Julie Wiltse, Speaker at the Eminent Domain National Conference
On Saturday June 10, Julie Wiltse spoke at the National Eminent Domain Conference titled, “Moving Forward: Winning the Battle Against Eminent Domain in a Post-Kelo World”, hosted by the Castle Coalition in Arlington, Virginia. Mrs. Wiltse opened her remarks with the optimistic report that “Contrary to Mayor Cain’s prediction in 2002 that Lakewood would not survive without the completion of the 151 million dollar lifestyle center on the West End or that no developer would think of doing any redevelopment in the city without the city’s willingness to use its power of eminent domain, I’m happy to report that Lakewood is alive and well.” She went on to detail the many development projects that Lakewood is currently doing and discussing all without the use of eminent domain. Mrs. Wiltse had been one of the homeowners and business owners whose property had been threatened by eminent domain in Lakewood.
Mrs. Wiltse was joined by several other speakers in the three day conference designed to teach citizens how to fight eminent domain abuse. Several allies in the fight that spoke included the National Council of Churches, the Farm Bureau, the National Federation of Independent Businesses, the NAACP and the League of United Latin American Citizens. Additionally, representatives from the media were there to discuss the best ways to utilize the media. One of those representatives was Mr. Bob Anderson, the producer of the “60 Minutes” story on eminent domain, who showed the segment featuring Lakewood, Ohio to the crowd and discussed why he found the story compelling.
Many individuals attending the conference shared that it was easier and faster to win the fight against eminent domain at the ballot box instead of in the courts. Unlike Lakewood, where a referendum and an initiative petition were used, most of the other citizens were replacing mayors and councils who attempted eminent domain abuse. However, there were representatives that also discussed the legal aspects, the Gambles and Joe Horny from Norwood, Ohio were present. These homeowners are still waiting to hear how the Ohio Supreme Court decides their case. Ms. Susette Kelo, the Lead Plaintiff in the Kelo vs. New London case, which was decided last year by the US Supreme Court was the keynote speaker. This case has opened the floodgates of Eminent Domain for private use and has created an unprecedented backlash which has caused 25 states to restrict eminent domain in just one year alone. State legislatures from Michigan, New Hampshire, Virginia and Indiana discussed the reforms their states had enacted since the Supreme Court decision.
Mrs. Wiltse also discussed the work that she is now doing at the state level to change the Eminent Domain laws for everyone in Ohio. She has co-founded the Buckeye Coalition for Eminent Domain Reform with Lynn Farris and is working with the Eminent Domain Task force in Ohio. Currently, in Ohio, there is until December 2006, a moratorium on taking non-blighted property by eminent domain for private use. The task force is going to make recommendations on the use of eminent domain for private use as well as standardizing the definition of blight. For more information on the Buckeye Coalition, write to BuckeyeCoalition@yahoo.com.
Mrs. Wiltse was joined by several other speakers in the three day conference designed to teach citizens how to fight eminent domain abuse. Several allies in the fight that spoke included the National Council of Churches, the Farm Bureau, the National Federation of Independent Businesses, the NAACP and the League of United Latin American Citizens. Additionally, representatives from the media were there to discuss the best ways to utilize the media. One of those representatives was Mr. Bob Anderson, the producer of the “60 Minutes” story on eminent domain, who showed the segment featuring Lakewood, Ohio to the crowd and discussed why he found the story compelling.
Many individuals attending the conference shared that it was easier and faster to win the fight against eminent domain at the ballot box instead of in the courts. Unlike Lakewood, where a referendum and an initiative petition were used, most of the other citizens were replacing mayors and councils who attempted eminent domain abuse. However, there were representatives that also discussed the legal aspects, the Gambles and Joe Horny from Norwood, Ohio were present. These homeowners are still waiting to hear how the Ohio Supreme Court decides their case. Ms. Susette Kelo, the Lead Plaintiff in the Kelo vs. New London case, which was decided last year by the US Supreme Court was the keynote speaker. This case has opened the floodgates of Eminent Domain for private use and has created an unprecedented backlash which has caused 25 states to restrict eminent domain in just one year alone. State legislatures from Michigan, New Hampshire, Virginia and Indiana discussed the reforms their states had enacted since the Supreme Court decision.
Mrs. Wiltse also discussed the work that she is now doing at the state level to change the Eminent Domain laws for everyone in Ohio. She has co-founded the Buckeye Coalition for Eminent Domain Reform with Lynn Farris and is working with the Eminent Domain Task force in Ohio. Currently, in Ohio, there is until December 2006, a moratorium on taking non-blighted property by eminent domain for private use. The task force is going to make recommendations on the use of eminent domain for private use as well as standardizing the definition of blight. For more information on the Buckeye Coalition, write to BuckeyeCoalition@yahoo.com.
Volume 2, Issue 15, Posted 4:04 PM, 07.02.06
