Kelo and Cristofaros Reach Tentative Agreement

New London Day ^ | 6/23/2006 | Katie Warchut

[FortRumbull]

The last two plaintiffs in the Fort Trumbull eminent domain case have reached a tentative agreement, it was announced this morning.

Details of the tentative agreement between the city and Susette Kelo and Pasquale Cristofaro were not released.

Scott Bullock of The Institute for Justice, which represents the plaintiffs, released this statement:

“Due to the extraordinary efforts of the State of Connecticut, I am happy to report that a tentative agreement has been reached in principle on behalf of Susette Kelo and the Cristofaro family that takes into account the homeowners’ attachment to their homes in the Fort Trumbull neighborhood. We understand that a final agreement must be executed by Friday, June 30 and we expect a final agreement to be signed by that date. Susette and the Cristofaros look forward to making a statement about the agreement once it is final.”

Gov. M. Jodi Rell said in a prepared statement: “I want to thank Ms. Kelo and Mr. Cristofaro for their willingness to talk and ultimately settle this battle that has gone on so long. At the same time, I want to stress that everyone has agreed that Friday, June 30, is the final, final date for tying up any loose ends and this matter will be closed once and for all.

“It is fitting that we can make this announcement on the first anniversary of the Supreme Court ruling in Kelo.”

On June 23, 2005, the Supreme Court voted 5-4 to uphold the city’s use of eminent domain to take private properties to make way for housing, a hotel and office space as part of a redevelopment plan for the Fort Trumbull peninsula.

Five of the seven plaintiffs who sued the city in December 2000 have settled with the city, handing over their former properties while promising not to pursue further litigation.

[photodawg]

Any compromise "settlement" no matter how favorable to Kelo will serve to strengthen the absurd judicial ruling of a year ago. This is not good news. I live in this blue state with the land of high per capita incomes, and don't trust the state or local gov't to decide this case in any way sympathetically with individual freedom. They will always decide in favor of big government and big taxes.

[old republic]

The only thing that will make me feel better about the Kelo decision would be an act of the House of Representatives adopting articles of impeachment against a few justices for their vile and treacherous decision and a SCOTUS decision overturning Kelo. It would also be nice if articles of impeachment garnered a few convictions in the Senate.

[nutmeg]

Connecticut ping!

It will be interesting to learn the details of this "tentative agreement"...

Please Freepmail me if you want on or off my infrequent Connecticut ping list.

[Lexinom]

"Due to the extraordinary efforts of the State of Connecticut, I am happy to report that a tentative agreement has been reached in principle on behalf of Susette Kelo and the Cristofaro family that takes into account the homeowners’ attachment to their homes in the Fort Trumbull neighborhood..."

Well, isn't that sweet of the State of Connecticut.