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HomeMy WebLinkAbout96-04853 ~ . , . HBLBN B~ETZ and I ROBBRT BABTZ, I plaintiffs I I VI:I. I I TRl~O FOOD SYSTBMS, INC. and I HBP ~SSOCIATBS, I D,fendants I IN THB COURT OF COMMON PLB~S CUMBBRLAllD COUNTY, PBNNSYLV~NI~ NO. 96-4853 CIVIL ~CTION - LAW CIVIL TBRM PLAINTIFFS' PETJ;TION TO~.xtQ!i AND NOW, oomes Helen and Robert Baet~, plaintiffs in the above oaptioned aotion, by their oounsel, Hersohel Look Esquire, pursuant to Rule 1033 of the pennsylvania Rules of civil Prooedure, and files the within Petition to Amend caption, the nature of which is as followSI BACKGROUND 1. On september 30, 1994, plaintiff Helen Baet~, (hereinafter, Baet:!:"), fell while at the Bonan~a Restaurant salad bar in Carlisle, pennsylvania, in the prooess suffering signifioant injury. The fall was thp. result of certain unattended grease left on the floor near the salad bar. 2. On october 13, 1994, Joseph Meckwood (hereinafter, "Meokwood"), Senor Claims Specialist for Royal Insurance, oontacted Baet:!: by letter, asking that she execute various medioal authori:!:ations. The letter from Meckwood identified the insured ae Triad Food Systems (See Exhibit "A" appended to this petition, copy of said correspondence). - 1 - .., 3. On October 31, 1994, Meckwood again wrote to Baetz, this time identifying the insured as Bonanza (See Exhibit "B" appended to this Petition, ~opy of said correspondence) . 4. Meckwood wrote letters, dated March 27, 19951 May 25, 19951 June 27 19951 August lB, 19951 October 25, 1995, and November 15, 1995 (See Exhibit "CO appended to this Petition, oopy of said letters) to Bastz's attorney, identifying the insured on four occasions as Bonanza and twioe as Triad Food Systems. 5. Following the breakdown of settlement negotiations, Baetz filed her Complaint on August 3D, 1996, naming Triad Food Systems, Inc. and HBP Associates, as Defendants. HSP was named a party Defendant since this entity owned the premises where the injury occurred. Triad Food System was similarly named based upon Royal Insurance Company's identification of Triad and Bonanza as interchangeable. Service of the Baetz Complaint was effected at the Bonanza Restaurant where the head waitress accepted service on behalf of HSP and Triad Food Servicee. 6. In New Matter subsequently filed by Defendants, the following factual averments were madel 26. Triad was not an owner of the premiees where Plaintiff allegedly fall nor was it an operator of said premises. 27. Although HBP owned the real estate in question, HSP was not in possession or control of the premise at the time of the alleged accident. (See Exhibit "0" appended to this Petition, copy of quoted portions of New Matter) . 7. Significantly, Defendants' New Matter failed to identify the poseessor of the premises at the time of the - 2 - " accident. B. Plaintiffs were relegated to initiating discovery to ascertain the identity of the possessor of the premises at the time of the accident. On March 10, 1997, b6th Interrogatories and a Request for production of Documents were served upon counsel to Defendants. 9. Defendants did not answer the requested discovery until the end of July, 1997. While copies of Triad'e and HSP's governing documents were furnished, other documents repreeented to be included (comprising franchise agreements, other contracts and agreements and witness statements) were not included in the discovery furnished. 