I need to get the media involved in a small city's underhanded plan to reinstate EMINENT DOMAIN. But how?
Posted on May 01, 2008 under domain news and reports | 3 CommentsThis is a small fairly rural town located in Ventura County, California. Both the City and the Redevelopment Agency are not informing the public about their desire to reinstate and then redevelop 40% of the town. While the City Council meetings can all be viewed on TV live these Redevelopment meetings are NEVER announced nor are they televised or reported on. This is not fair. I would like to be able to make this whole thing fair by allowing the public to at the very least be properly informed!
Many older families are at a REAL risk of losing their homes!
This is a small fairly rural town located in Ventura County, California. Both the City and the Redevelopment Agency are not informing the public about their desire to reinstate and then redevelop 40% of the town. While the City Council meetings can all be viewed on TV live these Redevelopment meetings are NEVER announced nor are they televised or reported on. This is not fair. I would like to be able to make this whole thing fair by allowing the public to at the very least be properly informed!
Many older families are at a REAL risk of losing their homes!
I have emailed both abc channel 7 and cbs channel 2 news and I have not received a response! Do news channels only like to report car chases and other easy to report news? Are there any news networks that actually truly help out the community by reporting serious issues?
May 1st, 2008 at 8:23 am
Email a reporter at a local TV station. They usually have a way to do that, once you find the site. They'd probably jump at the chance to have an exclusive story.
May 1st, 2008 at 8:23 am
The Supreme Court handed over the right to make Eminent Domain rules to the State. California state rules concerning Eminent Domain are very strict compared to some other states.
The state can allow the city to use the law, but under the rules California sets down, and in California the area must be blighted and the use of the land must be for public, not private works, although the two can be co-mingled and muddy up the water.
May 1st, 2008 at 8:23 am
This is a hot button issue right now and you should be able to get attention with some effort. Talking with the media is a great start but do more than email. Make follow up calls, ask if you can meet with a reporter for 15 minutes. Be sure to leave plenty of written info.
Go door to door with a petition, give info to the people who have the most to lose and ask for their signiture. Get their email addresses to so you can stay in touch. If you find someone really interested, enlist his/her assistance.
Look for an elected official that has been opposed to e.d. and ask for support. This is an issue, similar to some privacy issues, that gets support from both the left and the right. Libertians are always opposed and you may find some good volunteers from them. Also, google "opposing emient domain" and you will see lots of articles and groups.
Email will be useful but expect to make lots of phone calls and visits as well. Get as much help as you can and then don't give up. Good luck!