasnews.com;
"Sally Walker" <swalker200@verizon.net;
"Lynda Williams" <juscoz@swbell.net;
"Michelle Woodmansee" <Zoe91182@yahoo.com;
"Richard Woodmansee" <richard.woodmansee@dfwmgrc.org; "Judy Mark Word" <bravogr@aol.com
Sent: Tuesday, February 14, 2006
12:50 AM Subject: 2006 Specialty Show & Obedience Trial - Advertising
Deadline Extended!
Got a new litter, an upcoming litter, a new
Champion or other new title, a great win, or just a special furkid that
you'd like to spotlight? We all want to know! Take out an ad in our 2006
Special Show and Obedience Trial Catalog. All ads will be in color!
The advertising deadline has been extended until
Wednesday, February 22, 2006, so get those photos together and mail them to
me ASAP. If you plan to send me advertising materials, please email me to
let me know it's coming.
Full Page (one photo) $40.00 Half
Page (one photo) $35.00 Additional picture in ad (each) $10.00
Quarter Page (no photo) $20.00
Memorial Page (dog's photo, name
and date only) $30.00
Deadline for ads is Wednesday, February 22, 2006 so
don't delay!
Send your ads to:
Sherri Farmer
3616 Parker Road
Wylie TX 75098
972-461-0808
sherrifarmer@verizon.net
Original pictures must be submitted with ad copy
- no electronic pictures can be accepted. Please send a drawing of how you
would like your ad laid out and the wording you would like to use. VERY
IMPORTANT: Please put a sticker on the back of each picture with your name
and address so we can return the picture(s) to you.
Checks
should be made payable to the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metro Golden Retriever Club (DFWMGRC).
THANKS!!
Sherri
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Plaintiffs' Catalog advertisement
submitted for 2006 DFWMGRC Specialty Catalog:
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Goldenwind Goldens
Proudly Congratulates
Mashala Horton
and
“Cassie”
aka Goldenwind PS I Love You NA NAJ RN
(CH Summit Goldenwind High Caliber x Goldenwind Peach Of A
Storm)
Three years ago, we loaned “Cassie” to Mashala who tragically had lost her
puppy that she was going to begin training for obedience, field and agility.
Mashala immediately began training with Cassie for AKC titles, as well as
participating in Junior Showmanship with her. As Cassie’s breeders as well
as friends of the Horton family, we are extremely proud of this duo’s
accomplishments. In addition to the agility and Rally titles they have
earned, Mashala and Cassie are close to completing a CD title. Mashala will
begin training with her new puppy (now 2 years old) and Cassie is coming
home to reside again at Goldenwind.
Cassie has been bred to CAN CH. RDO-Emerald’s Superstar Event. Litter
expected end of March. Clearances (Hip, Eye, Heart) available on both sire
and dam. Inquiries welcome!
Goldenwind Goldens
Goldenwind@worldnet.att.net
Ellen and Alan Meyer 972-442-9723
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The Plaintiffs had an
expectation that Sherri Farmer may deny their right to place their submitted
advertisement in the Catalog, and had sent the below email to Lesley Pettingill
(2006 DFWMGRC Specialty Show Chairperson) as a FYI.
Catalog ad_email to Lesley:
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Alan Meyer
From:
<goldenwindgoldens@att.net>
To: <wildflowertexas2000@yahoo.com>
Cc: <goldenwind@worldnet.att.net>
Sent: Monday, February 20, 2006 12:57 PM
Subject: Catalog Advertisement for 2006 DFWMGRC Specialty Catalog
Leslie,
Ellen and I have decided to place an ad in the
DFWMGRC Specialty Catalog to congratulate Mashala Horton and Cassie for
their accomplishments (RN NA NAJ). Since neither Ellen nor I will be
attending the meeting on Tuesday, we are sending our catalog ad and check
with Ann Horton, who will be hand delivering it to Sherri Farmer (per her
email) in response to the DFWMGRC Specialty Premium List.
I am making you aware of this, since you are the
DFWMGRC Show Chairperson. I have instructed Ann, that if for any reason
Sherri refuses to accept our ad from Ann that she find you and deliver the
ad to you. As Show Chairperson, you should have authority over all matters
of the Specialty including the Catalog Advertisements as solicited in both
the AKC Premium List and the personal email sent by Sherri Farmer (attached
below).
Thank you,
Alan Meyer
Sherri's email:
Got a new litter, an upcoming litter, a new
Champion or other new title, a great win, or just a special furkid that
you'd like to spotlight? We all want to know! Take out an ad in our 2006
Special Show and Obedience Trial Catalog. All ads will be in color!
The advertising deadline has been extended until
Wednesday, February 22, 2006, so get those photos together and mail them to
me ASAP. If you plan to send me advertising materials, please email me to
let me know it's coming.
Full
Page (one photo) $40.00 Half Page (one photo) $35.00 Additional picture in
ad (each) $10.00 Quarter Page (no photo) $20.00 Memorial Page (dog's photo,
name and date only) $30.00
Deadline for ads is Wednesday, February 22, 2006
so don't delay! Send your ads to:
Sherri
Farmer 3616 Parker Road Wylie TX 75098 972-461-0808
sherrifarmer@verizon.net
Original pictures must be submitted with ad copy -
no electronic pictures can be accepted. Please send a drawing of how you
would like your ad laid out and the wording you would like to use. VERY
IMPORTANT: Please put a sticker on the back of each picture with your name
and address so we can return the picture(s) to you.
