Celli v. Friend Fort Knox

• Court: Superior Court of Maine
• Decided: October 29, 2005
• Docket: PENcv-05-274
• Status: Unpublished

Opinion

STATE OF MAINE SUPERIOR COURT PENOBSCOT, SS. CIVIL ACTION Docket No. CV-05-274

Michael Celli et al., Plaintiffs

I SUPE5lOR COURT Order

Friends of Fort Knox, PENOBSCOT COUNTY / Defendant

Pending before the court are the plaintiffs' motion for preliminary injunction and the defendant's two motions to dismiss. Hearing on the former motion was held on December 16, 2005. The court has taken the latter motions under advisement and has reviewed the parties7 submissions in support of and in opposition to them. For the reasons set out below, the court denies the defendant's motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim, grants the defendant's motion to dismiss plaintiff Mary Sullivan as party- plaintiff for lack of standing, denies the motion to dismiss plaintiff Michael Celli as a party-plaintiff, and denies the motion for preliminary injunction. The defendant's two motions to dismiss challenge, first, the sufficiency of the allegations to establish a basis for relief, and, second, the plaintiffs' standing to pursue the claim alleged here. "A motion to dismiss tests the legal sufficiency of the complaint." McAfee v. Cole, 637 A.2d 463,465 (Me. 1994). In analyzing those motions, the court takes the allegations to be true. In re Wage Payment Litigation, 2000 ME 162,g 3,752 A.2d 217,220. From this starting point, the complaint then is examined "in the light most favorable to the plaintiff[s] to determine whether it sets forth elements of a cause of action or alleges facts that wou.ld entitle the plaintiffls] to relief pursuant to some legal theory." McAfee, 637 A.2d at 465. A dismissal is proper "only when it appears beyond doubt that a plaintiff is entitled to no relief under any set of facts that he might prove in support of his claim." Hall v. Board ofEnvironrnental Protection, 498 A.2d 260, 266 (Me. 1985). See also Heber v. Lucerne-in Maine Village Co., 2000 M E 137, 7,755 A.2d 1064, 1066. In their complaint, the plaintiffs allege that in November 2005, the defendant organization, a non-profit corporation, conducted an election to remove existing Board members and directors and to replace them with others. They further allege that the election was not conducted in the manner provided by the defendant's corporate by-laws. They contend, for example, that in violation of the election procedure set out in the by- laws, members of the organization were permitted to cast ballots even though some of those voters were not physically present at the meeting where the election was held. Arguing that the only votes that are valid were those cast by members who were physically present at the election meeting, the plaintiffs challenge the constitution of the Board that is based on the tabulation of all votes cast. More specifically, they allege that when the votes are counted in the manner they claim is proper, five of the thirteen Board members were removed in the election. Plaintiff Mary Sullivan is one of the eight who had served as a Board member but was noi reriluved, aiid piaiiiiiff Micliiie: CeGi is oiie ~f the three or five' whom the plaintiffs allege was voted to become a new Board member upon the removal of several of the existing members through the election process. In their complaint, the sole form remedy requested by the plaintiffs appears to be interim injunctive relief in the form of a court order establishing that the Board's membership is constituted in the eight retained members and three new members that they claim were properly elected. The court takes this relief to be the ultimate disposition they seek in this action. The defendant first moves to dismiss the substantive claim based on a close analysis of the provisions and structure of Title 13-B, which the parties appear to apply here because of the nonprofit nature of the corporate defendant. In essence, the defendant contends that the terms of Title 13-B, particularly when compared to provisions governing other types of corporations, must be read in a way that would not authorize the instant challenges to the election procedure at issue. However, as the plaintiffs point out,

1 In their complaint, the plaintiffs raise an issue regarding the number of people who should serve on the Board altogether. This issue, however, is not relevant to the issues raised in the motions at bar and need not be addressed here. at least as a matter of common law. an association is held to have a contractual relationship with its members, and the terms of that contract are laid out in the corporate by-laws. See Libby v. Perry, 3 11 A.2d 527, 532 (Me. 1973); Gashgai v. Maine Medical Association, 350 A.2d 571, 575 (Me. 1976). This establishes the legal basis and framework for a claim that the organization failed to comply with its by-laws. The defendant relies on the terms of 13-B M.R.S.A. § 71 1(2)* in support of its argument that an officer or corporate agent does not secure contract-based rights by the mere fact of an election or appointment to that position. The effect of this section, however, must be viewed in light of section 711(1), which expressly reserves the possibility that an officer or agent may have a contractual interest in that position. Section 71 1(2), therefore, must be read to negate the existence of any such contractual rights that would result simply because the officer or agent was elected or appointed to that position. Rather, a contractual interest must derive from a different source. Under Gashgai and Libby, that source is the by-laws for-the corporation. Therefore, the court ~ i i on :ha: conciucies that there exists a cause ul' aciio~iagaiiisi a iioiipi-ofiic o i p ~ i ~ t ibased entity's alleged failure to comply with election procedures established by the corporate by-laws. This leads to the question of whether the plaintiffs have standing to pursue such a claim. As it has been examined in federal authorities, the concept of standing is both constitutional and prudential in origin. The participation of a party with standing ensures that a court will be presented with a "case and controversy," in satisfaction with the federal constitutional element of jurisdiction. In that way, advocacy by a party with standing provides assurance that that party will be motivated to address the contested issue with seriousness and maturity, because that party has a real interest at stake. See generally Clinton v. City ofiVew York, 524 U.S. 417,429, 141 L.Ed.2d 393,408 (1998). See also Students Challenging Regulatory Agency Procedures, 412 U.S. 669,687, 37 L.Ed.2d 254, 269 (1973) (". . . .[T]he party seeking review [must] be himself among the injured, for it is this requirement that gives a litigant a direct stake in the controversy and prevents the judicial process from becoming no more than a vehicle for the vindication of

