I’m writing to address a factual error in the article that appeared Aug. 30 regarding Black Mountain. As the pro se representative of the group of citizens that filed the complaint, I attended the hearing with Justice Clifford, along with the attorney for the town of Rumford.

Judge Clifford did not dismiss the part of the complaint that stated Black Mountain could not use the petition process as it was a defeated initiated article. He specifically stated that he was leaving that part of the complaint open to be heard in court. He issued the injunction to stop the selectmen from skipping over the requirement to have a special town meeting and holding the vote on Aug. 27; he will hear arguments on the rest of the complaint at a later date.

Those who represent Black Mountain before the town are doing a great disservice to those who work behind the scenes to make the ski area work. They have ignored fundraising to pursue taxpayer dollars. If they had asked the 500 petition signers to commit to a $100 donation, they would have raised $50,000.

Now they run the risk of losing at the ballot box or in the courtroom by some time in November and, if that happens, they will not have the funds to open.

The blame will not be on the citizens who fought for due process to be followed; blame will fall squarely on those who fought the process and lost, while not conducting fundraising activities.

Ronald Theriault, Rumford

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