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Jonathon Jordon

oldnews

Posted 9:06 am, 12/12/2014

WhyWhy

Agree with you but at least Sue had the guts to speak up where as Jordon kept his mouth shut

whywhy

Posted 8:41 pm, 12/11/2014

Whether Jonathon Jordan is **** or whatever, IDEALLY, should not matter to the voters of Ashe County. But, we should take a look at what his comments and stance was during the position one amendment. My guess, it would make him look like hypercritical if the rumors are true. It is interesting that during the public forum with Sue Counts in October Jonathon Jordan simply state, "you know my party's stance" when the issue of gay marriage came up...he did not offer his stance...

Fins

Posted 8:35 pm, 12/11/2014

The smart play would be to get the state to do it. I think it could be pulled off for something like a public trail.

There were a few cases several years ago of the state condemning private properties to sell to developers cheap for commercial projects. The arguments were that the commercial facilities would benefit the public as a whole. I believe one of those cases was in NC. But I don't remember how the court cases ended up ruling.

Mr.Trucker

Posted 7:02 pm, 12/11/2014

Yep a move like that would be political suicide!!!

underdog2

Posted 5:54 pm, 12/11/2014

Couple of problems. Its very gray doing it for a bike trail miles long and multiple properties. No elected official from the county would ever vote to do it or for that matter let it even be brought up.

Joseph T.

Posted 5:22 pm, 12/11/2014

I don't know dog it look legit to me.

� 40A-3. By whom right may be exercised.

(a) Private Condemnors. - For the public use or benefit, the persons or organizations listed below shall have the power of eminent domain and may acquire by purchase or condemnation property for the stated purposes and other works which are authorized by law.

(1) Corporations, bodies politic or persons have the power of eminent domain for the construction of railroads, power generating facilities, substations, switching stations, microwave towers, roads, alleys, access railroads, turnpikes, street railroads, plank roads, tramroads, canals, telegraphs, telephones, electric power lines, electric lights, public water supplies, public sewerage systems, flumes, bridges, and pipelines or mains originating in North Carolina for the transportation of petroleum products, coal, gas, limestone or minerals. Land condemned for any liquid pipelines shall:

a. Not be less than 50 feet nor more than 100 feet in width; and

b. Comply with the provisions of G.S. 62-190(b).

The width of land condemned for any natural gas pipelines shall not be more than 100 feet.

(2) School committees or boards of trustees or of directors of any corporation holding title to real estate upon which any private educational institution is situated, have the power of eminent domain in order to obtain a pure and adequate water supply for such institution.

(3) Franchised motor vehicle carriers or union bus station companies organized by authority of the Utilities Commission, have the power of eminent domain for the purpose of constructing and operating union bus stations: Provided, that this subdivision shall not apply to any city or town having a population of less than 60,000.

(4) Any railroad company has the power of eminent domain for the purposes of: constructing union depots; maintaining, operating, improving or straightening lines or of altering its location; constructing double tracks; constructing and maintaining new yards and terminal facilities or enlarging its yard or terminal facilities; connecting two of its lines already in operation not more than six miles apart; or constructing an industrial siding.

(5) A condemnation in fee simple by a State-owned railroad company for the purposes specified in subdivision (4) of this subsection and as provided under G.S. 124-12(2).

The width of land condemned for any single or double track railroad purpose shall be not less than 80 feet nor more than 100 feet, except where the road may run through a town, where it may be of less width, or where there may be deep cuts or high embankments, where it may be of greater width.

No rights granted or acquired under this subsection shall in any way destroy or abridge the rights of the State to regulate or control any railroad company or to regulate foreign corporations doing business in this State. Whenever it is necessary for any railroad company doing business in this State to cross the street or streets in a town or city in order to carry out the orders of the Utilities Commission, to construct an industrial siding, the power is hereby conferred upon such railroad company to occupy such street or streets of any such town or city within the State. Provided, license so to do be first obtained from the board of aldermen, board of commissioners, or other governing authorities of such town or city.

No such condemnor shall be allowed to have condemned to its use, without the consent of the owner, his burial ground, usual dwelling house and yard, kitchen and garden, unless condemnation of such property is expressly authorized by statute.

The power of eminent domain shall be exercised by private condemnors under the procedures of Article 2 of this Chapter.

(b) Local Public Condemnors - Standard Provision. - For the public use or benefit, the governing body of each municipality or county shall possess the power of eminent domain and may acquire by purchase, gift or condemnation any property, either inside or outside its boundaries, for the following purposes.

(1) Opening, widening, extending, or improving roads, streets, alleys, and sidewalks. The authority contained in this subsection is in addition to the authority to acquire rights-of-way for streets, sidewalks and highways under Article 9 of Chapter 136. The provisions of this subdivision (1) shall not apply to counties.

(2) Establishing, extending, enlarging, or improving any of the public enterprises listed in G.S. 160A-311 for cities, or G.S. 153A-274 for counties.

