Members of the Forest Lake Community Association were given until the end of the business day on Monday to file formal pleadings with the district court to show why the FLCA should not be required to post surety bonds to protect interests of the Lakes International Language Academy. Judge Susan Miles on Friday set the time table during a court hearing in Stillwater after the FLCA announced it had dismissed its attorney, Michael Harnois. Attorneys for the school argued that under state law, corporations must be represented by legal counsel and are not entitled to be heard in such cases. Miles, opting for a compromise, rejected a request by school attorneys to order the bonds immediately and order the FLCA to pay all school legal fees. Instead, Miles told the FLCA it had until the end of the business day on Monday to retain an attorney and submit a written response to the school request. If the citizen group is unable to meet the requirement, it is likely the judge will take action on the bonds. If the bond is not posted the case against the school would be over. The school is seeking more than $3 million in surety bonds to protect its interests that may be harmed if the FLCA's legal action to block the school's purchase of the old hospital building is successful. The school maintains it is entitle to the bonds because it is a public body.

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Forest Lake Times
P.O. Box 218
880 SW 15 St.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
651-464-4601
Fax 651-464-4605