Third in a Series of Reports
Image Credit: Tennessee National Guard / Facebook
The Tennessee Conservative [By David Seal] –
Certain property owners in upper East Tennessee along State Routes 19, 36, and 107 whose names and parcel numbers were published in local print newspapers identifying easements that were taken by eminent domain are not pleased with the state government.
The property taking was initiated by the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office on behalf of the Tennessee Department of Transportation whose mission was to repair roads damaged by Hurricane Helene.
The residents and property owners of the affected area felt like they were ambushed when the normal process of notice was circumvented with action taken by Governor Lee to expedite road repairs under the governor’s “emergency powers” statute.
After community meetings in which state officials tried to quell the fears of property owners by explaining how a Washington County circuit judge ordered easements to be taken by eminent domain, the affected citizens had more questions than answers, some of which retained attorneys to protect their rights and feared for the loss of their property.
Most recently, Senior Assistant Attorney General, Cynnthia Paduch, sent a letter to property owners in the area, dated January 3, 2025, stating in part that “[t]he State’s proposed plan used a broad brush in determining what property rights and the extent of those rights that would be needed….after much additional work and survey crew computations, the State has determined that only a few property owners on each of these various projects are actually necessary in order to repair damaged roads.”
In other words, the state admits that it sought, and obtained, condemnation on far more property easements than were actually needed.
The Tennessee Conservative News reached out to Senior Assistant AG Paduch, who replied through the Public Information Officer, Chad Kubis, to ask if the State Department of Transportation will petition the court to rescind easements on properties that are no longer needed for the road repair project, and if a property owner’s signature on a mysterious form letter, circulated at community meetings, will trigger such a petition to the circuit court.
One property owner stated as follows.
“In talking with other neighbors involved in this eminent domain action we are very concerned that we are not being told the whole truth, concerned that the recent letters we received a week ago asking us to make a decision of sorts and sign it, and wondering why we even received such letter. Most of the landowners I talked to, including myself, are not signing the letter and probably not mailing it back.” – said Joseph F Ambrose, Property Owner Erwin, Tennessee
The Tennessee Conservative News is waiting for a response from the Public Information Officer of the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office.
About the Author: David Seal is a retired Jefferson County educator, recognized artist, local businessman, 917 Society Volunteer, and current Chairman of the Jefferson County Republican Party. He has also served Jefferson County as a County Commissioner and is a citizen lobbyist for the people on issues such as eminent domain, property rights, education, and broadband accessibility on the state level. David is also a 2024 winner of The Tennessee Conservative Flame Award & has received an accolade from the Institute For Justice for successfully lobbing the TN legislature to protect property rights. David can be reached at david@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
One Response
We own nothing if lucifer’s gubmint wants it.