10. The Answers to Interrogatories, however, were illuminating (See Exhibit "E" appended to this Petition, copy of said Answers). The Answers to Interrogatories Hl and H4 included the following informationt the owner of the building and land was said to be HBP Associates. purportedly, it was leased to and operated by Carlisle steakhouse, Inc. (Interrogatories Hl an H3). Triad Food Services, Inc., identified by the insurance company ae the insured, was reported as only owning real estate at 39 N. 4th street, Gettyeburg, P.A 17325 (Interrogatory H4). 11. Said Interrogatories further identified Triad's Board of Directors and stockholders as followst Officers Wayne D. Hill, president John C. Berg, Treasurer Wayne R. paret (Interrogatory H5) l?tockholden Wayne & Sue Hill John & Jolene Berg Wayne & Mary paret .' 3 - . 12. Said Interrogatories also identified the partners of Hap Associates as followel John c. Berg, Manager partner Wayne D. lIill Wayne R. paret (Interrogatory #6) 13. Documents on file at the corporation Bureau in Harrisburg identify the incorporatore of Carliele steakhouse, Inc. as the followingl Wayne D. Hill John c. Berg Wayne R. paret 14. Despite representing that Carliele steakhouse, Inc. was the posseesor and operator of the premisas where the accident occurred, and notwithstanding the representation that ~riad Food Service only functioned as the owner of certain Gettysburg real estate, the Bonanza comment card for customer input was addressed to ~riad Food Systems, Inc. c/o John Berg (see Exhibit "G appended to this Petition). 1U'PLIC~ION OF LAW 15. It ie clear that lIBP Associates, ~riad Food Services, Inc. and Cadisle steakhouse, Inc. were all the same party. while the corporations were separately incorporated, it is evident that the corporate form was disregarded. Any effort to disguise these entities in order to avoid liability is readily transparent. ~he respective corporate veils may be pierced. 16. Rule 1033 of the pennsylvania Rulea of Civil procedure provideD I - 4 - YERIFICATION The unde~signed, Herschel Lock Esquire, does hereby state that he is familiar with the factual matters outlined in the foregoing Petition to Amend Caption and that any such factual statements are true and correct to the best of his knowledge, information and beliefs. He understands that any false statements are subject to the penalties prescribed at 18 Pa. C.S. section 4904, relating to unsworn falsification to authorities. DATEDl SeDt,mber 25. 1997 ~~ JiI( HERSCHEL LOCK, ESQUIRE "" , , , , B. "DOCtlMENT" means writings of any kind, whether hand- written, typed, word-processed, or printed and includes memoranda, polices, direetives, oorrespondence, computer disos, note., employee manuals, regulations, and rules. This word also refers to policies concerning maintenance of the salad-bar inoluding clean-up of butter and salad-dressing from the floor. C. "!DENTIFY. when referring to an individuals shall denote the full name/ present or last known business address, present of last kncwn home address, telephone number ~f known, employer, and job title at the time of the injury giY~ng rise to this a cause of action. When referring to a document or writing, the word, . ~dentify. shall include the type of writing or document; subject matter covered; the date it was written; to whom it was directed; the present location of the dcc~~ent or writing and the person possessing custody over it. When relating to an o~al communication, state the manner in which it was oommunicated (e.g./ at a staff meeting, during a telephone conversation, or person to person); where it was con~unicated; on whose behalf it was stated; and the names of the individual making the communication and their titles. You are to furnish your answers in writing in the spaces provided. !f the amount of room furnished is insufficient, you may use supplemental sheets to complete your answer. Each - 2 - 1. Please identify the possessors of the land in which the Bonanza Restaurant is located at 909 Walnut Bottom Road, Carli.le, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. Th. own.r of. the bulldlng and land 1. HBP A"oclat... It wa. lea'drl to and op.rated by Carll.le Steakhou.e, Inc. , 2. please identify the owners of the land em whioh' tn' I Bonanza Restaurant is located at 909 Walnut Bottom Road, Carli.le, pennsylvania. , S~~ ,andwer to Interrogatory 1. I, , , , , ' " " , , , , II: ""1 ' I d\ , , - 4 - . TRlAo FOOD SYS CIa John S TE:MS, lNC Po erg . Ge . . Sox 3339 tt}tsburg, PA T 7325 " \\E WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM rOl'... EJC>NANZA. 0 \\,,. t'I."" 10 ."r\' HJU ,n 1'~"F\ 'Ao') ....... (,H' P'It,I.1!' I'Ili'lp u. 'lICIJll.nll" l'yr "'",P'H\ll'l'~ 0\0"'. ""HI' .\1' 1"lrol ,ltan 10 Oftl\lIQ. '0," .,.,..Ih In, ),t\ b.ft "'\'ut fh,lnk ,flU 'n' 'll"ln1/. Jl aO""I\ZA' bctU'l'lt Cuod r,ur 1",.''''.UlllJ(1t't\ OUR FOOD ToUl' - Cl C - ~1'(110n :: C C :: :: Ponlon SIll - Cl c OUR RESTAURANT (omlor{ = C :J :: Clunlinru Cl :: (l)n\lpnll'fl(f - c a :: - f1(l"It'"t (.unl1 'tllf ~"wll.r,1Cl()r\ INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYEE ,\ppu'(I.1I'I<' = f"t'"etl\< - C = = - Htt,~)lul :: :: c :: OUR PEOPLE COU"'h' Prompl"'" "Uln.u c Cl Cl Cl Cl ~m. au- j".... 1)4_:- - OA"- llIIO;;"iH""-- , tlllU"1I1Jl111'_''''...,,....,,,,,.,,.,..,,,,,.,,.,,.,,,,, :: What Enrr~e did YOU orderl 1 ,Nam.: i. Md,...: ... ICUV: cO'.oo't'" 10,.1, Phon,: St3l.. Zip: Exhibit "G" C0 ,.. ~. (; [,.., "'~ , ,> .. ',ot u,(- 00 Q' .' I'" ,. ~, '0' t ~ 111 flY. , ("''';1 , Ull', t\ JII . ,. ,.I I VI . ,'l':.. ,;f, ~ r- d t;1\ /, " " ,,' . , , " /, \' " ,,, " 'I, 'I " Q,; t""~ --t 'II> ~ I)' 1 ~ F " HELEN BAETZ and I ROBERT BAETZ, I Plaintiffs I I vs. I I TRIAD FOOD SYSTEMS, INC. and I HBP ASSOCIATES, I Defendant I IN THE COURT OF COMMON PL~AS CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA NO. CIVIL TERM CIVIL ACTION - LAW COMPLAINT 1. Plaintiffs Helen Baetz and Robert Baetz, husband and wife, are adult individuals residing at 220 Sunset Drive, Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania 17013-2129. 2. Defendants are Triad Food Systems, Inc. and HBP Associates, the owners and operators of the Bonanza Restaurant and premises located at 909 Walnut Bottom Road, Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. 3. On September 30, 1994, while a patron at a Bonanza Restaurant in or near Carlisle, Pennsylvania, owned and operated by Defendants, Plaintiff Helen Baetz (hereinafter, "Mrs. Baetz"), was preparing to approach the salad bar. 4. A triangula~ sign warning of a wet floor at or near the salad bar was posted; however, the soap and water mopping of the tile floor thereat had left grease from the salad bar untouched. 5. Plaintiff Mrs. Baetz was wearing rubber-soled loafers and slipped on the grease, landing on the tile floor. 6. As Plaintiff Mrs. Baetz landed on the floor, she could feel the grease on the floor, and her skid left clear marks - 1 - through the grease. 7. Falling on her right hip, Plaintiff Mrs. Baetz suffered a oontusion and fraoture of the right iliac bone. 8. This fracture aggravated pre-existing advanced degenerative joint disease of the left hip of Plaintiff Mrs. Baetz, as a result of her having to ambulate in an unnatural manner in the months after her injury which, in turn, resulted in exoessive weight on her left leg. 9. Two weeks after the fall, an MRI of the right hip revealed an unusual abnormality involving the right iliao crest and the adjacent muscles, internal and external, to the iliac crest. 