To Carlos, Jr, founder of the Community Youth Athletic Center: I saw the news about your eminent domain fight making national news. Let ’em have it, champ. It’s easy to see the David and Goliath bout taking place here.
I do have a question for you: the city offered CYAC $665,000 for your store front building and a lease for $1/yr for 99 years. That seems adequate compensation, except for the whole ethical issue of forced condemnation.
Why don’t you force the developer to provide CYAC with your own facility in the midst of their fancy project, a facility storefront that you would own? It would be a new building in about the same location, humbling and embarrassing to them, for attracting the same rough and tough poverty-class kids into their fancy downtown project. Just a thought.
I’ve known you for many years in construction as a tradesman of high integrity with a sterling work ethic. You’ve suffered through the crippling trauma of your recent car accident, so this episode is just small-time for you. Besides, you have the Lord God on your side, and your humble slingshot. These should be enough to drop the bigwigs of National City to their knees for a technical knockout.