Scott Mahan and Ken Haskin from Save Ardmore Coalition join Susett Kelo for a special dedication a couple days before the 3rd anniversary of Kelo, which is June 23, 2008. Susett Now lives across the river from New London. The development site which eradicated her neighborhood is still a big empty lot - nothing seems to be progressing of the development that was so important it took a journey to the U.S. Supreme Court for approval. Eminent domain still exists and to date, federal legisaltion has not yet been passed. Make it an election issue in 2008: demand to know where Obama and McCain stand on the issue. Susett's little pink cottage now sits close by, and is actually once more in the place it originated from when it was built. This much traveled cottage will be remembered forever as the house that sparked a national movement. For more on eminent domain visit www.IJ.org or www.castlecoalition.org. Never forget. We Haven't.

Yes, it's true: we have not forgotten ever what brought us all together: EMINENT DOMAIN FOR PRIVATE GAIN. In Lower Merion, The Save Ardmore Coalition defeated the potential use of eminent domain, helped influence state legislation, provided testimony to the U.S. Congressional Record for then bill H.R. 4128, and many other things.

Susett Kelo is someone our group is proud to call a friend, and out of respect for that friendship SACcers Scott Mahan and Ken Haskin traveled Saturday, June 21, 2008 to New London, CT to celebrate a special dedication related to Kelo Day and the 3rd anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in a very special way. Here is the report from Scott Mahan:

Ken Haskin and I traveled to Connecticut yesterday to join Susette Kelo and other activists from across the country celebrate the new location of her "little pink house". This house became a symbol of the battle for property rights in the United States. As the threat of eminent domain abuse loomed on us on the Main Line, Susette and the Institute for Justice took her case all the way to the United States Supreme Court. The 5 to 4 decision was handed down on June 23rd 2005...the USSC decided against Susette Kelo and her neighbors. This sparked a nationwide backlash that has changed property rights law in 42 states, including Pennsylvania. SAC was an integral part in changing our state's laws. We continue to work with IJ and concerned citizens on the Main Line and beyond. The Kelo decision was important to us in Lower Merion. If she would have won, the eminent domain wrecking ball would continue to roll as people would have gone about their lives believing.."of course our property is safe, this is the United States of America!".. but because she lost, they realized that "if it can happen to her, it can happen to us"..that it was not just "that little pink house in New England, it was those businesses on Lancaster Avenue in Ardmore that are in danger as well!" As Susette put it yesterday.."We lost a battle at the USSC on June 23 2005, but we continue to win the war as 42 states have since enacted property rights protection."

You can read more at http://www.ij.org/private_property/connecticut/6_18_08pr.html

The Day: Cause Is Lost, But Symbol Lives
By Kira Goldenberg Published on 6/22/2008

New London - Avner Gregory's new home on Franklin Street sticks out from the houses around it. His house has a stone stake in the front yard that says “Not for sale.” Also, it's an eye-grabbing shade of pink.

But 36 Franklin St., which was originally Susette Kelo's home in the Fort Trumbull neighborhood and became the focal point of a Supreme Court case that sought - and failed - to save her neighborhood, is just as much a symbol as it is a house.

Its reopening at its new location Saturday afternoon drew a crowd comprising fellow plaintiffs and locals as well as activist visitors from throughout the region. Institute for Justice senior attorneys Scott Bullock and Dana Berliner traveled from Virginia for the occasion. Bullock had argued Kelo v. City of New London before the U.S. Supreme Court in 2005.

They all thronged the property, pervading the quiet street with anti-eminent domain spirit to the tune of resident Dan Gross singing “Shame Shame Eminent Domain” in the backyard.