CA: Blight? Yeah right - National City badly abuses land-seizure law

San Diego Union-Tribune ^ | September 9, 2005 | Editorial Board

[Jaysun]

I'd like to see a decent judge challenge the idea that eminent domain should be used to protect or secure tax revenue. I can see where a road or sewer plant would be beneficial to the public, but not tax revenue. I believe that eminent domain should only apply to those circumstances in which it is a road, sewer plant, or something of the sort. If the public feels that more tax revenue would be in their interest, they can call for an increase in their taxes. Simple as that.

[azemt]

I believe most here would agree with you. Unfortunately, the Supreme Court decided a couple of months back that tax revenue was a legitimate excuse for eminent domain. Just another poor activist decision by the court system.

[Jaysun]

I believe most here would agree with you. Unfortunately, the Supreme Court decided a couple of months back that tax revenue was a legitimate excuse for eminent domain. Just another poor activist decision by the court system.

Right, but they were following 70 years of precedent. My hope is that our new picks will help persuade the SC otherwise. Maybe the rash of land grabs will initiate a case that makes the argument.

[calcowgirl]

MOSSY Nissan... MOVES you!!!

ROFL... that's classic.

[b9]

Can't get that dang jingle out of my mind now.
Hedgecock's not talking about this yet. I just called and his screener said he's definately aware of it.

[jiggyboy]

Pikers! Here's how we do it in San Jose:

In Naglee Park, a historic neighborhood consisting mostly of Victorians and Craftsman single-family homes near downtown, instances of blight included "wet leaves" on the tennis court at Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren's home, visible garbage cans sitting on the curb on trash day and architectural iron work on windows of restored Victorians categorized as security bars.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/gate/archive/2005/03/04/carollloyd.DTL

And that was in 2002.

[b9]

OMG ... Roger Hedgecock's screener asked if I'd like to "comment" on the land grab story, but I didn't have time.

I just called back and she asked what I wanted to say. When I told her I wanted to remind people of the jingle, she put me on hold. Then she came back and said she couldn't put me on because he had to go to something else.

Then I got it. Mossy Nissan is one of KOGO's (Hedgecock's station) sponsors! THAT's where I keep hearing the jingle.

Oy. So Roger will probably NOT be mentioning this story EVER.

This makes my blood boil.

[infowarrior]

Well, this is an interesting position for National City to take: "This site is visually blighted. We're going to seize it and sell it so that the car dealership that's blighting it can continue to do so."

Exactly... How can they possibly defend this type of indefensible action (not that they won't try...)

the infowarrior

[kingu]

While protests are all well and good, I hope someone is investigating how to recall these town officials and if there is a method for putting the redevelopment plan on the ballot. A lot of these boards don't like it when you lift their cover so all can see them in the light and they tend to scurry for the sewers.

[heleny]

commercial jingle for Mossy Nissan goes:
MOSSY Nissan,
MOSSY Nissan,
MOSSY Nissan...
MOVES you!!!

Those commercials (and any similar Mossy ones) are really annoying, but I never noticed the irony until now.

[television is just wrong]

moves you in more ways than one.

[Kieri]

The way I see it, there's huge parcel in Southern Louisana that's now "blighted" and could be sold to investors for re-development, now that the libs on the USSC have had their say. I'm sure Blanco wouldn't wait 24 hours to make THAT decision.

[Kieri]

The way I see it, there's huge parcel in Southern Louisana that's now "blighted" and could be sold to investors for re-development, now that the libs on the USSC have had their say. I'm sure Blanco wouldn't wait 24 hours to make THAT decision.

[television is just wrong]

Never happen though.

[tubebender]

Roger Hedgecock will no doubt be all over this today.

I thought maybe Rodger helped write this piece...

[b9]

Those commercials (and any similar Mossy ones) are really annoying, but I never noticed the irony until now.

Aren't those commercials grating? They must spend a fortune in ads because they play all the time. I hope this comes back to haunt them, BIGtime.

[b9]

I thought maybe Roger helped write this piece...

I reread the article and it DOES sound just like Roger! I can hear his voice.

His hands may be tied about exposing one of KOGO's major advertisers, but sending him some choice emails can't hoit.