Tag: eminent domain

Trump Admin Joins Fight to Save NJ Family Farm

Posted By: leeduigon(patty)Posted On:

historic Henry farm in Cranbury

The Henry farmhouse, back when. Still here… for now.

Are we still in America?

When I was a reporter in the 1970s, the news was inundated with court-ordered seizures of private property to make room for (LOL) “affordable housing.” What a load of bunk that was! But imagine my horror when I discovered they’re still doing it.

In Cranbury, New Jersey (https://www.nj.com/news/2025/06/trump-administration-joins-bitter-fight-to-block-nj-town-from-seizing-175-year-old-family-farm.html). Farming country.

Now owned by Chris and Andy Henry, it’s been a farm for 175 years. Now the town wants to carve it up for “affordable housing.” I put quote marks around that because in my experience that housing NEVER turned out to be “affordable.”

Yeahbut, yeahbut! It’s Eminent Domain! This legal theory allows the government to grab your property.

The good news is that President Trump’s U.S. Dept. of Agriculture has pledged itself to help save the Henry farm.

Oh, how many times did I interview local government officials who were tearing their hair out because they couldn’t stop this stuff! They tried everything; but the NJ Supreme Court’s infamous (can I say that? My dander’s up) Mount Laurel decision tied their hands.

Maybe the federal government can do better. I sincerely hope so.

Jersey judges feed predatory developers. And the state looks it.

 

Sign This Petition–If You Can

Posted By: leeduigon(patty)Posted On:

See the source image

Your home: you only thought you owned it.

Sharon and Jerry Puckett have lived in their house, in Yorktown, Indiana, for more than 50 years. Now the town wants to kick them out and tear down their home to make way for some B.S. “games” facility (https://www.change.org/p/yorktown-indiana-town-council-don-t-bulldoze-our-home?recruiter=69474550&utm_campaign=signature_receipt&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=share_petition&fbclid=IwAR2DAk8y-bB3F0wX1WHv2-_a5jC0tpQhQ1FA3tihNdRHEmkT7Qy-mc0UnqE). If the town can’t force the Pucketts to sell, they’ll invoke “eminent domain” to rob them outright.

Is this the kind of thing that should ever happen in America? Ever?

Like bloody hell it is.

It’s difficult to find words for how low, mean, contemptible, and high-handed it is for the powers that be, in some stupid town, to crush a couple of harmless ordinary people under their hobnailed boots. You’d think they’d be ashamed! But don’t hold your breath waiting for these tinpot tyrants to feel shame.

Anyway, there’s a petition up to save the Pucketts and their home, and supposedly you can find it on the Change.org website (click “Browse,” and then “Don’t Bulldoze My Home,” and good luck to you) and hopefully sign it there. They have almost 60,000 signatures, and are shooting for 75,000.

Maybe one or more of you with more computer savvy than I have–that would be almost every living creature on the planet–can find a sure-fire way to gain access to the petition and sign it. If you can, please let me know and I’ll add it to this post.

Prayer Request: Esposal House

Posted By: leeduigon(patty)Posted On:

Our friend Evelyn has asked us to pray for Espousal House, a Christian facility run by the Stigmatine Father and Brothers in Waltham, Massachusetts, offering counseling, retreats, prayer, and kindness to anyone in need of it.

The town’s mayor and school board wish to seize the property (46 acres) under “eminent domain,” a euphemism for strong-arm tactics, so they can, they claim, build a new high school there. The fathers and brothers refuse to sell. So far, the city council has twice voted down the takeover. But Evelyn feels sure the mayor and school committee will keep trying until they get what they want.

O Lord our God, uphold and defend your servants in the loving work they do for Christ’s Kingdom, at Espousal House. Strengthen the resolve of their city council to support them. Be their refuge and strength, and a very present help in time of trouble. In Jesus’ name, Amen.