Might Tear Down Demura Sensei's Dojo?!?

[sensei8]

The dojo, of Fumio Demura, the real Mr. Miyagi, will be demolished along with eight other local businesses if the City of Santa Ana, CA gets its way. The city has threatened to use eminent domain to acquire the properties for a road widening project that’s been in the works since 1990. But what you may not know is that the fate of these businesses hinges upon a proposed 30-foot wide strip of landscaping.

I'm befuddled to say the least. Eminent domain? I understand what it means, but I don't understand why the City of Santa Ana, CA thinks that they've that right. Hopefully, a judge will intercede for those threatened business'. And for some landscaping?!?

Demura Sensei's dojo is one of the most beautiful dojo in the USA. I've been to it a numerous times, and the overall glamour and atmosphere was one to behold.

Your thoughts?

[wagnerk]

Is there no way they would consider moving the dojo?

[sensei8]

I'm not sure, but I suppose that they could. I've not read any updates as of yet. But the expenses of relocating might not be worth it unless the City's willing to relocate ALL businesses threatened. I don't see that.

Again, it wouldn't be hard to relocate, but the "feelings and emotions and memories" just won't be the same. Imho, none of the business should have to relocate/close for some landscaping. After all, it's just grass and the like.

Maybe I should've placed this topic in the "Martial Arts and Politics" forum instead because a lot of politics are at hand there, imho.

[Zaine]

That's unfortunate. I've seen cities forcibly close down businesses before but fortunately they tend to take care of the relocation. I don't know if this is the car with Santa Ana but I certainly hope so.

[sensei8]

Here's a link to one of the articles...

http://newsantaana.com/tag/fumio-demura/

[andym]

Needs stopping. Passed it onto his group over here. Thanks for the heads up sensei8

[cheesefrysamurai]

why isnt there a fundraiser or a collection amongst his organization

[sensei8]

Needs stopping. Passed it onto his group over here. Thanks for the heads up sensei8

You're welcome. Hopefully something will happen to save all of the business being threatened by the city.

[SteyrAUG]

I'm befuddled to say the least. Eminent domain? I understand what it means, but I don't understand why the City of Santa Ana, CA thinks that they've that right.

Actually ED means exactly that, where a government can come take over private property if they deem the public need to be sufficient. If they have a highway in mind they can actually take your residence.

Government aside, I personally find it disturbing. I feel indebted to Sensei Demura for all he has done for the martial arts community for decades. It would be sad to see any established dojo be lost for the sake of some landscaping, let alone one as significant as Demura's.

Sadly he lives in a beautiful state where the government has some serious discretionary power over it's citizens. One only need to think about the fact that an individual cannot even legally possess nunchaku in their home to realize something is wrong.

[SteyrAUG]

That's unfortunate. I've seen cities forcibly close down businesses before but fortunately they tend to take care of the relocation. I don't know if this is the car with Santa Ana but I certainly hope so.

In most cases of ED the government gives you something close to market value for your property. Sometimes more, sometimes less.