Laserfiche WebLink
Charles C. Powers <br />Attorney at Law, L.L.C. <br />0200 W. Lodge Drive <br />P. O. Box 1273 <br />South Fork, Colorado, 81154 <br />(Phone) 719-873-1740 (Fax) 719-873-1742 <br />ccpowersatlaw@hotmail. com <br />March 28, 2008 <br />Michael Chapman, Esq. <br />150 E. 9"' Street, Suite 400 <br />Durango, Colorado 81301 <br />Re: Zellitti Properties and Hocker Construction <br />Dear Mr. Chapman: <br />As you know I have been retained by Wilma Zellitti, managing partner, to represent <br />Zellitti Properties regarding its interest as tenant-in-common in certain property in La Plata <br />County. It is my understanding you represent Hocker Construction, LLP. You called me, and <br />we discussed the situation at considerable length. <br />Your initial concern when you called was to determine whether Wilma Zellitti would <br />sign the permitting papers for a new gravel pit at the property. I reiterated Zellitti Properties' <br />demand that a written lease be entered with Hocker Construction for that company's continued <br />use of Zellitti Properties's interest in the property, and royalty payments are made directly to her. <br />You claimed surprise at this request, and you were very firm in your insistence that Mrs. Zellitti <br />had not previously expressed directly or through her attorney or agent a desire to have a written <br />lease between Hocker and Zellitti Properties. I pointed out Zellitti Properties' attorney wrote <br />regarding this in November 2006 shortly after the meeting you claim Mrs. Zellitti affirmed the <br />existing lease between Hocker and Anthony Zellitti. You claimed unequivocally that Marla <br />Underell, Esq. never in your dealing with her expressed Zellitti Properties' demand for a written <br />lease with Hocker or that payments for her interest go directly to Zellitti Properties. After <br />reviewing the file last night, I found at least four letters or e-mails directly to your client or to his <br />attorney, three of which were directed to you, where this demand was made clearly in writing. I <br />conclude from this that you are not being candid with me or more importantly Zellitti properties. <br />You agree that Hocker did not know of Zellitti properties interest in the property prior to <br />the meeting in late 2006 at the premises. You also admit, prior to the lease under which your <br />client claims a right to mine the property that the deal was always verbal. Thus, it is clear that <br />the written lease does not bind Zellitti Properties, and the only deal that exists is a continuation <br />of the verbal arrangement that predated that agreement. <br />In addition, a review of the correspondence shows that Hocker or its agents have been <br />- representing that the old pit was almost complete for some time, and differing time frames have <br />been given. It is clear this has been nothing more than a ruse on your client's part to delay ' . <br />honestly and legitimately dealing with Zellitti Properties as a legitimate owner of the property <br />while taking their property for Hocker's own purposes. You client's correspondence indicates <br />the lease would not be necessary until the old pit is finished, implying a new lease would 4