Reading zen's journal

Court ruling: Kelo et al v. City of New London, 04-108.
http://aolsvc.news.aol.com/news/article.adp?id=20050623104909990004&_ccc=1&cid=842

Senator Dodd:
I realize that you didn't make the terrible decision in this lawsuit. I realize you are not a judge, nor juror. You are a senator...one who has been re-elected numerous times by people like myself.

I'm writing to tell you that I think the decision in this case was terrible. I want you to know how I, a citizen on New London, feel about this stupid decision. It is most definitely wrong for the city, and its puppet organization the NLDC, to take people's land under the guise of Eniment Domain.

Things have changed since the original meaning of Eminent Domain was decided in the courts. I understand that this city has a need for economic development. However, you should know that the city of New London has very bad sight, both literally and figuratively. New London as a administrative body does a terrible job of stewarding its land. As a matter of factual record, there are any number of abandoned (or "underutilyzed" as the city labels them) buildings or properties that can and should be developed for "public use." Most notably, there is a huge 4 story office building with a huge banner saying "FOR LEASE", located in the same neighborhood as Keno. That building has had this sign on it for the last 5 years. What sense does that make: to take people's homes, when there are buildings reading and willing to be used?

Additionally, there are many buildings on Bank and State Streets, as well as city-wide that are equally as "underutilyzed." But the city, New London is not interested in those buildings. They are not interested in promoting those areas to outside business as they aren't "prime." The Keno neighborhood is prime. It is waterfront, and the city, with its inferiority complex thinks that the only way it can have something to offer business, and potential office space is on the waterfront.

This is a disgusting use of their power. I hope that you sir, do not stand behind the city's stance on what it offers business coming into this town. It is truly disgusting, and horrid that citizens in this town have to lose their homes, places their families have lived in for many years, in the interest of making rich the select few on the city council, or in the wretched, accursed NLDC. A Coast Guard museum, may be in the "public interest." However, of all the dozens of residents that I've talked to over the past few years we don't feel that the city has the public interest in mind. It is NOT in our interests to have a federally subsidised, essentially non-profit organization supplanting people's homes.

Thank you for your time

I'll bet that just took 5 years off my life--but GODDAMM if it wasn't worth every second

This post was edited by zen on Jun 23, 2005.