WATER WAR: City & Fairfax Water Looking to Settle

By GEORGE BROMLEY
Falls Church Times Staff

February 4, 2010

After meeting this morning in chambers with attorneys for the City of Falls Church and the Fairfax County Water Authority, Circuit Court Judge R. Terrence Ney issued an order continuing the trial until March 1 to permit the parties to pursue settlement discussions.

In his concluding remarks, Judge Ney expressed his hope that the parties can settle their differences and complemented both the plaintiff’s and the defendent’s legal teams on their skill and professionalism. 

Under the terms of the continuance, several witnesses who may be involved in settlement negotiations will be exempted from discussing aspects of the case.  They are Charles Murray, General Manager of Fairfax Water, his deputy Steven Edgemon, Falls Church Chief Financial Officer John Tuohy, and Robert Etris, the City’s Director of Public Utilities.  Other persons under subpoena remain subject to the rules on witnesses.

If the proceedings resume in March, defense attorney Sandy Thomas will complete his cross-examination of Dr. John Mayo, who was on the stand yesterday afternoon. 

A copy of Judge Ney’s order is available here.

A copy of Falls Church’s pre-trial bench brief is now available on the City website.