HAMMOND | The long-running battery case involving veteran 2nd District Councilman Al Salinas is set for trial Nov. 28, following this fall's general election.

It is the seventh bench trial to be scheduled since Salinas was indicted on the misdemeanor battery charge in February 2005.

The case stems from a 2004 incident in which former city truck driver Michael Planer was trimming weeds near the Lost Marsh Golf Course.

Salinas contends Planer threatened him with the weed trimmer, prompting Salinas to hit Planer to avoid being struck himself.

Planer, meanwhile, alleges Salinas intentionally provoked the altercation in retribution for a union grievance Planer had won against Salinas.

Planer said Monday he has attended court hearings since the beginning of the case. A court docket indicates there have been 23 court dates or continuances.

"I haven't missed one yet," Planer said. "I'm not giving up. I'm going to push this to the end."

Salinas has declined to discuss persistent rumors the delays are politically motivated. He has said he would take his chances by going to a bench trial rather than negotiating a plea agreement.

At a Monday court hearing, Salinas indicated he was looking forward to the case concluding.

"I can't wait to get this over with," he said.