More eminent domain stuff...

I got an e-mail Thursday from an attorney for Victor Gudzunas, who is currently embroiled in eminent domain proceedings with La Puente. Gudzunas owns what city officials have called a "key" piece of land in the 1300 block of Hacienda Boulevard. The city wants to build an 11.5-acre commercial retail project there, and Mayor Louie Lujan has said without that parcel of land, the project would be impossible.

I've done several stories about the issue, and each time, I've tried to contact Gudzunas. I've called his home, I've gone to the property site (where a small strip mall stands), I've left business card with tenants, but I never heard a peep back. Well, looks like he's ready to talk. Here's some excerpts from the e-mail I got from his attorney:

Thank you for taking the time to write, last month, about a serious issue (...) Unfortunately, you did not have any input from the Gadzunas Family at the time you wrote the article. I am the lawyer representing the Gadzunas family in its litigation against the City. We would like to take this opportunity to provide you with a more complete version of the facts. We hope you will choose to revisit this case.

In a nutshell: The City's seizure of the property is occurring against the will of the family. It is "ripping out the heart" of the Victor Gadzunas, a longtime local, and a graduate of Bishop Amat High School. The City has never used eminent domain before this sorry episode - -and the City has botched its attempt to use eminent domain this time. The City's offer - - $ 4,000,000 - - is only one-half the amount that a respected appraiser, John C. Donahue, MAI, says the property is really worth.

I'll be contacting Gudzunas' attorney in the next few days and will hopefully have a follow-up article soon. It's never too late to get the other side of the story.