Latest property snatch: Missouri

[Desertdog]

The way this is written, it looks like it was started by the city looking for a developer.

Latest property snatch: Missouri
Local business owners blast City Hall for eminent-domain moves
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=45264

Business owners if Maplewood, Mo., fear loss of property (courtesy: KSDK-TV)

The latest region worrying about property seizures by the government under eminent domain is Maplewood, Mo., where city officials are looking at the possibility of improving an area mostly filled with private businesses.

But the idea is drawing plenty of heat from local residents and business owners, who sounded off this week at a packed public meeting.


"I would encourage this council to adopt a resolution declaring Maplewood an eminent domain-free zone," resident Ed Gottlieb said to a wave of applause, according to KSDK-TV.

Locals have begun a campaign called "Save Our Block," putting signs up on buildings to help bolster support against any transfer of property.

While there is currently no concrete new development, the city did issue a request for proposals to develop a section of Maplewood, with the use of eminent domain a possibility. Maplewood is taking bids from developers through July 29.

"They make it sound like Godzilla is coming into Maplewood and tearing out this whole area," Mayor Mark Langston told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "Godzilla is not coming into Maplewood."

"I would urge the developers to address relocation, moving expenses, finding someone a new place to move to, lost business, what their property is worth," he added. "Those are all issues that need to be included in the proposals, and I'll be looking for those issues in those proposals. If this is what we do, I want to be fair."


The concern among residents comes in the wake of the recent Supreme Court decision allowing seizure of property from one private group to another.

The case of Kelo v. City of New London, Conn., allows the New London municipal government to seize the homes and businesses of residents to facilitate the building of an office complex that would provide economic benefits to the area and more tax revenue to the city. Though the practice of eminent domain is provided for in the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution, this case is significant because the seizure is for private development and not for "public use," such as a highway or bridge. The decision has been roundly criticized by property-rights activists and limited-government commentators.

 

[R.H. Lee]

As long as it increased revenue flowing into public coffers it's entirely legal and there's nothing you can do about it. SCOTUS said so. There's not really any recourse; there will be no mass protest. Might as well learn to live with it. Private property rights are a thing of the past.

 

[BeLikeTrey]

Riley is right

Sorry comrades.

 

[dolanp]

SCOTUS may have forsaken us but the democratic process still exists. Urge your legislators both local and state to amend constitutions or pass laws prohibiting these activities.

 

[2nd Amendment]

Might as well learn to live with it.

Yeah, I'll get right on that...

 

[Baba Louie]

Just one more example of life, business and government interacting such that the strong survive. (See Law of Jungle)
Even the original 2 WTC towers were located on land taken under E.D. if memory serves.

If you have it and THEY want it, and you are NOT making THEM the most TAX dollars (best USE of land from THEIR perspective) possible due to your limited cash flow... even if the land was in your great great grandpappies family since waaaay back, should you take THEIR offer of TAX dollars (some of which might even have been your own contribution) and live to fight another day (known as take the money and run) or pay an attorney to fight it in court, knowing full well that you're going to lose?

And do remember, THEY is US, as in our elected representative republic form of government. I don't know if blighted areas of certain portions of certain towns should be bought, shacks razed and new construction put up... but certain politicians in every town across this nation do. And where they can get away with it, they do.

 

[Technosavant]

Right now, the only thing you can do is to be pre-emptive.

Get your state legislators to enact laws severely restricting (or outright banning) the use of eminent domain for private interests (developers). SCOTUS didn't strike down any such laws, and some states already have such protection in place.

 

[thorn726]

As long as it increased revenue flowing into public coffers it's entirely legal and there's nothing you can do about it. SCOTUS said so. There's not really any recourse; there will be no mass protest. Might as well learn to live with it. Private property rights are a thing of the past.

where am i ???

did we all just lay down and die??

they are at least working on a law here to restrict eminent domain to public use only. (as in no mowing houses to build stores/ apts, only for roads and similar)

amazing some of you are just gonna give up like that.

