More Eminent Domain Abuse: Norfolk Trying To Seize Private Business To Build Shopping Center
Joe Waldo of Norfolk law firm Waldo & Lyle, our go-to guys and expert witnesses during General Assembly debate on property rights legislation appeared again on the Fox News Channel show Fox & Friends this morning. The show has a regular segment called “It’s Your Your Land” about eminent domain abuse. If this doesn’t qualify, Patrick Henry never said, “Give me liberty or give me death!”
At issue is a defense contractor whose business has been at the same location for 50 years. Wanting the property for a mall — which is an abuse of the idea of a government taking for a “public purpose” (a school, a road or a hospital) — the city of Norfolk, through its redevelopment and housing authority, apparently is declaring blight and trying to seize the property. But it’s worse than that. It’s not even that the city of Norfolk to wants his land — it’s that it wants to take it and give it to another company because it prefers that company’s particular business (retail). What country allows this except dictatorships and banana republics?
So, when people say, ”Virginia is so conservative,” you know otherwise. Conservative, freedom protecting governments do not do this to their people. The need to eliminate government intrusion into private property and families’ rights to conduct legal business in the commonwealth remains urgent, as this is not an isolated case.
Let’s see: Law abiding, nation protecting, productive business or city brokered shopping center? What has the commonwealth come to? Where are our principles and protections. Where does the landmark 2007 property rights law come into play?
Now you know why we’re so passionate about property rights and fight for good legislation (and fight against bad bills) during General Assembly. We’re going to follow this one for you. In the meantime, here’s the video from this morning:
It’s time to go back to basics. I believe there is a growing culture of big governmental arrogance nationwide. Many legislators do not understand basic constitutional rights. There is no respect or understanding for sanctity of property rights. There is also no expectation to intelligently examine and analyze each issue in detail. Intelligent and deliberate examination have given way to political games and political correctness of the day. No intelligent homework is needed.
For example: Congress passes a sweeping health bill without reading the 2000 pages. The Attorney General freely criticizes Arizona’s immigrant laws FIRST and then reveals that he has NOT READ the 10 page newly-enacted law. Where is the quality control? “Where is the beef?” Where is the accountability?
See what’s happening in Hawaii’s ongoing eminent domain abuse:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgTNKvDmsHk&feature=channel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJnAo9X0jTY&feature=channel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PB-gH3WcQMo&feature=channel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUgsD0EbYWI&feature=channel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tP4R3IJbvYQ&feature=channel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgEUy8L1yCs&feature=channel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXbTRhp1hng
Mr. James: We’re honored you found us and posted your comments. Good to know people are fighting for property rights in all corners of the country. How did you find our blog? Also, are you keeping up with the special election in Hawaii’s 1st Congressional district? How do you see it shaping up? – Steve, the Admin
Aloha!
In response to the Administrator’s questions:
Your eminent domain topic appeared and it caught my attention.
I don’t live in the 1st Congressional district but I been following this special elections.
I believe that Republican Charles Djou stands a chance because the Democratic vote is being split by two Democrats Case and Hanabusa. As you know, Hawaii is a die-hard blue state. The three ex-governors – Cayetano, Ariyhoshi & Waihee – have held a Press Conference extolling the need to stay with the Party. Obama has also stepped in with his rob-calls and emails. Senator Inouye has contributed to Hanubusa’s campaign.
The State of Hawaii is in a fiscal crisis. Yet, there is an inherent inclination to vote the same people into office each election.
Djou appears to be leading but one cannot never underestimate the power of the Democratic Machine and union volunteers pounding the pavement for votes for its candidates.
P.S, It’s also too bad that the other ‘cash-stricken’ candidates had no chance to be involved in public debates. The public deserves a healthy and robust debate among ALL candidates, not just those with big war chests.
Mr. James: Thank you for your response. I guess this post just popped up in a Google search on property rights or was bookmarked somewhere? Nice to know we’re scoring high on searches on all topics! Congratulations to Hawaii and its 1st CD on Mr. Djou’s election. He will have a tougher go of it in November, but if the Dems continue to fight amongst themselves, anything is possible. Here’s a link form Red State about his win: http://www.redstate.com/proudgop/2010/05/23/hawaii-special-election-results-djou-wins
BTW, have you heard of an attorney by the name of Robert Thomas, who runs inversecondemnation.com? The attorneys from Waldo & Lyle mentioned in the post tell me he’s the property rights top gun in Hawaii (property rights attorneys stay networked with each other). – Steve, The Admin
http://www.familyfoundationblog.com‘s done it again! Great article.
Aloha Steve,
Thanks for going the extra mile. I’ve chatted several times with Robert Thomas. He’s a good and caring guy also connected with the Pacific Legal Foundation.
I believe the government is counting on most citizens not fighting back. It’s rather difficult for the average citizen to fight eminent domain because of exorbitant legal fees. Hence the Eminent Domain joke – “The Government wants your land and the attorneys want your money.”
The City County of Honolulu has filed and been granted EX PARTE to get possession of my commercial lot. I’ve filed an injunction and other related
documents as PRO SE.
Considering that Mayor Mufi Hannemann is now running for Governor, he’s sure forgotten about his ‘State of the Union’ speech about TRANSPARENCY and COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. We got bulldozed. Eminent Domain abuse and especially for the Corporation Counsel to force an EX PARTE is nothing but big government bullying. There are other superior lots the city refuses to consider. It’s definitely not a condemnation by necessity. It’s condemnation simply because it can. There are too much dirty and self-serving politics involved. There were intimidation and threats by the city and its surrogates.
I have high hopes that the Hawaii Judicial system will protect its citizens by offering a ‘check and balance’ to this eminent domain abuse. The average citizen knows that many legislators are no longer ‘statesmen’, they are more interested in promoting and watching out for themselves than what is fair, good and just.
Just look at the Kelo vs New London case. The Supreme Court ‘deferred’ 5-4 to the legislators/bureaucrats/developers in good faith. Now they’ve got egg on their face. Small People’s rights were gobbled up. Private Property Rights bulldozed and buried. For what? After all that grandiose dreams of big money and revitalization, the area is empty, abandoned. Big business Pfizer pulled out of the project in 2009. Just last week, Pfizer was laying off more workers to stay afloat. What a sad commentary of abrogation of private property rights.
Aloha, Choon
P.S. I’m a female. http://www.CJHawaiiRealEstate.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgTNKvDmsHk&feature=channel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJnAo9X0jTY&feature=channel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PB-gH3WcQMo&feature=channel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUgsD0EbYWI&feature=channel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tP4R3IJbvYQ&feature=channel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgEUy8L1yCs&feature=channel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXbTRhp1hng
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