2 Section 71 l(2) provides, "Election or appointment of an officer or agent shall not of itself create contract rights." the value interests of concerned bystanders."); Baker v. Carr, 369 U.S. 186,204,7 L.Ed.2d 663 (1962) (to have standing, a party must allege "such a personal stake in the outcome of the controversy as to assure that concerted adverseness which sharpens the presentation of issues upon which the court so largely depends for illumination of difficult constitutional questions."). Even when the notion is standing is examined in a state case, that is, one that does not invoke constitutionally based jurisdictional considerations relevant to the federal courts, the same considerations apply, although from a prudential perspective. See, e.g., Hathawuy v. City of Portland, 2004 ME 47, T 13, 845 A.2d 1168, 1171 (holding that a party did not have a justiciable claim and thus did not have standing, because she could allege only "at best an abstract disagreement" rather than "a concrete, certain or immediate problem."). Here, Campbell's position as a Board member will not be affected by the outcome of this proceeding. Whether or not she were to prevail on her claim that the election process did not conform to the requirements of the by-laws, her membership on the n 2 --.:ti :- D U ~ U W I I J I G I I I ~ I IIIILLLLL. ~ She mzy we:: disagrec i ~ i t hthe f ~ i m a ft ~ the ; e!ect:c:: implemented by the defendant. Nonetheless, because has suffered no injury as a result of that format, she has no personal stake in the outcome of this case, and her contentions therefore can only be characterized as abstract. Consequently, the allegations in her complaint could not establish that she is a proper party, and she must be dismissed as a party-plaintiff. Celli's position in this case, however, is qualitatively different from Campbell's. When his interest is viewed as favorably as the complaint allows, that pleading demonstrates that his entitlement to membership on the Board will rise or fall as a function of the claim he asserts here. His stake in this proceeding is more than abstract. He has raised a claim that could have a direct effect on an interest that is personal and real to him. Thus, the claim generates a genuine controversy, supporting the conclusion that because of that direct stake, he is genuinely motivated to advocate his position in a way that is expected from persons with standing. The defendant's motion to dismiss him as a party must be denied. This analysis thus allows consideration of the merits of the motion for preliminary injunction, for which Celli is now the sole proponent because Campbell is no longer a party to this action. In order to obtain injunctive relief, the movant must establish that irreparable injury will result from the denial of that remedy; that the irreparable injury would exceed any damage caused to the defendant by the issuance of such a injunctive order; that there is a likelihood of success on the merits of the claim; and that the public interest will not be adversely affected by the issuance of an injunction. Ingraham v. University of Maine a t Orono, 441 A.2d 691, 693 (Me. 1982). Celli has failed to establish that the absence of interim injunctive relief will result in irreparable harm, and for that reason, without addressing the remaining elements of the Ingraham standard, the court denies his motion. Celli's essential contention in support of his claim of irreparable injury is that the leadership of the defendant organization is uncertain because of the challenge to the election process he pursues here. A s a result, he argues, the defendant is unable to conduct some of its normal activities. Of those organizational activities that he claims have been stalled, the one that has the most significance is the possible renewal of an agreeiiieiit witii tiie Maine Biireaii of Pai-ks Lands (SPL), iiiidei- which the defei;dant performs certain functions and provide certain services that otherwise would be the State's responsibility. These services include operating the control and admission booth at Fort Knox, collecting admission fees from visitors, conducting interpretive tours of Fort Knox during the summer, and providing outreach and other educational programs. Additionally, an observation tower will be built as part of the Waldo-Hancock bridge that is now under construction. T h e Departments of Transportation and Conservation had been in some discussions with the defendant with an eye toward creating a relationship under which the defendant would participate in the operation of the tower, which will overlook Fort Knox. BPL has remained keenly neutral in the dispute at bar. Nonetheless, because of the very fact of the dispute over the leadership of the defendant, it has declined to carry o n the negotiations that would be intended to arrive at a services contract for 2006 and at an agreement with the defendant for the operation of the observation tower. T h e services contracts historically have become effective in the spring of each year. Celli argues that injunctive relief is needed in order to establish a group of decisionmakers for the defendant with whom BPL and other relevant agencies could work. This factual contention, however, is undermined by testimony from BPL's representative that BPL will plan for the upcoming season without involvement from the defendant, as long as this case remains pending in court. Presently, BPL is developing contingency plans to proceed with the operation of Fort Knox without the participation and assistance from the defendant that it provided in the recent past. The issuance of an order of injunction will not change that approach because so long as this case remains pending, there remains an outstanding question of who can speak for the defendant. With that uncertainty, BPL understandably has chosen to proceed on its own in making its plans for the operation of Fort Knox in 2006. Thus, whether or not the court grants Celli's motion for preliminary injunction, due to the very pendency of this case BPL will not delegate any of its operational and management functions to the defendant. Consequently, the harm that Celli contends will be caused by the absence of a preliminary injunction, namely, the loss of the defendant's opportunity to participate in the operation of Fort Knox in 2006, will obtain irrespective of whether such an order issues. Beyond this, the evidence is insufficient for the court to conclude that other effects of the dispute in the Board's membership rise to the level of irreparable harm.

