We, the undersigned, strongly oppose the abuse of power and continued attack by the mayor's office and your legal appointees Eric Burns and James Schrier on our neighbor and friend Edward Bowden. We acknowledge your improved way of approaching alleged violations, however, before those changes, this particular lawsuit was out of place from the start and to continue it was equally wrong. Edward is an honest, upstanding citizen of our community and we believe he was unfairly prosecuted by the city’s attorney producing a gross miscarriage of justice. Having harassed him, his elderly father and his family for nearly three years, and forcing them into legal defense of great magnitude is outrageous and intolerable. The city’s extensive efforts in denying Edward and his father their Constitutional rights to a trial by jury is a most egregious violation by the city. The fines of $190,000 for allegedly having four occupants share a home during a few months' period is absolutely absurd. To sue someone’s father who did not even own the home is indefensible. It is unreasonable to rely upon a poorly-written ordinance to accuse Edward of overoccupancy because he didn’t change the address on his driver’s license while he was away. If such a kind, cooperative and law-abiding person can be treated this way, anyone in this town is equally vulnerable. We expect much better of our government and demand that you immediately stop the attempt to seize his home of 14 years to satisfy the outrageous judgment and instead compassionately deal with him as a fellow human being. We want Edward to remain a part of our community, in his home where he has served the greater good and will continue to make West Lafayette a better place to live.

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