Critic: Seize Souters home: Calif. man wants hotel on justice's N.H. land<br />By Jay Fitzgerald<br />Thursday, June 30, 2005 - Updated: 05:44 AM EST<br /><br />U.S. Supreme Court Justice David Souter's rustic farmhouse in Weare, N.H., is assessed at more than $100,000, and he pays nearly $3,000 a year in property taxes. <br /> <br /> But California gadfly Logan Darrow Clements thinks he has a guaranteed way to drive up the land's value and make it more profitable: Seize Souter's home by eminent domain, bulldoze it, plop a Lost Liberty Hotel'' and Just Desserts Cafe'' on the site - and watch new jobs and taxes roll in. <br /> <br /> It's a joke, right? <br /> <br /> Not to Clements - and not to the town of Weare. <br /> <br /> Angry at Souter's court vote last week solidifying governments' power to seize private property on behalf of private developers, Clements - CEO of the conservative Freestar Media LLC - fired off a fax the other day to Weare's code enforcement officer announcing he wants to start eminent domain proceedings against the long-time Weare resident's home. <br /> <br /> This is not a prank,'' Clements said in a statement that was later flashed nationwide via the Internet. <br /> <br /> Town officials have since been hit by hundreds of media calls and individuals' e-mails from across the country. Weare police were dispatched to Souter's stylishly dilapidated home as a precaution. <br /> <br /> Even though some townfolk privately think (or hope) Clements is bluffing about the hotel and cafe, Weare plans to treat his application quite seriously, fearing a possible legal showdown if they don't follow due process. <br /> <br /> I obviously have to respond to it appropriately,'' said Chip Measly, the town's code enforcement officer. <br /> <br /> State Rep. Neal Kurk (R-Weare), whose wife is a town selectman, said he also disagrees with the court's decision and sees Clements' action as poetic justice.'' <br /> <br /> It's a cute idea to drive the point home,'' he said. <br /> <br /> But two wrongs don't make a right, Kurk said, adding he'll oppose any government seizure of Souter's home. Justice Souter's property will be protected by the good sense of New Hampshire townspeople,'' he said
