Posted on 10/23/2014 5:53:39 PM PDT by kindred
Indiana residents are fighting to save their homes as their local government weighs a sweeping plan to demolish them to make way for new development, in a case critics are calling a poster child for the abuse of so-called eminent domain powers. Charlestown, Ind., Mayor Bob Hall announced his plans earlier this year to demolish more than 350 homes in the citys Pleasant Ridge neighborhood. The mayor contends the neighborhood is blighted, and therefore the city is eligible for state money to buy out the homeowners and tear down their houses. His office argues the houses, originally bought by the Army in 1940, were meant to be temporary. But the temporary houses remain very much occupied. And many residents are not interested in selling them, at least not for what the government might offer. According to the Institute for Justice, a national group that is aiding residents in their case, the state fund Hall wants to tap offers residents just $6,000 for their houses. Were not transients. Were real people, Ellen Keith, who has lived with her husband David in their Pleasant Ridge home for 36 years, told FoxNews.com. These people are my real neighbors, and I love my neighbors.
My house is not for sale. Hall first submitted a 17,000-page application for money from Indianas Blight Elimination Program in June of this year. The states decision was supposed to come out in July. But amid protests from residents, the mayor decided to put that decision on hold in early July, asking the state to defer the citys application. Now residents will have to wait until November or December to find out if the city plans to go forward. The mayors office maintains that the destruction of these homes will be best for the city.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Bet the man is a democrat and will be richer if he steals the homes of these poor people. Wonder how many are democrats and if they voted for the democrat party?
I’m not suggesting anything here but I would find it hard to contain my anger if someone tried to take my home and not offer me enough to buy another - $6,000 - what a pittance. Mayor should be looking for a new residence in Pleasant Ridge cemetery!
I wonder about the ethnicity of folks in this neighborhood. The “Urban Renewal” programs of the last century were designed to destroy working class Catholic neighborhoods.
Seems like Mr Fascist Soros Mayor is trying to make some money of his own and absolutely thinking about the people of his town who live in nice homes that would be built today by Habitat for Humanity for around 75K average. Something is truly amok in Mayberry. this is the link for zillow at the level to see the values. Hit minus to back out and view the town. not much for sale here Mr Fascist Stalin Mayor.
A New Development? Shades of Kelso all over again. None of us own our property any more.
It would be too bad if the mayor’s house should catch fire and burn to the ground while the FD was enjoying a neighborhood party in a certain town neighborhood....
Sorry to say that the mayor is a republican.
[None of us own our property any more.]
It seems we are now a communist nation. It does disappoint me that the pub governors overlook these things and do nothing to stop the evil of the obamanation regime.
So is John Boehner.. And?
The comments following the article state the Mayor is a republican.
Commies come in all shapes and sizes.
Paging Clive Bundy posse..
[Sorry to say that the mayor is a republican.]
I am so sorry to hear this and hate the pubs as well as the communist democrats jack boot thug politicians.
Check the mayors bank account for deposit from developers.
Really doesn't matter much these days. Too many damn Liberals.
With $6K they can pay their Obamacare deductible...
Shades of "Up".
Insanity.
Even if eminent domain applies, how can they possibly justify paying $6000 for houses that are being lived in? Doesn’t the law require just recompense?
Tar, feathers, fencerail, rope, politician ...
Some assembly required.
Hate to say it but this link says he is a Republican, last paragraph on the bottom. Shame on him
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.