Uncle Dale Johnson (Mark’s boy)

#TheGreatWaterHeist || Columbia, Tennessee The Imminence of Eminent Domain: We have learned in recent days that Columbia Power & Water Systems (CPWS) has served letters from its legal counsel to private property owners with the threat of taking their property though eminent domain. The private landowners were given 15 days to decide whether to relent and sell their land for the planned water pipeline — or, per the lawyer’s letter, CPWS can come and take their land by eminent domain. None of this is speculation. It is in writing. Eminent domain is a legal process whereby a government entity seeks to compel the sale of private property for a “public” project. Even if a landowner does not wish to sell, the government can initiate proceedings to take the land (subject to the payment of compensation under the law). For families in Maury County, land represents more than just acreage. It is their legacy. But I suppose that’s not taken into account when the land is “needed” for a pipeline the people are already paying $520 Million to build — with that also revealing the project was approved without CPWS owning the land it needed to complete the pipeline; otherwise, why would they have lawyers threatening takings by eminent domain? An additional note: The higher-ups at CPWS are making these calls despite being on notice that a legal challenge is forthcoming, and will be filed on or before March 1st; the date CPWS has advised it will begin raising rates. — Dustin