Episode 2011
Farm or Housing? Eric G's Epic Showdown with the State of Oregon
Today’s chat is all about the wild ride of eminent domain, where a township is eyeing a long-standing family farm in Cranberry, New Jersey, to snag it for some shiny new affordable housing. I mean, come on! This farm has been in the family for 175 years, and they’ve said a big fat “no thanks” to offers up to $30 million! It’s a classic case of David versus Goliath, and I’m feeling a little fired up, especially since I’m gearing up to tussle with the State of Oregon myself over some property rights. We’re diving into the nitty-gritty of what happens when government swoops in and takes land, and trust me, it’s not just a walk in the park. So grab a comfy seat, because we’re about to unpack some serious issues that hit home for so many of us!
Tensions are rising in Cranberry, New Jersey, where a family farm that's been in the Henry family for 175 years is facing the looming threat of eminent domain. Eric G dives into this hot topic during his midweek update, and let me tell you, he’s not holding back! As he shares the story of this family’s fight against the township's decision to seize their land for 'affordable housing,' you can practically feel the sparks flying. We’re talking about a farm that’s been lovingly tended and cherished through generations, now being eyed by developers and local government for something they deem more 'useful.' Eric’s frustration is palpable as he discusses the ridiculousness of the situation—especially when the family has turned down offers of up to $30 million! He argues passionately that when the government comes knocking, they should at least offer fair compensation—something that seems to be missing in this case.
But wait, there's more! Eric draws parallels with his own battle in Lake Oswego, Oregon, where he’s feeling the heat as the state begins to encroach on his lake rights. He shares his personal experience, bringing a relatable twist to the conversation about property rights and the government’s role in urban development. With a mix of humor and genuine concern, Eric paints a picture of what it means for everyday citizens when their rights are jeopardized. He emphasizes the importance of standing up against these injustices, not just for the Henry family but for all of us who have invested our lives into our homes and properties.
This episode is a wake-up call, urging listeners to consider the implications of eminent domain and to reflect on the value of our homes, our rights, and our communities. Eric's call to arms is clear: if we don’t stand up for ourselves, who will? He’s got plans to collaborate with the Institute for Justice, and we’re all waiting with bated breath to see how this saga unfolds. Stay tuned for more updates on both the Cranberry farm and Eric's own fight in Oregon as they navigate these choppy waters of property rights and government overreach!
Takeaways:
- Eric G dives into the controversial issue of eminent domain, highlighting a New Jersey farm's struggle against its impending seizure for affordable housing.
- The podcast emphasizes the emotional weight of losing a family farm that's been in the family for 175 years, sparking a broader discussion on property rights.
- Listeners are encouraged to understand the complexities of urban renewal and the importance of fair compensation when government seizes private land.
- Eric shares his personal fight against the State of Oregon over lake rights, emphasizing the need for citizens to stand up against unjust takings.
Links referenced in this episode:
To get your questions answered by Eric G give us a call in the studio at 833-239-4144 24/7 and Eric G will get back to you and answer your question and you might end up in a future episode of Around the House.
Thanks for listening to Around the house if you want to hear more please subscribe so you get notified of the latest episode as it posts at https://around-the-house-with-e.captivate.fm/listen
If you want to join the Around the House Insider for access to the back catalog, Exclusive Content and a direct email to Eric G and access to the show early https://around-the-house-with-e.captivate.fm/support
We love comments and we would love reviews on how this information has helped you on your house! Thanks for listening! For more information about the show head to https://aroundthehouseonline.com/
Information given on the Around the House Show should not be considered construction or design advice for your specific project, nor is it intended to replace consulting at your home or jobsite by a building professional. The views and opinions expressed by those interviewed on the podcast are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Around the House Show.
Mentioned in this episode:
Advertise on the Around the House Show!
Contact us at AroundtheHouseOnline.com for more information!
For the latest in outdoor grilling check out MonumentGrills.com
Check out the latest grills this summer at Monumentgrills.com
Transcript
Foreign the House with Eric G.
Speaker A:Your go to source for everything home improvement.
Speaker A:Whether you're a DIY enthusiast or just looking to make your space shine, Eric G.
Speaker A:Is here to guide you through the latest tips, tricks and trends.
Speaker A:So grab your toolbox, put on your thinking cap, and let's get to work right here on around the House with.
Speaker B:Eric G.
Speaker B:Welcome to the around the House show, the next generation of home improvement.
Speaker B:I'm Eric G.
Speaker B:Thanks for joining today.
Speaker B:This is our midweek update.
Speaker B:This is that show that didn't fit into last weekend's show on the radio and podcast or this weekend show.
Speaker B:And we got a barn burner today.
Speaker B:We're gonna have a little fun here on this one because when I get fired up on some of this stuff, when I see people being wronged, it reminds me that I'm in the middle of being wronged myself right now, which could be its own court battle.
