A couple of Georgia florists battle eminent domain.
Mark and Regina Meeks are still fighting the city’s effort to condemn their shop. Photo: Henry (County, GA) Daily Herald.
Stockbridge Florist & Gifts is “The Little Shop that Could.” Owners Mark and Regina Meeks have stood firm versus their city council’s effort to demolish the store, a battle that’s gone all the way to the Georgia statehouse.
“Stockbridge wants to include the Meekses’ property in its 22-acre redevelopment area, where it plans to build a new city hall and a parking deck, but turn over much of the property to private developers, who would build multi-level offices and shops.” The city hired an appraiser, who valued the property at $250,000, a third of what the flower shop owners say they had been offered by a drug store company.
“They appealed a September condemnation award of $421,500,” and last week Superior Court Judge Arch McGarity ruled against the city of Stockbridge, saying “the city failed to show exactly why it was taking the property.”
Nationwide, the whole question of eminent domain—the government’s powers to claim private lands—has been at issue. Last summer the U.S. Supreme Court made a very controversial decision against private landowners in New England. “The court ruled a (Connecticut) town could take people’s property at a court-set price and sell it to for-profit businesses to redevelop. An angry public backlash caused legislatures (to) consider weaknesses in state laws. More than 30 states have considered new laws to limit such takings.”
Thanks to the Meekses’ pugnacity, Georgia is one. Last week, not only did the Henry County Superior Court Judge toss out the city’s condemnation attempt, the Georgia governor signed into law new restrictions on eminent domain. (The new laws don’t actually affect the Meekses, though, since their case was under review prior to February 7, when House Bill 1313 was introduced. Reporter Michael Davis must be dizzy, covering all the switchbacks and see-saws of this dispute.)
Now the city council of Stockbridge is appealing the judge’s ruling and hopes to proceed with its condemnation of the flower shop. Stockbridge has already begun demoliton for its proposed city re-development.
So, flower buyers, look out for falling debris! But please patronize Stockbridge Florist & Gifts. The Meekses have already shelled out more than $160,000 in legal fees and their fight’s not over yet.
Hello Mark & Regina,I want you to know how proud Iam of you & the knowing how difficult this is & I truely support all your efforts.I have been a Florist Herbalist & Land Owner “Steward ” for 35 years.I,like you, have come up against my local county in defense of my land be devided.Large Land Developers seem to get priority when it comes ro there needs being met.Unfortunatly The needs of 169 individuals like my self seem to have our paper work put aside while the developers are stream lined through the system. With out to many reqirements. As for the people like you or me we have very large expenses & new ordanances that seem to reguire more permit expenses etc.So when reading about your fight to win the right to have your shop be right where it always as been.I send you Strength, Support,& the endurance to over come the Fear, these kinds of CREATURES , who feel they have the define right to Bully us out.With Sicerity To all, who do the good work. I send you Green Blessings & Prayers The Highest Good Be the outcome Yvonne Rose