Little Pink House_ A True Story of Defiance and Courage - Jeff Benedict [94]
“Are you holding up all right?” Bullock asked.
“I’m okay,” she said softly.
“Listen,” he said, trying to reassure her. “This is the beginning … the first step.”
Overwhelmed, she took a deep breath. This wasn’t what she had had in mind when she left her husband and a country home for a quiet place on the shore. She looked Bullock in the eye. “This is what we have to do,” she said, turning and following him onto the porch. The cheering crowd hoisted signs and placards. “Take Claire’s Home for Social Justice,” one read. Another said: “New London Destroying Our Constitution.”
As the other plaintiffs filed in around Susette, Bullock stepped forward to address the media and the neighborhood supporters. “It’s great to be in New London and announce what must have been one of the worst-kept secrets in town,” he said. “We are very pleased to announce that this morning the Institute for Justice, along with property owners and local counsel Scott Sawyer, filed a lawsuit that aims to end eminent-domain abuse in New London, Connecticut.”
The crowd applauded.
“We asked the court to declare that what the city and the NLDC are doing is illegal and unconstitutional,” Bullock continued. “We will do everything in our power to keep these people in this wonderful neighborhood.”
Standing behind Bullock, Susette stared expressionlessly at the audience of supporters.
“As you all know, the City of New London and the NLDC want these people out because they have decided that someone else can make better use of this land than Susette Kelo or Matt Dery or Bill Von Winkle,” Bullock said. “The plan is to take these properties, evict the residents, and bulldoze the properties. In other words, developers get the land, the taxpayers of New London and Connecticut get the bill, and these fine people get the boot.”
Supporters yelled and waved their signs. Bullock called out the NLDC and the city. “You let the IDC stay,” he said. “You know who wants to stay. They’re not interested in taking the money and heading out of town. Do the right thing and let them stay.”
With the press seeking reaction to the suit, the NLDC put out a simple statement, saying it couldn’t comment publicly on a suit it hadn’t seen. Privately, though, the agency was reeling. An NLDC spokesman sent an e-mail to Claire’s top aide, reporting that press activity had been heavy following the press conference. “I did brief interviews with Ch. 61 and 30 and Connecticut public radio—no problems—stuck with the script,” he wrote. “I’m putting Claire in touch with the New York Times as we speak.”
The spokesman tried not to sound worried. But he foresaw a problem. “My only concern with this is just how we explain that this is not taking private land for private development,” he wrote. “Are the jobs created and tax benefits alone enough of a public benefit?”
As soon as the press conference broke up at Susette’s, the plaintiffs and their supporters headed up the street for a celebratory party at Von Winkle’s deli. Susette entered with Bullock. The place erupted in cheers. “Now we’re fighting back,” one of the neighbors shouted, prompting more cheers.
Von Winkle had printed new menus especially for the occasion.
“Here you go, Red,” he said, handing her one.
Entrees
Fort Flambé—You’ll demolish this sizzling mix of ethnic ingredients.
Pfizer Fettuccini—The heart and soul of our menu. This dish defines our reason for being.
Eminent Domainicotti—This dish originated in the Fort Trumbull neighborhood, but is rapidly spreading across town.
(All dinners include your choice of garlic croissant or our famous Viagra vegetables.)
Grinders
(available on a Rowland Roll—soft, plump & ruthless)
Claire Combo—A manic combination which is all over the place. (This baby is a crazy mix of just about everything.)
NLDC/Pfizer Combo—These two have a natural affinity for each other, as classic as Peanut