Checks
should be made payable to the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metro Golden Retriever Club (DFWMGRC).
10/5/2007
Page 2 of 2
THANKS!!
Sherri
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As anticipated by
Plaintiffs, Sherri
Farmer refused the catalog advertisement, which prompted the following email
dialog:
Plainitiffs' Email
to Sherri Farmer regarding 2006 Catalog Advertisement:
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----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, February 22, 2006 12:21 AM
Subject: 2006 DFWMGRC Catalog Advertisement
Sherri,
In response to your email to the membership
requesting Catalog advertising (i.e. Brags for new CHs, new titles, new
litter or upcoming litter), we had put together an advertisement and gave
it to Ann Horton to hand deliver to you at tonight's meeting (since
neither Ellen nor I were able to attend). The delivery to you at the
meeting was per your most recent reminder email. This advertisement was
to congratulate Mashala and Cassie on the titles they had earned as a team
and to mention that Cassie has been bred.
I have just heard from Ann Horton that you
refused to accept our advertisement. We are owed an explanation as to why
the advertisement was flatly refused! We complied with the advertising
deadline (as indicated in your email as well as within the Premium).
I have also copied Leslie Pettengill on this
email since, as the Show Chairperson, she should have the authority over
all Specialty related matters. This would include the Show Catalog
Advertising.
Please explain!
Alan
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Plaintiffs' Email to
Judy Word regarding 2006 Catalog Advertisement:
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----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, February 22, 2006 12:22 AM
Subject: 2006 DFWMGRC Catalog Advertisement
Judy,
In response to Sherri's email to the membership requesting Catalog
advertising (i.e. Brags for new CHs, new titles, new litter or upcoming
litter), we had put together an advertisement and gave it to Ann Horton
to hand deliver to Sherri at tonight's meeting (since neither Ellen nor
I were able to attend). The delivery to Sherri at the meeting was per
her most recent reminder email. This advertisement was to congratulate
Mashala and Cassie on the titles they had earned as a team and to
mention that Cassie has been bred.
I have just heard from Ann Horton that you and Sherri refused to accept
our advertisement. We are owed an explanation as to why the
advertisement was flatly refused! We complied with the advertising
deadline (as indicated in both Sherri's email as well as within the
Premium).
I have also copied Leslie Pettengill on this email since, as the Show
Chairperson, she should have the authority over all Specialty related
matters. This would include the Show Catalog Advertising.
Please explain!
Alan
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Sherri
Farmer's Email reply to Plaintiff's above request: |
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Plaintiff's response to Sherri Farmer's above Email reply:
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----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, February 22, 2006 1:19 PM
Subject: Re: 2006 DFWMGRC Catalog Advertisement
Sherry,
In response to your
explanation points below:
1)
Our ad was
not specifically for a litter. As already stated in my original email, the
ad was to congratulate both Marshala Horton and Cassie for the titles they
earned as a team. Additionally we chose to make mention at the bottom of
the ad that Cassie has been bred to RDO EMERALD’S SUPERSTAR EVENT. The
DFWMGRC Specialty Catalog Advertising in no way is connected to the
DFWMGRC puppy referral and is also not bound by the same criteria and
rules. You also have made reference in your email reply to the
unjustified sanctions that the Board had placed upon Ellen and I as a
result of the disciplinary hearing. This is the 2nd time that a member of
the 2005 DFWMGRC Board has violated the confidentiality clause regarding
the hearing and sanctions (that are clearly identified in the DFWMGRC
Constitution and Bylaws) by copying individuals on this and other emails
that were not or should not be privy to the disciplinary hearing and the
sanctions. Your final proclamation: "It is viewed by the Board that an ad
in the specialty catalog is equivalent to advertising a litter with puppy
referral" is exactly like a statement made by you during the hearing: “It
has nothing to do whether it was true or not…”. The bottom line is there
is nothing in the premium or your email indicating any restrictions or
requirements on the Specialty Catalog Advertising or that the Specialty
Catalog Advertising is tied to the DFWMGRC Puppy Referral Guidelines.
2)
The ad was
delivered prior to the published deadline in both the premium and your
email. You indicate that the deadline was originally 2/15 and was
extended one week. Well the premium was printed with the 2/22 date, and
last I checked 1 week added to 2/15 would still be 2/22! Yes I gave
instructions that no editing could be done to the text, as I did not want
the section at the bottom mentioning that Cassie had been bred to be
removed! So again the ad was delivered prior to the deadline, and as soon
as Ann could get the original picture today (2/22) and deliver to you, it
would still have met the deadline! As far as what you claim that Ann
said, I only have your word that it was said. However, the Premium for an
AKC sanctioned event becomes an official AKC publication, and Ann would be
well within her rights to file a complaint with AKC and/or the GRCA that
you and the Board were placing restrictions on Catalog Advertising that
are not listed as a requirement in the Premium.
