If you believe some members of the Richmond City Council, the
city's plan to seize underwater mortgages through eminent domain
and repackage them at a discount will stave off foreclosures,
keep homeowners in homes and make everyone happy. But not
everyone is.  Constance Delaney, a 30-year resident who lives in
a modest home near City Hall, thinks the city is eyeing a
dangerous path, overstepping its authority, exposing itself to
lawsuits and overstating the need for action.  "I take exception
to the mayor marketing our city as falling apart," Delaney said.
"Richmond has not been devastated by mortgages, and she's giving
a distorted view of what's happening."  That mayor would be
Gayle McLaughlin, foremost advocate of a plan called Richmond
CARES, who says a sour economy has buried 50 percent of
hardworking homeowners under debts greater than their homes'
market values. ("That's just an emotional plea," said Delaney.
"It's B.S.")  Whatever the percentage is -- it keeps getting
smaller as property values go up