The fight over the Lakewood, Ohio West end will be on the ballot next Tuesday, but a third issue will not.

Lakewood - The Ohio Supreme Court yesterday rejected a plea from West End development critics to place a third referendum on Tuesday's ballot.
The justices ruled 6-0 that City Council and other officials acted within the authority of the city charter by placing the proposed referendum on the March 2, 2004, ballot.

As proposed, the referendum would repeal legislation that declared the West End neighborhood blighted and paved the way for public financing for the $151 million complex of condominiums, shops and offices.

Although the designation of the area of blighted is pretty dubious, I fully support the right of the city to eminent domain. Some oppose this saying that cities should only be allowed to use this tool when building power lines and public venues. As cities grow more developed, it may be one of the only tools cities have to renew themselves.