Technosavant :
Right now, the only thing you can do is to be pre-emptive.

Get your state legislators to enact laws severely restricting (or outright banning) the use of eminent domain for private interests (developers). SCOTUS didn't strike down any such laws, and some states already have such protection in place.

exactly. we can't jsut give up and die everytime they make a ridiculous ruling.

Amendment IV - Search and seizure. Ratified 12/15/1791.

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated,..........


the problem is the SCOTUS doesnt see taking an old lady's home to put up a mall as unreasonable-
something i think the public needs to debate, LOUDLY

 

[KaceCoyote]

Maplewood is WAY close to my house. if things like this keep up, this country is going to self destruct.

 

[ravinraven]

Relax!

This Property Piracy Proceedure and the Property Piracy Pimps [PPPs] are all a part of the Great American Suicide Plan [GASP]. Just sit back, pop a top and crank up the latest reality TV abortion. This sure ain't reality that we're living in.

Here we go again in this thread just as we've seen in a couple others with hand wringing and loud talk. I do it too.

When the SCOTUS turns its back on liberty, is the last GASP far away?

There needs to be a group formed in every locality where PPPs are operating. The bastids doing the Piracy need to be vilified and hounded for the rest of their lives. Candle light vigils around their homes, hanging them in effigy, posting their vitals on the web thereby encouraging hate mail from afar, loading their answering machines with unpleasantness. And you can think up more things. Just make sure that not a waking moment passes in their putrid lives that someone or something is not waving their treason in their rotten faces. Make sure the kids are well taught about our rights and who are the ones who are trying to abort them. Maybe form a BoR club to teach kids what the gov't indoctrination centers do not teach.

Keep it peaceful and legal.

These steps will bring national attention and encourage people in other areas to create their own anti-PPP activities.

rr

 

[rdbrowning]

Aren't the city council elected officials? Maybe they should be reminded of that.

Aren't the INjustices of the supreme court air breathing mammels? (Not necessarially human though!). Maybe they need to be reminded of the fact that they are not deified, IMORTAL beings.

I think the hogs are hungry.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Private property rights are a thing of the past.

Another step forward for socialist parasitism.

 

[Kamicosmos]

I think Maplewood is in St Louis County?

Seeing as how St Louis County and City are glowing beacons of democracy in action in Missouri (sarcasm for those that don't get it) I am truly shocked that a case of this nature is happening near st loonie.


St Louis would be much happier as a City and County of Illinois...

 

[Aguila Blanca]

Get your state legislators to enact laws severely restricting (or outright banning) the use of eminent domain for private interests (developers). SCOTUS didn't strike down any such laws, and some states already have such protection in place.

In fact, I believe the SCOTUS decision specifically mentioned that the states are free to enact laws prohiting such actions under eminent domain. A few states already have such provisions, which remain valid under the decision, and as a result of Kelo probably every state that doesn't have such a law is currently discussiong it, or will discuss it in the next session of their legislature.

Several towns around me are adopting their own ordinances because they don't think the state will move on it fast enough.

 

[P95Carry]

I stress I am musing here - not propounding any suggested course of action.

What I wonder is - what if - a large group of home(sic)owners were to take to protection of their properties thru force of arms!

Then ''what if'' the powers brought in SWAT and Co to ''control'' this armed insurgence?

Then ''what if'' the whole deal went down like a massive Waco?

I have the feeling that even the condition white closed minded bliss ninnies might wake up to what is happening to their property rights. Could or would such an event spark something greater? I think it could because property is close to the hearts of most.

Just idle speculation but as it crossed my mind - thought I'd throw it in. This whole ED issue is totally national in its potential for grief.

 

[bogie]

Campers, they already did this, SEVERAL times, just over in Richmond Heights. You know where the Galleria (and its anti-gun signs) is?

All the little St. Louis municipalities make it so much easier. Maplewood folks didn't care when Richmond Heights folks got evicted. What goes around comes around.

So, where are they talking about developing? Along Manchester?