VB Council votes to support Eminent Domain amendment
By Brian Kirwin | Wednesday, January 25th, 2012 | PolicyVirginia Beach City Council narrowly passed a resolution to support the Constitutional Amendment concerning Eminent Domain, which is being considered by the General Assembly.
The resolution, authored by Glenn Davis and co-sponsored by members Rosemary Wilson,Harry Diezel, Bob Dyer, Barbara Henley, John Uhrin and Jim Wood, passed Tuesday by a narrow 1-vote margin.
The amendment is patroned by Sen. Mark Obenshain, SJ 3, and Del. Robert Bell, HJ 5.
Council also urged passage of companion legislation also offered by Sen. Mark Obenshain, SB 437, and Del. Anne Crockett-Stark, HB 597, which provide definitions as provided by the Amendment legislation.
The crowded City Council chambers didn’t seem too happy with the result, however, but Council stood its ground and sent a strong message to the General Assembly to support and pass these protections for citizens and private property.
“The rights of our citizens to their property are fundamental rights that ought to be provided the highest of legal protection, and government should only interfere with such ownership for public use and only upon payment of full and fair compensation,” states the resolution.
Most of the NO votes were Council members who won’t be on the ballot this fall, when presumably the Amendment would be on the ballot for referendum.
It has to pass the General Assembly first, though, and with most of the Senators voting yes last year in the Senate Privileges and Elections committee still there, and a few Nos replaced, one should assume that it should pass at least to the Senate Floor.
VB City Council has done their part.
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About the author
The right wants to jeer him. The left wants to censor him. Moderates usually want both. Brian Kirwin is a political consultant and public relations strategist in Virginia Beach with a lightning-rod flair. Brian also serves on the VB Arts & Humanities Commission and frequently appears on Hampton Roads theatrical stages, if only to prove that all actors aren’t liberals. Kirwin’s columns stir up debate and hit the political scene with no punches pulled.
Comments
4 Responses to "VB Council votes to support Eminent Domain amendment"
Council just strengthened the case for light rail in Virginia Beach. The City owns the right of way, while the amendment would drastically increase the price of building roads.
Brian, I do not agree with your assertion that the vote was to support the resolution supporting the amendment.
In fact, the Moss resolution, which was the direct support of the resolution, failed. Moss’s motion to put the motions on the table failed as well.
The substitute motion, to support the language that defined some of the terms in the amendment, but which does not support the existing amendment, passed.
So your characterization that the majority that voted for the resolution that passed is in support of the proposed amendment is in error.
This on the heels of the new Spotsy BoS supporting the ED amendment. Maybe the tide is turning!
This is absolutely horrible public policy at its worst mob level. “Just run that darn ray road yonder over on that other tree…” Sickening.
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