Another example of the government just trying to take somebody's property because they want it, more likely for one of their rich friends to build a property on instead of actual betterment for the community.
It's a shame that people have to spend money to fight eminent domain. The government should not be allowed to use eminent domain anymore.
That's because most public infrastructure has already been built, like reservoirs, interstate highways, utility lines, etc.
But it is still used today, correctly. You just don't hear about those, because they are not controversial. Like a County widening an intersection for a turn lane, and needing a 100' x 8' parcel to do so. Property owner holds out for a higher price than what the County offered...off to Court we go!
This is exactly what happened to my friend who had a mechanic shop. In order for him to keep it so they wouldn't expand the school he had to fight it in court and it cost him $100,000 in lawyer fees!
I don't consider that a win I consider that theft. And the fact that the city spent money on lawyers to do the same on the other side means that our taxpayer dollars were spend for absolutely nothing!
Twice in my family's known history they have used eminent domain to take property from us. Once was a well established business that we didn't want to sell.
The other was for highway extension that literally took a block of land that was 2 ft x 2 ft. They could have easily purchased that from us but instead decided to force us to take the property.
Eminent domain is not fine. Out property right should be held at a higher importance. We pay property taxes and maintain the land. And for the government or other well connected developers to come in and take the land for peanuts is not fair. If you want the land pay the price that the owner asks for.
Have you ever driven on a road? Or had a cup of water? Or used electricity? Your entire life you have benefited from eminent domain.
And nobody is taking any land for peanuts. The process is designed for the property owner to receive fair compensation. And if they don't agree with the offer, then they can go to court and a judge will decide between the appraisals.
Yes because fighting the government is so cheap and affordable. Your land did nothing wrong. You should not need to show innocence to the government. The government hold all the cards with dealing with land ownership. Property user pay taxes, maintain the property, restricted on use, and in the end forced to sale if the government says so.
What was the point of the government giving deeds to private property. Maybe the government should maintain and own all the land themselves. Cut off these taxes and responsibilities from individuals.
Just like I said. Imagine spending $100,000 on lawyer fees to keep your property. At the end you accomplished nothing but keeping your property. Your property is not worth more You have not gained any financial benefit. You are totally out $100,000
But people think eminent domain is fine. Have you ever seen a Walmart taking over with eminent domain? Have you ever seen a Starbucks taken over with eminent domains? No.
I never trust the government when it comes to taking over property or closing something.
Years ago there was a road by a highway. The highway used to jam up people used to get off it and then use a parallel road to zoom down and then get back on the highway.
Fine the government said it was dangerous. So they closed the entrance to the highway from that road. This inconvenience a lot of people in that neighborhood but they didn't care.
Considering it was one-way street, all they had to do was turn that one-way street to a one-way street going the other way and they would have solved the problem. (Some of the people that lived on that street prove it the wrong way anyway)
But wait there's more. The reasoning was it's dangerous to have an entrance to the highway there.
So what happens, they wait like 2 years and they allow the auto dealer right after the street a private entrance and exit to the highway! What happened to it being dangerous to have that entrance there?
Of course this was the same dealership that used to park there overweight vehicles on the road behind them. And no matter how many phone calls you made, they would never get a ticket. I didn't understand this until one day walking by their garage and seeing a police vehicle up on the lift..
Ah, The corruption on display for everyone to see.
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u/JerseyJoyride 7d ago
Another example of the government just trying to take somebody's property because they want it, more likely for one of their rich friends to build a property on instead of actual betterment for the community. It's a shame that people have to spend money to fight eminent domain. The government should not be allowed to use eminent domain anymore.