Speaker B:And we're going to talk about that today.
Speaker B:One of the big things that I saw again, this is something that I woke up to.
Speaker B:I think I was watching Fox and Friends this morning, turning around, looking to see what was on in the news overnight.
Speaker B:And I saw that a long time family farm in Cranberry, New Jersey is of risk of being seized by the town through imminent domain.
Speaker B:So this farm has been in the family for 175 years.
Speaker B:And I guess they've been building warehouses and everything around it.
Speaker B:They've turned down offers.
Speaker B:They've done all this thing.
Speaker B:They have said, nope, not gonna sell it.
Speaker B:This is gonna be our farm.
Speaker B:This is our work.
Speaker B:This is our thing.
Speaker B:The Cranberry Township came in after a town committee meeting and signed off on a measure that would pay for the eminent domain seizure that would take their farm away.
Speaker B:And of course, you know how this goes with the government.
Speaker B:They give you what they think is the fair value.
Speaker B:Not if you put it on the market and went to sell it.
Speaker B:So the family farm, which is now leased out for cattle farming, has belonged to Christopher and Andy Henry for over a dozen years.
Speaker B:They've spent a couple hundred grand into the property and they've declined offers of up to $30 million from developers.
Speaker B:Now the city wants to take it and make it affordable housing.
Speaker B:Guess what?
Speaker B:Yeah, I got a problem with that.
Speaker B:I hope these guys fight.
Speaker B:And even the Trump administration is pushing back.
Speaker B:So they've got the usda.
Speaker B:Rollins is going to be taking a look at this to see if they can stop it.
Speaker B:Yeah, I've got a huge problem.
Speaker B:When the city come in or county or state comes in and pays you partially for what's owned.
Speaker A:I get it.
Speaker B:If you're putting a freeway in.
Speaker B:I get it.
Speaker B:If you're doing stuff like that where you're up against it and that stuff happens, they wanna take part of your land.
Speaker B:Yeah, we all get screwed in that deal.
Speaker B:But it's absolutely crazy to see a whole farm going away because the Cranberry Township wants to build on it.
Speaker B:So I think they've got a big issue there.
Speaker B:I think this one's gonna blow up in their faces.
Speaker B:I have one here in my neck of the woods in Portland, Oregon, and specifically Lake Oswego, where I live.
Speaker B:So Lake Oswego was a little tiny lake 100 years ago.
Speaker B:And I'm gonna give you the.
Speaker B:The.
Speaker B:The background of Lake Oswego real quick because most of you don't live in my area, so you don't know what I'm talking about.
Speaker B:So originally this was a iron town.
Speaker B:We had a small lake.
Speaker B:We had a foundry here, and it was really cool.
Speaker B:So back in the day, how this started is this was mostly in Clackamas County.
Speaker B:We have a couple different counties here, but most of it is in Clackamas County.
Speaker B:A little bit of it is in Malone, Washington counties, which doesn't play a big part of this.
Speaker B: But this city was founded in: Speaker B:So it was the hub of our iron industry here in Oregon in the late 19th century.
Speaker B:And we're considered a suburb of the.
Speaker B:Basically a suburb of Portland.
Speaker B:We are south of there.
Speaker B:The early Clackamas people occupied the land that later became Lake Oswego.
Speaker B:And most of the natives died because guess what?
Speaker B:The Oregon Trail pretty much ended within a dozen miles of here.
Speaker B:So what happened was, is we came in.
Speaker B: ed the town of Lake Oswego in: Speaker B:He built a sawmill on Oswego Creek, and basics started rolling here.
Speaker B:They put through the.
Speaker B:They started putting the rail out here.
Speaker B:So they needed the iron for that.
Speaker B:And that's how that went.
Speaker B:So they figured out that there was iron ore in the valley and Oregon Iron Company was incorporated and the first blast furnace on the west coast was built.
Speaker B:So this is where this was started out as the Pittsburgh of the West.
Speaker B:Here's what happened.
Speaker B:They built the lake bigger.
Speaker B:People in Portland said, hey, let's go put up a cabin by the lake.
Speaker B:And all of a sudden, this went from a blast furnace, railroad town into a nice, quiet, beautiful place.
Speaker B: So by: Speaker B:So that, of course, blew up, like all things like that do.
Speaker B:And they went through and cleaned everything up, and now it is a huge park where that area is.
Speaker B:And they've closed up the iron mines and that kind of stuff for the iron ore, and it's good to go.
Speaker B:This lake, the entire time has been a private lake.
Speaker B:So when I bought my property, it's not lakefront, it's nothing special, but when I bought my property, it has on my deed that there is.
Speaker B:I own a portion of the lake.
Speaker B:So the people around the lake actually own the lake.
Speaker B:It's on our deed to our property, and it's lake rights.