Since you indicate: "It
is viewed by the Board that an ad in the specialty catalog would be
equivalent to advertising a litter with puppy referral.", this refusal (by
the Board) to accept our Specialty Catalog Advertisement is further
*proof* of prejudicial actions towards Ellen and I as well as anyone who
we co-own dogs with!
Alan
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, February 22, 2006 1:45 AM
Subject: Re: 2006 DFWMGRC Catalog Advertisement
Alan -- There are basically two reasons
why the ad Ann Horton
presented to me on your behalf at the meeting tonight cannot be in the
DFWMGRC specialty catalog:
1. Your ad was for a litter out of a bitch
that is owned or co-owned by you and/or Ellen. As you are well aware,
because of the
decision of the Board after a disciplinary hearing concerning you and
Ellen, no litters from a breeding out of a bitch owned or co-owned by
you and/or Ellen is eligible to be listed with puppy referral. It is
viewed by the Board that an ad in the specialty catalog would be
equivalent to advertising a litter with puppy referral.
2. Additionally, the ad was delivered by
Ann Horton on the deadline (tonight after 9:00 pm) incomplete -- no
clearances on either the dam or the sire, no AKC papers on either the
dam or the sire, and no picture (although a picture was indicated in the
layout provided, as well as explicit instructions that no editing could
be done). The deadline for receiving all ad materials was originally
set for February 15. That deadline was extended until today (February
21). Since we have already pushed the deadline back a week, I cannot
accept ads that are past the deadline. Since your ad was incomplete,
it is not deemed to have been received in a timely manner. Your ad
layout, instruction sheet, and check were returned to Ann, with Judy
Word and Molly Chapman (both DFWMGRC board members) present. As an
additional interesting point, when Ann received the paperwork back from
me tonight, she said, "That's what I was hoping you'd do, so I can file
charges with AKC."
Sherri Farmer
Advertising Chair
DFWMGRC 2006 Specialty
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2006 11:21 PM
Subject: 2006 DFWMGRC Catalog Advertisement
Sherri,
In response to your email to the
membership requesting Catalog advertising (i.e. Brags for new CHs, new
titles, new litter or upcoming litter), we had put together an
advertisement and gave it to Ann Horton to hand deliver to you at
tonight's meeting (since neither Ellen nor I were able to attend).
The delivery to you at the meeting was per your most recent reminder
email. This advertisement was to congratulate Mashala and Cassie on
the titles they had earned as a team and to mention that Cassie has
been bred.
I have just heard from Ann Horton that you
refused to accept our advertisement. We are owed an explanation as to
why the advertisement was flatly refused! We complied with the
advertising deadline (as indicated in your email as well as within the
Premium).
I have also copied Leslie Pettengill on
this email since, as the Show Chairperson, she should have the
authority over all Specialty related matters. This would include the
Show Catalog Advertising.
Please explain!
Alan
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Sherri Farmer's 2nd Email reply to Plaintiffs' Email Response: |
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From:
"Sherri Farmer" <sherrifarmer@verizon.net>
To: "Alan Meyer - Goldenwind Goldens" <goldenwindgoldens@att.net>;
"Sherri
Farmer" <sherrifarmer@verizon.net>
Cc: "Lesley Pettengill" <wildflowertexas2000@yahoo.com>;
<goldenwind@att.net>;
"Ann Horton" <coralace@ev1.net>;
"Judy Word"
<BravoGR@aol.com>;
"Debbie Allen" <debraallen71@hotmail.com>;
"Molly
Chapman" <mchapman1916@comcast.net>;
"Nancy Crowley"
<camlingoldens@comcast.net>;
"home RITA ROBINS" <RitaRobins@netzero.net>;
<okusgold@msn.com>
Sent: Wednesday, February 22, 2006 12:32 PM
Subject: Re: Re: 2006 DFWMGRC Catalog Advertisement
You are correct on the deadline. I was mistaken. The correct
deadline is today, February 22.
The ad for Cassie as it is currently worded with a
mention of her being bred will not be placed in the Dallas Fort-Worth Metro
Golden Retriever Club 2006 Specialty catalog. If you want to run the ad
without any mention of the breeding, then you must have all paperwork,
including a picture and check, to me today.
Sherri
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Plaintiffs' email response to Sherri Farmer's above 2nd Email reply: |
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Page 1 of 1
Alan Meyer
From:
"Alan Meyer -Goldenwind Goldens" <goldenwindgoldens@att.net>
To: "Sherri Farmer" <sherrifarmer@verizon.net>
Cc: "Lesley Pettengill" <wildflowertexas2000@yahoo.com>; <goldenwind@att.net>;
"Ann Horton" <coralace@ev1.net>;
"Judy Word" <BravoGR@aol.com>; "Debbie Allen" <debraallen71@hotmail.com>;
"Molly Chapman" <mchapman1916@comcast.net>; "Nancy Crowley" <camlingoldens@comcast.net>;
"home RITA ROBINS" <RitaRobins@netzero.net>; <okusgold@msn.com>
Sent:
Wednesday, February 22, 2006 2:16 PM
Subject: Re: Re: 2006 DFWMGRC Catalog Advertisement
Sherri,
Our original ad for the DFWMGRC 2006 Specialty
Catalog was in compliance with the DFWMGRC 2006 Specialty Premium. With 2005
Board members present, you rejected our ad and returned it. Again, thank you
for further *proof* of the 2005 DFWMGRC Board member's prejudicial conduct
and actions towards Ellen and Alan Meyer.
