May 11, 2007 - 4:27pm
Help save Manny Amaral's business from gov't seizure
By Steve LoneganDramatic Online Video to Stop Eminent Domain Abuse Against NJ Family Business
Citizens Urged to Make Urgent Call to Corzine to Stop Abuse
HARRISON, NJ - The New Jersey chapter of the national free-market group Americans for Prosperity today released a dramatic online video chronicling a wrongful eminent domain case that could lead to the eviction on Tuesday of Manny Amaral and his family from their successful auto dealership - just so the city government can transfer their property to private condo developers.
Manny and Fran Amaral came to the United States from Portugal more than 30 years ago in search of a better life and the American Dream. In the years since, the Amarals have worked hard, paid their taxes, played by the rules, and ultimately achieved that American Dream. Today they own Aramal Auto
Sales in Harrison, NJ, with their two sons. But now the city government is planning to seize the Amaral's property so a big, politically-connected developer can knock down their successful small family business and build condos as part of a risky development scheme.
If a well-managed, successful dealership full of BMWs, Cadillacs, Lexuses, Audis, Mercedes, and even Lamborghinis can be declared 'blight,' condemned and taken by the government under an abusive and wrongful claim on 'eminent domain,' then anybody's property can be condemned.
AFP's online video, which can be viewed on YouTube here
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JL7Ei6gAzTE> , includes an urgent call for viewers to contact New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine and their state lawmakers and features emotional pleas from Manny and Fran Amaral in front of the Statue of Liberty, which Mrs. Amaral passed on a ship from Portugal as an eight-year-old girl coming to America for the first time.
"I remember seeing the Statue, and my sister...turned to me and said, "We are in America!" with a big smile on her face, and we both hugged...and said "Yes! Finally!" Mrs. Amaral explains in the video. "But now I look at this Statue, and it brings me tears."
"Some people (back in Portgual) have the wrong idea about America, and I always defend this country with all my heart and with all my love," Manny Amaral said. "Now I have very mixed feelings because I believed in all the things that I've been told and I've read and I've seen about freedom in the country, but the last couple of years I've seen a side of this country that I can't believe is going on. This is a nightmare..."
Call Governor Corzine and help save Manny's American Dream: 609-292-6000
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Wow
I absolutely hate to see stories like this. It's flatout un-American that a political donor can get councils to take away people's lives. I'm not sure this is the right spot to post it, but I'm glad you did. Keep us posted on the outcome. Also, your sound levels are a bit off.
This is an appropriate post
This is as political as it gets, so I think it was completely appropriate. This is dirty politics in action. Most posts here are on broader issues, this one shows the direct impact of government policy on individuals. No one is safe and this family will be ruined if they do not get relief.
Ok
I just meant should it be a blog, which this is, or a press release off to the right. Had it not been as a blog I may not have seen it, and I'm glad I did, but that was all I meant by the "not sure" comment.
Lonegan fighting the right fight.
Where is Corzine? Where is Menendez? Where is Lautenberg? Where are our US Representatives? How about the NJ Senate or General Assembly? The Democratic Party has become a puppet for eminent domain abuse that is so cynical, so evil that they have forgotten who they really represent! How can Democrats be for a stacked deck process like eminent domain seizure? How can you watch this video and not feel for this man and his family? Why is the Democratic Party turning it's back on this family? It's disgusting and has to stop. The more I learn about Mayor Lonegan, the more I realize he's the only person out there protecting the regular working stiff. Democrats just don't get it and eminent domain is a threat to every American property owner.
Mayor Lonegan
I'm looking forward to Mayor Lonegan holding his grassroots taxpayer seminars in Hudson County, particularly in the North Hudson area where Castroesque politicians like Brian Stack thrive on this kind of abuse.
It's time to make a strong, organized effort to expose what this abuse does to hard working people and the politicians who embrace it.
"Any Nation which can prefer disgrace to danger is prepared for a master and deserves one" -Alexander Hamilton
Sorry for delay fretz
I see your point on the press release versus blog, so well taken. I just think this is just too important and the media wasn't doing anything with the story. It should have been front page news. Note that Manny goy a stay from the Supreme Court on the 15th, so he is still in business -- fon now.
Thanks for the Update
I'm really glad to hear about the stay. How long is it? I'm going to put up a piece on my blog about the practice in the near future. This sort of abuse has got to go.
That's excellent
I'm glad to see that Mr. Amaral is still in business and I hope that this will lead to him being able to keep what is rightfully his.
I'm glad Matt that you have decided to do a post in reference to this issue. I did so two days ago, as did Honest Abe over at the Monmouth County Republican Blog and I hope other bloggers will do the same.
If the media will not report such abuses of government then then those of us that make up the blogoshpere have the ability to pick up the ball where they have dropped it.
"Any Nation which can prefer disgrace to danger is prepared for a master and deserves one" -Alexander Hamilton
Stay Info
I will have more to say on this, but here is a blurb from http://www.kearnyontheweb.com/. Bottom line is that it wasn't Manny who got the stay, but a neighbor across the street. So, the news for Manny is not yet good. More to follow as we learn more.
The New Jersey Supreme Court has granted a Stay of the Warrant of Removal issued by Superior Court Judge Maurice J. Gallipoli in the matter of Harrison Redevelopment Agency v. Harrison Eagle LLP. Harrison Eagle LLP is the company owned in part by Steven Adler. Mr. Adler has been fighting condemnation proceedings brought by the Harrison Redevelopment Agency (HRA) for several years. This most recent Order is the first victory in many years of contesting the condemnation powers of the HRA.
The New Jersey Supreme Court had previously denied a request for a stay made by Amaral Auto Group whose property is adjacent to the property owned by Harrison Eagle LLP. It is not clear whether the court will revisit the issue of a Stay for the Amaral Auto Group. Both matters contested the validity of the HRA's attempt to condemn their respective properties on similar grounds.
Amaral Auto Group was to be evicted today [May 15] but was granted an extension by the HRA. A rally scheduled for today was cancelled. Amaral may have exchanged foregoing the rally in order to continue to operate his business.
The Supreme Court order states "a stay of the warrant of removal is granted until further order of the Court."