Opinion ID: 773536
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Plaintiffs' Initial Concerns

Text: 9 In January 1997, plaintiffs, who are residents of Schenectady County and horse enthusiasts, applied to volunteer with the Cooperative's 4-H program. In February 1997, they enrolled as 4-H volunteer leaders and organized a 4-H club known as the Horses & Hounds 4-H Club. Based on their participation in the 4-H program, the Bakoses became concerned about the Cooperative, believing that the Cooperative managed and allocated government funds in a manner inconsistent with its policies, had insufficient safety rules governing 4-H-sponsored horse competitions and activities, held inadequate insurance coverage for horse-related activities, and had inadequate guidelines for judging horse competitions. 10 According to defendants, in May 1997, the Bakoses contacted a New York State Horse Program faculty member at Cornell University, Jeanne Griffith (Griffith), to discuss the 4-H horse program. Warner learned of this discussion and spoke with Griffith, who told her that the Bakoses were concerned about the Cooperative's lack of cooperation with them. Warner had several conversations with the Bakoses, and in June 1997, the Schenectady 4-H Horse Club held a meeting to discuss its horse programs. The club, including the Bakoses, formed a Horse Rally committee to improve and promote its horse programs. During the summer, the committee met several times and worked closely with Warner. Warner allegedly received numerous complaints about the Bakoses' attitude and conduct during the Horse Rally committee meetings. In September 1997, the Bakoses resigned from the committee. 11 In October 1997, the Bakoses wrote to Warner regarding their worries about the Cooperative's 4-H program. While planning a meeting with the Bakoses, Warner, Elliott and the Bakoses exchanged heated correspondence. On October 22, 1997, Elliott, Warner and a Cooperative educator met with the Bakoses in person, and during the meeting, developed a plan to address the Bakoses's concerns. Nonetheless, the Bakoses were unsatisfied with the Cooperative's response. During November and December, the Bakoses, Warner, Elliott and another staff member engaged in further heated conversations and correspondence. Warner scheduled a meeting with 4-H Horse Club members for late December 1997, but this meeting was postponed when Gorman-Bakos could not attend. 12 In November and December 1997, the Bakoses requested various membership lists and other documents from the Cooperative. At the end of January, Bakos requested a list of all 4-H volunteers. On the advice of Cooperative's FOIL officer and after checking the Cooperative's policy manual, Elliott informed the Bakoses that she could not release the list.