Homeowners and all others who do not measure up to appointed bureaucratic urban renewal authority standards—beware.
Sen. McCabe shares responsibility for draconian Kelo-type eminent domain provisions in the West Virginia code. It is not surprising that he is a key sponsor of S.B. 91, introduced Jan. 11, 2006. The bill’s alleged purpose is “to prohibit the state of West Virginia and its political subdivisions from exercising a right of eminent domain to take private property when the primary purpose of the taking is economic development that ultimately results in ownership or control of the property transferring to another private entity.” Excellent so far.
An exception, however, “allows an urban renewal authority (we have no voting rights with respect to such an authority) to exercise a right of eminent domain as to property designated a slum area or blighted.” The West Virginia code is so loosely structured that a “slum” or “blighted” area could be anything that an urban renewal authority declares it to be. This could include a $500,000 home, etc.
House Bill 4005 introduced the same day by Delegates Frich, Border, Anderson, Ellem and seven others is an excellent bill that eliminates the urban renewal authority trap.
Perhaps the citizens’ Jan. 25 rally at 1 p.m. at the state capitol circle, Charleston, will stimulate our legislators to be more responsive to our needs this election year? Massive citizen turnout is critical.
James C. Rymer
St. Mary