Posted on 06/26/2002 3:47:36 AM PDT by calvin sun
COATESVILLE -- Wording changed in a controversial city ordinance authorizing the taking of private land for a public golf course sparked confrontation during a city council meeting Monday night.
| Those who stand to lose land through the city's use of eminent domain questioned why the changes were necessary. "It's not a matter of need. It's a matter of greed," said Dick Saha, who, along with his family, has been fighting the seizure of his farm, located in Valley Township. The revised ordinance, approved by the board 6-1, omitted a clause reading, "the City of Coatesville will not exercise the power of eminent domain with respect to the homes of the Sahas, Denbravens or Hannas so as to permit continued residence in those homes." The city seeks to condemn the properties to build an estimated $60 million regional recreation center to open in 2004. The center is to be located on property within the city, Valley, West Caln and possibly West Brandywine. "Why did you leave that (phrase) out?" Dick Saha asked at Monday's meeting. "I just can't understand why you left out that paragraph if it didn't mean anything. I think there was some reason for it." The original ordinance, adopted in 2000, had included the phrase. City Solicitor John Carnes said that, though the wording may have changed, the effect remains the same. "There are some very minor changes, but it covers the same area," said Carnes. "It is the exact same territory as before." Earlier in Monday's meeting, Saha said he was told by the city solicitor at a previous meeting that the ordinance revision would not affect his property. "I did not say that," denied Carnes. "I said it covers the same property as before." Originally, the city had planned to take approximately 42 acres of the Saha property, leaving the family with their house, plus six acres. The Saha family fought the proposal. After a court of common pleas decision, however, the city has taken the position that it has a right to take all of the Saha property, including residences. Other language in the 2-year-old ordinance was changed Monday. The original ordinance referred to the taking of properties for use as a public golf course and "related facilities" and for recreational purposes. The new ordinance refers to the taking of properties for use as a public golf course and "golf-related facilities" and for recreational uses. Council member Winifred Mayo was the sole member to oppose Monday's ordinance revision. "I'm not for the taking of their property under any circumstances," Mayo said. "(Saha) has provided a home for his family and they maintain it. I am for a recreational facility, but I'm not for taking Mr. Saha's property or anybody's property for play." Council member Kevin Rolston said he supported the use of eminent domain for a public recreation center. "Eminent domain is something that is necessary in this scenario," said Rolston. "What eminent domain does is treat everyone fairly. It locks the property into a fair market price." |
Why don't they knock down the Oak Street projects and put the damned golf course there???
Coatesville, the city AND the school district, are seething dens of idiocy and greed, crime and corruption. They want to steal land that isn't theirs, and then raise property taxes to make up the $13,000,000 deficit the school district has accumulated through EMBEZZLEMENT and care-free spending.
Disgusting pigs the whole lot of them. If they do succeed in stealing the Saha's and the Hanna's land, I hope the families salt the earth so that their greens will wither & die.
"Eminent domain is something that is necessary in this scenario," said Rolston. "What eminent domain does is treat everyone fairly. It locks the property into a fair market price."
There you have it, folks -- socialism at its finest. All your collectivism are belong to us.
Thanks for posting this, cs; proves the contention that "Government is a necessary evil." Stress the 'evil'. Who on the Board, or directly affiliated with this theft, stands to gain personally? Valley Township will not only lose tax-money's paid by the Sahas, they also lose some voters. Nice going, Coatsville.
Guess Ayn Rand was prescient, afterall.
Molon Labe !!
Mayo seems to be the only one there who has a brain in her head.
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