Posted on 10/28/2005 8:41:41 PM PDT by Calpernia
The city plans to use its power of eminent domain to seize a neighborhood bar and turn the land over to a Roman Catholic high school, which wants the land to expand its football field.
That has civil liberties proponents worried.
``This is one of the most egregious cases of eminent domain in the country,'' Steve Anderson of the Institute for Justice in Washington told The Star-ledger of Newark for Friday's editions.
The city is seeking to condemn The Golden Cicada tavern and give the land to St. Peter's Prep, which wants to expand its athletic field. The matter is due to be heard in court next week.
The school built a new field last year next to the Golden Cicada, but its president, the Rev. James Keenan, said it is 7 yards smaller than required by sports regulations, and needs to be lengthened in order for the school's team to play its home games there.
``We offered to buy the garages behind his business, which would give us enough room,'' Keenan told the newspaper. ``That would not affect his business, but he refused.''
Cheng Tan, the bar's owner, said the land grab is unjust.
``When the government starts ignoring property rights, we all have a serious problem,'' he said.
The U.S. Supreme Court earlier this year upheld the use of eminent domain _ a municipality's right to legally seize land and property and pay fair compensation _ to further private economic development. The power has long been used by governments without much controversy to make way for public purposes like highways, schools or government buildings.
Ed Barocas, legal director for the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey, also objected to the move.
``It's inappropriate for government to take land from one person and give it to another for their personal use,'' he said. ``It's even more inappropriate to take it to benefit a particular religion.''
John Curley, a lawyer for the city, said Jersey City's redevelopment agency has deposited $550,000 in an account for Tan, who he said would also be eligible for relocation costs and could sell his liquor license for about $150,000.
But Tan said his land is worth far more than that because it is in a desirable neighborhood. He said he could easily develop his property, which is in a section where high-priced condominiums are rapidly being built.
Eminent Domain
Has this Priest never heard of the commandment: "Thou shalt not covet?"
If there is any Freeping to be done--it should be directed against this Christian. He may have more of a conscience than does a politician.
Conscience? This is NJ. We have gone so far past pathetic....I don't even have the capacity for sarcasm to laugh it off.
In Shop Class didn't they teach you "Measure twice, cut once"?
Shop class doesn't seem to be offered in curriculums now a days. Everything is college prep. Gotta push the university tuition investments.
And I am "stupid" for deciding not to "own property" subject to escalating taxes outside of my own controll.
LOL!
CFR would not pass...vote R.
Education Reform...vote R.
Build an expensive bridge in Alaska to a sparsely populated area...vote R.
Murder Terri Schiavo by starvation...vote R.
"Save" the Supreme Court..vote R.
Avoid Amnesty for illegal aliens..vote ?.
Whatever happens..vote R?
LOL!
I did not leave the Republican Party...they never invited me in the first place...
No more RINOs!
".I don't even have the capacity for sarcasm to laugh it off."
I sympahize with you (PA guy) but this requries no sarcasm. The gov is using the power given by the Supreme Court to steal any desired private property. But what the Liberals are upset with here is---its going to a church!
This is just plain funny on the face of it.
This is not right and does not serve the greater public good.
NJ was no stranger to the power of eminent domain before the supreme court ruling.
The churches in NJ are no stranger to corruption. I did work in a church arm of a nonprofit for orphans. They out and out steal! The children were the publicity.
"I did work in a church arm of a nonprofit for orphans. They out and out steal!"
OK. not funny.
EVIL! My mother's hometown is the heart of darkness, and this is yet another example of a long line of land grabs by the city government in the name of "urban renewal" that has been going on since the 1940s. They tore down most of the shopping district in my mom's old nabe to build an "industrial park" that attracted no industry.
The truth hurts, doesn't it?
Its just not "cool" to be "blue collar" anymore.
I cut it twice and it was still too short!
And it is not cool to hide behind a white collar either.
Reminds me of a joke that would offend the Catholics on this thread.
Now don't you go getting my thread thrown in the Smokey Backroom :0
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