Two Representations Eminent Domain

Steve Berry Assistant of the Grand Terrace City Manager, has been quoted by the Sun Telegram as saying hold out land owners may face the use of Eminent Domain in order to make available the last hold out properties for the Town Center Development.

Tom Schwab the Grand Terrace City Manager said in today's article in the same paper that the city would not force anyone out of their homes.

In several City Council meetings both statements have been made by various persons. The problem for the property owner is that behind closed doors the threat or mention of this option has been made. In addition to the effect of the potential use of eminent domain, the property the city eyes for future development by parties other than the current owner are adversely affected by changes in code requirements, approved city use plans and restrictions of future use. All the changes written to favor the preselected developer, which has not been subjected to even the competitive bid process.

I hope the US SUPREME COURT will protect the citizens and smaller business owners from the tyranny of city councils and developers with large blocks of money.

Perhaps it is time to end the Grand Terrace Redevelopment Agency, and curtail the zealot city management which has reduced Grand Terrace to a fiefdom run by a select few realtors, and developers to their benefit. How many children are using the child care provided by the city. How much does this child care cost? How many home child care services operate in this city? How many children actually benefit from the restricted use of Pico Park or Richard Rollings park and snack bars? These parks are treated by the city and by the little league and soccer league as private use parks rather than public parks. Then ask how many 7th to 12th graders are being served by the community services. Where can they go to spend the hours unsupervised while their parents commute home from great distances?