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ROOSEVELT, Utah (AP) -- A pair of eastern Utah businessmen have filed a federal civil rights lawsuit claiming a water district board member blocked their development plans because they aren't a member of his church.
David Yeaman and Gene Brown filed their lawsuit against Ouray Park Water Improvement District board member Alan Cooper last week. It seeks a combined $2.1 million punitive damages.
Yeaman and Brown allege Cooper is biased against residential and commercial development in eastern Utah and denied them water needed to develop a gravel pit, RV park and a commercial camp on their properties.
In court papers they say Cooper has stated he is "called by God" to limit growth and exhibits a blatant bias against those who are not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
------ Information from: Deseret News
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
