Something to Consider

I revisited an old question this week, one that I have asked myself several time over the last few years. Do you support property owner’s rights and where do those rights begin and end? The first time that I really considered the issue it was a very personal situation to me and my family. Dandridge was looking for placement of the new bridge and there were many plans that were up for consideration. One plan placed a major connector road right through my family property, an area that, at the time, would have impacted my entire immediate and much of my extended family. It was a situation where there would have been very little choice and it felt really, really bad. We came to be at our current location after TVA took our family farm for Douglas Lake and there really was no choice offered then either. I understand how it feels to be faced with forced relocation and it is not something that I would wish on my neighbors and fellow citizens. I believe in property owner rights. I believe that if you work for something, you buy it , invest your time, money and emotions, it is yours to do with as you see fit. Of course there are caveats to everything in life and property owner rights are not an exception. One owner’s rights should not superseded anther’s rights. If what you do on your property impacts what I can do on my property, whose rights come first? That is a question that has been volleyed back and forth in policy for years. Is your music too loud for your neighbors but just the right level for your enjoyment? Does your tree block the view of the road or the mountains or Bessie the Cow? You see a collection of antique cars that just need a little attention and your neighbor sees rust on blocks. Do they stay or do they go? You like to weed eat and rev your engines at 6 am and the Smith’s next door sleep in until past 8. Do you wait or do they just need to wake up a little earlier or wear ear muffs?

And then there is the big question. You get an offer to sell your property for more money than you ever dreamed of receiving, but the new owner will build something that some of your neighbors find appalling. It is a gamer changer for both of you. Do you have the right to sell?

The second time that I had to really think about property owner rights was during the proposed Megasite. Property owners banned together to speak in one voice and that voice said “ No” we will not sell. So the question became does the government, in the name of betterment of the people, have the moral authority to take what belongs to their own citizens? And then on the other side of the County there were citizens that were engaged in battle with an equally large foe, Norfolk Southern. While it is true and clear that railroads can impose eminent domain, that is not what happened. Norfolk Southern bought out several property owners in the New Market, Strawberry Plains area with the intent of bringing an Intermodal to the area. It was certainly a blow for those that hoped to keep that part of the County pristine farmland and there were questions regarding the tactics that were used in some negotiations. But, in the end, the property was sold. And now it belongs to Norfolk Southern.

Much has happened in the years since Norfolk Southern made their purchases. Much, in fact, has happened this year to Norfolk Southern and the proposed Intermodal that was to come to New Market looks like it might be a dead project. Canadian Pacific Railroad tried three times, unsuccessfully, to merge with Norfolk Southern. When that didn’t work Canadian Pacific made a move for a hostile takeover of Norfolk Southern. Ultimately, they stepped back around mid April and announced that they had ceased their quest to acquire Norfolk Southern, but insiders believe that it was the fear that they could not get federal approval that influenced Canadian Pacific. Norfolk Southern took a financial hit trying to defend and convince their stockholders to stay the course. They announced that they will be cutting 1200 jobs this year and another 1200 or so in the next couple of years. Their stock, while starting to rebound, is still not where it should be. This doesn’t sound like a company that is ready, willing, or able to sink billions of dollars into a new project.

And so, the Jefferson County Industrial Board has inquired about purchasing the land in New Market and Strawberry Plains from Norfolk Southern. They may or may not want to sell and they may or may not be too expensive for the County’s pocketbook. This week, a group of residents from that area spoke at the County Commission Work Session. They were concerned that the IDB and EDOC would acquire the property. I know, to some small extent, how they feel. It is a sickening feeling to see your world changing and have no control over what is about to come. I simply offer this for consideration. The property is already sold and belongs to Norfolk Southern. If Norfolk Southern is in the process of trying to free up funds, and if they have scrapped the Intermodal project, they will likely sell the property. Is it better for Jefferson County to purchase the property, or an outside developer? Jefferson County should have an interest in clean industry and here the citizens will have some voice in what is developed on that property, where an outside developer with no ties to this County could bring in something much, much worse than any of us were expecting. This group of citizens are having a informational meeting this week to discuss the whats and ifs of the County purchasing the property. My grandfather often said that the devil you know is better than the devil you don’t. We know what option one and option two look like and, while they may not be pretty, they also may not be the ugliest girl at the dance. Just something to consider.