TOPIC OF THE DAY Eminent domain: TOPIC OF THE DAY Eminent
domain
Published in the Asbury Park Press 02/18/05Pay
attention, Long Branch
On Tuesday, the U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the case of Kelo vs.
New London, a hearing that may set precedent on nationwide use of eminent
domain. The media seems to assume that this case will not have any effect on
eminent domain abuses in Monmouth County. We strongly disagree. We believe our
case to be even stronger than that of Kelo. There is no doubt that Long Branch
is taking homes and properties and giving them to private
developers.
Here are some questions Long Branch residents should be
concerned about: Why is the city thinking of purchasing these properties through
eminent domain first without the developer's involvement? Is the city banking
more property? Where is the developer's agreement and contract? Where is the
money coming from to purchase these properties? Another bond for the city's
taxpayers to pay off? How much in bonds does that total? The city reportedly
used all of a state redevelopment relocation grant, so who is going to pay for
this? The developer? Think again! Why is it that Long Branch didn't have a
revaluation of properties for 20 years and now there is going to be another
assessment in 2007?
The appraisers hired by the city are preparing
assessments and photographing the faults of homes, instead of the positives, in
order to prepare for condemnation proceedings. They are not presenting fair
market values. They also have been making suggestions to senior citizens and
others that they cannot win this fight. This is not what I hope the city
intended when it hired this firm.
And the failure of the council to pass
a pay-to-play bill is outrageous. Why? Because the whole redevelopment structure
is based on pay-to-play.
Long Branch, this is going to affect all of you.
Please join us Sunday at 3 p.m. to Walk the Walk. We will be walking from Ocean
Terrace to Broadway and back again to show the city that we are not going to
lose our city to private developers.
Lee and Denise
Hoagland
LONG BRANCH
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