Wednesday, September 16, 2009

News Coverage Hits the Mark

Yesterday, End Adverse Possession Now announced its formal support and endorsement for Washington state House Bill 1479, which would put an end to adverse possession (aka legalized land theft) claims in Washington.

I'm pleased to say that this announcement garnered widespread online pick-up, and more interestingly, it got a couple of placements in two key political/state legislative sites.

Lastly, this announcement touched another citizen who is also facing a neighbor stealing his property. In support of our cause, he too is making a donation to help us fight against and eradicate legalized land theft. Thank you for your donations!!

Here are a few of the highlight links:
Your contributions and donations help us inform the public and change legislative policy. If you want to help end this repugnant law, you can help us here: EndAdversePossession.org

Friday, September 11, 2009

Who do Representatives Really Support?

Last week, I had the pleasure of talking with Representative Ed Orcutt, who is the Washington state sponsor of bill HB 1479, which is an act that would end legalized land theft (aka adverse possession) in Washington state.

All politics aside, Mr. Orcutt is one top-notch representative (all other representatives, please take note).

Last time I checked, we live in a representative democracy, where the PEOPLE elect those to represent OUR needs, wants and desires. This way, laws are passed that reflect the majority of the population.

In sponsoring HB 1479, Mr. Orcutt is doing exactly what his duty requires - to create laws that the populace wants.

In fact, Mr. Orcutt was kind enough to provide End Adverse Possession Now with a quote regarding his views on HB 1479 and ending legalized land theft.

“I have seen the cost and headaches suffered by homeowners as they try to defend their property from taking via adverse possession and the resulting heartache when they lost it anyway – for no valid reason,” says the bill’s prime sponsor, Rep Ed Orcutt (R) Kalama. “It is a law that made sense in ancient times but has little or no value today. It is an issue which needs to be addressed by the legislature to fit modern times – before it tears apart more families and neighborhoods."

This stands in stark contrast to Rep. Jamie Pederson, whom I have also shared communications with. Mr. Pedersen, a lawyer by trade and Yale Law School graduate, advocates legalized land theft, and despite numerous e-mails and calls to his office by many constituents in Washington, Mr. Pedersen instead sides with the attorneys who have so much to lose if HB 1479 passes.

And, that is the issue... instead of being a representative of the PEOPLE, Mr. Pedersen prefers to represent his attorney friends (the same, which by the way who contributed significantly to his election).

We stand on the cusp of new legislation, HB 1479, which would end legalized land theft. It is time that our representatives do the right thing, and show their support of this bill that represents fairness and justice for all.


Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Adverse Possession Forum

I am very excited to state that End Adverse Possession Now has launched a web-based user forum so that people can share their experiences about legalized land theft. As well, it establishes an information repository so that legislators and other industry influencers can see first hand how damaging adverse possession is and its negative impact on people's lives and their communities.

Adverse possession is repugnant and like other reprehensible laws of history, like slavery, it needs to end now!

Here is the link to our forum: http://www.eapnow.org/phpbb/

We've already got a couple of real life stories of people who have been affected by legalized land theft. We need your story to bring adverse possession to an end!

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Washington's House Judiciary Committee

For House Bill 1479 to pass, these people must move the bill out of committee and to the floor.

These Representatives comprise the Washington State House Judiciary Committee:
  1. Pedersen, Chair;
  2. Goodman, Vice Chair;
  3. Rodne;
  4. Shea;
  5. Flannigan;
  6. Kelley;
  7. Kirby;
  8. Ormsby;
  9. Roberts;
  10. Ross;
  11. Warnick

By clicking on each name, you can get each Representative's contact information.

Please contact all of the above members to let them know YOU SUPPORT HB 1479. LEGALIZED LAND THEFT NEEDS TO END NOW!

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Battleground - 43rd Legislative District

This map is the key to ending legalized land theft in Washington state. It is the 43rd Legislative District in Seattle.

There is a bill, HB 1479, that effectively ends the law of adverse possession in Washington. However, it sits in the House Judiciary Committee, which is headed up by Rep. Jamie Pedersen of this very District.























If Pedersen truly is a representative, then he needs to listen and follow his constituents, who want adverse possession to end now. Getting this bill out of the Judiciary Committee and onto the floor for a vote is critical to ending legalized land theft!

Tell Pedersen (pedersen.jamie@leg.wa.gov) that HB 1479 needs to pass!

Better still, ask him why he thinks stealing property is okay? You're likely to get a canned response about adverse possession is not a bad law; it's the homeowner's fault, or that it is similar to having someone take a necklace from you, or some other nonsense answer.

Bottom line is that Pedersen needs to understand stealing is wrong, period.

If you live in this zone or know of someone who does, please have them contact Reps. Jamie Pedersen (pedersen.jamie@leg.wa.gov), Frank Chopp (chopp.frank@leg.wa.gov) and their district Senator, Ed Murray (murray.ed@leg.wa.gov).

If HB 1479 is going to end adverse possession in Washington, it will all come down to those who live in this district informing Mr. Pedersen that legalized land theft needs to end now!

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

New Volunteer Joins End Adverse Possession Now

End Adverse Possession Now continues to grow at an alarmingly fast rate!

I am pleased to announce that we have a new volunteer who joined within days of our official launch announcement (see this link in the Puget Sound Business Journal): http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/prnewswire/press_releases/Washington/2009/08/25/SF65501

The support of volunteers and contributions are key to our success and ability to fight against legalized land theft.

I look forward to more volunteers joining our cause and helping to change history by abolishing this reprehensible, outdated and unnecessary law of adverse possession. - CM