First of all the North County News, especially in this article, reads like a High School newspaper and who reads it really. But its worth commenting on for the simple reason that even when you try to explain Mary Foster's position it just sounds wrong. While eminent domain has not been used in current projects in Peekskill; Mary feels like using the issue to distract people.
George Bush is well-acquainted with this technique. Get the people's interest directed towards one item, and distract them from how you are dealing with the real issues.
The following is a quote from an email which was sent to me by the Democrats, concerning an opinion piece from the North County News. The topic: M.F.'s eminent domain 'proposal':
When an economic development activity is designed or intended to increase tax base, tax revenues, employment or general economic health but does not result in the transfer of land to public possession, occupation and enjoyment, that economic development activity is not a public use. The public benefits of increased tax base, tax revenues, employment, or general economic health do not constitute a public use.
Superficial - not!
I kept the superficial - not! quote in because it reminds me of what the cool kids use to say 20+ years ago.
Firstly, it forces the City to be its own developer and what city does that?
Secondly, and more importantly, it ask that we stretch our imagination to a point where we can believe that '...the public benefits of increased tax base, tax revenues, employment, or general economic health do not constitute a public use."
Which means that YOUR children getting a better education, PEOPLE having jobs, and the GENERAL ECONOMIC HEALTH of Peekskill do not constitute a public use.
Mary, wouldn't the public be using these benefits? Its not a play on words but the type of reasoning that goes into these types of projects.
Mary Foster is putting the owners of the Crossroads Shopping Center ahead of the people of Peekskill. It is plain and its simple. Because who benefits from having an ugly mall in our Downtown -- no one -- except the owners of the Crossroads Shopping Center.
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2 comments:
Curious if anyone else was also surprised by M.F.'s recent use of "Hon." before her name when she signs a letter (as when she wrote a letter to the editor of the NCN). I searched extensively for etiquette regarding the use of Honorable as a title, & found that it is generally reserved for high-ranking officials, but may be used for state or county officials that are elected or appointed. The most local level it would used in would be for Mayors (or presiding officers in a local jurisdiction.) It is NOT used for Council Members. They are simply addressed by the title "Council Member". Is this another example of her "wishful thinking"? You are NOT the Mayor, M.F. (but perhaps a little pretentious?)
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