by John Slagter.
One week after the U.S. Supreme Court decided Kelo v. City of New Haven, two Gahanna City Councilmen, Nick Hogan and John McAlister, proposed amendments to the Gahanna City Charter that would ban the exercise of eminent domain powers for the Gahanna City Charter. The US Supreme Court ruled last week that city governments were permitted to take away anyone’s private property if they expected to receive higher property taxes from someone else.
“In light of the Supreme Court's recent 5-4 vote to attack private property rights, I believe it is absolutely necessary for Gahanna to stand up to be heard and counted,” declared Gahanna Councilman Nick Hogan. “We need to pass a law and better yet a Charter change to forbid anyone, including government, from taking one’s home for private development."
The Libertarian Party of Ohio has taken the lead on eminent domain abuse. “Not only do homeowners often receive free legal help,” mentions Ohio Director Robert Butler, “there's a complete package of eminent domain protest materials from yard signs to political strategies from The Castle Coalition”
“It’s a dark day for American homeowners. While most constitutional decisions affect a small number of people, this decision undermines the rights of every American, except the most politically connected. Every home, small business or church would produce more taxes as a shopping center or office building. And according to the Court, that’s a good enough reason for eminent domain,” said Dana Berliner, a senior attorney who works with the libertarian, pro bono Institute for Justice and defended the residents of New London, Connecticut.
"All politics is local," notes Libertarian City Councilman John McAlister. "I agree with Nick that as a city council we should do everything possible to stand up to tyranny and look out for the rights of our constituents. We all took an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States, not Supreme Court decisions that try to take away rights rather than protect rights.”
“This is a litmus test,” challenges Libertarian State Chair Jason Hallmark. “If Republicans and Democrats won’t defend a person’s home, what good are they?”