10. The aforesaid abnormality was due to the trauma resulting from her fall, and a healing fracture with surrounding hematoma. 11. Plaintiff Mre. Baetz had excruciating pain when bearing weight on her right leg and was unable to sustain weight on it. 12. Solely as a consequence of the carelessness, recklessness and negligence of Defendants and through no fault or negligence of her own, Plaintiff sustained severe persistent and painful injuries, the loss of life's pleasure, past and future medical bills, emotional distress and lost wages and benefits. 13. Because of the strain on her prior-injured left hip, directly a result of this fall, Plaintiff Mrs. Baetz will require future surgery. - 2 - COUNT I BBLBN BARTZ v. TRIAD FOOD SYSTBMB, INC. 14. PAragraphs 1-13 are incorporated by reference, as if fully set forth in their entirety. 15. Defendant Triad Food System was the possessor of the land in question and had a duty to maintain its premises in a reasonably safe condition for the oontemplated use of the publio invitee, Plaintiff Helen Baetz. 16. Defendant Triad Food Systems failed to maintain its premises in such a reasonably safe condition or to adequately warn of the .grease on the floor. 17. As a result of Defendant Triad Food System's carelessness, recklessness and negligence as detailed above, it is liable to Plaintiff Mrs. Baetz in an amount exceeding the jurisdictional sum under which compu190ry arbitration is required. COUNT II BBLBN BAETZ v. BBP ASSOCIATBS 18. Paragraphs 1-13 are incorporated by reference, as if fully set forth in their entirety. 19. Defendant HBP Associates is, upon information and belief, a partnership which owns the real estate in question and leases it to Triad Food Systems/ Inc. 20. As such, it owed the same duty to Plaintiff Helen Baetz - 3 - , " , , ,I , I , , I ,', I , I' , I , , I " .,1 , , ',ill I.." I F j. . , h"; J'IJ1/11 Jd':liIH.A" eM,I: IW I J'J''/'_,'iI>lI3:'lJ P (IJNI1UNW~:ALI'H I.W Pf:;Ntl:jYLVMHA I UJlJNTY IJ" ClJNm:IILANP l!g.GUJ.t:l<t1i.J~LAL.,____.___.._.. Vb. !'In.All 1:'l\11J ::illiJ.I:;!1:'ii.....lU..IL.___..__ NIIIIAk;L fJAllRll:l\ , ::;hlJ'nti 'Jr IJlDpv.t.y I:jhl:;~'J.H 'J! CUNI3I'jJlL.ANLJ COJI;nty, P"nnoy l',ani'J, whl') buin\l duly IlWIJrll t~<:'Jol'd Lng t." 1 ",W, '>oily"" t.hli' within I<QJ'J.r!.dUlJL ._.___..__._..._._.___....___._. 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Sh~rltf's Cost.sl Dock<pting ~ervlce Aft id13vit_ ~~u LI:h.an:J~ :300' anUWSI6 I /' .;:F . 11;\.I1)Ql ...., /l t:.~~~ 'J "I/J ~.., I. (~ " .~ .,... n' ".I/)~ .~~~-:':I~l~-=-- .-'-fj--'rrr-.-.------..--- ,... 0", rf(-"I I)ma~ n f11''?, .;J I':'r . (f'Z~';-;!Iil-,H;RSCIJJ:;l. l.qr;l\ . 1/)")/12/1'3'J6 '~;4 , , I /"... ' . ,./ J Y ".*- , :;;~ .- .-.-. ,O~I'pU 'Y''!:ffi:- .~_..- :jworn ond~(JUbscr'ibr(d j':J bJ.J!.c/J,-'-] me I h lijl _1'1...'. 0:1 a Y oJ I ' _~r;;.i~.""......... 1 'l.~i.~_ A.D. (\ \,'.- ~,~ .b~.. .. ^~tC'. ...._..._. '-11 JO~!~:IJlI y -or , , .- I , , " " ,I , , , I: , , 'I, I ;! r: .!it .. ., ,-~ '~~ '. .. , ;;,lj.,:1 I, r' ..;t 11.1'" .n I (. .', l< ., .., I , , 11;\ tl. , j, , .;,1 I, '."'" I I , , '. " 1"1 ':'.t.) '[.:t (;1'. , ! t~1 " Ill., ri'l ... ,"(.J i;,: I'" I '. ,. I'. .'1 .1 , , i:/1 , U , , '.1 " , , " , ,\ " , " . \, " , , . , , , , " I"A' ;I\'ti, \"'f' " '{h .,f ill -, " ! ,r,:"" I (i,' u. ~~ 1,1. ,,'t~ " M ,- I ~t: 'I, 0.. Q~ , fi! '" ~i 'Ii -, , , , " c.. N ~~ " , ~ ~ ,'I' b. l,C) ,n - . 'II ~ 8 ~~ 3 ~ : e Jj !i co f ~ ~ :{ i " i p II .. .. ii ~ III Z J 0 .. , , " , , II I " , I' ,-! .I, 1; I' " , , , " I I!, -, 'I I , , , "," " Ii , , " ,,- " "II I . . , 'I , II, " , ;1. . , . 4.