Standing Up To Eminent Domain
The Whittier (CA) Daily News praises Arcadia for accomodating both the needs of developers and the rights of private property owners.
It took speaking out at public meetings and waging a letter-writing campaign, not only to public officials but to this newspaper, and generally generating publicity about the impending demise of this classic coffee shop and the fact that owner, Manny Romero, didn't want to sell. Members at the Elks Lodge across the street followed suit, refusing to sell….
Sure, the city could have used eminent domain to take Rod's Grill and the Elks Lodge, but officials rightly backed away from that opportunity, having been taught a lesson by voters when the council considered using eminent domain last year. Council candidates who ran against eminent domain easily won election.
So commendations are offered all around. First, folks have to speak up for what they believe in. Secondly, it's rare when a deal can't be worked out among all parties. So, Arcadia finds itself, by happenstance perhaps, in the role of model for accommodating both needed development and existing businesses and property owners.