Mayor Teresa Isaac's Bold Faced Lie

Eminent domain is a serious issue, one that goes against most citizens' notions of how the government should behave. We expect our politicians to take every step necessary before engaging in a discussion of eminent domain. Eminent domain -- if used -- should be an absolute last resort option.

The mayor of Lexington, Kentucky, Teresa Isaac insinuated that the city has contacted the developer of Lexington Mall, and hearing no response, is considering taking over the property:

Teresa Isaac: "The developer will not cooperate with anyone in town or return anyone's phone calls ... So we're actually looking at that site for a public use."

• September 28th, 2006, in a mayoral debate against challenger James Newberry

Teresa Isaac: "If what I have to do to get this developer's attention is say I'm looking at it for eminent domain, that's a pretty good way to get a return phone call."

• Reported in the Lexington Herald Leader, September 29th

This claim -- that the city has made efforts to contact the private owner before considering eminent domain -- is disputed by Saul Holdings L.P:

Saul Holdings L.P.: "Nobody (at Saul) has ever heard from anybody at the city, ... (Economic development director) Julian Beard has not called us; Teresa Isaac has not called us. ... We have never heard from them."

• Reported in the Lexington Herald Leader, September 29th

Who is lying? Is it Teresa Isaac or Saul Holdings? The Lexington Herald Leader reports that city Economic development director Julian Beard confirmed that no one from the city had called Saul Holdings. It appears that Teresa Isaac has grossly exaggerated -- or outright lied -- about the efforts the local government has made to communicate with the owners of Lexington Mall.

Source: Lexington Herald Leader, http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/15635893.htm