-11. Denied. Af'terreasonable investigation, Defendants are without knowledge or inl'onnalion sufficienl 10 form a belief as 10 Ihe INlh 01' these allegations and proof Ihereol' is demanded, 12, Uenled. It is denied thai Defendants were negligent, As to Ihe balance of the allegations ot' this paragraph, after reasonable investigation, Det'endants are without knowledge or int'omlation sut'l1c1ent to form a belicl' as to the lruth of these allcgatlons and proof thereof is demanded, 13. Denied, Al'ter reasonable investigation. Dcfendants are without knowledge or information sut'l1cientto I'oml a bcliel' as to the truth 01' thcse allegations and proot' thereof is demanded. Count I Plalntlrf v. Tl'lad Food Systems. Inc. 14. The answers to Paragraphs 1 through 13 above are incorporated herein by reference hereto. IS. Denied. It is denied Ih;\t Triad was the possessor ot' the land in question or had any duties with respect to the Bonanza Reslaurant. As to the balance ot' the allegations ot' this paragraph, they represent conclusions ot' law to which no reply is required. 16. Denied pursuant to Pa, R.C,P, 1029. 17. Denied. This allegation represents a conclusion of law to which no reply is required. Count II Plaintiff v. HOP AS80Clates 2 18. The answers to Paragraphs I through 17 above are incorporated herein by reference thereto. 19. AlImilledln part and denied in part. It Is admllled that HDP is a partnership and Ihat HOP owned the real estate In question. 11 is denledlhatlhe real estate Is leased to Triad. 20, Denied. These allegations represc!/lI conclusions of law 10 which no reply Is required , 21. Denied. These allegations represent conclusions of law to which no reply Is required. Count III Plaintiff v. Defen4an.tl 22. The answers to Paragraphs I through 21 above are Incorporated herein by reference thereto. 23. Denied, After reasonable Investigation, Defendants are without knowledge or infonnation sufficient to fonn a belief as to the truth of these allegations and proof thereof is demanded. 24, Denied. It is denied that the Defendants were negligent. As to the balance of the allegations of this paragraph, after reasonable Investigation, Defendants are without knowledge or Infonnatlon sufficient to fonn a belief as to the truth of these allegations and proof thereof is demanded. 2S. Denied. This allegation represents a conclusion of law to which no reply is requ ired, 3 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE , I, JEFPREY B. RETrIG, ESQUIRE, hcreby certify that 1 have served a troe and correct copy of the foregoing Answer With New Matter on the following person(s) by placlna same In the United States mail, postage prepaid, on the 21st day of October, 1996: Herschel Lock, Esquire 3107 North Front Street HarriSburg, PA 17110 THOMAS, THOMAS" HAFER " , I' I) , I 'I; I , , " I, , " " ,I HELEN BAETZ and I ROBERT BAETZ, I Plaintiffs I I VS. I I TRIAD FOOD SYSTEMS, INC. and I HBP ASSOCIATES, I Defendant I IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA NO. 96-4853 CIVIL TERM CIVIL ACTION - LAW PLAINTIPFS' ANSWER TO DBFBNDANTS' NBW MATTER AND NOW, come Plaintiffs, Helen and Robert Baetz, by their oounsel, Herschel LOCK, E~quire, and file the within Answer to the New Matter of Defendants, representing aR followsl 26. Denied. Upon information and belief, as pleaded at Paragraph 2 of the Complaint, Triad Food System, Inc. and HBP Associates, are the owners and oper.ators of the Bonanza Restaurant and premises located at 909 Walnut Bottom Road, Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. 27. Denied. After reasonable investigation, Plaintiffs lack sufficient knowledge or information to form a belief as to whether HBP was in possession or control of the premises at the time of the alleged accident and, accordingly, deny the same. Strict proof, if relevant, is demanded at time of trial. 