Monument Troubles On Freedom Hill

The battle between Freedom Hill Amphitheatre in Sterling Heights, Mich., and the county in which it resides includes a new wrinkle – finger-pointing over a memorial for fallen police and firefighters.

Freedom Hill and its owner, Hillside Productions, have spent years in the courts, whether it be with the city or the county of Macomb. The amphitheatre is currently in a $250 million lawsuit with the county, which has filed a countersuit.

The shed sits in Freedom Hill County Park and, according to the Macomb Daily, enough money has been raised through private donations to build a park monument honoring police and firefighters. However, Macomb County Parks and Recreation commission says it has been advised by county attorneys to postpone adding the project to the park as the lawsuits wind their ways through the court system.

Though the litigation centers on sharing concert revenues, the "master plan" for the park has also been raised by Hillside, the Daily said.

"Hillside is indeed saddened that Macomb County has chosen to use the litigation between Hillside and Macomb County as an excuse to deny the approval of this very worthy memorial," venue spokesman Hank Riberas told the paper.

County attorneys have refused to comment.