EVENT:
New London City Councilor Proposes Resolution To Save Homes and End Eminent Domain Stand-off
TIME/DATE:
7 p.m., Monday, April 3, 2006
PLACE:
New London City Hall
181 State Street
New London, CT
CONTACT:
John Kramer, Vice President for Communications
Lisa Knepper, Director of Communications
Institute for Justice, (703) 682-9320
SUMMARY:
On Monday, April 3, 2006, at 7 p.m., New London City Councilor Bill Cornish will introduce a resolution that would place all of the remaining Fort Trumbull homes on “Parcel 4A” (where Susette Kelo, the Dery family and other IJ clients currently reside) and return titles to the Fort Trumbull homeowners.
This proposal, if approved by the Council, would solve the New London eminent domain situation once and for all, allowing Susette Kelo and the rest of her neighbors to remain in the homes they have fought so hard to keep.
Susette Kelo is the lead plaintiff in the now-infamous U.S. Supreme Court case, Kelo v. New London, in which the Court ruled that private property can be taken for another private party who promises to create more jobs and taxes with the land. That decision created a firestorm of outrage across the nation and political spectrum. So far, 47 states have introduced or passed legislation to change their state’s eminent domain laws.
In the process, New London has become the poster child of eminent domain abuse. The Kelo decision brought nationwide scorn to New London. Susette Kelo’s little pink house is now a national symbol against the abuse of eminent domain for private development. Kelo plans to attend the city council meeting tonight.
In February, New London Mayor Beth Sabilia proposed placing all of the homes on Parcel 4A but her plan called for the City retaining ownership of the properties, something the Fort Trumbull residents do not support.
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