American Bacon
"Roger E. Bacon is an all-American man who fought tirelessly for his property."
El Cerrito Sports Park has been a vital space for youth and families in our community. It's also a place with a complicated history — one that includes the forceful removal of Roger E. Bacon, a resident whose property was taken through eminent domain.
We share Roger's story not only to honor a fierce fighter, but to engrave a powerful truth into El Cerrito Sports Park's very foundations: it must serve the greater good with uncompromising integrity, ensuring that no one's sacrifice is ever in vain.
www.RogerEBacon.com serves as a vital platform to remember Roger E. Bacon, an all-American who fiercely fought against the eminent domain used to acquire his property for El Cerrito Sports Park.
This website stands as a testament to his struggle, highlighting the human cost of unchecked power and advocating for transparency, integrity, and fair governance to ensure public resources truly serve the community's greater good.
Honoring Roger E. Bacon: A Memorial Bench
To honor Roger E. Bacon, we're kicking off a special initiative.
Our goal is to raise funds for a memorial bench dedicated in his name at El Cerrito Sports Park.
This bench will provide a serene spot for reflection, offering a place where friends, family, and community members can gather, remember Roger, and appreciate the surrounding beauty. It's our way of ensuring his influence continues to bring comfort and inspiration to our community for years to come.
El Cerrito Sports Park Under Protest: A Stand for Fair Play
El Cerrito Sports Park, a community recreational space in Corona, is currently the focus of protest led by Adrian Aros, a longtime resident and the driving force behind the successful FC Riverside County. Aros contends that the park’s allocation of resources and field time has been unfairly managed, creating an untenable and non-viable playing field for other organizations, thereby hindering the entire industry.
“This is a park that has been allocated unfairly,” states Adrian Aros. “We have evidence that competitors are receiving significant subsidies from the government for their operations here, making it unrealistic for organizations like FC Riverside County to ever compete fairly on costs like rent. This artificially deflates operational expenses for a select few, stifling legitimate competition and preventing the healthy growth of youth sports in our community.”
Aros believes that the current situation is being influenced by cronyism, preventing a level playing field within the city’s park system and stifling opportunities for organizations like his to thrive and contribute more significantly to the community.
The government holds a power called eminent domain, allowing it to take private property for public use even if the owner doesn't wish to sell.
The Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution grants this power but also requires the government to provide "just compensation" to the property owner. While "public use" traditionally encompassed projects like roads, schools, and public buildings, courts have since expanded this definition to include economic development beneficial to the community.
Should the government move to acquire your property, you retain the right to negotiate for its fair market value and to dispute whether the taking genuinely serves a public purpose.
This was the situation Roger E. Bacon faced; he believed his property had a higher value and felt unjustly treated.
If you'd like to help and stay updated on Roger E. Bacon's story and our fight for justice, please submit the form below.