Robert E. Anderson 3188 Taylor Road Hartford, WI 53027 William T. Golay Council President, Town of Speedway 5523 Hollister Dr Indianapolis, IN 46224-3321 Dear Mr. Golay: Thank you for our recent phone conversation where we discussed problems that manufactured home owners may face with the redevelopment plans coming before the Speedway Council. As you mentioned, the "trailer parks,"[1] may be condemned via eminent domain which would send the manufactured home owners packing. Again, my interest in this issue is my 71-year-old mother-in-law, Sally Adams, a resident of El Lou Mobile Home Park, who, like the predominantly elderly residents of both parks, would find moving her home a physical impossibility. Then, add to immovability the home's value to her alone and the exceptionally low and affordable lot rent charged by the park owners, and one can see that she and many others face becoming homeless without recourse. As we spoke, you were receptive to speaking with the "trailer park's" residents to determine their needs, because, after all, many I speak for couldn't travel to your town meetings. If you do this before next Monday's vote and you act on your findings, you will display the wisdom needed to head off what could be a long, uphill fight. The resolution of one such fight was reported on July 18, by Suzanne Travers of New Jersey's, Herald News. Here is an excerpt: Lodi trailer park residents rejoice LODI -- Ceding victory to residents and owners of two trailer parks in a five-year legal battle over eminent domain, the Borough Council has dropped its attempt to seize the privately owned property. The council voted unanimously Monday night to forgo an appeal of a lower court decision that found the borough had no grounds to seize about 20 acres at the trailer parks. Borough officials had argued the area along heavily traveled Route 46 was blighted and that allowing a private developer to redevelop the sites was in the public interest because it would boost tax revenues. But members of the newly installed five-member council, which took office July 1, said they decided to withdraw the appeal after concluding the borough would lose the court fight. Although this excerpt lacks details, perhaps you notice some similarities. One might ask, does Speedway's plan benefit public good or that of not so public interests? If the public's interest could not be proved beyond doubt, a case such as Speedway's is ripe for a civil liberties law firm like the Institute For Justice ( <http://www.ij.org/> www.ij.org) and many years of litigation. Your term ends in December but what kind of legacy is a long and costly court battle? And how would you look if the council approves the redevelopment concept and a top-gun reporter splashes the front page with stories from frail homeowners who have no idea what will happen to them? Mr. Golay, you state that next Monday's vote - which you assume will affirm the redevelopment - will only stamp the council's seal on the concept of Speedway's redevelopment with the details coming after approval of other government agencies and your term in office expires. But wouldn't it be good to establish now certain conditions preceding further action? Think of it as a conditional use permit for justice: * The mobile home park landowners will be paid fair market value and will receive X dollars compensation for lost business income for a period of X years. * All mobile home owners can choose to either: a. Relocate their home to another site within X miles radius - all expenses paid - and (at their choice) receive X thousand dollars for their trouble or ten years of lot rent at the new location above what they now pay. b. OR receive compensation for their home at fair market value plus X thousand dollars for relocation expenses. No homeowner will receive less than $20,000 (a reasonable price for a good used unit) for their home plus relocation expenses. The developer and other interests will reap a bountiful harvest from this venture. Isn't it right for a developer to offer modest gleanings to those who surrender the stability and assurance they have known for so long? Please consider adding such conditions to the redevelopment package now because, as this plan grows and more powerful actors become involved, justice will not be mentioned again. What shall your legacy be; he threw elderly widows out on the street or he cared for those who needed him? Psalms 11:7 The LORD is righteous, and he loves justice. Those who do what is right will see his face. Sincerely: Robert E. Anderson Robert E. Anderson _____ [1] Wilcox Mobile Home Park 1826 Georgetown Rd Indianapolis, IN 46224 El Lou Mobile Home Park 1714 Georgetown Rd Indianapolis, IN 46224 rticle