Alan and
Ellen Meyer Goldenwind Goldens
10/7/2007
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Plaintiffs' email to Molly Chapman and
Board regarding Catalog Advertisement 2006: |
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Alan Meyer
From:
"Alan Meyer -Goldenwind
Goldens" <goldenwindgoldens@att.net>
To: "Molly Chapman" <mchapman1916@comcast.net>
Cc: "Lesley Pettengill" <wildflowertexas2000@yahoo.com>; "Judy Word"
<BravoGR@aol.com>; "Debbie Allen" <debraallen71@hotmail.com>; "Nancy
Crowley" <camlingoldens@comcast.net>; "home RITAROBINS" <RitaRobins@netzero.net>;
<okusgold@msn.com>; <goldenwind@att.net>
Sent: Wednesday, February 22, 2006 11:18 PM
Subject: Attn: Molly and 2006 DFWMGRC Board
Molly
and the 2006 DFWMGRC Board:
On February 21, 2006,
an advertisement for the 2006 DFWMGRC Specialty Catalog was submitted for
"Cassie" by Ann Horton on our behalf to Sherri Farmer at the DFWMGRC
February meeting per Ms. Farmer's email to the DFWMGRC Club members. Our ad
was in complete compliance with the terms and conditions published in the
2006 DFWMGRC Specialty Premium with Ann informing Ms. Farmer that the
picture for our insert would be delivered to Ms Farmer's residence on
February 22nd (within the timeframe for the published deadline).
Molly, you and fellow
Board member, Judy Word were present when our ad was rejected and returned
by Ms. Farmer to Ann Horton. In Ms. Farmer's email earlier today, she
stated: "It is viewed by the Board that an ad in the specialty catalog would
be equivalent to advertising a litter with puppy referral." Since Sherri
Farmer is no longer on the DFWMGRC Board, she cannot speak for the 2006
DFWMGRC Board.
At this time we are
asking you, the 2006 DFWMGRC Board to formally justify to us at this time
why the ad submitted by Ann Horton on behalf of Ellen and Alan Meyer (Goldenwind)
was rejected and returned when the ad was in full compliance with the
published solicitation for catalog advertising in the 2006 DFWMGRC Specialty
Premium.
Alan and Ellen Meyer |
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Molly's reply to Plaintiffs regarding Catalog advertisement: |
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Plaintiff email reply to Molly and Board catalog ad 2006: |
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----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, February 25, 2006 4:03 PM
Subject: Re: AD
Molly,
Let me address each aspect of this 'so-called' ruling individually to
indicate how this is another example of prejudicial conduct against us
from the remaining members of the 2005 DFWMGRC Board.
The Ad was clearly a congratulatory ad for MASHALA and Cassie for
their efforts with a brief mention that Cassie had been bred. If
anything, the mention could be construed as a breeding announcement
and not a litter listing. Our ad was in no way a request for a Puppy
Referral listing. This was simply a DFWMGRC Specialty Catalog ad, not
a request for DFWMGRC Puppy Referral Service.
We would not have agreed to the removal of any reference of the fact
that Cassie has been bred. We did not use the term
'upcoming litter' in the advertisement, we simply mentioned
that Cassie has been bred. Incidentally, your reference to Rayshel
instead of Mashala, further indicates that you did not pay close
enough attention to the ad itself, and simply focused on the mention
of Cassie having being bred. This is another example of the Board
simply choosing to further their own agenda of demonstrating
prejudicial treatment towards us.
The fact that Molly Chapman and Judy Word made the decision to reject
the ad at the time it was submitted to Sherri Farmer (at Tuesday's
Club meeting) additionally shows blatant prejudice towards us by Molly
Chapman and Judy Word. The fact that Molly asked us for a copy of the
advertisement for the Board to review also indicates that she and Judy
did not involve Leslie Pettingill (fellow Board Member and Specialty
Show Chair who was also present at the meeting and supplied with a
copy of the advertisements) in their decision to reject the
advertisement. The fact that the entire Board was not given the
opportunity to discuss our ad until after the published
deadline, after a decision had already been made by Molly Chapman and
Judy Word, and after we had requested of the Board a formal
explanation of the rejection of our ad, demonstrates that there are
still individual Board members acting on behalf of the entire Board
furthering their own agenda against us without the entire Board's
knowledge.
The DFWMGRC Constitution and Bylaws do not give the
DFWMGRC Board the authority/power to reject a DFWMGRC club member’s
advertisement in the Specialty Catalog. Yet again, another abuse of
title and position was the decision for our ad to be rejected and
returned by the Advertising Chair for the DFWMGRC Catalog (Sherri
Farmer, 2005 Board member) accompanied by Molly Chapman and Judy Word
who obviously made the decision on their own (at the meeting Tuesday
night). The bottom line is that no individuals of the Board, or the
Board itself possess the authority/power to refuse a Specialty Catalog
Advertisement. The
request for Catalog Advertising that appeared in the Official AKC
Premium for the 2006 DFWMGRC Specialty did not state "All advertising
submissions are subject to club approval".
