Written by Wow-
Even my own sweet mother in California is sending me stuff about fighting eminent domain. She has been reading my blog, and found this article about organizing against the use of eminent domain. I think the HCA could have written this article themselves.
Renton City Council should have ended the eminent domain threat in the Highlands months ago, and ended everyone’s anxiety on this issue (including the elected officials anxiety!) It’s time to pull the community back together.
I’m thinking of trying another motion Monday night on the topic, but I’m tired of getting fillibustered by the council minority and the mayor like this “blah, blah, blah, process, blah blah, more hearings, blah, blah, more process, blah, blah, didn’t announce in advance, blah, blah, you are breaking the law to want to stop this, blah, blah, why don’t you use my bathroom, blah, blah, where is my lipstick, blah blah…wow it’s almost midnight and time to go home, blah, blah….” You know how it goes. I will think about whether I am up for it!
Anyway, here is the article my dear mother emailed me……..
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Business
Organize with others to fight eminent domain
By Ilana DeBare
san francisco chronicle
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 05.22.2006
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Q: I own one of several auto repair businesses on the same block of a small Bay Area city. We suspect the city is planning to redevelop this area into condos. (There’s a lot more tax money in condos than in auto repair shops.) We are scared of being forced out by eminent domain. What can we do?
A: Organize, organize, organize!
Eminent domain is the process in which the government can force people to sell their property for the public good. That’s how cities commonly get land for public structures like roads, streetlights and schools.
It’s also used for economic development, with cities assembling a number of small parcels for development into a privately owned shopping mall, big-box store or, in your case, condominiums.
The process often begins with the city declaring that a neighborhood is “blighted.” Then city officials can require owners to sell their property.
A 2005 Supreme Court ruling gave local governments wide latitude in using eminent domain for economic development. So your odds are better if you fight this at city hall rather than in the courts.
“You need to organize and get together with other folks who are threatened by this,” said Steven Anderson, an attorney with the Castle Coalition, a property-rights group.
Some of his suggestions:
l Identify other affected property owners and form a neighborhood or business association.
l Find out the actual status of this project. Is it just in the rumor stage, or is it under way? “I recommend you speak to a lawyer for an hour or two and ask questions like what is the procedural status of this project, and what kind of hearings have to take place before any property gets condemned?” Anderson said.
l Meet with local elected officials. Show up and speak at all the relevant hearings.
l Write op-ed pieces explaining your views, and call local reporters to share your story.
l Get tips from other activists. For instance, a San Jose group is waging a similar fight (www.coalitionforredevelopmentreform.org).
Want more information? The Castle Coalition offers a step-by-step Survival Guide for fighting eminent domain at www.castlecoalition.org online.
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