Judge Stack
Forty-six current and former Hartford residents have broken away from a class action settlement of claims that refinery vapors damaged their properties.
They "opted out" of a settlement the Edwardsville firm of Mark Goldenberg reached this summer with Premcor Refining Group and Shell Oil subsidiary Equilon.
The Goldenberg firm has battled a team of Missouri attorneys in Madison County circuit court over the right to represent vapor victims in Hartford.
Circuit Judge Daniel Stack conditionally approved Goldenberg's settlement in August.
Stack conditionally certified Goldenberg's lead plaintiff, Harry Goforth, to represent all vapor victims.
Stack cannot grant final approval of the settlement until he holds a fairness hearing.
Class action law provides a choice to those who find themselves in a class to which they would rather not belong.
They can "opt out" and preserve their claims as individuals, or they can seek to change terms of the settlement at a fairness hearing.
Attorney Teresa Woody of Kansas City, a member of the team opposing the Goldenerg firm, sent opt-out requests to Stack Dec. 4.
Stack has set the fairness hearing March 13.
The following table lists Hartford residents who have opted out of the Goldenberg suit:
Name – Hartford Address – Years in Hartford
Lindsay Kay Bedwell – 120 E. Watkins – 1986 to 2006
Russell D. Belden – 137 E. Hawthorne, 1945 to 1968; 103 S. Market, 1989 to 2006
Susie Q. Bush, address and years unavailable
Greg Cain, Cain's Bedding – 700 N. Delmar – 1984 to 2006
Micheal Anthony Cain – 122 W. Watkins – 1989 to 2006
Patricia Ann Cain – 122 W. Watkins – 1986 to 2006
Debra Ann Cooper – 110 and 114 W. Maple – 1963 to 1982
Melodie Ann Cope – 113 E. 6th St. – 1998 to 2006
Matthew Byron Curlovic – 113 E. 6th St. – 1998 to 2006
Donald Daniels – 114 W. Watkins – 1965 to 2006
John A. Denfip – 32 or 132 W. Date – 1942 to 1960
Norma Jean Gobin – 115 S. Delmar – 1968 to 2006
Haley Hopkins, minor – 201 E. 4th – 1994 to 2006
Vickie Hopkins – 201 E. 4th – 1965 to 2006.
E. Kathryn Kramer, deceased – 129 E. Forest - dates unknown
Ted Luebbert – 222 W. 7th and 115 S. Delmar – 1937 to 2006
Kevin May - 119 E. Watkins – 1971 to 1996
Susan Nolan – 212 N. Delmar – 1994 to 2006
Mary R. Poston – 209 N. Olive – 1949 to 1964
Brittany Randolph – 212 N. Delmar – 1989 to 2006
Aimee Leann Rushton – 127 E. Elm – 2002 to 2006
Caleb J. Rushton – 126 E. Elm – 2002 to 2006
Ray Allen Rushton – 127 E. Elm – 1982 to 2006
Kimberly Kay Rushton – 126 E. Elm – 1991 to 2006
James Duane Rushton – 120 E. 1st, 102 W. Date, 126 E. Elm – 11 years on and off
Willie J. "Joe" Saxton – 133 E. Hawthorne – 1983 to 1991
David Ray Shimchick – 7 N. Olive – 1996 to 2006
Jessy Aron Shimchick – 7 N. Olive – 1996 to 2006
Joshua David Shimchick – 7 N. Olive – 1996 to 2006
Michelle Marie Shire – 7 N. Olive, 113 Nelson Drive – 1973 to 2006
Emily R. Smith – 101 E. Elm – 1998 to 2006
Aprill Denise Shockley – 122 E. Watkins – 1975 to 1998
Alvah McGregor "Greg" Smith – 516-518 N. Delmar – extended stays on and off*
Gretchen E. Smith – 101 E. Elm – 1986 to 2006
Kevin D. Smith – 138 W. Forest, W. Watkins, 101 E. Elm – 1981 to 2006
Sharon K. Smith – E. 3rd, W. Watkins, 101 E. Elm – 1960s to 2006
Perry Dean Thomas – 114 W. Forest – entire life
Sharon Kaye Thomas – 114 W. Forest – entire life
Eunice Peggy Vidakovich – 109 W. Hawthorne, 318 S. Dye – 1987 to 1992
Louis Vidakovich, deceased – address unknown – about 45 years
Tierra JoAnn Wells – 114 W. Maple, 1st Street – 1973 to 1982
Jerome Smith Wintjen – 101 W. 5th – 1938 to 2006
Carl D. Zagar – 105 E. 1st, 122 E. Watkins – 1940 to 2006
Patrice J. Zagar – 122 E. Watkins – 1979 to 2006
Ryan Carl Zagar – 122 E. Watkins – 1983 to 2006
*Also opted out as executor of estate of Melvin Wilbur Smith