Desert Sun Article

Click here to read the Desert Sun article that appeared today on the front page. I thought Stefanie Frith did a great job with this article.

I encourage your comments and send my blog link to everyone you know.

-Lois Anderson

Comments

[John Hansen]

I totally support you. There is no excuse for stealing a person's property solely to turn it over to a developer for business gain of another kind of business than what you operate. Your property is beautiful the way it is and adds to our community's overall beauty. A small hotel/condo project will be just as good for the community - but the good of the community is not really what is at stake here. With the multitude of projects currently under approval and consideration, we need to save some individuality for future generations. Hang in there. After all, it is your property.

[Mark Lees]

Dear Ms. Anderson:

I read today's Desert Sun with dismay. The city's action is yet another example of eminent domain run amok. I've sent a letter to the paper and the text is given below. I also sent a copy of the article to Chris Norby, a member of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, and the driving force behind an organization known as Municipal Officials for Redevelopment Reform (MORR), a group of elected officials dedicated to stopping redevelopment abuse of eminent domain. Should you wish to contact them, the address is:
M.O.R.R.
214 N. Yale Avenue
Fullerton, CA 92831
The organization hosts two conferences a year, in Southern California in spring and in Northern California in the fall. They are holding one on September 30 in San Francisco.
Here in Rancho Mirage we had an incident a few years ago where the city wanted to take several homes for the development across from the River that now houses Mimi's and Ruby's. One resident fought to keep her home, including starting a referendum. She won, in part, in that while the development went through, it went around her home, which still stands at East Veldt and Highway 111.
I hope you are successful in your battle. I would urge you to tell anyone you know about Proposition 90 on the November ballot, which would stop some of these abuses. The taking of property for developer benefit instead of true public use has to stop.

Sincerely,

Mark Lees
71427 Halgar Road
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
phone: 837-1848
e-mail: rekam@dc.rr.com

(Letter to Desert Sun)
September 13, 2006

Dear Editor:

I’ve read the article in today’s paper concerning Lois Anderson and the city’s threat to use eminent domain to get her property for the completion of a Hard Rock hotel. This is yet another example of eminent domain run amok, wherein the original purpose of allowing eminent domain for public use, as outlined in our Constitution’s Fifth Amendment, has been prostituted into allowing property to be taken for use by a private party, on the theory that increased tax revenue is for “public interest.”

With the disastrous decision by our Supreme Court in Kelo vs. New London, the court gave carte blanche for governments to take property for private developers. Fortunately, lawmakers in several states have started legislation to prevent this. In California, our legislature failed to act, but we do have Proposition 90 on the November ballot to rein in the abuses of eminent domain. I would urge all who value their property to vote for this measure. Eminent domain should only be for true public use, such as roads, schools, parks or public buildings, not to help line a developer’s pockets. The home or business you save could well be your own.

Sincerely,

Mark Lees
71427 Halgar Road
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
phone: 837-1848
e-mail: trainun@dc.rr.com

[Linda Vivian]

Good Grief, Lois. This is a crock! I am VERY disappointed in the council and their actions. And agree wholeheartedly -- it is YOUR land and you have generously given to this City for more than 40 years. Your public service certainly ought to hold some value.

I am appalled..

Hang in, my friend. I support you 1000 percent.

Linda V

[Ashley Hapner]

This is so unfair to you. I know the Hard Rock Cafe is "popular" but Anderson Travel is an important part of our communtity and they shouldn't steal YOUR property! Why can't they just build it somewhere else??