Here’s Another Reason Why People Fighting Eminent Domain MUST Be Able to Stay in Their Homes
You may recall that the three holdout families who triumphed in the Norwood, Ohio eminent domain case had to give up their homes for their lawsuit to proceed. Fortunately, that in-effect eviction is part of what the Ohio Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional.
The holdouts are learning a hard lesson in why the old law was wrong — If you’re not there, anything could happen to your property (HT Can’t Make This Stuff Up):
Three homeowners who won a battle to keep their property celebrated their victory Thursday night at the Edge Inn Tavern — but they’re still hot over the destruction of their neighborhood.
The Ohio Supreme Court ruled last week that the city of Norwood couldn’t use eminent domain to take private property to make way for a $125 million commercial development.
Carl and Joy Gamble said they’re anxious to return to their home of 35 years, but first there’s work to be done: The house has been vandalized since they moved out.
“The back door’s off — the back storm door. It’s broken. Front side of the garage door won’t move,” Joy Gamble said. The displaced families said they aren’t budging from their position, either — no matter how much cash the developer might offer.
Of course the developers who were negligent in the management of the properties should be made to pay for all repairs and restoration. In fact, no one should even have to ask. But will they?
