You’ve all heard the saying, “Be careful what you ask for. You just might get it.” When it comes to eminent domain, cities like Greenville may be learning, “Be careful what you demand. You just might get it.” 

A jury has awarded one of three property owners in a contentious eminent domain fight $2.6 million dollars for property the city insisted was worth just $733,000.  Greenville initially appraised the property at $564,000, but increased the 2003 appraisal to $733,000 this week.

Verne Cassaday, who bought the property on South Main Street in the mid 90s for $202,000, said he thought it was worth $2.8 million, even though his own appraiser put the value at $1.39 million.  The jury decided on $2.6 million.

If it were not for eminent domain, would the city have eventually agreed to pay $2.6 million to get the property?  I don’t know. I haven’t been able to reach the mayor to ask him.

After the landmark eminent domain decision by the U.S. Supreme Court last year, states have moved to restrict the usage of that municipal power.  This jury decision could be just as powerful as any state law.

The Supreme Court made it clear that it will not stand in the way when cities and counties want to force you to sell your property for any purpose the municipality determines to be in the “public interest” even though the Constitution uses the phrase “public use.”

Juries, on the other hand, have the power to make the municipality pay a dear price for grabbing land. This jury did just that. Good for them. The Supreme Court made it clear that states could place further restrictions on eminent domain powers if they so choose. Our state and many others are passing legislation to do just that. The Greenville jury beat lawmakers to the punch.  (feedback)

Hate fires

Here’s breaking news from CNN: The spate of church fires in rural Alabama is motivated by hate. You think?  I was going to guess that love (jealousy) was the motivation – or maybe greed. Greed is always a good guess. How about boredom? Burning a bunch of churches would certainly be more exciting than spending another day waiting for the unemployment check to arrive.