Willets Point
Times Ledger, November 23, 2007
Former Borough President Claire Shulman continued her cross-borough tour in support of Mayor Michael Bloomberg's Willets Point redevelopment plan Monday night, telling the Queens Civic Congress she expects a legal battle to take place, but does not believe eminent domain will be used by the city.
The city's plan is expected to start the six-month-long public approval process as soon as February, and Shulman said a developer could be selected as early as next fall. The project remains fraught with obstacles, however, including the need for an extensive environmental cleanup, millions in infrastructure costs and, most pressingly, the 1,300 workers and 250 businesses which will need to be moved.
Shulman said the legitimate businesses at Willets Point deserve fair negotiations with the city, but stopped short of saying they deserve to stay on the 60-acre site.
She said she believes the city has firm legal standing and should not take eminent domain off the table, but does not think the controversial practice will be used when all is said and done.
"Eminent domain is a bottom line and I don't believe it will ever be used" she said. "But it's not in [the business owners'] best interest to wait for eminent domain."
-All too frequently, retired elected officials jump at the opportunity to promote eminent domain actions. Somehow, officials feel that their name becomes good when attached to a successful private taking project such as Willets Point. It is hard to imagine that the former president would know whether owners are better or worse off to await the condemnation.
How long does society have to suffer the damage of ego driven politicians whose 'glory days' are over? Claire Shulman, in an increasing attempt to leave some sort of legacy, has picked up Messrs. Wilpon and Bloomberg's 'baton' and has become the point MAN in this blatant destruction of family businesses and property seizure! Is it right to destroy people and family businesses to 'beautify' an area so Met fans (and Mr. Wilpon) can have a NEW legacy? And in the process actually penalize the surrounding communities by removing their ability to obtain auto (and related) services? This rampant governmental 'eminent domain' process will cause revolution in this country...Remember this:.A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have...Thomas Jefferson
K. Staruch