Libertarians Support Private Property Rights in Chester County

Coatesville, PA - The Libertarian Party (LP) urges voters in Coatesville, Chester County to enact three voter referendums supporting private property rights. These need for these referendums stems from the case of the Saha family. Their family farm in Valley Township is at risk of being taken through eminent domain for a golf course recreation center by neighboring Coatesville.

The three referendums would require Coatesville voters' approval to: (1) have the city develop any golf recreational facility, (2) have the city run any enterprise that competes with existing private ones, and (3) annex property outside of the city limits.

Chester County LP Chair-Designate Daren Wolfe remarked that, "The Libertarian Party supports the Saha family members who are being unjustly bullied by a neighboring city government misusing eminent domain powers for its own pet projects."

Libertarian Party member Ken Sturzenacker stated "If you approve the council's plan to steal the Saha family farm, council members will know that they can get the votes to confiscate your property next time. If you choose to evict the Saha's from their property now, you must understand that you have agreed that next time, you can be put out on the street by a majority vote. Your right to control your property is safe from the whims of government only as long as you are prepared to guarantee the property rights of both your neighbors and those in other communities."

State LP Chair and 2002 LP gubernatorial candidate Ken Krawchuk added that, "Across Pennsylvania we see examples of how governments misuse eminent domain for corporate welfare and for growing government influence. In the Coatesville case, it is troublesome because a government wants to reach across its own boundaries to annex private property. Who do they think they are?"

Libertarians believe you should run your life your way, just as long as you respect the rights and property of others. All too often, government actions contradict this belief.

In Coatesville, voters have a chance to reassert this belief and the Libertarian Party urges them to do so by enacting the three referendums.

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