Just say no to eminent domain

I would like to publicly thank County Supervisors Linda Parks and Peter Foy for voting against the use of eminent domain regarding the Home Acres water project.

This case highlights how ridiculously unfair government officials attempt to be when valuing a property for the purpose of taking it from the rightful owner by force.

The county's value: $62,500. The property owner's value as per the professional appraiser they hired: $1 million. I challenge anyone to find an eminent domain case where the government's appraisal was anywhere close to the property owner's appraisal.

Property rights are one of the cornerstones of democracy. There are no property rights when the government has the power to take your property against your will. We simply cannot afford to empower government with powers of eminent domain.

Eminent domain was overwhelmingly crushed in Moorpark by the citizens of Moorpark. Supervisors who wish to remain supervisors should take note. The people will not stand for it.

Eminent domain is stealing. Shame on anyone who supports eminent domain. Shame on the three supervisors who voted in favor of it. The only conceivable legitimate use of eminent domain would be in the event of a national security emergency, but there are other tools that are available in that situation. Eminent domain can never be justified in a true democracy. Randy Wheeler Moorpark