Molly..... you made a profound plea to the membership in your email a
few weeks back: "We
need everyone to put past feelings aside and dedicate this year to the
dogs." Is this 'so-called' ruling by the Board a
means of putting past feelings aside and dedicating this year to the
dogs? I guess you can "talk the talk" but are not willing to
"walk the walk"! This Board is clearly demonstrating that
they are not interested in having certain Club members support the
Club, again demonstrating their continued prejudicial discrimination
against certain members!
We do feel the need to address one more serious concern that Ellen and
I have with how the 2006
Board is interpreting the sanctions that were imposed upon us
by the 2005 DFWMGRC Board. By the way, since the confidentiality had
already been breached by Sherri Farmer to the entire 2006 DFWMGRC
Board and the 2006 Board has discussed it amongst themselves, we are
now also free to discuss it with the 2006 DFWMGRC Board and not be in
violation of Article VII, Section 6 of the DFWMGRC Constitution and
Bylaws regarding Confidentiality.
The sanctions imposed by the 2005 DFWMGRC Board are indicated below:
Pursuant to Article VII, Section 5.D of the DFWMGRC
Constitution and Bylaws, Alan and Ellen Meyer, and members of
their immediate family, are suspended from listing any puppies or
older dogs with the DFWMGRC Puppy Referral service until July 18,
2010. Neither Alan Meyer nor Ellen Meyer or any member of their
immediate family may be on the Puppy Referral list to receive
calls for any litter(s), individual puppy(ies), or older dog(s)
whatsoever. For clarification, the following classifications of
puppies and older dogs are prohibited from being listed with
DFWMGRC Puppy Referral until July 18, 2010:
- Puppies or dogs born to any bitch owned or co-owned by
Alan Meyer, Ellen Meyer, and/or any member of their immediate
family; and
- Puppies or dogs born from any stud dog owned or co-owned
by Alan Meyer, Ellen Meyer, and/or any member of their immediate
family out of a bitch owned by a non-DFWMGRC member. (See Standing
Rules Pertaining To Public Information And Puppy Referral
Committee, Article VII.B)
Additionally, Alan and Ellen Meyer are prohibited from serving
on the DFWMGRC Puppy Referral committee during the term of this
suspension.
It is obvious that the sanctions clearly refer to the DFWMGRC Puppy
Referral service and not Catalog Advertising. Since receiving these
prejudicial sanctions from the 2005 DFWMGRC Board, Ellen and I have
not attempted to list any litter with the DFWMGRC Puppy Referral
service. It is ironic that when we chose to place our congratulatory
ad for MASHALA and Cassie and make mention that Cassie has been bred,
that the remaining members of the 2005 DFWMGRC Board immediately
decided that the ad was tied to DFWMGRC's Puppy Referral service. The
two are mutually exclusive. The Board's 'so-called' ruling shows
discriminatory and prejudicial bias against Ellen and I, as a catalog
advertisement does not require a litter to be listed with DFWMGRC
Puppy Referral.
We also feel the need to indicate that the 2005 DFWMGRC Board acted
unconstitutionally by imposing a 5 year suspension of the Club's Puppy
Referral service (clearly a paid service and not a Club
activity or privilege, incidentally!). The
available sanctions that were available to the 2005 DFWMGRC Board to
impose (Article VII, Section 5 - DFWMGRC Constitution and Bylaws) in
the order of severity are as follows: A) Reprimand; B) Requirement
from performing the activity related to the preferred
charge; C) 6 month suspension of all Club privileges;
and D) Recommendation of Expulsion to be voted on by General
Membership. Obviously the 2005 DFWMGRC Board chose sanction B), yet
imposed a timeframe that exceeds the allowable suspension timeframe
indicated in sanction C). This was yet another example of the 2005
DFWMGRC's blatant disregard of the rules as clearly stated within the
DFWMGRC Constitution and Bylaws and again furthering a hidden agenda
and demonstrating prejudicial conduct towards us.
When our ad was rejected and returned by Sherri Farmer, Molly Chapman
and Judy Word at the Club meeting (Tuesday night), it became even more
evident to us that the 2005 DFWMGRC's agenda against us is going to
continue. This current 2006 DFWMGRC Board should take a long hard
look at how previously active members of this Club
were treated, chastised and punished for their actions as responsible
Breeders! With the 2006 DFWMGRC Board still having 5 members from the
2005 Board, those members still have total control over the 2006 Board
and that should be a concern to all DFWMGRC Club members after the
unconstitutional actions against us last year. Perhaps the two new
Board members should listen to the taped recording of the disciplinary
hearing whereby 1) we prove our timeline and innocence and 2)
YOUR evidence presented also proves our timeline and innocence.
Ironically, we were also falsely accused of ‘coercion’,
yet we have proof that a 2005 DFWMGRC Board member 'coerced'
our Puppy Buyer into writing a letter to her and then this same Board
member passed it off as a complaint, when the proof contradicts any
mention of a complaint.
When this same Board
member is known for her saying:
“If you tell anyone I said that, I’ll deny it
and call you a liar”, surely that Board member knows the
method whereby she coached another individual to use many years ago
against this Board member's so-called very close friend. It has been
put to good use over the past few years! That method cannot be
denied. When we finish what the 2005 DFWMGRC Board
started and the truth (past and present) is known, it will be
evident that corrective actions and apologies will be due us!
