Voters OK measures blocking golf course (Govt. Land Grab Foiled!)

The Philadelphia Inquirer ^ | Nov. 5, 2003 | Reid Kanaley

[Dr. Scarpetta]

Easton needs "saving" too, but IMO it was ruined because of housing projects and urban renewal. Historic buildings were torn down in the 60's, and these might have been "gentrified" by yuppies or artistic types today.

[ridesthemiles]

being a "third class city," has the power of eminent domain of property that BOUNDS it (even though it's outside city limits) as long as the purpose is "recreation." That's why all the references to the project are as "recreation center."

This set of "powers" came from some kind of written word/legislation in the first place. Cannot there be legislation to reverse that kind of language that allows "cities" or "villages" to make any kind of demand they seek?
This is what comes of not attending your local Board of Supervisors or equal in your own areas. They are always getting pushed to pass some sort of regulations that benefit someone, often at the expense of others who don't even know problems are looming on the horizon.

I don't attend my local meetings as often as I would like, but when alereted to something that needs attention, I am there. I have challenged the words and intent of more than one sentence in "rules and regs" they are putting into place.

The worst offenders in the past few years is the planning department. Most citizens think the planning dept only puts their blessings on your building plans. Not so any more. They are being very pro-active about land use and that is the real key, IMO. These are EMPLOYEES of the county or city, and they are sitting like little kings and dictators and pushing policy on land use that is all warm and fuzzy sounding, until one looks at the words VERY CAREFULLY.

I cannot stress enough how important it is to pay attention to your local politics, and then watch the flow into state and fed rules and regs.

Help the Pacific Legal Foundation all you can. They are working very hard to keep private property rights ahead of all these developers getting to take YOUR land for THEIR use.