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Earlier this week, I higlighted a potential abuse of eminent domain by the City of Dacula.  I am very happy to be able to use the word "potential" because the Dacula City Council did the right thing and declined to legally steal Sam Hinton's property in downtown Dacula.  Criticizing elected officials when they do the wrong thing is easy, but all too often we fail to praise them when they do the right thing.  Setting aside the concern that this matter should have ever gotten this far, I do want to publically applaud the following members of the Dacula City Council for their "no" votes: Tim Montgomery and Gregory Reeves.  Also, casting the deciding "no" vote after the council tied 2-2 was Mayor Jimmy Wilbanks, saying, "I am not going to make this decision by myself.  This is a property right, so I’m going to vote against the motion.”  

Mayor Wilbanks was exactly right - this was about property rights.  Which is why Dacula voters should ask Sue Robinson and Wendell Holcombe why they voted to abuse eminent domain power to force Mr. Hinton to sell his land to the city?  Are their votes indicative of their general view on property rights or do they feel there is a legitimate, critical need for the City of Dacula to take this property from its owner?  Councilpersons Robinson and Holcome, the residents of Dacula deserve a very clear understanding of what precisely are your views on the use of governmental power with regard to property rights.  The Gwinnett Buzz would be more than willing to publish an article by either of you discussing your views and an explanation of how you voted as you did.  You can contact me on the contact page above and I will publish your comments unedited.

Whether you avail yourself of this avenue or some other, I urge you to explain yourselves to your constituents.  Last fall, Americans showed that they are no longer complacent with elected officials who tread on the people.  Thursday night's vote will not simply slip into the fog of memory prior to the next election.  If Ms. Robinson and Mr. Holcombe refuse to defend this vote, I am confident that the good people of Dacula will respond accordingly when they next visit the ballot box.  Similarly, while one vote does not give a pass to Councilmen Montgomery and Reeves or Mayor Wilbanks, these gentlemen deserve credit for protecting the cherished and crucial American right to property.