To the editor:
Thank you to the thousands of people who signed our “Save the Fountain” petition. I am so proud of our neighbors who spent the last six months organizing and advocating for our neighborhood, our properties and our quality of life.
Despite overwhelming neighborhood opposition, the eminent-domain land takings was passed. The 33 impacted households and businesses who signed the Broadway neighborhood letter of opposition couldn’t be more disappointed with the result.
Thank you Councilors-at-Large Brian LaPierre, Brian Field, and Hong Net for your courage and support. Thank you for listening to our neighborhood and representing your constituents throughout this arduous process.
Those who voted to take their neighbors and constituents’ properties by eminent domain with full knowledge that our property rights were denied was particularly outrageous. This outcome has and will continue to cause lasting personal hardship and emotional pain to everyone impacted.
I echo Councilor Nicole McClain, who incredulously wrote after voting against our neighborhood, “This group of Lynn residents have had to advocate for themselves and their property. This process has been a disservice to these residents…”
I am sure that all those who supported the eminent domain takings would be whistling a different tune if it was their properties being taken.
In January 2009, former president Barack Obama said, “Elections have consequences.” There will be future state and federally funded road projects taking place in Lynn. This election season I urge you to ask the candidates their position on eminent domain, neighborhood participation, and due process of law. Don’t let what happened to our neighborhood happen to yours.
Sincerely,
Salvy Migliaccio
Lynn
