Eminent Domain - The other side

[Ron Wenrich]

How do you feel about this scenario?  Walmart decides to put in a superstore.  The local government gives the OK, but Walmart has to make improvements to the road.  Should they use eminent domain so that the roads can be improved for Walmart's store, or should they have to buy it on the open market?  What if no one was willing to sell?  Its a real case that I read about.

I think you'll find the California case is the government responding to citizen concerns.  At what point does it become the government representing the people to government belittling business?

[WeeksvilleWoodWorx]

Ron,

Your point of doing what the citizens want  is valid, BUT!!  They should have done it through proper zoning, not forcing someone, Wal-Mart or Billy Bob, to sell their property to the town.

Eminent Domain has become very abused and should be reeled back to it's intended purpose. Roads, schools, firehouses, bridges etc..... NOT to control developement, whether in favor of the devoloper or the town.

[Gary_C]

More information on the story.

Hercules, CA