Russell Bowman

Encinitas, CA: (Sep-22-07) Maggie Houlihan, an Encinitas City Councilwoman, filed a lawsuit against Russell Bowman, a former neighbor. The lawsuit alleged that Bowman put up large signs overlooking Interstate 5 calling Maggie Houlihan a vulgarity. He placed oversize signs on his 5-acre Union Street property in October during the 2006 political campaign. One 72-square-foot sign called Houlihan a "whore." Houlihan was in the middle of a four-year term and was not running for election at the time. Bowman, who ran a landscaping business near Houlihan's Union Street home, contended that Houlihan used her influence to thwart his plans to develop 4.5 acres just east of Interstate 5. Houlihan denied it and said that she did not participate in discussions or votes related to his development proposals. Union Street runs in a straight line through a mostly residential neighborhood east of Interstate 5. Some greenhouses, a kennel and Bowman's former business are located where Union Street dead-ends at the freeway. At a hearing in March, Bowman and his attorney asked a judge to dismiss Houlihan's lawsuit, saying that, as a public official, she was attempting to squelch Bowman's free-speech rights. Judge Thomas Nugent rejected their motion.

In a settlement reached, Bowman issued a formal apology and paid $19,000 in damages and attorney's fees. Houlihan said that any politician expects criticism, but Bowman's attacks were different. She also said the settlement represented a victory for public officials everywhere. [NORTH COUNTY TIMES: POLITICAL CRITICISM]

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Published on Sep-24-07