Think about that!
Alan and Ellen Meyer
Goldenwind Goldens
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, February 24, 2006 10:40 AM
Subject: AD
Alan and Ellen,
The 2006 board of Directors has discussed your ad and it is the consensus
of the Board that your ad is a litter listing. Therefore, the ad as
written will not be placed in the catalog for the Specialty. IF
you would like to remove all reference to the breeding and upcoming litter
and rewrite the ad as ONLY a congratulatory ad for Rayshel and Cassie we
will place it in the catalog. If you choose to place a
congratulatory ad, please get it to Sherri today. This is the final
ruling of the Board and is not open for any further discussion.
Molly Chapman
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On March 1, 2006, the
Plaintiffs sent the below email to the 2006 DFWMGRC Board inquiring as to
their status in the DFWMGRC, and received no response.
Plaintiffs' Email to 2006
Board inquiring as to Plaintiffs' DFWMGRC status:
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Page 1 of 2
Alan Meyer
From:
"Alan Meyer -Goldenwind Goldens" <goldenwindgoldens@att.net>
To:
<BravoGR@aol.com>; "Carol Gilbert" <okusgold@msn.com>;
"Debbie Allen" <debraallen71@hotmail.com>; "Lesley Pettengill"<wildflowertexas2000@yahoo.com>;
"Molly Chapman" <mchapman1916@comcast.net>; "Rita Robins"<rita.robins@dfwmgrc.org>;
"Nancy Crowley" <camlingoldens@comcast.net>
Cc: <goldenwind@att.net>
Sent:
Wednesday, March 01, 2006 12:01 PM
Subject:
February
Board Memo question
Attention: 2006 DFWMGRC Board,
I was reading the February Board Memo that
appeared in the March 2006 DFWMGRC Newsletter (see below). I want to
address the section of the memo that refers to the definition of a member in
good standing. Specifically the sentence regarding membership being
suspended or suspended from the privileges of the Club. The sanctions
imposed against us as a result of the July 2005 disciplinary hearing (as
stated in a prior email) make reference to a "suspension" imposed by the
2005 DFWMGRC Board prohibiting us from partaking of the DFWMGRC Puppy
Referral Service or participating as a DFWMGRC Puppy Referral Committee
member. Neither of which is a privilege, therefore our interpretation is
that we are not suspended of any privileges of the Club and are considered a
member in good standing. Therefore we are eligible to vote on any issues
put before a quorum of the General Membership, as well as be eligible to
submit for any trophy provided we meet the remaining trophy eligibility
requirements.
Please advise
if the Board is in agreement with our above interpretation regarding our
status as a "member in good standing", and if the Board is in disagreement,
please provide a formal explanation.
Alan and Ellen
Meyer Goldenwind Goldens
FEBRUARY BOARD MEMO
The 2006 Board
of Directors met on February 7, 2006, and one issue discussed was the
difficulty in getting a quorum of members in good standing at Club meetings.
According to our Constitution and by-laws “a member in good standing is one
whose dues and other financial obligations have been paid for the current
fiscal year, whose membership has not lapsed, been suspended, or terminated
as provided for in these bylaws, and who is not suspended from the
privileges of the Club. A member whose dues remain unpaid after February 1
of any year shall not be considered in good standing until such dues are
paid.” Article II, Section 5. Please help support the Club by paying your
dues. We need everyone to be a member in good standing.
Also, the bylaws clearly state in the section on
the Standing Rules, Trophies and Awards, paragraph B, “Only wins
accomplished while the owner is a member in good standing of the Club shall
be counted for any trophies. Only titles and degrees which are completed
while the owner is member in good standing shall entitle a dog to receive a
plaque.”
We want everyone to receive recognition for
titles earned and receive plaques. Trophy rules are included in the
newsletter, so you can keep track of your stats. Don’t miss out because you
have not paid your dues.
Also, remember that you must attend at least two
meetings and work two events or attend four meetings. Attendance means
staying for the whole meeting, not signing in and leaving or attending only
a portion of the meeting. I.e. stay until after adjournment. If you come for
the program after adjournment of the meeting, that will not count towards
your attendance requirements for awards.
Please note if you are working towards this
trophy that the Ducats Watchers Calamity Jane, CD, AX, AXJ Perpetual Open
Agility Trophy is being withdrawn and will not be awarded in 2006.
10/5/2007
Page 2 of 2
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As already indicated
elsewhere in this website, Plaintiffs also attempted to resolve this issue
without involving legal action. Please reference the below email from
Plaintiffs to 2006 DFWMGRC Board in March 21, 2006, the below Demand Letter from
Plaintiffs' attorney as well as the below email to entire DFWMGRC
membership. The above March 1st email, and the below March 21st email
and the Demand Letter all received no response from the DFWMGRC Board.
