Stadium eminent domain imminent for homeowners

[ThJ]

Arlington: They say offers are too low; city says plan won't change

By JEFF MOSIER, Dallas Morning News, 06/25/05

ARLINGTON -- The Arlington City Council is expected to authorize on Tuesday eminent domain proceedings against as many as 19 properties needed for a new Dallas Cowboys stadium and approve resolutions paving the way for 33 more condemnations in the coming weeks.

Mayor Robert Cluck said the properties are owned by individuals who are either unwilling to sell or are demanding an unreasonable price for their homes or lots. Some have not responded to the city's offers, he said, and a few would not allow city negotiators on their property.

"If they can't make reasonable counteroffers," Dr. Cluck said, "we have to use this tool."

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Good grief Charlie Brown. This is outrageous!

[bluestateguy]

1. I'm sure this is exactly what Madison, Hamilton and Franklin had in mind

Give government the power of eminent domain so Jerry Jones can build a new stadium for his criminal football team.

[PsN2Wind]

2. It worked for Dubya and the Rangers

The new American way. Kick people out of their homes to make a place for millionaires to play a game for multi-millionaires. The people making unreasonable demands for their property displaced for people making unreasonable demands for their talent.

[Gothmog]

3. Bush used it for the Rangers

Arlington has done this before

[ThJ]

4. And now they have more ammo

I'm going to do some more research on this topic. Honestly, I've not paid much attention to it before, but with this new ruling, which I plan to read sometime this weekend, there is a brand new potential for widespread abuse, and we need to create some checks to the power our governments have been given.

[cosmik debris]

5. Just compensation

The 5th amendment requires just compensation. We need a court ruling that says that Just Compensation means that any profit from the appropriation of the land belongs to the land owner NOT the land speculator. If the compensation includes all future profits tied to that parcel, there will be a lot less speculation and a lot less use of imminent domain.

[ThJ]

6. Given the recent ruling...

I think such a protection would need to be provided in statute.

[cosmik debris]

7. I agree that it would be nice

But the courts are the quickest way to get relief and injunction.

I have been wondering how to get my local govt to promise that they would not become tools of the land speculators. I haven't come up with any better ideas. It is certainly worth the discussion.

[ThJ]

8. It would take longer...

but considering the outrage from both the left and the right on this issue, I think there is a good chance something could be passed rather easily than most legislation, which usually divides, rather than unites.