Hugo Chavez would love New York village's attempt to swipe private golf course

About a year ago, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that local municipalities may seize private property for development purposes. As one could imagine, this decision caused outrage and confusion. Would municipalities take advantage?

In Manhasset, New York, the Village of North Hills has decided to see just how far this new definition of eminent domain will go.

In a move sure to tickle Hugo Chavez, the Village of North Hills has made it clear that owning property means jack in their jurisdiction, and has announced plans to take over Deepdale Golf Club, a 175-acre privately owned facility, and make it a public golf course, leaving Deepdale’s current members and owners in the cold.

Already two lawsuits have been filed to stop this move, including one by John Wilson, a North Hills resident.

“This proposed condemnation may be the most extreme abuse of eminent domain in the country,” Wilson told the Manhasset Press.

“North Hills is trying to seize a private golf course for the purpose of creating a private ‘Village only’ golf course. This has nothing to do with a master plan that promotes the public good or eliminating blight … Rather, it is a naked grab for private property in an apparent effort to satisfy the private desires of a few elected officials,” Wilson added.

Yesterday, 120 residents showed up to North Hills Village Hall to discuss the controversial takeover, but were shut down by North Hills Mayor Marvin Natiss, who let them know the issue would not be discussed until at least April 19.

While it’s difficult to work up too much sympathy for Deepdale, an extremely private course that counts Matt Lauer and other celebrities as members, it’s impossible to side with the Village of North Hills unless a full-on Bolivar Revolution in the Northeast is your cup of tea.

–WKW