shotbanner.jpeg

June 28, 2005

Justice, Poetic?

Just desserts to be served in New Hampshire in the aftermath of the Kelo decision?

Could a hotel be built on the land owned by Supreme Court Justice David H. Souter? A new ruling by the Supreme Court which was supported by Justice Souter himself itself might allow it. A private developer is seeking to use this very law to build a hotel on Souter's land.

Justice Souter's vote in the "Kelo vs. City of New London" decision allows city governments to take land from one private owner and give it to another if the government will generate greater tax revenue or other economic benefits when the land is developed by the new owner.

On Monday June 27, Logan Darrow Clements, faxed a request to Chip Meany the code enforcement officer of the Towne of Weare, New Hampshire seeking to start the application process to build a hotel on 34 Cilley Hill Road. This is the present location of Mr. Souter's home.

Clements, CEO of Freestar Media, LLC, points out that the City of Weare will certainly gain greater tax revenue and economic benefits with a hotel on 34 Cilley Hill Road than allowing Mr. Souter to own the land.

Wow. Wouldn't that be ironic?
The proposed development, called "The Lost Liberty Hotel" will feature the "Just Desserts Café" and include a museum, open to the public, featuring a permanent exhibit on the loss of freedom in America. Instead of a Gideon's Bible each guest will receive a free copy of Ayn Rand's novel "Atlas Shrugged."

Clements indicated that the hotel must be built on this particular piece of land because it is a unique site being the home of someone largely responsible for destroying property rights for all Americans.

"This is not a prank" said Clements, "The Towne of Weare has five people on the Board of Selectmen. If three of them vote to use the power of eminent domain to take this land from Mr. Souter we can begin our hotel development."

And New Hampshire is just flaky enough for this to happen.

In theory.

Clements' plan is to raise investment capital from wealthy pro-liberty investors and draw up architectural plans. These plans would then be used to raise investment capital for the project. Clements hopes that regular customers of the hotel might include supporters of the Institute For Justice and participants in the Free State Project among others.
Is it too early to reserve a room?

Posted by Mitch at June 28, 2005 06:40 PM | TrackBack
Comments

Boy, and I love that town. On the road between Keene and my hometown of Manchester, nice hills for some skiing nearby, nice lakes (ponds by MN standards). It's about seven miles from where I went to college.

Posted by: kb at June 28, 2005 02:05 PM

Whoops, sent post too early. Anyway, Mitch, I'd love to show you around the old stomping grounds.

And, a further connection -- Souter's mother lived in north Manchester on my old paper route. Seems about time they gave me a bed to crash in. I'd put it to good use.

Posted by: kb at June 28, 2005 02:07 PM

Other than the SCOTUS majority, New London, and Pfizer, is there anyone who really supports this decision?

Posted by: bob jones at June 28, 2005 02:08 PM

Re: bob jones at June 28, 2005 02:08 PM

Commercial building contractors with kids to send to college, and yacht payments to make?

Posted by: RBMN at June 28, 2005 02:48 PM

Ahhh, sweet karmic justice. Now if only we can get some corporation to sue Google for "inducing infringement" to take the edge off the Grokster decision...

Posted by: Ernst Stavro Blofeld at June 28, 2005 04:40 PM

Sadly, New Hampshire does not allow this sort of abuse of eminent domain. More at http://billstclair.com/blog/050629.html#clements

Posted by: Dave Polaschek at June 29, 2005 07:13 AM

It matters not if they do or don't (neither does IL at the moment) >> this Supreme Court ruling will set the precedence for it. Sadly, most all other states will cite it in coming cases and fall into line.

Posted by: Mark C. at July 5, 2005 04:52 PM

Chicken Recipes - If you need chicken recipes go here http://www.quickchickenrecipe.com

Posted by: Chicken Recipes at November 25, 2005 12:50 PM
Post a comment









Remember personal info?
hi