EXTRA: Missouri City Officials Finally Open Up About Eminent Domain Abuse Lawsuit!
"City officials are expecting to learn the fate of their eminent domain proceedings involving the Quail Valley property. A court date is expected soon for a jury trial that could determine a final value for the disputed 400 acres.
Missouri City acquired the park in 2008 from its previous owner, Renaissance Golf Group LLC, after a judge set its fair market value at $3.1 million. The city began making preliminary repairs and improvements to reopen the golf course. But more ambitious improvements designed to turn the property into a community gathering place and visitor destination await a jury decision.
“Everything depends on the value set by the jury,” said Reiter, who — like other city officials — worries what will happen if a jury sets the price too high." Houston Chronicle (click the title link for the full piece)
MCC comment/opinion:
-Why would city officials have remained mum on the eminent domain abuse lawsuit against the mayor, several on council and the city before the $17.5 million dollar bond election? Why are they so free with the information now, when before the election all this was discussed in executive session. Were residents aware that the city also raised their property taxes in Sept. once again and that most of these "big" projects have either long-term tax abatements or special tax zoning, meaning it could be many years before the city gets increased funding from those projects?
Looks like the spring elections have already begun. Better follow the money folks because many promises have been made to this point and so far only the public is left holding the proverbial bag.
posted by responsible_dvlpmnt at Monday, December 29, 2008
6 Comments:
From local blogs on this:
transparencyingovt wrote:
Why would city officials have remained mum on the eminent domain abuse lawsuit against the mayor, several on council and the city before the 17.5 million dollar bond election? Why are they so free with the information now when before the election all this was discussed in executive session. Were residents aware that the city also raised their property taxes once again and that most of these "big" projects have either long-term tax abatements or special tax zoning, meaning it could be many years before the city gets increased funding from those projects?
Looks like the spring elections have already begun. Better follow the money folks because many promises have been made to this point and so far only the public is left holding the bag.
12/29/2008 10:30:10 PM
Recommend: (8)
JoePlainTalk wrote:
What the article doesn't say and what is really revealing about our City Officials is that about half of the Bond Issue money ($8 million plus) was already spent when it was approved by the voters. So much for voter approval and input. Also, most savvy investors don't invest their hard earned funds in real estate before they have title, but not this group. I'm thinking that the City Council really doesn't care if the City wins or loses the Eminent Domain proceeding because over $8 million is already invested in the Course. They don't lose a penny and their back yards (for four Council Members) look great. You can bet in the upcoming elections that the Council Members will take every bit of credit they can for the City's schools (no control over); low crime rate (wait till the 2008 stats go public); and the favorable economy (highest foreclosure rate in Texas).
12/30/2008 10:04:03 AM
Recommend: (4)
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
more:
wrote:
IMO,hopefully after 3 years of very active campaign cycles, after decades of silence, in the city the residents have woken up to the gross mismanagement being forced on them. Since 2006 we have seen 2 new faces and a near miss in district A. Now if only the mayor would step down or the council would push for term limitations you could break the backs of the special interest that show up on some of the entrenched members campaign financial reports (free for the asking at city hall or via e-mail from last spring...get them they are a story in themselves).
12/30/2008 4:40:25 PM
Recommend: (2)
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
We've seen who is backing this mayor and some on council financially and it is no surprise that the news taxpayers pay for coming from the cities communications office is highly filtered. They have to give the city a squeaky clean look so they can sell more homes for their contributors!
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Post a Comment
<< Home