[Todd Zywicki, September 15, 2005 at 6:56am] Trackbacks
Eviction of Kelo Homeowners:

Notwithstanding a promise to abide by a moratorium on taking the homes of the individual homeowners in Kelo, the New London Development Corp. has issued eviction notices to them and demanded the payment of rent. BizzyBlog has the story (with a bit of pungent commentary too). More here and here.

The CEO of the development agency contends that the communications are not actually eviction notices, but does not provide a different explanation for what they are. The developers also argue that the moratorium only applies to new takings, not to these properties for which the development corp. already holds title.

DNL (mail):
Does the state legislature have power to re-condemn and give the property back to Kelo et al?
9.15.2005 8:55am
Seamus (mail):
The owners have to pay *rent* on their own property? I hope that means the government has to pay interest on the "just compensation" they haven't yet paid those homeowners.
9.15.2005 10:38am
SimonD:
R.I.P. the public use clause. Another scalp for the living constitution.
9.15.2005 11:29am
Larry (mail) (www):
These homeowners are standing in the way of progress and, quite frankly, hate America. Maybe if they lived in homes that actually looked nice (or up to par) they would not be in need of being demolished to make room for the homes of the future.

Anyway, the people have spoken. They don’t want these slum-dwellers in their neighborhood. While many want JUDICIAL ACTIVISM and want the courts to intervene and subvert the actions of the majority, they did not. The slum-dwellers have to leave.

Moreover, not only have the people of New London spoken, but so have the people of Connecticut spoken. They could have easily prevented the development corporation from doing this. But they did not. The people are sick of these slum-dwellers standing in the way of progress and no amount of FRIVOLOUS LAWSUITS by you big-government-loving liberals will take away the power of the people.
9.15.2005 11:36am
SimonD:
It's hard to know whether the above post is an amusing pastiche of Dick Durbin, or whether it's actually Senator Dick posting in disguise...
9.15.2005 12:39pm
Shelby (mail):
The CEO of the development agency contends that the communications are not actually eviction notices, but does not provide a different explanation for what they are. The developers also argue that the moratorium only applies to new takings, not to these properties for which the development corp. already holds title.

I guess the NLDC hasn't yet used up its litigation fund.
9.15.2005 1:54pm
Public_Defender:
From the more recent new articles, it looks like the Kelo majority was correct--the democratic process can solve the problem.

Both state and local officials are demanding that the evictions cease. They want the ouster of the leaders of the New London Development Commission. And the government officials are fighting to keep the residents in their homes.

This case also shows the limited power of the courts. The New London Development Corporation won its lawsuit, but it's losing the fight on the ground.

Prediction: One year from now, the New London residents will still be in their homes, but the leadership of the New London Development Corporation will be out of their jobs.

Ain't democracy great?
9.16.2005 9:26am
tom mccoy (mail):
Just wait until Kelo meet New Orleans. Talk about the perfect storm.
9.16.2005 10:21pm