Conshohocken to sue anti-LGBT litigant
The Conshohocken Borough Council voted unanimously Sept. 19 to sue James D. Schneller for about $18,000 in legal fees that were incurred while litigating Schneller’s legal challenge of the borough’s LGBT antibias ordinance.
Schneller, co-founder of anti-LGBT group Philadelphia Metro Task Force, has embroiled the borough in litigation over an LGBT-inclusive antibias ordinance it enacted in April 2011.
Last month, Schneller dropped his legal challenge, but the seven-member council wants repayment.
Borough Council President Paul McConnell said it would be “irresponsible” to taxpayers not to seek the fees.
“Considering Mr. Schneller’s rich history of filing outlandish lawsuits, and his full-blown attack on this legislation, my hope is that the courts will decide that Mr. Schneller should pay back our legal fees.”
Schneller issued a statement saying he was “saddened” by the council’s decision.
“To utilize additional taxpayer funds for what will be a fruitless case is a derogation of public duty. And to do so to ‘punish’ citizens who clearly seek to defend threatened rights to conscience and moral upbringing of future generations, is egregious, and should be alarming to all Conshohocken citizens.”
Borough solicitor Michael J. Savona said residents already paid thousands to defend against Schneller’s “frivolous lawsuit.”
“Schneller made a decision to continue to waste public funds, even when he was warned by borough officials at the outset that his case was meritless,” Savona said. “He cannot now blame council or any other interest group for his foolish decision to litigate this ridiculous case. The blame resides solely with Schneller.”
— Tim Cwiek
Lib. City to endorse
Liberty City LGBT Democratic Club will host an endorsement meeting from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 4 at William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St.
Members in good standing will vote on endorsement in November’s general election and can learn how they can help on Election Day. A number of candidates seeking endorsement will be on hand at the event.
For more information, email [email protected]i or visit www.libertycity.org.
— Angela Thomas