LEESBURG, Fla. – The Leesburg Shuffleboard Club has filed a lawsuit against the City of Leesburg following the city commission’s decision to donate the club’s property to a local nonprofit organization.
The legal action comes after the city commission voted 4-1 to donate the property to Forward Paths, despite opposition from club members and their legal representation.
We spoke to club member Rick Tallman ahead of the vote back in August and he expressed disbelief over the decision.
“I could not believe they would do such a thing for an established facility such as this,” Tallman said.
[VIDEO: Leesburg Shuffleboard Club property could be donated to Lake County based nonprofit]
Prior to the August vote, the club’s attorney, Anthony Sabatini, sent a letter to the city requesting a postponement of the vote. The letter alleged the city was violating its own charter. However, the commission proceeded with the vote and approved the donation.
At the time, Leesburg’s City Manager, Al Minner, told us they did not agree with Sabatini’s legal opinion.
The lawsuit filed on Sept. 4, alleges that the city charter requires a referendum approval by two-thirds of the electorate for any sale, conveyance, or transfer of a city activity. The complaint further argues that since the public park constitutes a city-recognized recreational activity, the city cannot transfer the property or end shuffleboard activity without voter approval through a referendum.
The shuffleboard courts are scheduled to close at 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 7, though the club has been permitted to host their scheduled tournaments in October.
The city of Leesburg has not yet responded to request for comment on the lawsuit. To read the full complaint, see below: