Dallas Officials Infuriated They Canƒ??t Impose Eminent Domain

Actually, if you knew anything about Texas politics, you'd recognize that "Empower Texans" and the related Empower Texans PAC are both far right-wing front organizations that want to abolish all government that gets in the way of billionaires being able to do whatever they want to do to the rest of us. This thread shouldn't be on this discussion forum if political discussions are not to be posted.

Well, I am not down there...
But, we have to do some politics, as it relates to surveying.
N

Nate The Surveyor, post: 430123, member: 291 wrote: Well, I am not down there...
But, we have to do some politics, as it relates to surveying.
N

I agree with Kent. I think it would be appropriate if a real news story about the issue was posted, but this is not a news story, it is biased propagand and does not belong here.

Oh we've had discussions here before on the topic of a governing body's use (or misuse) of eminent domain. None of them seemed to wander from the topic or get out of hand. I'm guessing it's the web site on which the article is presented that is drawing some ire?

No matter the angle and trajectory of a litigious salvo, I think the whole thing is hilariously embarrassing. Whether or not the parties are right-wing fascists or gluten intolerant tree huggers seems secondary to the fact that someone beat city hall. I personally don't like how it was accomplished. And the money spent on both sides is a tragedy.

But if you want to watch entry level elected officials make fools of themselves, either check with you local city council or youtube. I'm sure there are as many videos of fools there as there are cute kitty videos...

I've been a part of dozens of Condemnation hearings, almost always representing the Condemnor. The first question to be resolved is, "Does the Condemnor have the right to condemn said property?" The second question is, "Is this the correct, most cost effective, and appropriate location to be condemned?" It sounds like they didn't meet the second question. No politics involved in my answer, I know none of the folks involved. I helped a friend beat a condemnation for an elevated tank site by showing the site was not the highest, nearest to the water mains that the location chosen would very negatively impact the remainder of his property.
Andy

You can make anything political.
Even the eating of steak.
Or using plastic bags, for your lunch.
I'm just glad to see city hall get beat occasionally. Keeps things from being "always this" or "that".
N

I personally don't care for any structure or process that relieves citizens of their possessions against their will. But I will also agree (in theory) with the fact the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. So where is the balance? I truly don't know.

In the case of a huge metropolitan area that is strapped for potable water I would think the situation needs resolved. If I were a judge I would probably take the liberty to admonish city planners for not having foresight when it comes to their growth. All municipalities and populous governing bodies will eventually be forced to face the fact their number, size and infrastructure will become finite at some point in time. While 1.28 million people dying of thirst isn't a pretty thought, the culpability of such an occurrence is at least partially borne on the shoulders of those that were chosen to lead, protect and provide for said populous.

We've had similar crisis over the year in Norman (on quite a smaller scale). But no one is even willing to address a moratorium on growth or permits. Too much emphasis is placed on the revenue collection.

As is reflected in the article above, money talks. You can buy just as much justice, freedom and liberty as you can afford nowadays.
[MEDIA=youtube]hbzsmn9fHsU[/MEDIA]

I was deeply involved in this case when I ran for Tarrant Regional Water District the second time and I know several of the litigants. I agree that this is a highly political story and probably inappropriate.

Nate The Surveyor, post: 430139, member: 291 wrote: You can make anything political.
Even the eating of steak.
Or using plastic bags, for your lunch.
I'm just glad to see city hall get beat occasionally. Keeps things from being "always this" or "that".

Nihilists! F@#$ me. I mean, say what you want about the tenets of National Socialism, Dude, at least it's an ethos. 😮

R.J. Schneider, post: 430157, member: 409 wrote: Nihilists! F@#$ me. I mean, say what you want about the tenets of National Socialism, Dude, at least it's an ethos. 😮

That quote really brought the thread together

Political post.

Nate The Surveyor, post: 430139, member: 291 wrote: You can make anything political.
Even the eating of steak.
Or using plastic bags, for your lunch.
I'm just glad to see city hall get beat occasionally. Keeps things from being "always this" or "that".
N

Nate, the topic is worthy of discussion, but there is no reason to post links to a political advocate organization. That starts the conversation with a biased set of "facts", and gets in the way of having a good conversation about the legalities and processes of emminent domain.

A different project than spoken of in OP is Dallas's State-Thomas to White Rock Creek drainage tunnel and intakes project, an almost 350 million dollar storm water project that has it's own set of problems with R/W acquisition. Some of the Council feel as though the "heavy hammer" of eminent domain (and associated saber-rattling) might need to be re-evaluated when it comes to municipal projects. Not a bad idea now that it's the 21st. Century. Here's an interesting article from the Dallas Morning News:

https://www.dallasnews.com/news/dallas-city-hall/2016/03/23/council-members-dallas-eminent-domain-practices-must-be-reformed

Hopefully the DMN isn't considered a "political" website...but I'm usually way wrong when it comes to guessing about what people in Texas are thinking...;)

Paden, don't judge the people of the entire state based on the mentality of one outspoken resident.