Plaintiffs' Email to 2006
DFWMGRC Board - March 21, 2006: |
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Page 1 of 1
Alan Meyer
From:
"Alan Meyer" <afmeyer@att.net>
To: "Molly Chapman" <mchapman1916@comcast.net>
Cc: "Carol Gilbert" <okusgold@msn.com>; "Leslie Pettingill"
<wildflowertexas2000@yahoo.com>; "Rita Robins" <rita.robins@dfwmgrc.org>;
"Nancy Crowley" <camlingoldens@comcast.net>; "Debbie Allen"<debraallen71@hotmail.com>;
<BravoGR@aol.com>; "Ellen Meyer" <Goldenwind@worldnet.att.net>
Sent: Tuesday, March 21, 2006 12:12 AM
Subject: Letter to Board
Attention: 2006 DFWMGRC Board,
It should be
clear to you at this point that we have solid evidence that the 2005 Board
and now the 2006 Board have taken discriminatory actions against us. We have
spoken with a prominent law firm in which a Partner had previously filed
against a very large dog club and won quite a nice settlement. We are fully
prepared to go forward with legal action against the DFWMGRC led by the 2005
DFWMGRC Board and now the 2006 DFWMGRC Board.
The decision for us to proceed with legal action
against the DFWMGRC is yours to make by 9pm, Thursday, March 23rd at which
time we must have in our possession a letter of apology along with the
DFWMGRC Board's removal of the sanctions against us and other Club members
with dogs co-owned with us. Otherwise you are going to have a very hard
time explaining to the entire DFWMGRC membership why a long time Club member
was forced to take legal
action against the Club.
Alan and Ellen Meyer
Goldenwind Goldens
10/5/2007
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Demand Letter from Plaintiffs' Attorney to 2006 DFWMGRC Board:
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Plaintiffs'
email to DFWMGRC membership: |
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Page 1 of 3
Alan Meyer
From:
"Ellen Meyer" <goldenwind@worldnet.att.net>
To: <debraallen71@hotmail.com>
Cc: <b.b.annis@charter.net>; <jude0120@aol.com>; <BecksGold@verizon.net>;
<potogold@comcast.net>; <tempogoldens@comcast.net>; <Caldwel2@airmail.net>;<MChapman1916@comcast.net>;
<dwclarkmoore@prodigy.net>; "Ronna Combs"<RCOMBS@pisd.edu>; <Karen.Couch@dal.frb.org>;
<DavisOfDallas@aol.com>; "Shari Degan" <mohrgold4@sbcglobal.net>; <SherriFarmer@Verizon.net>;
<k.felix@comcast.net>; <JFric@aol.com>; <okusgold@msn.com>; <dgulledge@velaw.com>;
<drdavehall@comcast.net>;<patrickharden@sbcglobal.net>; "Ann Horton" <coralace@ev1.net>;
<Priomom@sbcglobal.net>;<Topspingld@aol.com>; <shiloh@aircanopy.net>; <Melissa.Kato@gulfstream.com>;
<kingoldens@sbcglobal.net>; <john.knapp@performancepolymers.com>; <wyndehills@aol.com>;
<denalikennels@earthlink.net>; <info@lovelranch.com>; <smaag@flash.net>; <stwkar@sbcglobal.net>;
<Goldenwind@worldnet.att.net>; <Linda@edmillerservice.com>;<VernLynn@prodigy.net>;
<DLMorrill1@aol.com>; "lesley" <wildflowertexas2000@yahoo.com>;<jhragan@sbcglobal.net>;
<rita@dfwmgrc.org>; <SSherman@landam.com>; <casathompson@comcast.net>; <camlingoldens@comcast.net>;
<AMCDogs@ticnet.com>
Sent:
Monday, May
01, 2006 9:59 PM
Subject: DWFMGRC LEGAL ISSUE - PLEASE *REPLY ALL* TO THIS EMAIL
Dear
DFWMGRC Members:
We have chosen to
send this email out to the entire DFWMGRC membership as we feel that the
DFWMGRC has a right to know the information that is being withheld from the
DFWMGRC membership by the DFWMGRC Board. This situation started in April
2005 and the 2005 DFWMGRC Board was provided with ample opportunity to
correct/reverse their actions/decisions starting last April and continuing
to date with the 2006 DFWMGRC Board. The 2005 DFWMGRC Board members still
represent a majority vote in the 2006 DFWMGRC Board. The evidence that we
have against the majority of the Board members (2005 and 2006) is
overwhelming and undeniable. Once the petition is filed in Court, it will
become public record. We have been trying to avoid that public embarrassment
to the DFWMGRC. Within the body of the email to the Board below, we are
refraining from citing the Board's specific unconstitutional actions until a
legal petition is filed and are now substituting 'reversal of their actions'
in lieu of the original single word.
On Tuesday, March 21,
2006 an email was sent to all DFWMGRC Board members:
Attention: 2006
DFWMGRC Board,
It should be
clear to you at this point that we have solid evidence that the 2005 Board
and now the 2006 Board have taken discriminatory actions against us. We
have spoken with a prominent law firm in which a Partner had previously
filed against a very large dog club and won quite a nice settlement. We are
fully prepared to go forward with legal action against the DFWMGRC led by
the 2005 DFWMGRC Board and now the 2006 DFWMGRC Board.
The decision
for us to proceed with legal action against the DFWMGRC is yours to make by
9pm, Thursday, March 23rd at which time we must have in our possession a
letter of apology along with the DFWMGRC Board's reversal of their actions
against us, and other Club members with dogs co-owned with us. Otherwise
you are going to have a very hard time explaining to the entire DFWMGRC
membership why a long time Club
member was
forced to take legal action against the Club.
