No EMINENT DOMAIN on 700 E. Tahquitz

From Chris to City Council

Dear elected officials,

I recently relocated to Palm Springs from San Diego, and have recently learned of your move to attempt to change ownership of the land at 700 E Taquitz Lane. I would call it eminent domain, as many incorrectly have, but of course the definition of eminent domain is, "The power to take private property for public use by the state or municipality with just compensation.". Of course the Hard Rock Hotel is not a public use facility, or at least no more so than Anderson Travel. It is a real disappointment to leave the corrupted city officials of San Diego to come to this nice little town only to learn that the worst traits of human nature prevail in politics here as well. At least you're not trying to put a strip club there, right? There must be hope for humanity...

Seriously, what gives you the right to think you can take land from one private citizen and give it to another? And more importantly, take land form from one long-standing, succesfull family of the Palm Springs community and give it to some outside corporation? I can't wait to hear the judge in the future case putting you back in your place, and then the voters. I don't normally vote for local officails, but I'll be there to rally and vote against every one of you who supports this shameful attempt.

-Chris

Thank You For Your Support Mike!

Lois;

I read with great interest, the story in today's Desert Sun. Just to let you know, I will do whatever you would like me to do to help you and your family with the fight against the City of Palm Springs.

What they are attempting to do is deplorable.  Your family has given so much for so long to the City of Palm Springs that they should not even think of attempting to take the property from your family.

Call me with what you would like me to do to help.

Mike

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