N. ARLINGTON MAYOR COUNCILPRAISE ADVOCATE CHEN FOR HIS

   N. ARLINGTON MAYOR COUNCILPRAISE ADVOCATE  CHEN  FOR HIS STANCE ON EMINENT DOMAIN ABUSE

Will Present Resolution Asking State to Act to Protect Homes 

North Arlington –The mayor and council applauded the report of New Jersey Public Advocate Ronald Chen calling for reforms of the eminent domain process in New Jersey.  Chen said that there is an “urgent need “for the legislature to change the state’s redevelopment law to protect property owners from the abuses of government power. Mayor Peter Massa agreed noting that he and his administration have refused to condemn private property on Porete Avenue that was blighted by the previous administration to facilitate the unwanted EnCap housing project.  

“I have seen the abuse of eminent domain up close and personal and I don’t like it and I will not be party to taking people’s homes or businesses to enhance a private redevelopment,” said Massa.  

Councilman Al Granell whose own home was threatened by eminent domain said the legislature should heed the public advocate’s advice. “You really don’t understand the evilness of the abuse of eminent domain until some government official comes knocking on your door and says the government is going to take your home or business,” said Granell.

Councilman Sal DiBlasi whose Porete Avenue construction company is the  target of eminent domain said Chen is “being very courageous to speak out against the people who benefit from the abuse of eminent domain.” 

“Right now in New Jersey there are thousands of people like me and my neighbors facing the emotional turmoil of losing their homes or businesses because the power of government condemnation is too broad,” said DiBlasi. “That has to end.”

RESOLUTION TO DO MORE 

Council President Steven Tanelli said he will introduce a resolution for the next council session encouraging the state legislature to not only approve pending state senate legislation S-3257– but to go further and outlaw the use of eminent domain for redevelopment purposes.  

“Mr. Chen is correct in saying that right now people are suffering because of insider deals made between politicians and developers that result in bogus declarations of ‘blight.” That cannot be allowed to continue in New Jersey,” said Tanelli. 

 “New Jersey should be doing what nearly 40 other states have already done; build in real protection for private property rights and limit eminent domain to projects that are a legitimate public benefit – not a profit making opportunity,” added the council president.  

Many eminent domain advocates see S-3257 as being inadequate to protect property owners because it focuses more on compensation for property taken rather than on preventing the government from taking it. Those opposed to further restrictions on the use of eminent domain say that government taking is necessary to further redevelopment.Mayor Peter Massa disagrees. 

“A lot of legislators and developers are running around saying local governments need eminent domain in order to facilitate redevelopment. I don’t think that is true. If you have the right size project for the community and if you deal honestly and fairly with property owners, I don’t see the need for the government to be condemning large areas of the community,” said Massa.  

“Eminent domain should not be used to enhance developer profits, it should be used sparingly to help the public,” added the mayor.