Dropping a Cool $4 Million
3) A group called the California League of Cities contributed over $4 million to defeat Prop. 90. You might ask yourself, how can a public entity raise that much money without using money from taxpayers? But then, who stands to win if Prop. 90 is defeated? Think about it. City agencies are big winners, along with developers like Mr. Feldman. http://www.wfeldman.com/Public/WDFBio.html. Mr. Feldman’s concern about a successful developer who belongs to the Libertarian party and who gave the seed money for the citizens to start the fight to protect their property is strange considering how successful he himself is in the real estate business. Can you picture a fox (Mr. Feldman) in the chicken coop warning those poor scared chickens that there is a bad fox out there giving you seed money to protect yourself.
4) As far as Gov. Schwarzenegger changing his mind is concerned, it has been my observation that he sets his positions based on the polls. Funny isn’t it that he is a product of the American Dream. I guess he has risen so far above the dream that he has forgotten all about it. The historical decision on the Kelo case means that government has taken away the dream. Not that it could happen but that it has happened. With the exception of those citizens mentioned by retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor when she said the rich and powerful who already have disproportional influence are the ones that will benefit from the current eminent domain laws, the rest of us lose. Big time.
Exactly What Is Market Value?
5) The comment made by Mr. Feldman that I should get fair market value brings up an interesting point. I want all to know that our Culver City officials believe that the corner of Washington and National in Culver City is worth a $100 per foot less than a property on a side street with no ground parking in West Los Angeles. Appraisers hired by Culver City believe that my corner property in their fair city is comparable in “fair market value” to the corner of Crenshaw and Jefferson. Yes, Mr. Feldman, fair market value would be nice. That is, if I wanted to sell. Why should I have to give up my property to give to another individual entity.
Also it is interesting to know that I tried to point out this discrepancy to Culver City officials. On Aug. 17, their response was to serve me with papers that told me to get out by Nov. 15.
Would you, Mr. Feldman, share with the readers how much you sold your 2200 square foot building on National to Culver City for? Or Mr. Feldman, did our city offer you something of much greater value? Would that be fair market value? Would this information be available to the citizens of Culver City?
He Says Claim Is Untrue
6) Mr. Feldman’s comments about needing my property for the Metro Rail is a lie. It is one lie that the city would like everyone to believe. My property is not needed for the Metro Expo Rail. If my property were needed for the Expo rail line, then Metro Rail would be taking my property at their expense. Not Culver City at the expense of the taxpayers of Culver City. I would not be fighting the taking if it were truly for the public necessity.
7) This is for those of you who are concerned about the Prop. 90 having been written properly. I must ask if the people waited for everyone to agree on the Constitution we would still be a part of England, women would not have the Vote, and Rosa Parks still would be in the back of the bus. Thanks to people like Rosa Parks, who was willing to stand up for what is right, things can change for the better in this country. Also, it seems to me our Constitution has undergone a few changes since its inception. Prop. 90 allows for change without important regulations being lost. Section 6 of Prop. 90 states that existing laws and codes protecting the environment, public health and safety will stay in force. They simply would not be allowed to take property to give to another individual for financial gain. It also would assure those who must lose their property due to a true public need are given fair treatment. Right now, a criminal has more rights in this country than an individual losing his home as a result of eminent domain. It is as basic as that. If this is what you believe in, your vote should be Yes on Tuesday on Prop. 90.
Les Surfas is a Culver City business owner.
