Federation of Connecticut Taxpayer Organizations

''The Fifth Amendment to the Constitution says 'nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.' This is a tacit recognition of a preexisting power to take private property for public use, rather than a grant of new power.''160 Eminent domain ''appertains to every independent government. It requires no constitutional recognition; it is an attribute of sovereignty.''161 In the early years of the nation the federal power of eminent domain lay dormant,162 and it was not until 1876 that its existence was recognized by the Supreme Court. In Kohl v. United States163 any doubts were laid to rest, as the Court affirmed that the power was as necessary to the existence of the National Government as it was to the existence of any State. The federal power of eminent domain is, of course, limited by the grants of power in the Constitution, so that property may only be taken for the effectuation of a granted power,164 but once this is conceded the ambit of national powers is so wide- ranging that vast numbers of objects may be effected.165 This prerogative of the National Government can neither be enlarged nor diminished by a State.166 Whenever lands in a State are needed for a public purpose, Congress may authorize that they be taken, either by proceedings in the courts of the State, with its consent, or by proceedings in the courts of the United States, with or without any consent or concurrent act of the State.167

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Flo Stahl, flostahl@snet.net

Avon Taxpayers Associaiton

Subject:� New Website www.avontaxpayersassn.org

April 5, 2004�

Hi Susan!�� Exciting things happening! That was a terrific article about our most deserving New Britain friends. We, too, are moving forward with our new
website. Would you kindly link it up as Vir suggested? Thank you, Susan,
and I look forward to seeing you and our dynamic board soon. Also, if
you could announce our website in your next general communication, that
would be great. Please visit the Avon Taxpayers Association website at:

www.avontaxpayersassn.org Best regards, Flo

Jim Mathias, SEECjm

Common Sense
website:�� EHCOMMONSENSE.TRIPOD.COM

Subject:� April 15 Meeting and Participation in the Chatham Roundtables Study Circles�

April 7l, 2004

The following was directed to the editor of Rivereast News Bulletin

Editor:� As has been our custom over the past six budget cycles, the East Hampton Citizen/Taxpayer Group Common Sense has scheduled a public meeting on Thursday, April 15, 2004, at 7 PM at the East Hampton Senior Center to present our perspective on the proposed 04-05 budget to be voted on at the April 20, 2004, referendum.�� Both the Board of Finance and Town Council have agreed on a proposed spending limit that trimmed nearly $300,000 from the original proposal. � Our analysis will include how this proposal meets our criteria for a reasonable and responsible budget by applying standard indices, economic realities, grand list growth, efficiencies and spending allocations.� We did participate in the Chatham Roundtables Study Circles, sponsored by the Board of Finance, that appears to have gotten off to a good start in addressing budget matters in a more inclusive and deliberative manner which bodes well for the future.� Also on the 15th of April, Susan Kniep, President of the Federation of Connecticut Taxpayers�� Organizations, Inc. (FCTO), a statewide organization of which Common Sense is an affiliate, will be addressing issues of mutual concern to other Connecticut cities and towns. Certainly, if there is to be some relief for the taxpayer the more municipalities involved the stronger our voice will be.� For further information please visit our WEB site at EHCOMMONSENSE.TRIPOD.COM(.)� Sincerely,
Jim Mathias, Common Sense ___________________________________________________________________

Robert Young, ryoung0@snet.net

Wethersfield Taxpayers Association

Subject:�� Wethersfield Citizens Launch Petition Drive

March 28, 2004

�

Several citizen groups, spearheaded by the Wethersfield Taxpayer�s Association (WTXA) have started gathering signatures on two petitions.� The objective is to bring the controversial Cottone Field schemes before the voters and taxpayers for approval.� The issues involve the installation of high intensity stadium lights on four 70 to 80 foot high towers.� Also included is the installation of artificial turf.�� The oversight options available to the community are severely limited by the �Fast Tract Approach�, espoused and embarked on by the Town Council.� By the Towns own estimates (Kaestle and Boos Associates, Inc.), this controversial project could cost between $1,354,760 to $2,412,150.� The citizen�s coalition considers this a case of misdirected priorities and far more than taxpayers can afford in our current economy.� Exacerbating tax increase concerns is the impact that the recent re-valuation of dwellings will have on taxes.� The impact on the quality of life on a significant number of residents will also be great.� Mr. William Amo, a local resident recently told the council: �You are forcing us to live your life style, and not allowing us to live ours�.� Most important is the manner in which this project has been pushed through.� Neighborhood groups have been thwarted in their efforts to have Town Council consider all of the ramifications of this project.� Classic, is the manner that Council loaded their own advisory committee with admitted supporters of the project.� This approach has effectively closed the door to any meaningful dialog on this ill-conceived issue.� Taxpayers will be asked to sign the two �Ordinance Introducing Petitions,� to be presented to Council.� One deals with lights and the other with the artificial turf.� The key objective is to let voters and taxpayers decide the issue.� The groups are confident that they will easily gather the 900 or more required signatures of Wethersfield�s registered voters.� Once certified by the Town Clerk the petitions will be presented to Council.� After an appropriate hearing, Council has two choices, accept or reject.� A rejection must then go to the voters for a final decision, per the requirements of Section 312 of the Town charter.�� Contacts:� Rocco Orsini� 563-3246;�� George A. Ruhe�� 529-7196

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Robert Green, green_robert@hotmail.com

Chairman, Salem RTC; Member, Salem BOE�

Subject:� Salem Board of Ed Budget

April 4, 2004

Since I am a sitting BOE member in Salem, please allow me to expound on
Salem's BOE budget. The Superintendent's initial "wish list" proposal was
13.2 percent. That was pared down to 9.2 percent. I told the Board at that
meeting that the Town would NOT even consider a budget above 6 percent and
also stated that I would not support any budget above 6 percent and
addressed issues of salaries/benefits (thank you binding arbitration) and
the issue of the Regional Multicultural Magnet School in New London (an
institution that I refer to as a taxpayer funded private school). The Board
managed to dodge these issues and pare the budget down even further to 4.74
percent thanks to a surplus this past school year in salaries and health
benefits in the administrative line (due the hiring of interim personnel
this past year). Salem's Board of Finance, rather than have the BOE return
the surplus to the Town, they reduced next year's budget by the amount of
the surplus and instructed the BOE to use that money for items now that
would have to wait until SY 04/05. While I feel that the budget could be
reduced another $70,000, the current budget proposal most likely will pass
at referendum, since this the first budget to go before the public with a
less than 5 percent increase in recent memory. This budget, along with the
proposed Town government, is expected to increase the mil rate by
approximately 1 mil to 31.� Bob Green, Chairman, Salem RTC Member, Salem BOE

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Susan Kniep, fctopresident@ctact.org

Subject:� Sex Offender List

April 5, 2004

The following is a valuable website.� Just type in a zip code and you will find if a sex offender is living near you.� �www.criminalcheck.com/sxowebsite/CriminalCheck.jsp

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