Pubdate: Wed, 09 Jun 2010
Source: Gazette, The (Colorado Springs, CO)
Copyright: 2010 The Gazette
Contact: http://www.gazette.com/sections/opinion/submitletter/
Website: http://www.gazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/165
Author: Jakob Rodgers

EX-COUNCILMAN: POT-FARM PLAN PROVOKES ASSAULT

Outspoken former Fountain City Councilman Al Lender  claims he was hit
in the face Tuesday night by a  councilman during a confrontation over
Lender's plan to  grow medical marijuana.

Lender, who was voted out of office in 2005 and has  sued the city for
slander, accused Harold Thompson of  striking him in the face with his
forearm and elbow  during a break in the council meeting.

Lender said he will pursue assault charges against  Thompson, who
could not immediately be reached for  comment.

Fountain Police Sgt. Ralph Maher said Wednesday  witnesses are being
interviewed and officers are  reviewing audio tapes of the meeting. No
summons has  been issued and no arrests made, he said.

The alleged fight came after the council took up a  series of
regulations on dispensaries in the city.

Lender and a partner planned to open a dispensary and  grow medicinal
marijuana on 14 acres Lender owns on the  outskirts of Fountain.

During a break after the council adopted the ordinance  limiting where
dispensaries could be established,  Lender said he confronted council
members.

Lender said he told Councilwoman Lois Landgraf she was  "nothing but
scum, doesn't believe in my constitutional  rights and she doesn't
represent me."

He said he then turned to Thompson and said, "You son  of a bitch, you
just took my property rights away."

"Well he lunged at me and hit me right in the face in  front of
everybody."

Fountain Fire Chief Darin Anstine, who was at the  meeting but did not
see the confrontation, said he was  asked by police to examine the
left side of Lender's  face. He said he found no sign of injuries and
Lender  declined to be treated by paramedics. 
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