Woman whose property was taken by city puts a curse in Christmas

NEW LONDON, Conn. — The woman at the center of the national battle over property rights has some less-than-joyous tidings for the people involved in using eminent domain to take her house to make way for private development.

Susette Kelo's cards feature a snowy image of her pink house and a message that reads, in part: "Your houses, your homes, your family, your friends. May they live in misery that never ends. ... "

The cards were sent to city officials and members of New London's development agency. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in June 2005 that New London had the right to take homes in her neighborhood to make way for a riverfront project that includes condominiums, a hotel and office space.

On Wednesday, after news accounts about the cards, Kelo issued a statement through the Institute for Justice, which represented the homeowners in their battle.

"My card was meant as much in humor as it was in frustration," she said. "What I wrote shouldn't be taken as my literal wish for anyone. I'm heartbroken that this will be my last Christmas in Fort Trumbull and what I wrote rose out of that fact, but the bottom line is, it was over the top."

Kelo, one of the last holdouts, earlier this year accepted a $442,155 settlement, more than $300,000 above the 2000 appraised value of her house. Her pink cottage will be moved elsewhere in the city.

"It's amazing anyone could be so vindictive when they've made so much money," said Gail Schwenker-Mayer, a development supporter who got one of the cards.

New London Development Corp. member Reid Burdick said he put the card on his mantel with his other Christmas greetings.