Wednesday, August 24, 2005

New London Spared Double Indemnity; Monmouth Not So Lucky

Sub Base New London, which is one of the most historic and storied sub facilities in the United States Navy, escaped the base closure and recommendation committee's axe. This comes on the heels of the Kelo v. Town of New London case, which arose out of the town's need to expand its tax base and businesses because of jobs lost at Electric Boat and the Navy facilities.

Kelo permits the use of eminent domain to transfer property from one landowner to another, private developer, which is not how most folks read eminent domain law. Oh, and as a side note, New London is seeking back rent against Kelo and the other families who resisted the condemnation proceedings. Gauling isn't quite the word.

Meanwhile, Fort Monmouth in New Jersey wasn't nearly so lucky. Its fate is tied to whether shifting operations from Fort Monmouth to other facilities, namely Aberdeen Proving Ground, would harm the war on terror and US military capabilities.

The President will get the full list of panel recommendations and he can make changes. Congress will then get to vote on the entire list in an up or down vote. Congress cannot make any changes to the list of recommendations submitted.

Bubblehead has more on the closures, with particular focus on the sub fleet.

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