![[Le Mars Daily Sentinel]](http://www.lemarssentinel.com/images/nameplate-small.png){kind=small}
RSS
Print
Email link
Respond to editor
Read comments (1)"It's a necessary step before we would be able to actually pursue the possible use of eminent domain," said Robert Held, Hinton School Board president.
(Advertisement)
|
The district has attempted to purchase 8 acres next to the existing school to construct a new pre-kindergarten through third grade building and competitive gymnasium.
But property owners, Kevin and Annette Held did not accept the district's initial purchase offer nor will they submit a counteroffer for the property.
The Helds did not return calls from the Daily Sentinel.
The Helds' decision led the school board to consider other options including using eminent domain, which is its right as a governmental entity to obtain private property at fair market value for public use under Iowa law. To do so it must show a definite need for the land.
Last week school board members discussed two other options for locations of the new school.
One would be to try to purchase or obtain using eminent domain 12 acres of land, also owned by Kevin and Annette Held, west of the school building. The other option is to consider trying to obtain both 8 acres and 12 acres, a total of 20 acres, Robert Held said.
"It came about because the public pretty strongly indicated it would like to build close to the existing school," Robert Held said. "We are just looking at this, the possible use of eminent domain as one of our options."
At July meeting, a majority of 84 community members in attendance indicated by a show of hands a preference to build a new elementary close to the existing building instead of on land already owned by the school district and the city, west of Marrland Heights Addition.
School board members and officials said earlier there is an immediate need for a new elementary school because of current overcrowding problems, which has led to the use of portable classrooms. Enrollment numbers continue to climb.
"The construction project for the new elementary school and the gymnasium is of utmost urgency," Robert Held said. "That's what really drove us to the possible use of eminent domain."
The school board will hold a special meeting in November following the public hearing. Board members may take action at that time as to their next step toward building a new school.
Watch out citizens of Hinton! How can anyone believe that eminent domain is a good thing, unless you're on the government end, of course. Fair market value or not, this is just one more proof that we never truly "own" our property. If you stop paying your property taxes, you'll find out quickly that the land isn't really "yours." Eminent domain is a slippery slope. You may think it's a fine thing right now because they are only looking at farm land. What happens when your HOUSE is in the way next time they need to expand?
I don't know the Helds and I do not reside in Hinton. I don't know what their reasons are for not selling (apparently not $ or they would have countered), but I applaud them on principle alone. Good luck keeping your property. (You may want to consider a land trade with the current prices...make the school buy you property you want elsewhere and trade acre for acre.)