NY Judge Refuses to Block Fire Company Fundraiser

Posted by: Curt Varone February 22, 2015 0

A volunteer fire department in New York has been successful in convincing a judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed by local activists who hoped to block an annual squirrel hunt fundraiser.

Lauren Sheive sued the Holley Fire Department in hopes of ending the “Hazzard County Squirrel Slam.” Sheive claimed the event violates the State Environmental Quality Review Act. Arguing her case was a non-attorney environmental activist, Richard Brummel.

Last Tuesday, Orleans County Court Judge James Punch ordered the fire department to show cause why the hunt should not be blocked. However, after hearing from both sides on Thursday, he dismissed the lawsuit, allowing the hunt to go on as scheduled on February 28, 2015. Sheive and Brummel are appealing the case in hopes of obtaining an injunction.

 

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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