The entry shall be: For the foregoing reasons, the defendant's motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim is denied. The defendant's motion to dismiss for lack of standing is granted in part and denied in part. Plaintiff Mary Campbell is dismissed as a party for lack of standing. Beyond this, the defendant's motion to dismiss for lack of standing is denied. The plaintiff's motion for preliminary injunction is denied.

Dated: December 29, 2005 MICHAEL CELLI - PLAINTIFF SUPERIOR COURT 42 GETTYSBURG AVE PENOBSCOT, ss . BREWER ME 04412 Docket No BANSC-CV-2005-00274 Attorney for: MICHAEL CELLI ARTHUR GREIF - RETAINED 11/21/2005 GILBERT & GREIF DOCKET RECORD 82 COLUMBIA ST PO BOX 2339 BANGOR ME 04402-2339

MARY CAMPBELL DISMISSED - PLAINTIFF 834 STATE ST #7 BANGOR ME 04401 Attorney for: MARY CAMPBELL DISMISSED ARTHUR GREIF - RETAINED 11/21/2005 GILBERT & GREIF 82 COLUMBIA ST PO BOX 2339 BANGOR ME 04402-2339

VS FRIENDS OF FORT M O X - DEFENDANT P 0 BOX 456, BUCKSPORT ME 04416 Attorney for: FRIENDS OF FORT KNOX JEFFREY SILVERSTEIN - RETAINED 11/29/2005 RUSSELL SILVER & SILVERSTEIN 145 EXCHANGE STREET, SJITE 3 BANGOR ME 04401-6505

Filing Document: COMPLAINT Minor Case Type: GENERAL INJUNCTIVE RELIEF Filing Date: 11/21/2005

Docket Events: 11/21/2005 FILING DOCUMENT - COMPLAINT FILED ON 11/21/2005 COMPLAINT AND VERIFIED APPLICATION FOR A TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER AND PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION WITH EXHIBIT A.

11/21/2005 Party ( s ) : MICHAEL CELLI ATTORNEY - RETAINED ENTERED ON 11/21/2005 Plaintiff's Attorney: ARTHUR GREIF

11/21/2005 Party (s): MARY CAMPBELL DISMISSED ATTORNEY - RETAINED ENTERED ON 11/21/2005 Plaintiff's Attorney: ARTHUR GREIF

11/21/2005 Party(s): MICHAEL CELL1,MARY CAMPBELL DISMISSED MOTION - TEMP RESTRAINING ORDER FILED ON 11/21/2005 PLAINTIFFS' MOTION FOR A TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER AND A PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION WITH PROPOSED ORDERS.