Speaker B:Now there is the Lake Corps, which is the corporation that was founded to maintain and operate the lake.
Speaker B:We are partners in that.
Speaker B:We own part of Lake core, so we are part of that whole group.
Speaker B:So the people around the lake own the lake.
Speaker B:We paid taxes on it because it's been on our property values.
Speaker B:When I go bought by house, I had lake rights, which means I paid a premium because I had the ability to go swimming.
Speaker B:I had the ability to put a lake on there.
Speaker B:If I had lived 16 blocks another direction, I wouldn't.
Speaker B:Some people that wanted access to the lake, of course, that don't live close enough to the lake, decided to sue.
Speaker B:About a dozen years ago, the state of Oregon, saying that all Oregon waterways are supposed to be public.
Speaker B:Yeah, they are, except this one was always private.
Speaker B:They went into a Clackamas county court and that judge said, yeah, the state law says that has to be it.
Speaker B:And now they have a small public access area because they won that court battle.
Speaker B:Here's the problem.
Speaker B:I'm losing my rights that I've been paying taxes for that I paid for when I bought my house.
Speaker B:I am not being compensated one ounce for that.
Speaker B:So my opinion is the state and the county needs to compensate me for what my lake rights are worth and what they would be worth down the road, because it's an investment.
Speaker B:They should make all of us people whole.
Speaker B:They're taking something without.
Speaker B:Without us being compensated.
Speaker B:So I reached out this morning to the Institute for Justice.
Speaker B:I'm going to see if I j.
Speaker B:Can tackle this one.
Speaker B:I'm looking to see if I can take on the State of Oregon and of course, the county to see if I can get either my rights back or.
Speaker B:Because they haven't said that I don't own it, but we have the exclusivity that was part of that.
Speaker B:So now we're gonna have to take a look and see how are they gonna maintain that?
Speaker B:Are they gonna take care of doing the lake?
Speaker B:And where are my rights?
Speaker B:I have lake rights, so you need to purchase those from me and compensate me.
Speaker B:That could be worth six figures.
Speaker B:And that's something that I think we all need to stand up for when we have these imminent domain type things.
Speaker B:When we have, as Americans have invested in our futures, we've invested in our homes, and somebody comes by and takes it without proper compensation.
Speaker B:Yeah, I got a problem with that.
Speaker B:And yes, I understand that in urban renewal growth that things need to happen.
Speaker B:We can't paint ourselves in a corner.
Speaker B:So I get that there needs to be that, but there needs to be fair compensation for the people that are being victims of this.
Speaker B:Whether you're in a farm in New Jersey or if you own a lake house or a house here on the lake, if someone takes something from you, from the government, you should be compensated.
Speaker B:And I think we need to stand up as citizens for this type of stuff.
Speaker B:It's happening to me right now and I decided this morning I'm gonna put a fight up for it.
Speaker B:So stay tuned for more information on that.
Speaker B:One other thing I wanted to touch.
Speaker B:We've talked about it in this midweek special a little bit.
Speaker B:This is our swan song.
Speaker B:This is our last week of around the house Northwest.
Speaker B:But stay tuned.
Speaker B:This is our television show here in Portland, Oregon on Fox 12 plus that we do each week.
Speaker B:This is our last episode.
Speaker B:There will be not another episode on Fox 12 + or KPTV here in Portland.
Speaker B:That is over.
Speaker B:This is the last one.
Speaker B:So I'm going to be working on this radio show, this podcast, our streaming, as well as I'm going to be working on putting another show together, coming up with even a better show.
Speaker B:And we'll talk about it here next week a little bit more after my contract runs out.
Speaker B:We'll talk a little bit more about what happened, how these things go, about how does TV work.
Speaker B:It's a grind out there and it's an incredible journey that I've gone so far.
Speaker B:And I'll share that up next week after we get through my contract because I want to make it through the rest of the week without them escorting me out of the building.
Speaker B:All right, guys, have a great rest of the week.
Speaker B:Enjoy yourself.
Speaker B:I will be looking forward to vacation coming up here.
Speaker B:I'm going to take some time off, even though I got to get this house ready for sale here in July.
Speaker B:I got to get this thing done.
Speaker B:So I'm going to have some work parties over here and we're going to be rocking out this house and getting some content done, getting all those little projects finished up, my own personal honeydew list so I can move on to my next project.
Speaker B:I'm Eric G.
Speaker B:Thanks for tuning into around the House.
Speaker B:We'll see you Saturday.
Speaker A:Make sure to follow us on social media.
Speaker A:Just head to aroundthehouseonline.com for all the links.
Speaker A:Make sure you check out our new YouTube channel.
Speaker A:Just type in at around the House with Eric G.
Speaker A:And click subscribe and ring the bell for updates.
Speaker A:We will see you next time.
