County takes railroad right of way

MOUNT VERNON — Invoking the government’s prerogative of eminent domain, the Knox County Board of Commissioners voted Monday afternoon to acquire parcels of land making up the old railroad bed that runs between Howard and Millwood.

  • miriam st. jean

    The Commissioners are something else……first they participate in the purchase of land in the amount of $600K….when its appraised value is actually $166K – then they tell the county that we’re broke – belts are tightened, employee work hours are cut, jobs are lost…and THEN, suddenly, they find an extra $98K to spend – wonder how the county employees (and their families) who were negatively impacted by the belt-tightening feel about $98K appearing out of nowhere………

    Yep – ELECTED, not appointed for life, guys……..

  • publius

    “In May, the Knox County Board of Health declared the on-site sewage systems serving Millwood a public health nuisance requiring immediate attention.” A health nuisance, indeed! Give me a break!! We live in an agricultural area with cattle, horses, pigs and sheep that do their numbers one and two in the great outdoors and send it all into the creeks and rivers when it rains and drains the land. The farmers spew all manner of chemicals on their fields and I even have my house and dogs crop dusted (unwillingly) every spring. If anything, those examples should be declared health nuisances. It has not one whit to do with health. It is another attempt by a handful of folks in government to force the people into paying for something that they neither need nor desire. Put plainly, it is just another scheme to generate revenue. Why reduce spending when you can just steal all you want from the people? Putting in a sewer line and forcing people to connect and pay for its use has no constitutional justification. The county is low on funds? Where did they suddenly find $98,000? Did it just miracle itself into being? Guess how they are going to get it back? If I hear one of the commissioners say that it was a “rainy day fund”, I shall erupt into apoplexy in the town square. If they have enough money that they have to go around looking for some way to spend it, may I offer a suggestion? HOW ABOUT GIVING IT BACK TO THE PEOPLE! You took more than what was the minimum necessary to legitimately carry out the will of the people in the course of your duties as elected officials. ELECTED, not appointed for life.

  • Laurie Wagoner

    I remember one crazy night 25 years ago on that railroad bed.

  • MoMo

    It’s not unusual that the article leaves much to the imagination. First, as Roger states, where did the money come from when we’ve read about the county budget woes for months now? The county indicates this is the most cost effective way to address sewage problems in Millwood, but fail to provide these comparisons to the public. The other villages affected by these issues won’t be piping their sewage 3 miles down the road, so other options appear to be available. Finally previous articles indicate the folks along the route will also be required to participate in costs even if they are not part of the problem area. These issues should all be addressed in a follow up article.

  • Roger

    Wonder where the money came for this — since they are so worried about the budget — or are they?

  • John Davidson

    Perhaps a commuter rail line is in their future plans.,

  • Jacob

    Penn Central’s parent company declared bankruptcy in 1970, and its system was absorbed by the Consolidated Rail Corp. in 1976. However, the holding company continued to exist, and it eventually became part of the American Financial Group in Cincinnati. I wonder whether that company is the rightful owner of this piece of land.

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