Eviction during Cancer: The Unbelievable but True Story of the Graces

This story takes place in West Lafayette, Indiana. Within 1 mile of Purdue University, Professor Caroline Grace and her husband Greg own a very nice property. They have a huge problem:  They are under the threat of eviction any day after July 15, 2010. The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) has two separate lawsuits against them to relocate a Bypass State HWY231 before the Grace’s first day in court for their eminent domain case. At the same time, Professor Grace needs to start cancer treatment for advanced metastatic cancer in critical organs. The courts have not granted her oncologist’s plea for continuance. Also, Greg’s mother in Phoenix suffered strokes and fainting spells. The state never granted him permission to leave and help ensure timely treatment. On June 25, 2010–nearly 2 weeks later, she underwent emergency neurosurgery for hemorrhages in both brain lobes, without him. She suffered brain damage, and is currently in a care facility alone without her son’s supervision.

In February 2007, the Grace’s applied for early acquisition due to Caroline’s advancing cancer. INDOT refused. When the financial market bottomed in 2008, INDOT began the acquisition process and subsequent lawsuits. In their first lawsuit, Indiana’s courts ruled twice in Grace’s favor. Still, INDOT keeps moving forward in the eviction process. It appraised their home for less than their mortgages, and placed the sum in the court’s hands. This gives INDOT the legal right to seize and evict them anytime after July 15. Professor Grace’s disability income doesn’t qualify her for any new mortgage to purchase a replacement home.

On July 8, the Deputy AG told the Judge and Graces that INDOT was only issuing a verbal statement that it would not evict them on July 15 because Indiana could loose federal funds if it were perceived that INDOT is overly abusive. The Graces, professors, students and supporters from US and abroad wrote to Governor Daniels and Purdue President Cordova–since both have political oversight over the project, asking them to intercede. Both have remained silent. On July 7, the Deputy AG filed a motion to strike the Grace’s request for Jury Trial. The Judge denied the Grace’s request for jury trial base on law.

In light of all three immediate crises: If anyone can help the Graces legally or through media to stop this inhumane process, please contact them at helpgratefulgrace@gmail.com (blog at helpgratefulgrace.wordpress.com). Thank you.

Military person’s reaction to eminent domain abuse: Why do I fight? Please HELP a cancer patient and husband defend herself from Indiana Dept. Transportation’s (INDOT) misuse of Eminent Domain & impending eviction during battle with advanced metastatic cancer.

Dear Ones,   With permission, here is a letter written by a military service person – my step sister, to the people referred to below and to her congressman:

To Whom this May Concern,

My name is Brita Carlson. I am a soldier in the United States Army and quite honestly I am outraged and touched at the same time, by the story that my step sister Caroline has written. I am  absolutely disgusted to know that the people whom I have served for and fought 29 months overseas in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom to provide the freedoms that they exercise everyday.

To hear the things that the government is doing and the lack of action on any level from the state and national government is absolutely absurd. The hopelessness that I feel in knowing that there is nothing more that I can do besides write this email, to help my sister, is endless. If there is any bit of common decency, human kindness, and downright constitutional righteousness left in the people of the United States Government, you will make a decision to help these people, my sister and others in similar situation.

Respectfully,

Brita Carlson  [Address &  AKO [info removed]  _@us.army.mil  SIPR _@us.army.smil.mil  JWICS _@centcom.ic.gov

Thank you so much for the incredible outpouring from people all over the world. We hope that calls and the letters you have sent to Governor Daniels, Purdue President Cordova, the Indiana Attorney General (and CC US Attorney General), and the media will bring fairness and justice and compassion to the situation. Sincerely,  Caroline & Greg Grace     helpgratefulgrace.wordpress.com  [helpgratefulgrace@gmail.com]