Eminent Domain Tripple Speak

The Grand Terrace City News March 3rd issue held these quotes: “I don’t wan to use it”, “ I’d rather not use it.” “if it held up a project, I would recommend it. All quotes attributed to Tom Schwab when interviewed relating the use or potential use of eminent domain for securing land for the Redevelopment Agency’s project known as Town Center. City Manager and Redevelopment Agency Head, Schwab said he hand never threatened, or been adversarial with property owners while negotiating purchases on the behalf of the planned higher use of property in Grand Terrace.

City Manager and Redevelopment Agency Head Tom Schwab, and his minion Assistant City Manager Steve Berry have both been quoted as being prepared to use eminent domain to obtain property to facilitate the Redevelopment Agency’s Plans. A specific eminent domain action or filing does not have to take place before the small property owner feels threatened or intimidated no matter how nice one speaks on the phone. The City of Grand Terrace and their associated Redevelopment Agency has become heavily invested in projects and land where in a “Free Country” private individuals would deal with private individuals without the City or Agency being an invested or interested party. There are other names for the type of governments that own the land and capital of a community, most of them are used as pejoratives in this the land of the supposedly free.

City Manager Tom Schwab further contends almost lamentably so that a property owner is getting a great deal at the negotiation table after having made so much fuss. One could only wonder what a bad deal would have been made if the property owner had not raised voice to the treatment, comments, and underlying implied threats of using eminent domain. Free trade in property, Free use of one’s property, Freedom from intrusions by Government, are not found in the City of Grand Terrace.

City Manager and Redevelopment Agency Head Tom Schwab also has been less than open about the acquisition of properties in Grand Terrace. Private “Negotiations” are not conducive to developing public trust. It is time that all City and Redevelopment Agency Dealings are brought out into the sunshine, and are open. It would be an odd justice if the Colton School District condemned the 30 acres and used REAL Eminent Domain Laws in it’s dealings with the City.