Posted on 06/28/2005 11:04:00 AM PDT by ovrtaxt
A private developer has contacted the local government in Supreme Court Justice David Souter's hometown in New Hampshire asking that the property of the judge who voted in favor of a controversial decision allowing a city to take residents' homes for private development be seized to make room for a new hotel.
Yesterday, Logan Darrow Clements faxed a request to Chip Meany, the code enforcement officer of the town of Weare, N.H., seeking to start the application process to build a hotel on 34 Cilley Hill Road, the present location of Souter's home.
Wrote Clements: "Although this property is owned by an individual, David H. Souter, a recent Supreme Court decision, Kelo v. City of New London, clears the way for this land to be taken by the government of Weare through eminent domain and given to my LLC for the purposes of building a hotel. The justification for such an eminent domain action is that our hotel will better serve the public interest as it will bring in economic development and higher tax revenue to Weare."
The Kelo v. City of New London decision, handed down Thursday, allows the New London, Conn., government to seize the homes and businesses of residents to facilitate the building of an office complex that would provide economic benefits to the area and more tax revenue to the city. Though the practice of eminent domain is provided for in the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution, this case is significant because the seizure is for private development and not for "public use," such as a highway or bridge. The decision has been roundly criticized among property-rights activists and limited-government commentators.
According to a statement from Clement, the proposed development, called "The Lost Liberty Hotel" will feature the "Just Desserts Café" and include a museum, open to the public, "featuring a permanent exhibit on the loss of freedom in America." Instead of a Gideon's Bible in each room, guests will receive a free copy of Ayn Rand's novel "Atlas Shrugged," the statement said.
Clements says the hotel must be built on this particular piece of land because it is a unique site "being the home of someone largely responsible for destroying property rights for all Americans."
"This is not a prank" said Clements. "The town of Weare has five people on the Board of Selectmen. If three of them vote to use the power of eminent domain to take this land from Mr. Souter we can begin our hotel development."
Clements says his plan is to raise investment capital from wealthy pro-liberty investors and draw up architectural plans. These plans would then be used to raise additional capital for the project.
While Clements currently makes a living in marketing and video production, he tells WND he has had involvement in real estate development and is fully committed to the project.
"We will build a hotel there if investors come forward, definitely," he said.
Clements is the CEO of Freestar Media, LLC, which is dedicated to fighting "the most deadly and destructive force on the planet: abusive governments," the website states.
The activist says he is aware of the apparent conflict of someone who is strongly opposed to the Kelo decision using it to purposely oust an American from his property.
"I realize there is a contradiction, but we're only going to use it against people who advocated" the Kelo decision, Clements told WND. "Therefore, it's a case of retaliation, not initiation."
Clements says some people have already offered to put money into the project.
Related stories:
Property battle heads to states
High court's property decision stirs anger
Court rules cities can seize homes
They'll probably have prostitutes in the lobby- wearing black robes, of course...
This should happen to all the Justices who voted for the destruction of Property Rights. Surely there are a few more good developers.
I LOVE IT!!! I WANT A PIECE OF IT TOO!
Cute but of course the municipality will do no such thing.
I'm thinking of opening up a whorehouse on Ruth Bader Ginsberg's property.
I'll invest a minimum of four figures.
Or, are we now to be reduced to tacit compliance with this rape of the Constitution, basing our yeas and nays solely on whether or not the person who's property rights are being violated finds favor in our eyes?
From the press release:
"This is not a prank" said Clements, "The Towne of Weare has five people on the Board of Selectmen. If three of them vote to use the power of eminent domain to take this land from Mr. Souter we can begin our hotel development."
"Therefore, it's a case of retaliation, not initiation."
Exactly!!!! Chickens coming home to roost.
OR, a firearms dealership.
OR a tobacco company.
The list is endless!
I heard Mr. Clements in a short interview this morning on a Hartford, CT radio station (WTIC AM). He didn't sound at all like he was kidding about this... sounded very serious.
I'll give the guy money and volunteer right now to knock down Justice Souter's front door with a really BIG sledge hammer. Oh, that would be sweet!
Logan Darrow Clements
Freestar Media, LLC
Phone 310-593-4843
logan@freestarmedia.com
http://www.freestarmedia.com
Donation? Screw that - I want to make an investment.
Atlas Shrugged.
See link in #31. ;-)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.