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February 13, 2007
EMINENT DOMAINIA
Newark Star-Ledger, His domain to the end
Though he could barely walk, Albert Viviano ambled to protest meetings and rallies in and around Long Branch. Later, when he couldn't walk at all, he rolled to them in his motorized wheelchair, a little American flag in one hand, a placard in the other.
At 93, with his heart slowly giving out, Viviano was motivated by one thing: the right to die in his home.
The city of Long Branch wants that home, one of two dozen converted bungalows local officials have been trying to seize for three years to make way for new development.
The battle continues, but not for Viviano. On Sunday, he died in his bed, two blocks from the boardwalk he cherished, in the neighborhood he had known for 75 years.
"He won," said Viviano's daughter, Estelle Toscano. "My father won because he died in his own house."
The Austin Chronicle, What Price Baseball?
What do Bruce Ratner and George W. Bush have in common? This article from 1997 explains why the conservative administration is not orthodox about property rights:
George W. Bush loves baseball. And why not? After all, baseball has been very very good to the governor. When it comes to power, the governor is a true triple-threat. Consider his record: (1) His initial baseball investment of $600,000 carries the current potential of a 3,200% return. (2) Through savvy PR and political maneuvering, he and his partners have persuaded a city and the state to directly subsidize a facility for their business. (3) Not content with taxpayer subsidies, he and his fellow owners have also successfully used the power of government to take land from other private citizens so it could be used for their own private purposes.
Yes, baseball has been very good to Bush. Moreover, the biggest deal Bush has ever done, the career-shaping transaction he boasted of on the campaign trail -- the planning, funding and construction of the Texas Rangers' Ballpark at Arlington -- has been largely ignored by the national media as they rush to paint Bush's presidential portrait.
IndeNews.com, City blows eminent domain proceeding, losing lots
The City of Hudson wanted Edward Keegan, Sr.'s property to build low-income housing, though the official justification for eminent domain was "blight clearance."
By a stroke of luck, Keegan will get to keep his property, due to a technicality.
Mayor Tracy called the situation frustrating. "I hope Mr. Keegan will do what's right and pursue the necessary improvements to these properties," he said.
AllAfrica.com, Uganda: Government's New Strategy On Land
Taking of private property, flouting the law for land giveaways — there's a backlash in Uganda as the federal government has been expanding the definition of "public purpose."
Posted by lumi at February 13, 2007 10:02 AM