Mike has been released from the Brown County jail after 62 days. This is great news. We still have three remaining issues:
#1-None of Mike’s friends should have any contact with any court personel, or County Commissioners, or anyone in the Prosecutor’s office. Not a peep. It is a condition of his bail. Anyone call up a county staffer, Mike could be put back in jail…
#2-Mike faces a criminal trial in January. Please pray. Make plans to attend. January 12th & 13th 9:00am. Let’s show them we care about Mike.
#3-The crinimal trial will cost at least $7,500. We have raised $2,100 or so. We need contributions, and we need fund raising ideas/events. Rides, potlucks, raffles, anything and everything. Please email Tim at: tim@bullseyeinv.com with all suggestions offers. I cannot do all of this. I can help co-ordinate, I need others to run with good ideas.
Citizens and officials of Brown County should take a step back and review Michael Hart’s advocacy for the enforcement of animal control laws in a different light. First and foremost, here is a Brown County citizen that has been a successful business man in the community for years. His business, Mycles Cycles, is in close proximity to the historic Underground Railroad bicycle route – of which he was an integral contributor to its development. Do not forget, Michael was featured last year in the New York Times (http://travel.nytimes.com/2009/05/29/travel/escapes/29Underground.html) as an advocate of Brown County tourism for outside citizens and cycling enthusiasts to enjoy the beauty and picturesque scenery that was the backdrop of slaves risking their lives for freedom years ago.
Isn’t it an ironic twist of fate that Michael Hart was incarcerated and his freedom stripped away, almost like the Freedom Fighters of the past, who sought justice in generally an unjust environment? Could it be that Michael Hart has been ringing the justice bell for animal control laws in Brown County a little too loudly for those citizens and officials of Brown County who have not been too welcoming of the Underground Railroad bicycle route as a tourist and cycling destination for outside citizens of all persuasions who wish to enjoy this historic passage without the fear of an unknown\unfamiliar canine(s) impeding their trek?
Remember, it is extremely easy to demonize someone when only one aspect is portrayed to play on the consciousness of the uninformed. Be careful Brown County with regards to how you wish to pursue justice with Michael Hart’s felony intimidation and unlawful restraint. The Underground Railroad bicycle route is and will forever be a historic path in and through this community for all people of all races, creed, color, ethnic background, sexual orientation or religion. It is the responsibility of Brown County to provide safe passage and protect the integrity of this historic trail for those wanting to experience this one-of-a-kind landmark.
I hope there are many who applaud Michael Hart’s insistence for animal control laws to be enforced by those who are in positions of community leadership that took an oath to protect and serve its citizens and patrons of Brown County. I shudder to think what kind of light would be shined on Brown County if Michael Hart was a person of color and demonstrated the same advocacy for animal control and wound up incarcerated. It is without question that there would be several organizations that would have an interest if that were the case. The question now is – how do you know that these same organizations are not watching from afar to see how this case turns out?
Good luck – to you both!
Waitaminutehere, how can they put what amounts to a protective order on the people most involved in the case against the general population? What if someone who didn’t know anything about his bail goes and berates one of these public “officials” (read: Asshats)? Is that a reason to throw Mike back in the Clink?
P.S. Mike: Good luck Buddy, I’ll be praying for you.