Feds won't steal Vermont family farm

[Oggie]

This was the situation:

FRANKLIN, Vt. — Outraged by plans to seize land from a Vermont dairy farm to expand a little-used U.S.-Canada border station, dozens of people turned out Saturday to berate U.S. Customs and Border Protection representatives, many suggesting that the port be closed instead.

Toting signs that read "Eminent Domain Equals Federal Land Grab" and "Save the Rainville Family Farm," about 150 people packed Franklin Town Hall, with about 18 standing up to speak — none in favor. One by one, they criticized the plan as wasteful, misdirected, an abuse of eminent domain or all three.

"If this goes forward, it'll be Vermont's `bridge to nowhere," said Pat Crocker, 48, of Essex. "And it'll be disgraceful."

The Department of Homeland Security, which got $420 million from the federal bailout to modernize land ports like this, wants to spend about $5 million to renovate and expand the Depression-era Morses Line border station, a small brick building surrounded by pastures and hayfields owned by the Rainville family.

The building occupies about a half-acre of land, and is badly outdated. Its detention area consists of a bench with a set of handcuffs attached to one end, just inside the glass front door.

To upgrade it, federal officials have proposed taking an adjoining 4.9-acre parcel now used to grow hay and corn, offering the family $39,500 for it. The family, which says it needs the land to grow feed for its dairy cows, doesn't want to sell.

It was recently notified that the land will be taken via eminent domain if no sale is agreed on.

More at: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/...HACEQD9FS2GCG0



The outcome was just announced:

MONTPELIER, Vt. — Sen. Patrick Leahy says the Department of Homeland Security will close a border station in Vermont rather than expand it by seizing a dairy farmer's land.

Leahy told The Associated Press on Thursday that Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has agreed to his request to close the Morses Line station on the U.S.-Canada border.

From: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/...HACEQD9G40CD00

[Wags]

Oh thats good! For as little as that crossing was used it was a colossal waste of taxpayer money to build a new station not to mention ruining the family farm that they were trying to seize!

There is another one going on in Queens where they want to take over a section and beautify it - build new homes and shops etc.... Just makes me sick to read about these sorts of things.

[MELOC]

i can understand, not necessarily support, but understand if it is for needed infrastructure, but i do not support the notion that revitalizing an area by taking private property is to the benefit of all citizens.

[VT Chicklit]

As one of the 150+ people who packed the town hall in Franklin, I did the "Happy Dance" around my living room when I heard the news on FOX tonight! Sometimes the little people do win. Unfortunatly, I think the reason that the Feds gave up easily had less to do with what 150 Vermonters want and more to do with the probability that the stimulous money that was to have been spent on this white elephant was pork that was intended to get votes in November. When they found out that it was going to backfire, the project was quickly pulled. Just my humble opinion.

[Runestone]

That's great news! I heard about this on CBC (Cnd public radio) and was really hoping that saner heads would prevail. Here's to the power of the 'little' people