Posted on 06/30/2005 7:31:24 AM PDT by Aunt Polgara
WEARE — Even as late as yesterday afternoon, residents here were scratching their heads over the commotion a one-page fax from thousands of miles away had caused Tuesday.
"We're trying to collect taxes, not answering phones," said town clerk Evelyn Connor about what she said was a distraction from today's tax collection deadline. By yesterday afternoon, at least 50 different media outlets had called looking for comment. "We're too busy for this," she said, shaking her head.
The commotion began yesterday when a fax came for Chip Meany, the town's building code enforcement officer.
The letter, sent by Logan Darrow Clements in California, outlined his intention to build a hotel on the residence of Supreme Court Justice David Souter, who lives on the edge of town in a brown, wood-frame farmhouse.
The letter refers to a recent Supreme Court ruling that cleared the way for the city of New London, Conn., to use "eminent domain" to acquire private homes for a private commercial project on the grounds it benefits the community as a whole. Souter voted with the majority of the court in that decision.
In a not-so-subtle written statement, Clements said he sought to claim Souter's land to build "The Lost Liberty Hotel," which would benefit the town through an increase in tax revenues.
Clements is the CEO of Freestar Media LLC, a small television production company dedicated to covering stories of government excess and corruption.
He is also a former California gubernatorial candidate, having run in the October 2003 election that actor Arnold Schwarzenegger won. According to results from the California Secretary of State's office, Clement garnered 274 votes of the more than 8 million votes cast.
Though Clements contends that "this is not a prank," some were not so sure about the written proposal, which included no street address.
Emily Seddon, a 23-year-old clerk at the Country Three Corners convenience store, believed it was a joke, but said it wasn't funny.
"It's a horrible idea," she said. "'That's a very historic part of Weare."
Clements himself did not respond to repeated requests for comment.
Though some of the local response to the letter has been muted, Meany and other officials at the town offices said response from other parts of the country has been resoundingly positive, echoing fierce opposition to the court's decision.
Maureen Billodeau, who works in the clerk's office, said some had called looking to make a donation to the project. Others called expressing an interest in working on the actual construction of the hotel which, according to Clements, would include a "Just Desserts Cafe" and a museum.
Former town selectman Brian McDonald laughed in appreciation of the letter, and said "that's what makes this country great."
Chip Meany, the code enforcement officer, said if Clements is serious, the project will entail a lengthy permitting process and would require numerous personal appearances. That's if the town's Board of Selectmen were to even claim the property through eminent domain.
"It's going to take forever," he said of the process, adding that no applications had been filed yet.
Though he said he would treat the application just as seriously as any other permit, Meany marveled at how hard Clements had worked to get media coverage for the story. Calls began almost immediately after the fax arrived, he said.
"He's getting a lot of good press on this," he said.
I happen to know some people who live in that town. I will simply have to call them and get their local "take" on this.
It is a fantastic idea, and it should be tried on all of those judicial imbeciles who voted for this insanity.
Wait till they start bulldozing dude's house.
I think this is really gonna happen.
I would think this would be a very positive financial wiindfall for the community. A new hotel of significant historic value and a Supreme Court Justice basically homeless. What could be better?
Well, maybe some prominent Democrats also becoming homelss when their mansions are taken over for the "public good."
hmm...we have yet to hear from the justice himself.
Do you know 3 selectmen?
Funny, same response we citizens get from the IRS.
This is getting good. I think we all need some popcorn.
Good article.
I hope the project really flies.
We want you to report back. The article would suggest they are simply amused.....like one might be when their pet does something silly. IOW, they couldn't care less.
We all know its not going to happen there are two America's the one for Supreme Court justices, Congressmen and Senators, the very rich ,no matter what party affiliation and the America most of us live in where bureaucrats stick it to us and then laugh about it.
..."It's a horrible idea," she said. "'That's a very historic part of Weare."
Well isn't that just too bad.....she should be angry with Souter and his ilk since they were the ones to put this in action. An historic area isn't off limits now....
It will be even an even more historic part of Weare when they throw Souter out on his sorry a$$.
And why shouldn't they? It's what he advocates for the rest of us peons.
The city will have to approve the request and if they are rats, it won't happen. But plenty of great press is happening anyway, so I am thrilled.
Take back our homes from the Government!
Plus it was rumored there was a snail darter in a mud puddle on the property and some endangered grasses. The house should be removed so nature can have her way and rest in peace.
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