Posted on 03/10/2003 5:26:01 AM PST by AAABEST
David will take on Goliath, Mar. 13, as Southern Golden Gate Estates property owner Jesse Hardy fights the state of Florida for 160 acres of land he has called home for 27 years.
Located in what is called the "Hole in the Donut," the property is part of the state's 55,000-acre buy-out to restore natural water flows to the SGGE, once slated for development.
Hardy says his property is not necessary to the restoration project and will not be adversely affected by it.
"I'm not against any of the environmentalists' work to re-hydrate the Southern Golden Gate Estates," he says. "I'm all for it. The more water, the happier I will be. I'm not trying to stop anything. I just want to keep my home."
The 67-year-old Florida native homesteaded the rustic property in 1976. Using propane and a gas-powered generator, he lives in a tiny wood frame home with his seven-year-old son. Despite talk of offers of up to $5 million, Hardy says he has no plans to sell his property for any price.
"Living here is what has kept me going," he says. "It's my home. I'm too old to go anywhere else."
Hardy is one of three property owners holding out on the state's quest to purchase the final 4,000 acres of the buy-out, which has cost $90 million thus far.
Last month, the governor and Cabinet were asked to initiate condemnation proceedings on Hardy's property. If approved, it would be the first time the state has ever used eminent domain to take homesteaded land. Instead, the Cabinet directed the Department of Environmental Protection land acquisition agents to negotiate with property owners.
Hardy says it won't make any difference. He has no plans to sell his property for any price.
"My attorney asked me if there is any dollar amount I would take for my property. I told him, ‘no,'" he says, "My attorney said, ‘Don't be surprised if the Cabinet grants eminent domain.' He said it will be up to me to get the information to the governor to stop it."
Hardy is hopeful area residents will show their support by writing letters asking the governor not to grant eminent domain and allow him to keep his land.
Estates resident Cindy Kemp, founding member of the Property Rights Action Committee (PRAC), says the group hopes to assist Hardy in his quest. She says PRAC has connections with other property groups across the nation and a letter writing campaign is underway.
A special gathering to meet Hardy and hear his story will be held at 2 p.m., Sunday, Mar. 9, at his property. For directions, call 352-9033.
"He has such an interesting story," Kemp says. "People need to hear it to fully understand his situation."
At an elevation of 11-13 feet, Hardy says his property will never be affected by the restoration project. He says he doesn't understand why the state is insisting on buying him out.
"It was willing buyer, willing seller," he says. "It was always willing buyer, willing seller. It was a CARL project for the benefit of the people of Collier County. If they shut it off to where people can't use it, how is that a benefit to the people of Collier County?"
Hardy says he is frustrated by a lack of reasons as to why he is being forced to sell his land.
"They haven't given me no reason for wanting me out," he says. "They made their deal with everyone else, but here it's like they want it all."
A disabled Navy SEAL, Hardy says the money doesn't matter to him.
"It's my home and it means more to me than the money. If it (condemnation) was for something useful to the public health and well-being, like a school, a fire station, or a hospital, I would move with no problem," he says.
Nearly two years ago, Collier County gave Hardy the go-ahead to build the first of four proposed 20-acre ponds to create a fish farm. Several environmental groups including the Florida Wildlife Federation and the Collier County Audubon Society originally opposed the concept, but later agreed to support the construction of one 20-acre pond. Any future excavation will have to be re-approved by the county.
Hardy has three years to complete the first pond and have it stocked and landscaped. He says the project is currently one-third complete and the fill has been purchased by the county for road building.
He says the fish in the pond are doing well and predators have not been a problem. He hopes to one day open the area up to the public for recreational fishing.
"I'm not going to do just commercial catfish," he says. "We will have three to four different kinds of native species like bass and brim. It should be a real benefit to the people of Collier County."
Lord I wish it would. I could use $1.7M. I don't have that much and I'd like to know how you guys live.
Triple A, If this is true, someone should try to get in touch with SEALs. These guys could put a bee in somebody's bonnet. Peace and love, George.
You also don't have 160 acres and a thriving business on your property, but that's not the point.
They have enough problems getting people to show up at their reunions and stuff. They're very timid about getting involved in things that could be perceived as political.
Because greedy Florida legislators over the years have allowed over-building to go on throughout the state in sensitive areas, suddenly it is the unassuming Mr. Hardy who is called upon to cough up and sacrifice his homestead, while the darter snake, and "rare" tree frogs get more respect than a U.S. veteran.
And funny how 'Eminent Domain' is never enforced anywhere near a Congressman, Senator, or Martin Sheen's home or town...
The article states that he was offered 5 million dollars. Why don't you read the article before laying into people.
Thanks for the personal attacks. Don't read the text, don't form a conclusion, don't think for yourself...Attack me and call me names because I DARED to question your self serving vanity post about your million dollar friend, being thrown off his land with a huge pile of money. Boo Hoo!!
You got something? Post it. I did not make this stuff up. I took the time to wipe the tear from my eye to research and read what this was all about, and link it. You respond with rhetoric, inuindo, trash talking.
My understanding of the situation, barring your millionare friend's feelings, is more than you think. I understand the history of the Everglades. I don't care about the politics of south Florida. I care about clean water for millions of people, not millions of dollars for some Vet.
Note: "talk" of up to $5 million. "talk" is cheap, deeds are all that matter. The point of this thread is not amounts of money but the loony greenie weenies that are trampling the rights of an individual (in this case a veteran).
Thanks for the advise. I will give it the consideration it deserves. If you want to speak to the issue, read the link, and then lets debate it.
FWIW, I would not consider the SFWMD and the USACE an "Environmental Group"
If I had a 50,000 dollar car and the state offered me 1,000 dollars for it, would you say I had to take it? There is no difference in this case. First, the state is only offering 25 to 30 percent of the value of the property, second, the value of the land is further enhanced by the selling of fill, and third,(and most important) HE DOESN'T WANT TO SELL. PERIOD.
Yeah right? Why is this very simple concept so freaking hard to understand?
Used to be if they had to bulldoze a few home for an interstate, it was a big deal. Now, they can roll over thousands of property owners using "saving the environment for future generations" as the excuse for the power grab.
And we have dipsticks on a supposedly conservative forum who cheer it on, for some odd neurotic reason. It's all upside down for cripes sake.
These people are freaks.
The ones that Klamath Falls farmers went to support.
What about the people affected by the federal heritage site programs?
What about the buffer zones around federal land?
What about the coal mines shut down by clinton?
And what about the Klamath Falls farmers?
COME ON ! People this isn't an ISOLATED INCIDENT.
It's all part of the program.
But hey let's keep hiding our heads , hoping that it won't affect us..................
CONSPIRACIES are NOT theories , they are plans. Plans people make to make gains.
READ THE TEN PLANKS OF COMMUNISM AND LOOK AT WHAT YOUR GOVERNMENT IS DOING. THEN SERIOUSLY ASK YOURSELF WHO THEY REPRESENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
bush is throwing Gods' name around more and more , because he NEEDS you to think he is on your side to achieve his (masters) goals.
I said before his election and still say "There is not a Christian bone in bushs' body."
Ah yes....the class distinction over principle arguement. This is a beloved tool of the extreme left. You've been outed dude!
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