Ann Loder is Chair of the Narrabri Ratepayers and Residents Association. Over the last six months Ann has been very outspoken about the lack of efficiency of Narrabri Shire Council and the hardship on the community for the proposed 26% rate increase.
The Mayor, Conrad Bolton two days before Christmas served Ann with a Defamation Lawsuit for criticisms of Council.
Stephen Stoltenberg (Treasurer of the Narrabri Ratepayers and Residents Association) is also a defendant in the same case.
The background to this issue can be found on the Narri Leaks Facebook page but there is a large amount of evidence in Ann's defense in the form of Affadavits and long buried Department of Local Government reports.
It is common knowledge that the legal fraternity is on leave as of late December through January and it has been very difficult to secure a lawyer to prepare the initial defence on 5th February, 2016 at the NSW Supreme Court.
Mayor Bolton has unlimited funds and Ann is a battling mother of 4 children with a small business in Narrabri. It is not a level playing field being heard in the court.
Ann is fighting for many in the community concerned with not only Council's performance and the rate increase but also the spread of Coal Seam Gas out of the Piliga to the rest of Narrabri Shire as shown by Santo's own maps.
We need to urgently raise funds for the defense. The Narrabri Ratepayers and Residents Association has launched a fund administered by its Publicity Officer, Mr Ron Campey. Ron has not been sued by the Mayor.
To this aim, all monies donated will go against all legal fees and if at the conclusion of the case any funds left over will be returned/refunded to those who donated in an equally distributed manner.
There is a very good chance Ann will win and be awarded costs + damages. If possible ALL funds will be returned.
Those persons who wish to donate anonymously can still do so, the only person to view your donation will be the administrator of this fund.
The stakeholders in this Defamation Action are much wider than just Ann, the Narrabri Ratepayers and Residents Association or Stephen Stoltenberg. Some people may wish to donate larger amounts and those people may contact Ron Campey directly to discuss.
We wish to thank each and every person who has taken the time to read this request and who made a donation for this cause. Please share it with your friends and family and let's rally around the Narrabri Ratepayers and Residents Association.