SAN ANGELO, TX –– On Tuesday, the San Angelo City Council approved a resolution to authorize "eminent domain proceedings for the acquisition of property necessary for the installation and completion of pipelines and appurtenances designed to expand, repair, and replace portions of the City’s wastewater collection and transmission system."
The move comes as one Lake Nasworthy home owner was not cooperating with preliminary work on the Lake Nasworthy wastewater pipeline project.
According to Water Utilities Assistant Director Andy Vecellio, during the preliminary engineering phase, property owners were contacted to allow access to complete the surveying and archaeological investigation fieldwork.
While the vast majority of homeowners have cooperated with the project, at least one owner has caused delays. According to Vecellio, the owner has denied access to his private property.
The approved resolution will allow the city to "acquire easements to access private property for construction, operation, and maintenance of the proposed sewer collection facilities." This will also allow city staff and contract workers to "negotiate for easements."
Eminent domain is defined as the right of a government or its agent to expropriate private property for public use –– with payment or compensation.
In the event the homeowner continues to deny access and a resolution cannot be reached, the city may begin eminent domain proceedings.
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Where are the republicans with "government overreach"?
Isn't this a blatant overreach by a REPUBLICAN government to come and take (or use) some ones private property?
If a democrat did this you people would be up in arms defending the property owner, but when republicans take some ones property for there own use its ok.
Figures.
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PermalinkMeMe, you should take up fishing. Trolling can be a very effective technique.
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PermalinkSo you are fine with the government being able to use your land for whatever they want whenever they want? Or is it just ok in this instance because republicans are doing it?
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PermalinkWhat about the Republican that banned bumpstocks?
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PermalinkHow do you know that everyone employed by the water department is republican?
To answer your question, I generally do not support governments invoking eminent domain unless there is just no other alternative. This article is pretty shy on details so I can't say for sure if I would agree with it in this case or not. If they have to dig up a chunk of the yard to drop in a pipe and then go on about their merry way then the property owner is probably just being a jerk and in that case I would tell them to invoke eminent domain and get it done. If they need a chunk of the land to put a pump station on or something like that I would not support it.
Private property is a very important part of our democracy actually and always needs to be taken seriously. If I was the property owner and told them I didn't want them on my property and they force themselves on to it anyways I would feel pretty cheated out of my private property rights. 🤷🏼♂️
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