THANK YOU EARL! For your SUPPORT

Dear Mr. Ron Olden, Mayor of Palm Springs and City Council:

I wish that you join me in being opposed to the city's attempt to acquire the land at 700 Tahquitz Avenue by "eminent domain" against the stated wishes of the owner of this private property. You well know that the idea of eminent domain was to secure property for PUBLIC use (roads, schools, etc). You also know that the said property has housed for many years an ongoing profitable business establishment in Palm Springs of which we all are proud.

Over the past years there has been a public backlash at those politicians who expand the idea of "public use."

On July 4th of this year Mike Wallace in "60 Minutes" exposed this national problem. Reviewing this would be educational for sure.

On June 23rd of this year President George Bush issued an executive order about eminent domain saying "... it may not be used for the purpose of advancing the economic interest of private parties to be given ownership or use of the property taken."

I'm sure that sensible negotiations and compromise will find alternative solutions so that the City of Palm Springs won't violate the moral trust of its citizens in this regard!

Sincerely yours,

Earl I. Semones, MD - Palm Springs, CA 92262

Comments

[Mike Congdon]

I am scandalized that Palm Springs would stoop to using eminent domain to displace a small business with Ms. Anderson's history in the city. And the prospect of a 100 foot high building in Palm Springs disgusts me. I hope the City Council sides with the small business owner in this case. Hasn't the golf and resort industry done enough damage already to our desert jewel?

Michael Congdon

[jean desmarais]

I’m a fan of great live music and am looking forward to having a Hard Rock Hotel here in town. Palm Springs is such a great place to live and work, and it will be even better with some world-class entertainment and an exciting music venue. It's important that the city keep this project moving forward to promote our growth and attractiveness.

[Debbie]

Jean - your missing the whole point here. This isn't a blog about whether you are for or against the Hard Rock.
This is about eminent domain and the rights of a property owner.
I'm all for the Hard Rock hotel too; they can still build a great hotel around Lois' property as they orginally intended to.
That would be the "win-win" the City keeps referring to.

[Michael Smith]

I recently bought a second home in Palm Springs and I think the addition of a Hard Rock Hotel to the Palm Springs entertainment and resort equation makes for great math! The Hard Rock will bring need dollars to the economy of the valley. The city should definately keep the project on track and think of the greater good for all residents of Palm Springs.

[Debbie]

Michael,
You are on the wrong blog.

This is the one about the abuse of Eminent Domain.
Since you just recently bought a home here let me bring you up to speed.

The Hard Rock hotel project was originally proposed and pitched to the community to be built on the lot BEHIND Lois Anderson’s property. The City can definitely keep the project on track by sticking to the original plans.
I hope you are enjoying your new Palm Springs home - God forbid you spend the next 30 years paying it off and the City decides they want a Hotel there instead.