I think my brain is going to explode..and I think I need help..

[cockadoodlemom]

Praying for ya

 

[emmalynn]

I have to agree with the advice about the lawyer. We live in TN and there was a great big deal about interstate 840 going in and who's home and land would be destroyed/taken. One group got together and fought. If you look at the map of TN you will see that 840 only goes 1/4 of the way around Nashville versus 1/2 way. FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT!!! The government takes away so much and gives so little.

 

[mom'sfolly]

Unfortunately, courts as high as the Supreme Court have been ruling against land owners in imminant (sp??) domain cases. Somthing like that is happening near me, I've been active in arguing against the road expansion, but it will be built. Right now it is being held up by an illegal land transfer.

Hope all goes well for you.

 

[Robin'sBrood]

I had to look on a map to see where East Lake is. So you're coastal... well, that explains it. Darn development EVERYWHERE... I'm so sorry. Best wishes with your fight.

 

[Robin'sBrood]

I remember when I was in high school my chemistry teacher was fighting with the DOT over her land. She lost. Anyone ever heard of I-40.

 

[Intheswamp]

I've said a prayer for you and your community. My family was under the gun for our (then) 50-year old business during the last year of my father's life...I kinda think that might have encouraged the heart attack that put him in the hospital where he contracted a super bug and died.

Don't just document when the snakes (no insult intended to leggless snakes) come onto your property but also *all* meetings that county/state or whatever officials might have. There are stipulations on how meetings must be held and how the public is supposed to be notified. In our situation there were several meetings in which our state's "sunshine law" was violated. Document, document, document...

Rally the community's support. The petition is a good idea. Though a small community, folks in your community have friends and family elsewhere in the county. Get *everybody* together and get on the agenda at the next county commission meeting to state your concerns...pack the meeting room with *your* allies who also happen to be VOTERS in the county.

Have 2-3 handpicked people who are good at putting their thoughts into voice designated to speak to the commission. Have a game plan and a *very good* outline of the idea that you wish to convey. You need valid arguments *why* the proposed sites are bad sites.... The fact that they've already taken land from your family once should definitely be mentioned, but dwell there too long.

Remember that government officials are scared of the folks that elect them. They're also scared of bad publicity...let the local papers, radio stations, tv stations, cable companies, whatever, know when the meeting is going to be and let them know that a crowd is attending. Regardless if a tv station or whatever video-tapes the meeting have someone you trust also videotape the meeting.

My bet is that this project will be funded through "stimulus" money that is putting my grandkids and their's into debt for the rest of their lives.

Keep your cool.

Hire a lawyer...get a good one. The bad thing is that you don't know who in this political society is in bed with who. <grrrrr>

Best wishes and may God, the Father of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, be with you.

Ed

 

[RedHead]

Thank you all again, I really appreciate the prayers and support. Yall are just wonderful people. I think we might have a game plan now. muahahaha
They said that they won't have the funds until 2013 and that gives me more than enough time to take that 10,000 loan that my close friend offered to us. And we're going to majorly improve the value of the land to where it might just not be in their budget anymore and it'll be enough to get this place surveyed and zoned agricultural (it's unzoned at the moment)
Chickens are gonna be everywhere!

Our 100 cornish rocks are gonna be here in about 6 days give or take. And we're going to be getting some javas and some other 'endangered' breeds. Considering they'd have to compensate us for our chickens as well as the house and the agriculturally zoned land. My hope is to fill up at least half of these 38 acres with chickens hehehehe, I love the fuzzy butts anyway so why not. It's gonna be a lot of work, but it'll be worth it in the end hopefully. And even if all we end up with is a dollar then I'm gonna make it a pretty darn big dollar. And my neighbors and I have already started a petition. I believe the next meeting is supposed to be around the end of this year or next year sometime, so that gives us time to get our 'guns' together muahahahaha

 

[cindyanne1]

I am so sorry you're going through this.

It sounds like you have a plan that might work though! Praying for you that it does!!!

 

[farmertank]

Maybe you can make it into a sanctuary or rehab place for animals. This might get you a "Grandfathers" clause Or maybe you could breed and raise a endangered and protected species of wild life. This would be very enjoyable to you, but might put a stop to what they want. Especially if it's a government signed off program. Just some ideas, I really feel for you

Good luck and keep documenting everything. Maybe you can get them on harassment and hold it off longer.

Julie