Eminent Domain!

http://tinyurl.com/ytomq9
03/18/2008
Citizens rally around Avon homeowner;school threatens to use eminent domain
CHANDA NEELY, Morning Journal Writer
AVON -- Citizens are rallying around Mary Jane Wolfe after the Avon school board passed a resolution to take possession of 25 to 27 acres of her property by eminent domain. The group Avon Citizens for Change is urging people who do not agree with the board's decision to attend tonight's school board meeting at6:30 p.m. in the media center at Heritage North Elementary School.
''We are outraged at the school board's decision to seize one of our longtime residents property through eminent domain,'' the group said in a statement posted on its Web site. ''We are asking citizens of Avon to attend the March 18 board meeting and show your support for Mary JaneWolfe.
''The property is located at 2740 and 2758 Center Road. The district is interested in taking possession of 25 to 27 acres behind Wolfe's home in order to build a new middle school.'
'The land the board is looking to acquire does not include the owner's home,'' Superintendent Jim Reitenbach said. ''We have never wanted to put her out of her house. The land we want is behind her home. We're not trying to kick her out in the street.
''The school board at a meeting Feb. 19 voted to pursue taking over the property through eminent domain. Residents asked the board to delay the vote for 120 days, but that request was voted down.
The district has offered Wolfe $750,000 for the land, but she refuses. Wolfe would be left with her home and 1.5 acres. ''She has been offered $750,000 dollars and she can stay in herhouse and vacate the property behind her,'' Reitenbach said. ''We're offering $30,000 per acre. That's the appraised value of the property. You have 25 acres that's $750,000. ''The school board has been trying to purchase the land from Wolfesince 1995. The board sent Wolfe an occasional letter until 2005 when they began to send letters more frequently. Reitenbach said Wolfe was sent another letter after the Feb. 19 vote, but she declined the offer to sell. For the district, it is more cost effective to build a new school instead of renovate. Wolfe's property has the existing sewer lines that are needed to serve the school. The district is also in negotiations with the owners of the property at 2636 and 2666 Center Road. If the district acquires the property it will have to put a bond issue on the ballot for voters to decide if they will fund construction of a new middle school.The attorney representing Wolfe did not return calls seeking comment.
© 2007 The Morning Journal


Another example of the government taking from its citizens. And yet they make it sound like they are being so generous by allowing her to keep her house and 1 1/2 acres of her land. It is crazy that you work your butt off to legally acquire the things you want in life, only to have the mighty hand of the government take it from you.

Viva Liberty!