As you might already know, Val Kilmer has had more than his share of bad press lately, namely about his right to free speech, and comments he allegedly made in interviews several years ago.  In March 2010, Kilmer applied for a permit to have three existing guest houses on his ranch made available for vacationers to rent.  The permit was granted.  Shortly after, a neighbor of Kilmer's, Adran Tapia filed an appeal stating that Kilmer is a bad neighbor.  To "prove" his point, he brought up an article written in Rolling Stone magazine seven years ago in which Kilmer allegedly made negative remarks about the residents of his county.  In response to this appeal, the San Miquel County Commission put Kilmer's permit application on hold, after it had already been approved.  They then invited Kilmer to come speak at a commission meeting to explain his alleged remarks.  This got the ACLU involved because the permit process before the zoning board should be based on the merits of the request, not something Kilmer did or didn't say. 

Kilmer did not need to appear at this meeting.  The consensus was the county commissioners were clearly out of line.  Because of his love for his state, county and neighbors, Kilmer accepted their invitation to come before the commission to discuss the matter, in an attempt to use it as an opportunity to heal the situation.  The following video is the statement that Kilmer made on June 23, 2010.  When the meeting was concluded, Kilmer's permit was reinstated. Some of the local newsmen in attendance reported on the hostility that Val faced in going there to speak. There was a strong police presence in the room and only 37 spectators were allowed inside with many more being turned away.