Last week, I mentioned that eminent domain was an issue that Jeanette Moll had a very big point to make and that I wanted to devote an entire post to the issue.
Background:
At a Holmes County Central and Executive Committee meeting, the candidates for the 18th were each given time to speak briefly about themselves. The floor was then opened for questions. Dave Hall is a Holmes County Commissioner and the Republican candidate for State Representative in the 97th District. Hall is also the President of Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association (OMEGA) which is the local development district for the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). Hall’s questions focused on infrastructure needs and eminent domain. Moll was the only candidate who spoke about these issues as they relate specifically to the 18th district. Hall has subsequently endorsed Moll for Congress.
The ARC is a regional economic development agency representing a partnership of federal, state, and local governments. It is composed of the governors of the 13 Appalachian states and a federal co-chair, appointed by the President. Local participation is provided through multi-county local development districts with board made up of elected officials, businesspeople, and other local leaders. (www.arc.gov)
Issue:
In Guernsey County, Route 209 was expanded from the intersection of Interstate 70 south towards Byesville. The widening of this route lead to the Ohio Department of Transportation taking numerous family homes. These cases then came before the Guernsey County Court of Common Pleas. The Judge referred the case to mediation to try to resolve the disputes between the landowners and ODOT. I mediated many of these cases and therefore, understand the impact felt by the citizens of the 18th District.
Southeastern Ohio is a place where family histories run deep. Often, the family home is passed on from one generation to the next. When the state took these homes, there was more than an economic impact. Many of these families were losing part of their family history. Homes that had been lived in for decades and homes that were intended to be passed on to the next generation were affected. Thus, the mediation of these cases involved more than an understanding of the law and economic values but also an understanding of the region and the values of the region.
When the government uses its power of eminent domain (or takings), it is important to realize that there are personal impacts felt. A house of a certain monetary value in an area does not necessarily directly correspond with another home of the same monetary value in that region when family history and stability is at issue. Efforts must be made to improve communities while weighing the impact on individual rights. A balance must be reached. Such a balance was the goal of the mediations I conducted. The mediation process focused on all aspects of the takings to reach resolutions that were fair and equitable. As a member of Congress, I will represent the people of the 18th in a manner that reflects the values of the district while striving to improve the communities within the District.
I invite Paul Phillips to weigh in, on the record, on this issue because I believe that this could be a sleeper issue in OH-18.
