Your Property Rights at Risk
The Supreme Court has refused to hear the appeal by property owners hoping to overturn its previous decision that found in favor of the City of New London, Connecticut, over the property rights of individual citizens. Under its newly expanded law of Eminent Domain, the Court had allowed for the first time ever private property to be taken for private Economic Development. Property taken from private citizens and turned over to Corporate Developers (In this case Pfizer ) for what is considered fair compensation. The Justices cast 5 votes for and 4 against.
Reactions around the Country “ the Supreme Court has brought Shock and Awe right to our front door “ “ Supreme Court favors big Business and Big Government over our individual property rights”.
The Law of Home Rule is what is being cited as the last protection from Government seizure of private property. New York is a Home Rule State where Municipal Government can write it’s own law. It is therefore important for ATHENS Village property owners to know where the ATHENS Mayor and Town Board stand on this recent Supreme Court decision and whether or not we can depend upon them to protect us from property seizures.
ATHENS possesses the most sought after of natural resources… WATER…. for recreation and industry and access to the waterfront. It would not be hard to imagine that a County or State government entity might find access to the Hudson River via the ATHENS Waterfront “ NECESSARY for ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT”.
ATHENS possesses a Historic District ripe for Development but who will have the right to develop it ?
We all agree that Greene County needs to encourage
development…..bring new jobs ,
housing and opportunity to the area.
What we don’t need is to be Steam Rollered by Corporate Concerns which are on a development schedule dictated by the needs of huge Money Lenders funding this massive development initiative. The Greene County Economic Development Corporation does not offer the tax exempt bonding option on loans of less than one million dollars citing the lengthy process and fees of lawyers, accountants and investment bankers…..they state that “Generally any project under $1 million is not worth the time and expense”.
Small family owned businesses will have to compete with Corporate Giants virtually wiping out small business startups before they have a chance to prosper. Even though there are limited funds available to small business through various County, State and Federal programs the red tape and requirements are not being pushed aside for small business as they are to encourage Big Business, likewise the tax breaks and incentives are not equally given.
A policy of development should be followed which empowers the local
citizens so that they can share in the wealth of being small business
entrepreneurs instead of minimally paid employees of Multinational Box
Stores. A policy limiting Tax Breaks for out of County
Enterprises who wish to relocate here so that we will have the funds to
repair and upgrade our sewer plant and other infrastructure.
There are people in local government that think the only way to attract business to a resource rich area like Greene County and particularly communities on the banks of the Hudson is to “ Give Away The Farm “. Greene County’s time has come anyway without giving it away to big business. It just might take a bit more work on the part of government and patience on the part of the citizens while creative plans which will benefit local property owners and citizens are sought out and developed with the backing of local lending institutions and other available resources.
We have asked the Village Mayor and Board of Trustees to stand behind
the citizens of
ATHENS not over us.
We at Concerned Americans for Responsible Development are
Pro-Development
providing all procedures and laws are followed in the planning process
and that the citizens are notified and brought into this process.
Time must be given for hard working people to attend meetings and become informed so that they can take part in the changes being made in their Village. We seek to fill the information gap and encourage all citizens to come to Village Board meetings.
Call the Village Clerk and get on the Agenda…. sign up to speak your piece or just come by to observe the issues being discussed.
Village Clerk 945 – 1551 Meetings
at …. 2 first St….. Athens Village Hall
Village meeting 2nd Wednesday of each Month – open meeting
( speak or observe ) ( call to get on the agenda )
Village meeting 4th Wednesday of each Month – working meeting ( observe
)
HOW DOES THE MAYOR and VILLAGE BOARD stand on HOME RULE ?
Come to the meeting or write and ask them !