Eminent Domain Opponents Protest in Glassboro
More than a dozen eminent domain opponents demonstrated outside the Glassboro municipal building for an hour last weekend at the borough’s annual reorganization.
Organized by Glassboro United, Saturday’s protest was intended to spread the news that the borough has the power to use eminent domain to acquire property as it moves forward with its multi-million dollar downtown economic development plan.
In particular, the group supports Suleiman Arifi, 77, and his wife, Nora, 57, who lost their triplex at 213 W. High St. to eminent domain when the borough filed court papers in March 2007.
A prominent piece of real estate in the borough’s central business district, the building provided a mortgage-free home for the Arifis and generated a gross income of about $30,000 per year, the couple says.
To finalize the deal, the borough wants Suleiman Arifi to take $152,300, a figure he has refused. Then, the borough plans to sell the building to Arifi’s former tenant, beauty salon owner Jennifer Stachiotti of Clayton, for $250,000.
Superior Court Judge Georgia M. Curcio is scheduled to hear the issue on Jan. 31.
During Saturday’s protest in front of about 200 local and county officials and their guests attending the reorganization meeting, protesters carried signs that read: “Arifi’s home today, yours tomorrow.”
Not everyone who protested was from Glassboro.
“This is a foreign invasion,” said Dorothy Argyros, who lost her home in Monmouth County to eminent domain in 2004. “Losing your home or your business, which is your place of safety, is the next worse thing to losing your life.”
Pitman resident Patricia Ritter and her family participated in the demonstration to show solidarity with Glassboro United.
“We can’t believe that this could happen in Glassboro,” said Ritter. “I’m surprised that they would uproot this man from his house and his life — not to make a road or to put in a hospital — but to be used as a business by someone else.”
The demonstrators’ signs and banners drew honks of support and thumbs up from motorists passing by.
Eric Morales, a member of Glassboro United, said the borough plans to expand its downtown redevelopment zone this year. This means more Glassboro property owners could face eminent domain in the future, he said.
After demonstrating on the sidewalk, the protesters joined the overflow crowd at the borough meeting.
Although audience members saw the signs, many didn’t hear what the protesters had to say. Council called a five-minute recess prior to opening the floor for public comment, at which time many in the audience left.
Taking the microphone, Argyros urged council to pass an ordinance that would prohibit the borough from using eminent domain to take property from one person in order to sell it to someone else.
Such a measure has been enacted in Edison, she said.
Suleiman Arifi also spoke, trying to get an explanation as to why his West High Street property has been targeted by the borough for taking.
“I am under distress now, and you did this to me,” Arifi told the council. He said his health has declined due to stress and worry about his property.
“I am asking: Why are you taking my property? Why no answer?”
Arifi asked the same question at a December council meeting, but so far, members of council have declined comment, citing an upcoming court hearing.
http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080108/NEWS01/801080385/1006
Courier-Post Online
By JEANNE RIDGWAY
Courier-Post Staff
GLASSBORO
Tuesday, January 8, 2008