28. Denied. The Defendants take Plaintiff, Helen Baetz, as they find her and whether there were any pro-existing condition is irrelevant as a matter of law. In addition, the use of the word "may" renders the Defendants' allegation too speculative to answer. The alleged damages were as a proximate result of the - 1 - possessor of the land's negligent failure to maintain its premises in a reasonably safe condition for the intended use of the publio invitee. 29. Denied for the reasons more fully stated in answer to Paragraph 28 above. 30. Denied. Plaintiff acted in a careful and non-negligent manner. By way of further answer, there were no signs warning the Plaintiff of a greasy floor resulting from salad dressing or food which had spilled and was not properly removed by Defendants. 31. Denied. The allegation contained at Paragraph 31 of Defendants' New Matter. represent a conclusion of law to which no responsive pleading is required under the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure. 32. Denied. The allegation oontained at Paragrnph 32 of Defendants' New Matter is speculative, fails to allege who the negligent third party was, and is so indefinite as to preolude an answer by Plaintiffs. WHEREFORE, it is requested that judgment be entered in favor of Plaintiffs and against the Defendants above-named. DATED I fl/.IJ'I t ~..ctfUl.1Y submitted, (:! cj,l( HERSCHEL LOCK, ESQUIRE ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFFS 3107 North Front Street Harrisburg, PA 17110 (717) 238-6661 - 2 - I I I ,':1 II " " ,I " 'I 'I' , : , , I, I' , Er: ,:n I:.. '" I . (." ilJ , j ,~ ~ur1 )IS ',) t', ..;" ',";1 [" I p-. ,. 'I ; ~ ~ I,{l lj)(.! 'I') , r] q' I 'I." I' II t. I, , ,;[,1 .'1 ~I'! 'II.\.. , " f.-i r II. <,., ,.,1 ,,".1 f.) ~; 0 I, .1 I II' I " ,I , I " , \" I' , ' " , '" " " , , , I , , I " , ,I .. " , 'I, " 'i " , ' " " , I .1 J I, I ., q ,I HELEN BAETZ and I ROBERT BAETZ, I plaintiffs-Petitioners I I VS. I I TRIAD FOOD SYSTEMS, INC. and I HBP ASSOCIATES, I Defendants-Re.pondents I IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA NO. 96-4853 CIVIL ACTION - LAW CIVIL TERM PLAINTIFFS' MOTION TO MAKE RULE ABSOLUTE AND NOW, comes Petitioners, Plaintiffs Helen Baetz and Robert Baetz, by and through their counsel, Herschel Look, Esquire, and file their Petition to Make Rule Absolute as follows, to witl 1. Petitioners, Helen Baetz and Robert Baetz, are Plaintiffs in the above referenced civil action. 2. Respondent herein, Triad FOQd Systems, Inc. and HBP Associates, are Defendants in the above referenced civil action. 3. On September 25, 1997, Petitioners filed their Petition and Rule to Show Cause why they should not be allowed to amend the caption of their Complaint filed previously. 4. On September 29, 1997/ your Honorable Court signed the Rule to Show Cause attached, said Rule returnable within twenty days of service (see Exhibit "A" attached hereto). 5. On September 30, 1997, Petitioners sent Defendants by regular mail the aforesaid Rule and Petition upon the Respondents herein (see Exhibit "B" attached hereto) and, to date, even - 1 - ! i~~ I' III'" I ( , 1:;:1 I ll,: , I' ','I r,ll lo... I, I.U I t'~ , r , ..... ,.~ (... 'I,.' , ' I. )".,.! t.... .,1 V I' I"- ~ ~ ..,. I ~ I " ~ 'I I' '1 I " ," , , ~ " I' ,- I' " , I !I' " " I i .1 I. " , I , 1 1 I, " " ,I " , " " " I' , ' " , ' , I , " , -," '.JI , I, (0" r'~ ,<I.: V; " " " I' '.; r;.: , I " , I - ';/': ': I' I . , , , , .):/J I' 'n , ' i. r-" ,-I'.! , 'oj! "_IC.f) , h~ "It , " 'T) ,'I " , , ,J 1.)1 " , , I , , , , I I, " , I' " I' " , , , , " , , " , 1 " I Ii 'I , " , ,