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Eminent Domain Case Study

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Ordinary People are allowed to be robbed from their private property by the government!
On May 24, the City Council of Dallas discussed item #11 on its agenda. Item #11 involves a case of eminent domain in which the council wants to low-ball an individual landowner out of his property to construct a ‘much needed’ waterline. For years, the owner, Monty Bennett, a wealthy businessman who founded the Ashford Hospitality Trust, has sued the council. He urges the Council to construct said pipeline around his property instead of right through it.
Bennett’s family purchased the land in 1955. In order to protect his land, Bennett has constructed a cemetery on his property for under Texas Law 711.035 cemeteries are exempt from "taxation, seizure by creditors and eminent domain." …show more content…
During the debate, she uttered her disbelief over Benett’s stance to keep his private property to himself. She stated: “Regular people like you and I who can’t afford to fight the City of Dallas over an eminent domain case for years and years wind up getting our property taken. […] It is infuriating [to know] that if you are rich enough you can hold the city hostage for years and then get what you want”.
Wow… (The full outrage of Mrs. Sandy Greyson can be found here).
Settlement
To no avail, Mrs. Greyson! According to the Star Telegram, the Council decided to settle the case on May 25. Therefore, Mr. Bennett succeeded to reach his goal and the construction of the $2.4 billion dollar pipeline will continue outside of his property.
We support Mr. Bennett and hopefully, the idea of a government stealing private property for its own merit will soon be a concept of the past.
Gustave De Molinari & Eminent Domain
But what is eminent domain? According to the Legal Dictionary, “eminent domain” defines itself

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