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Cactus Canyon Campground is under scrutiny by religious right individuals that believe that homosexuality is a sin. They have attempted to harass us and to pose problems for us all to interrupt our business. It is a battle that needs to have attention and support. We present to the community this page to bring light to the situation and help explain the current situation as it develops. If you have any questions please call us at the number below.

News Articles
The news articles that have been in print are:
Springfield News Leader June 24th, 2005, March 19, 2006

Other media articles or discussions:
365Gay.com , Advocate.com , Siruis OutQ, PinkNewsUK, New York Blade

See what KOLR 10 said in their news at 5pm, 6pm and 10pm broadcast today May 9th, 2006.

Do you know of any other news of Cactus Canyon Campground that has hit the media? Help us with a scrap book and direct us to a link to the article and if you would clip the article and mail it to us at CCC, P.O. Box 266, Ava, MO 65608

Donations
Cost of litigation is expensive, but litigation is necessary. We urge you to help defray the cost of litigation and show that we will not tolerate our civil rights being trampled on. We are accepting donations and you may call us at 417-683-9199. We can take donations currently via MC/VISA at that number or through this special Pay Pal Account that was set up for donations by clicking on the button below.

The Following Individuals challenge you to meet or exceed their donations.

High Donations Made to date:
David $500 April 2006
Art/Terry $200 April 2006
Franz $100 April 2006
Kimberly $100 April 2006
Peter $100 March 2006

We wish to thank all that have contributed to helping fund the litigation process in this matter.
Current status

Process of court cases:
Filing a petition, interrogatory stage, depositions stage, trial, and final court decisions.

And where are we in this process? We are in the depositional stage. In other words we have the right to sit and ask the defendents questions to gain information as to their actions and involvements with the particulars of the case. They by law are suppose to answer truthfully. Their statements are cross referenced to their written statements and discrepencies would be noted. We have set dates for depositions, and they have been canceled, changed and canceled again. Seems to be a slow process to get them done. Where does that lead us? Well there will have to be advice from the court to get these done. Once done, then we will procede to trial after completion of this part of the case. The case is set for June 15 - 19 for trial.

Assist with spreading the world.. Here is the latest press release.

Immediate Press Release
Cactus Canyon Campground
PO Box 266 Ava, MO 65608
phone 417-683-9199
www.cactuscanyoncampground.com
CO-Owners Chaz Franzke and Jim Thideman

Cactus Canyon Campground Target of Hate Crimes

In March 2006, the owners of Cactus Canyon Campground of Ava, Missouri have filed suit in Douglas County Circuit Court against Ricky Moon a federal employee at the Mark Twain National Forest Service of Ava, Missouri, Carrie Moon, Dan Fish of Fish and Sons Lumber of Ava Missouri and a member of the Ava Church of the Nazarene, Shannon and Trish Watterson of Show Me Real Estate of Mansfield Missouri and also a member of the Ava Church of the Nazarene.

The above individuals are alleged to have worked in consorts together to produce a civil conspiracy such that they are working together for the purpose of harassing, intimidating and disrupting the business of Cactus Canyon Campground and the rights of the owners to peacefully enjoy their property. The conspirators placed a hog operation on the boarder of the property and engineered the farm run-off to pollute and contaminate springs and streams within Cactus Canyon Campground itself. The hogs had been removed after spending 23 days on the property. However the engineering of the operation continues to impact on the campground and will continue unless there is court intervention to stop the damages being done by the run-off created by their altering of property.

Cactus Canyon Campground, CCC, a long-established men's campground in southern Missouri for the past eight years, provides gay, bi and straight men a unique recreational opportunity in the Ozarks. Campers traditionally return year after year. The blatant and maliciousness of the alleged conspiracy has divided the otherwise tolerant and peaceful community of Ava. There are many that support CCC and believe that it is not a "Christian" thing to do particularly under the guise that they are expressing their "Christian" rights.

Want to Assist?
We are currently looking for continued financial assistance for this legal battle.

NEW UPDATE - The American Family Association, Center for Law and Policy Closed their doors. Six Defendents had to seek new attorneys and one defendent has kept her attorney. Trial date has been set and now we move towards putting a closure to the case.

One defendent Carrie Moon is being represented by the former Douglas County Judge, Roger E. Wall. This is what www.ozarksfirst.com had to say about Roger Wall's most recent legal battles. Excerpt from the ozarksfirst.com website.
" A former Douglas County judge has been re-indicted by a federal grand jury on child pornography charges. A Kansas City grand jury returned that three-count indictment Monday against Roger Wall, 59, of Ava. A week ago, a similar federal indictment against wall was dismissed over a legal technicality. The new charges state wall was in possession of videotapes containing child pornography in November of 2004. Wall was an Associate Circuit Judge for Missouri's 44th circuit prior to his resignation in February of 2005. " And, the Douglas County Herald reports , "Former Douglas County Judge Scheduled Jan 3, 2008 Roger E. Wall, former Douglas County judge, was reindicted last year by a federal grand jury for being in possession of child pornography, and according to the United States Attorney's Office, Western District of Missouri, Wall's trial is slated for Monday, Jan. 7, at the federal courthouse in Springfield. In September 2007, Wall, 59, of Ava, was recharged in a three-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City - the reindictment replaced federal charges dismissed Sept. 5, 2007. The indictment alleges Wall was in possession of videotapes con¬taining child pornography in November 2004. It also alleges Wall was in possession of three or more videotapes containing child pornography beginning in 1996 until as late as January 1998, exact dates being unknown. The third count of the federal indictment is a forfeiture count, which would require Wall to forfeit to the government any videotapes or other matter containing child pornography as alleged in the indictment. Wall, associate circuit judge for Missouri’s 44th Judicial Circuit, resigned from the bench Feb. 2005. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard E. Monroe. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. John F. Wood, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, cautions that the charges contained in the indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence. " January 8th 2008, KY3 reports SPRINGFIELD -- A federal judge dismissed the child pornography case against Roger Wall of Ava, a former Douglas County associate circuit judge. In his ruling, U.S. District Judge Richard Dorr said years of delay in the government's case led to “a miscarriage of justice.” Dorr said his ruling is not a vindication or a reflection of guilt. The decision came a day after Wall's attorneys argued for dismissal of the three-count indictment because, they said, Wall’s right to a speedy trial had been violated. Wall resigned from the bench a month before he was first indicted in 2005.
We urgently request the support of the GLBT community and its allies to band together to help Cactus Canyon Campground help fight hate crime and bigotry. They effect not only us in Missouri but across the nation. We here are appealing for financial help to offset the cost of litigation and improve security. The legal battles continue and additional information is continually being gathered. Any and all donations are greatly appreciated. Please further spread this release and request for support to any and all that of might be of interest. If you are able to put together any assistance we would greatly appreciate it.
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