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NJ smirks and cites ‘eminent domain’ to seize a 175-year-old farm so it can build welfare housing
American Thinker ^ | 26 Jun, 2025 | Olivia Murray

Posted on 06/27/2025 5:19:16 AM PDT by MtnClimber

What radicalized me? Oh gee I don’t know, maybe stories like this one?

Per a report at Fox News, township officials in the unincorporated community of Cranbury, NJ are in the process of seizing a historic family farm that has been under the family’s ownership for 175 years—that means since 1850—because they want to use it for a welfare housing project.

Benji Farraro reports that in April, Andy and Christopher Henry, the two brothers who currently own the farm, received a letter that informed them that Cranbury would be seizing all 21 acres, but government officials have now decided that they’ll make do with just half of the farm, and benevolently leave the house for the Henry family—now the Henry family gets to be neighbors with the third world foreigners who will no doubt be taking up residence in the “affordable housing” units built on Henry land! (Kind of reminds of when Abraham Lincoln spitefully directed the federal government to seize land that belonged to Mary Custis Lee as retribution for her husband’s allegiance to country over the Union, citing a “tax” dispute.)

The only thing I found surprising was that one of the owners of the farm was “shocked” that the government would operate in such an evil way:

‘It makes me feel terrible,’ Henry said. ‘It was a shock. We are surrounded by warehouses, been turning down developers for years. We just wanted to be left alone and take care of our place like my ancestors did before us.’

I’m sorry sir, but where in the he** have you been?

The entire system is built on theft, murder, and all other evils.

Operation Northwoods? Operation Paperclip? MK-Ultra? Ruby Ridge? Waco? Tuskegee experiments? Poisoning in St. Louis? Testing Big Pharma drugs on foster children? Operation Mockingbird?

(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...


TOPICS: Society
KEYWORDS: americanstinker; andyhenry; cranburytownship; eminentdomain; leftism; middlesexcounty; multiplenicks; newjersey; oliviamurray; paranoia
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To: MtnClimber

If the area is full of run-down warehouses and industrial blight, why is this farm the best candidate for the housing project? Buy a crap warehouse for next to nothing and knock it down.

Why does this township have any legal standing to condemn property in an “unincorporated area”? Who would “own” the propety after seizure? Is the site even appropriate for low income housing? Have years of using agricultural chemicals made the area unsafe for children? Where’s the Environmental Impact Report (3 years and $100k)? Any conflicts of interest for the local government/public officials pushing the project (enriching themselves or relatives with contratcs and kickbacks perhaps)? Some public interest lawyering might derail this land theft.


61 posted on 06/27/2025 9:59:36 AM PDT by Chewbarkah
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To: Dacula

I figured that’s what happened but I love to keep it rolling. Good to know ya.


62 posted on 06/27/2025 10:03:24 AM PDT by FlingWingFlyer (Correction! America is a nation of LEGAL IMMIGRANTS! All of mine came here legally. No free stuff.)
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To: Chewbarkah

The warehouses in that area aren’t run-down or blighted. In fact, the place has been a hotspot of development for modern, state-of-the-art distribution centers occupied by some of the largest retail and transportation company brands in the U.S.


63 posted on 06/27/2025 10:08:28 AM PDT by Alberta's Child ("The gallows wait for martyrs whose papers are in order.")
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To: Alberta's Child

“”I’m actually indirectly involved in a situation not unlike this one, and due to our unique circumstances I would LOVE to have the government take the property under an eminent domain process.””

Well no wonder.... you are looking at this as, by contrast, the exact opposite of what the Henry family is experiencing. You think it’s OK for the government to push these people around. You’re in it for the money only.


64 posted on 06/27/2025 10:55:50 AM PDT by Danie_2023
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To: Danie_2023

Please see the rest of my posts on this thread. It’s not about the money. My own situation is admittedly unique. I do not think it’s OK for government to push people around. I’d be on the Henry family’s side on this one.


65 posted on 06/27/2025 11:35:39 AM PDT by Alberta's Child ("The gallows wait for martyrs whose papers are in order.")
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To: Alberta's Child

“”Please see the rest of my posts on this thread. It’s not about the money. My own situation is admittedly unique. I do not think it’s OK for government to push people around. I’d be on the Henry family’s side on this one.””

Ok, good to know. Thanks for the clarification. Your post #53 sounded otherwise.


66 posted on 06/27/2025 11:57:13 AM PDT by Danie_2023
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To: Danie_2023
No worries. My posts on this thread touched on several things not directly related to the core question. To summarize my position on this:

1. Property takings under eminent domain are absolutely a legitimate function of government, as long as the property owner is compensated based on the fair market value of the property.

2. This particular case isn't a legitimate application of eminent domain because "affordable housing" is not a legitimate public use of the property.

67 posted on 06/27/2025 12:07:15 PM PDT by Alberta's Child ("The gallows wait for martyrs whose papers are in order.")
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