Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Contact: Spence Jackson or Jessica Robinson, (573) 751-0290
Blunt Appoints Members to Eminent Domain Task Force
JEFFERSON CITY—Gov. Matt Blunt appointed members to the Eminent Domain Task Force.
Blunt decided to create the task force due to the United States Supreme Court ruling against homeowners in Connecticut who fought to keep their private property from being taken by a private developer for commercial use.
Blunt signed Executive Order 15 on June 28th creating the task force. The task force will be charged with conducting a review of state and federal eminent domain laws and establishing criteria that state and local governmental entities will use when the use of eminent domain is being proposed. The task force will also recommend specific eminent domain legislation for possible consideration by the Missouri General Assembly.
The following are Blunt’s appointments to the Eminent Domain Task Force.
- Gerard T. Carmody of St. Louis is an attorney with Carmody, MacDonald P.C. Carmody’s practice concentrates in commercial, real estate and employment litigation. Carmody is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. Carmody holds a bachelor’s degree from Spring Hill College in Alabama and a juris doctorate from St. Louis University.
- Chris Goodson of St. Louis is president and owner of The Goodson Company and Goodco. Goodson is also a principal at Gilded Age. Goodson has extensive knowledge in real estate development. Goodson holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and marketing and a master’s in business administration from Southern Illinois University.
- Sen. Chuck Gross of St. Charles is vice president of Business Development for UMB Bank. Gross is a licensed real estate appraiser and owner of a small appraisal firm. Gross holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s in public administration from the University of Missouri- Columbia.
- Rep. Steve Hobbs of Mexico is president of Hobbs Farms, Inc. Hobbs is also the Audrain County director for the Monroe County Water Board. Hobbs is a member of the following organizations: Audrain Cattlemen’s Association, Beef Advisory Council, Soybean Association and Audrain Country Board of the Missouri Farm Bureau.
- Leslie Holloway of Jefferson City is director of State and Local Governmental Affairs for Missouri Farm Bureau (MFB). Holloway began working with MFB on regulatory issues and administrative duties. She also has worked in Washington, D.C. as a lobbyist for the National Federation of Independent Business. Holloway holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural science from the University of Illinois.
- Lewis R. Mills of Jefferson City is public counsel who serves as the state’s consumer advocate in the area of utility regulation at the Department of Economic Development. Mills previously served as deputy chief regulatory law judge for the Public Service Commission. Mills holds a bachelor’s degree in geology from St. Lawrence University in New York and a juris doctorate from the University of Utah.
- Spencer R. Thomson of Kansas City is an attorney with Blackwell Sanders Peper and Martin LLP. Thomson has extensive knowledge in tax increment financing, Chapter 100 Bonds, Chapter 353 Incentives and transportation development districts. Thomson holds a bachelor’s degree from Rockhurst College and a juris doctorate from Washington University.
- Howard C. Wright of Springfield is retired and works under contract as special council for Springfield. Wright has practiced eminent domain law as an attorney for the Missouri Highway Commission, city attorney for Cape Girardeau and city attorney for Springfield. Wright holds a bachelor’s degree in public administration and a juris doctorate from the University of Missouri- Columbia.
The nine-member task force will only exist until Dec. 31, 2005 and will be assisted by the state departments of Agriculture and Economic Development. Terry Jarrett, Blunt’s General Counsel, will serve as chairman. Task force members will receive no compensation for their service.
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