Cities Use Legal Clout to Grab Land

Orlando Sentinel ^ | November 7, 2003 | Ludmilla Lelis

[subterfuge]

Cities use legal clout to grab land By Ludmilla Lelis Sentinel Staff Writer

November 7, 2003

DAYTONA BEACH -- Dino Paspalakis and James L. Mathas are fiercely proud of the arcades and amusement centers that their families have owned for decades on the World's Most Famous Beach.

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In Connecticut, four elderly siblings have been evicted from their home for an industrial park. In Texas, 10 homes were condemned for a shopping center and parking lot. In California, land for a Christian community center was condemned for a Costco. A historic Ohio neighborhood faces condemnation because its homes don't have modern amenities such as two-car garages or central air conditioning.

"Originally eminent domain was used to redevelop the worst areas that you have, your slums, but now, it is used to take the most desirable areas and give it to a more desirable development."

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"No one wants to employ the use of eminent domain. I don't want to do it. Honest, I don't," Mayor-elect Yvonne Scarlett-Golden said Wednesday.

"After a while, you begin to run out of slums," Burling said. "And to do redevelopment in slums, that project may fail, so cities began defining blight very broadly."

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"There's so much money in redevelopment that if people's dreams and homes get in the way, that's too bad," Burling said. "The government will argue, 'We need more taxable value. We need more aesthetic value.' "

[subterfuge]

I live near here and its not the prettiest place in the world but thousands still go there every year. It just doesn't seem right to take private property. Its all about more money for the local gov. coffers.

I still suspect someone gets a kickback for this at some point.

[farmfriend]

Rights, farms, environment ping.

Let me know if you wish to be added or removed from this list.
I don't get offended if you want to be removed.

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[subterfuge]

Whew! Luckily I have a garage and central heat and air. Look out FReepers, if you don't, the land grabbers may come after you next. In the name of progress of course.

[subterfuge]

Does anyone else hear bells and whistles going off when a politician/gov. offical says "honest"?

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!

[jim from nebraska]

Same thing is happening in my home town. I think eminent domain should be for public good only not for commercial development.

[holymoly]

This is why we have the Second Amendment.

[meyer]

This is why we have the Second Amendment.

Unfortunately, the original purpose of that amendment is starting to become more clear.

[Bikers4Bush]

"A historic Ohio neighborhood faces condemnation because its homes don't have
modern amenities such as two-car garages or central air conditioning."

This issue was defeated by voters on Tuesday.

[brityank]

This issue was defeated by voters on Tuesday.

Let me clarify that:

This issue was defeated postponed by voters on Tuesday.

Guarantee; they will try again with unlimited taxpayer money against the very limited owners funds.

[Bikers4Bush]

I'd like to think not you see the mayor also lost her job that day.

Lol!