Alan and Ellen Meyer
Goldenwind Goldens
10/1/2007
Page 2 of 3
There was no reply to
this email and we did get confirmation from one Board member that it was
received by the DFWMGRC Board.
On March 24, 2006, we
retained an attorney to represent us against the DFWMGRC. On April 7, 2006
our attorney sent a Demand Letter to the DFWMGRC Board c/o Lesley Pettingill
who is the DFWMGRC Corresponding Secretary. The Demand Letter was sent both
Certified Mail Return Receipt Requested AND regular First Class Mail. The
regular First Class letter was delivered on April 10th along with a notice
to pick up or to have the USPS redeliver the Certified Copy. The notice went
unanswered by Lesley Pettingill (DFWMGRC Corresponding Secretary) and on
April 21, a second notice from the USPS was left for Lesley to pick up or to
have the USPS redeliver the Certified Copy. As stated, our attorney also
sent the Demand Letter via Regular First Class mail so the Board has
knowledge of what is in the Certified Copy that they are refusing to sign
for.
This action by the
DFWMGRC Board has placed the DFWMGRC in further jeopardy for a lawsuit as
the Demand Letter that Lesley Pettingill has in her possession clearly
stated that the DFWMGRC Board had 10 days to respond. The action we demanded
that the Board take would have relieved the DFWMGRC of any liability, legal
ramifications, and/or financial hardship. A Club member who had knowledge of
the entire situation, asked Board Member Rita Robins at the DFWMGRC General
Membership meeting (April 18th), when does the Board feel that they should
inform the Club that there is a possible pending lawsuit against the Club.
Rita stated that she was not at liberty to discuss it. It appears from
Rita's response that the DFWMGRC Board presently has no intention to inform
the DFWMGRC membership. The 2005 DFWMGRC Board and now the 2006 DFWMGRC
Board have violated many DFWMGRC Bylaws and Standing Rules which led to
where we are today. In addition to those violations, it is our attorney's
opinion that the DFWMGRC Board has acted unlawfully. Their unconstitutional
actions (violating the DFWMGRC Constitution and Bylaws) have placed the
DFWMGRC in a position of legal liability. Per our Bylaws, "General
management of the Club's affairs shall be entrusted to the Board". Making
decisions on behalf of the DFWMGRC without notification to the DFWMGRC
membership of a potential lawsuit does NOT fall within 'general management'.
Our intention as
stated by our attorney in the Demand Letter (4/7/2006) was and I will quote:
"However, at this point my clients, in the interest of compromise and in the
interest of avoiding embarrassment and financial hardship to DFWMGRC have
authorized me to forgo any monetary relief and make the following offer of
settlement." The DFWMGRC Board chose to ignore both our email as well as the
Demand Letter from our Attorney, thereby deciding without membership
approval to place the Club at legal risk by avoiding settling of this issue.
In addition to the non-monetary request within the Demand letter, we are now
also asking for our incurred attorney fees. We are not requesting any
further damages until such time that we file suit. It is unfortunate that
the entire DFWMGRC membership will be liable for the actions and decisions
solely taken by the 2005 & 2006 DFWMGRC Boards. It is also unfortunate that
the entire DFWMGRC membership is held accountable for the legal and
financial liability based upon the ramifications of the Board's actions
instead of the individuals on the DFWMGRC Board who made those decisions
violating the Club's Constitution and Bylaws.
10/1/2007
Page 3 of 3
For those new members
or those members who don't personally know us, we have been members of the
GRCA and DFWMGRC since 1995. Alan has served on the DFWMGRC Board 3 times,
in the capacity of Vice President and Member At Large. Alan had also served
as the DFWMGRC Specialty Show Chairman, as well as Chief Ring Steward
multiple years. Alan also wrote the DFWMGRC Column for the Golden Retriever
News for quite a while. Ellen was active with Rescue when Rescue was still
affiliated with the DFWMGRC serving on the Rescue Board for one year and was
active in Fund Raising selling raffle tickets and selling/mailing the
DFWMGRR tee shirts. Ellen also served on the DFWMGRC Public Education and
Puppy Referral Committee for ten years since we had joined the DFWMGRC in
1995 until July 2005. Our daughter Melissa had earned the DFWMGRC Junior
Showmanship Trophy for multiple years and was a top ranked Golden Retriever
Junior nationally including winning Best Junior Handler at the 2001 Golden
Retriever Club Of America National Specialty.
At this time, we ask
that the DFWMGRC membership direct the DFWMGRC Board to comply with the
Demand Letter request and that the DFWMGRC Board take full responsibility
for their unconstitutional actions. We further request that when and if that
compliance is met, the DFWMGRC membership also direct any past, current or
future officers that are/were members of the 2005/2006 DFWMGRC Boards to
refrain from instigating any future actions against us including but not
limited to any retaliatory punitive actions against us. We should all be
very concerned being represented by a Board of Directors that has a majority
vote within themselves who perform actions that violate the DFWMGRC
Constitution and Bylaws to further their own agenda against any specific
member(s). You could be next.
Alan and Ellen Meyer Goldenwind
Golden Retrievers
10/1/2007
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The DFWMGRC Board of Directors
subsequently refused to discuss the details of their actions with the
membership.
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