11/21/2005 Party(s) : MICHAEL CELL1,MARY CAMPBELL DISMISSED MOTION - MOTION PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION FILED ON 11/21/2005 PLAINTIFFS' MOTION FOR A TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER AND A PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION WITH Page 1 of 5 Printed on: 12/30/2005 STATE OF MAINE SUPERIOR COURT PENOBSCOT, SS. CIVIL ACTION Docket No. CV-05-274

Order (Motion for Temporary -- ... ---- Restraining Order) !---''.--- - -

Friends of Fort Knox, I

Defendant f _.I" , , -= - I

i d

- - * . --.--- The plaintiffs have filed motions for a temporary restraining order and for preliminary injunction.' Conference of counsel was held this date to establish procedural tracks for these motions. It was agreed that, because the plaintiffs seek immediate consideration of their motion, the court would act on the motion for TRO based only on the plaintiffs' submissions. If the defendant took the position that any such ruling aggrieved it, then it would then have an opportunity to be heard on the motion by filing a response to the motion, or by moving to dissolve a restraining order pursuant to M.R.Civ.P. 65(a), or by invoking both of these mechanisms. The motion for preliminary injunction shall be governed by the conventional process for filings by the parties and hearing if required. Consequently, the court has reviewed the plaintiffs' submissions in support of their motion for TRO and concludes that they have not established a basis for the issuance of injunctive relief. In order to obtain injunctive relief, the movant must establish that irreparable injury will result from the denial of that remedy; that the

1 The motion for preliminary injunction rests on the same factual and legal bases as the motion for TRO. The plaintiffs filed the former motion on March 17. Following a conference of counsel held on March 17 after they filed the motion for preliminary injunction, the plaintiffs chose also to file the motion for TRO in order to allow an expeditious consideration of their request for interim injunctive relief rather than invoking the more time-consuming process associated with the motion for preliminary injunction. irreparable injury would exceed any damage caused to the defendant by the issuance of such a injunctive order; that there is a likelihood of success on the merits of the claim; and that the public interest will not be adversely affected by the issuance of an injunction. Ingrnham v. University of Maine at Orono, 441 A.2d 691, 693 (Me. 1982). Here, the plaintiffs seek an order enjoining the defendant from dissolving i t ~ e l f The . ~ record on the motion at bar and the arguments of the plaintiffs do not establish that the dissolution will cause irreparable injury. There is no suggestion, for example, that the activities and responsibilities of the defendant would not be assumed by some other entity, either one that exists now or that would be created to fill the vacuum. The plaintiffs state baldly that the dissolution of a corporation results in irreparable harm because the dissolution cannot be reversed. This, however, does not establish that the fact of dissolution, even if irreversible, rises to the level of irreparable harm, even in the context of the laudable mission of an organization associated with an important historical site.3 Without any evidence of the real-world effects of a dissolution of the defendant, the plaintiffs have not established entitlement to a restraining order. The plaintiffs also fail to demonstrate that any consequences of a dissolution will deprive them of a remedy at law. The specific effect of dissolution noted by the plaintiffs is that it would trigger the authority of the defendant to direct its assets to another non- profit entity, rather than to the State's Department of Parks and Recreation as an earlier set of corporate by-laws required. If the purpose of this observation is to suggest that the -

2 In their motion, the plaintiffs also seek an order enjoining it "from attempting to cut short the two year director terms of' one of the plaintiffs and two others. During the conference of counsel held this date, plaintiffs' counsel advised that the plaintiffs are not pressing this element of relief through the TRO motion. Thus, the court does not address this issue here. 3 In a separate motion filed earlier in this proceeding, the plaintiffs had argued that injunctive relief was needed to establish control over the management of the defendant because, with the instability caused by the dispute at bar, the State would refrain from entering into any arrangements for the defendant's involvement either in the Fort Knox facility during the upcoming season or in the observation tower of the new bridge adjacent to Fort Knox. Because the State will continue to decline to engage the defendant so long as this case is pending, whether an interim injunctive order is in place or not, the court concluded that this circumstance did not warrant the issuance of such an order. An examination of that issue is set out in more detail in the court's order dated December 29, 2005. transfer of funds is a form of injury, then if such a transfer is ultimately demonstrated to have been improper, a remedy at law would likely arise.

The entry shall be: For the foregoing reasons, the plaintiffs' motion for temporary restraining order is denied.

Dated: March 21, 2006 Justice; ;Tvf 'he Superior Court .Jeffre$ 3 Hjelm 03/22/2006 MAINE JUDICIAL INFORMATION SYSTEM ksmi t h PENOBSCOT COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT m j x x i 048 CASE PARTY ADDRESS BOOK MICHAEL CELLI ET AL VS. FRIENDS OF FORT KNOX UTN:AOCSsr -2005-0118845 CASE #:BANSC-CV-2005-00274 ................................................................................ MICHAEL CELL1 PL ATTY GREIF, ARTHUR T e l # (207) 947-2223 ATTY ADDRz82 COLUMBIA ST PO BOX 2339 BANGOR ME 04402-2339

MARY CAMPBELL DISMISSED PL ATTY GREIF, ARTHUR T e l # (207) 947-2223 ATTY ADDR:82 COLUMBIA ST PO BOX 2339 BANGOR ME 04402-2339

DONALD METTHE PL ATTY GREIF, ARTHUR T e l # (207) 947-2223 ATTY ADDR:82 COLUMBIA ST PO BOX 2339 BANGOR ME 04402-2339

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