PAGE 4 October 10, 2007
The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
Real Estate Today
Eminent Domain, Free Legal Representation, And You
of Transportation) guys were a hoot, the ar-
A Guest Commentary by Darryl Diamond
bitrator was a hoot, the two tenants were try-
ing to see if they could sue us under the pro-
I recently represented a family mem-
visions of our present lease.
ber, and their trust which was involved in a
At this point in the ne-
State of Florida eminent domain property tak-
gotiations my commercial prop-
ing. Eminent domain is a polite way of saying,
erty expertise helped my clients
you are being forced to sell your property to
case. Remember the lawyers are
the State of Florida so we can widen the road
licensed to do legal work, they
you are on. You have no say in the matter, but
are not licensed as a real estate
we will pay you a negotiated "fair market
professional to give opinion of
value" before we throw you out.
value. They were using an appraisal that was
This transaction involved a two large
one year old. Values of comparable commer-
retail stores, which were being obtained along
cial property had gone up from the date of
with the land they sat on which had frontage
that appraisal. I gave our lawyers this valu-
on Southern Blvd between West Palm Beach
able proof, they gave it to the Florida DOT
and Royal Palm Beach. This road was being
officials, and my client received more money
widened because of the large amount of
for their property.
growth in the area. Since Florida usually pays
Ines Monteverde Wins Outstanding Volunteer Of Year Award ñ Ines Monteverde
This negotiation was concluded at
for your lawyer to represent you in any of
volunteers as a Park Host at Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park and as a counse-
6:30 PM with a lot of effort, with a little below
these forced takeovers, we went right down
lor for Hospice of Citrus County. She was recognized as an Outstanding Volunteer of
fair market value settlement, but we agreed so
to Miami and hired the best eminent domain
the Year by Nature Coast Volunteer Center. Ines is shown here welcoming visitors to
after a year of work it could be concluded. All
savvy legal firm we could, which was also
the wildlife park. Photo by Bill Garvin
potential suits with the tenants were ham-
just about the most expensive.
Turn Lane Construction to Begin On Homosassa Streets
mered out, and agreed, and we all left the DOT
Why not get the best representa-
offices.
tion, the state was paying. Not all states in
On Monday, October 15th turn lane construction will begin along Grover Cleveland
My relative took me to a great din-
America pay for your representation, with the
Boulevard and Grand March Avenue in Homosassa. Art Walker Construction will construct
ner that night, and they paid me for my time,
end result being in other states you could
a left turn lane heading west on Grover Cleveland and a right turn lane heading east onto
and travel expenses. My client received free
end up fending for your self, so Kudos to our
Grand March Avenue, the location and home to the new Homosassa Library. In addition,
legal representation, as the state paid this firm
great state of Florida. After about a year of
Grover Cleveland Boulevard from U.S. Highway 19 to Grand March Avenue will be milled,
approx. $177,000. for one years work. Make
haggling I traveled down to Ft Lauderdale to
resurfaced and restriped during the construction process.
no mistake, this was a major learning experi-
a joint meeting with our the tenants along with
ence for me. In the next few years, business
their lawyers, the state DOT representatives,
INGLIS
99
Licensed & Insured
owners along #19 in the Town of Inglis may
my relative, myself with our lawyers, and a
be involved in this type of Eminent Domain
"neutral" lawyer/arbitrator working between
when the state widens that road.
the parties. This final negotiation was con-
LAND CLEARING
I wish all of those local business
ducted with all parties meeting at 8:30 am
owners the best, and suggest they investi-
where we introduced ourselves, shook hands,
COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL
gate what plan of action they will take now. If
retired to separate rooms, and then proceeded
any local business owner wishes to meet with
to have a 10 hour non-stop marathon ending
me, I can not give legal advise however I will
with the final agreement.
10%
No job too small or too large
be happy to review the above case in detail
The tenants were suing us for the
VETERAN
Site Work - Fill Dirt - Hauling
with you so you can benefit from my valuable
rent increase difference (damages) for the
DISCOUNT
experience in this area.
duration of the lease, and the moving of their
Tree Work - Stumps - Driveways
Darryl Diamond and "The Diamond
equipment to a new location .
Team" are available for all of your real estate
We were suing to obtain the fair
Demolition
needs. Please call us at 352-447-4442.
market value for the property. The DOT (Dept
FDOT: No Parking Signs  - Continued from page 1
352-220-7178
Call Mark
10-31
Sgt. Brandon Roberts of the Inglis Police Dept. stated that the traffic control devices
Realty
to be implemented are No Parking on Right-of-Way signs, that had not yet been placed at the
time this article was published. The letter, from Tony Falotico, Asst. District Traffic Operations
Engineer, was sent to Inglis Mayor Carolyn Risher, Levy County Commission Chairman Nancy
Sally Price, Realtor
Bell, Inglis Police Chief Tim Bible, Levy County Sheriff Johnny Smith and Florida Highway
Patrol Troop B in Cross City.
(352) 302-8556 cell
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