Eminent Domain and Party Politics

Wade Vitalis, Chisago County Democratic Chair, recently asked how many people in Isanti or Chisago counties are living under the threat of Eminent Domain. The Citizens of the City of Isanti, estimated at 5,000, dealt with this issue in 2005. A local resident is currently struggling under the Eminent Domain process. The City Council on a vote of 3-2, I voted against, decided to take a Highway 65 access from an individual and place it to the benefit of Isanti’s largest developer.

This can happen to any of us. The idea that local government can take from the individual and give to large developers or corporations is the very tyranny our forefathers fought against in the Revolutionary War. All citizens must be given an equal chance to succeed. The improper use of Eminent Domain strikes at the very core of fairness and equality for all.

Property taxes are a concern for the two counties residents. If Mr. Vitalis lived in the City of Isanti he would have realized an almost 8% reduction in property taxes.

The greater point is if Mr. Vitalis would concentrate on democratic, with a small d, ideas and not Democratic Party politics we would be able to resolve the Eminent Domain and property tax issues.

Strong debate by all sides is what makes America great. We should however refrain from attributing evil intent to anyone’s position. The main issue I have with Mr. Vitalis is he is attributing deceptive or pandering to Senator Nienow.

I personally wrote Senator Nienow a letter last year asking the Legislator to protect the individual property owner from local government tyranny. I wrote last year against Eminent Domain, which was a non-election year.

The battle of ideas will determine who represents us at all levels of government. I suggest Mr. Vitalis reads Thomas Paine’s Common Sense. This will give you a base for the argument against the destructive use of Eminent Domain.