Lawyers point fingers, judge will rule on motions in Mountain Water case
“Judge Karen Townsend told lawyers Thursday to not be “naive” in handling – and possibly disclosing – information about the value of Mountain Water Co.
In an eminent domain case in Missoula County District Court, the city of Missoula is trying to force the Carlyle Group to sell the city Mountain Water. The judge heard arguments Thursday on a couple of pending matters.
In July, Townsend cautioned attorneys against talking publicly about the value of Mountain Water. If the judge rules ownership by the city is “more necessary,” a team of water commissioners from Missoula County may be appointed to set a sale price.
Townsend said those water commissioners must sign an affidavit saying they don’t know about the case.
“The more we bandy about in the press issues about value … that makes it even more difficult to find a person in this community who we may want to serve,” Townsend said Thursday.”
Szpaller, Keila. Missoulian 13 November 2014.