(3) Establishing, enlarging, or improving parks, playgrounds, and other recreational facilities.

(4) Establishing, extending, enlarging, or improving storm sewer and drainage systems and works, or sewer and septic tank lines and systems.

(5) Establishing, enlarging, or improving hospital facilities, cemeteries, or library facilities.

(6) Constructing, enlarging, or improving city halls, fire stations, office buildings, courthouse jails and other buildings for use by any department, board, commission or agency.

(7) Establishing drainage programs and programs to prevent obstructions to the natural flow of streams, creeks and natural water channels or improving drainage facilities. The authority contained in this subdivision is in addition to any authority contained in Chapter 156.

(8) Acquiring designated historic properties, designated as such before October 1, 1989, or acquiring a designated landmark designated as such on or after October 1, 1989, for which an application has been made for a certificate of appropriateness for demolition, in pursuance of the purposes of G.S. 160A-399.3, Chapter 160A, Article 19, Part 3B, effective until October 1, 1989, or G.S. 160A-400.14, whichever is appropriate.

(9) Opening, widening, extending, or improving public wharves.

The board of education of any municipality or county or a combined board may exercise the power of eminent domain under this Chapter for purposes authorized by Chapter 115C of the General Statutes.

The power of eminent domain shall be exercised by local public condemnors under the procedures of Article 3 of this Chapter.

(b1) Local Public Condemnors - Modified Provision for Certain Localities. - For the public use or benefit, the governing body of each municipality or county shall possess the power of eminent domain and may acquire by purchase, gift or condemnation any property or interest therein, either inside or outside its boundaries, for the following purposes.

(1) Opening, widening, extending, or improving roads, streets, alleys, and sidewalks. The authority contained in this subsection is in addition to the authority to acquire rights-of-way for streets, sidewalks and highways under Article 9 of Chapter 136. The provisions of this subdivision (1) shall not apply to counties.

(2) Establishing, extending, enlarging, or improving any of the public enterprises listed in G.S. 160A-311 for cities, or G.S. 153A-274 for counties.

(3) Establishing, enlarging, or improving parks, playgrounds, and other recreational facilities.

(4) Establishing, extending, enlarging, or improving storm sewer and drainage systems and works, or sewer and septic tank lines and systems.

(5) Establishing, enlarging, or improving hospital facilities, cemeteries, or library facilities.

(6) Constructing, enlarging, or improving city halls, fire stations, office buildings, courthouse jails and other buildings for use by any department, board, commission or agency.

(7) Establishing drainage programs and programs to prevent obstructions to the natural flow of streams, creeks and natural water channels or improving drainage facilities. The authority contained in this subdivision is in addition to any authority contained in Chapter 156.

(8) Acquiring designated historic properties, designated as such before October 1, 1989, or acquiring a designated landmark designated as such on or after October 1, 1989, for which an application has been made for a certificate of appropriateness for demolition, in pursuance of the purposes of G.S. 160A-399.3, Chapter 160A, Article 19, Part 3, effective until October 1, 1989, or G.S. 160A-400.14, whichever is appropriate.

(9) Opening, widening, extending, or improving public wharves.

(10) Engaging in or participating with other governmental entities in acquiring, constructing, reconstructing, extending, or otherwise building or improving beach erosion control or flood and hurricane protection works, including, but not limited to, the acquisition of any property that may be required as a source for beach renourishment.

(11) Establishing access for the public to public trust beaches and appurtenant parking areas.

The board of education of any municipality or county or a combined board may exercise the power of eminent domain under this Chapter for purposes authorized by Chapter 115C of the General Statutes.

The power of eminent domain shall be exercised by local public condemnors under the procedures of Article 3 of this chapter.

This subsection applies only to Carteret and Dare Counties, the Towns of Atlantic Beach, Carolina Beach, Caswell Beach, Emerald Isle, Holden Beach, Indian Beach, Kill Devil Hills, Kitty Hawk, Kure Beach, Nags Head, North Topsail Beach, Oak Island, Ocean Isle Beach, Pine Knoll Shores, Sunset Beach, Surf City, Topsail Beach, and Wrightsville Beach, and the Village of Bald Head Island.

(c) Other Public Condemnors. - For the public use or benefit, the following political entities shall possess the power of eminent domain and may acquire property by purchase, gift, or condemnation for the stated purposes.

(1) A sanitary district board established under the provisions of Part 2 of Article 2 of Chapter 130A for the purposes stated in that Part.

(2) The board of commissioners of a mosquito control district established under the provisions of Part 2 of Article 12 of Chapter 130A for the purposes stated in that Part.

(3) A hospital authority established under the provisions of Part B of Article 2 of Chapter 131E for the purposes stated in that Part, provided, however, that the provisions of G.S. 131E-24(c) shall continue to apply.

(4) A watershed improvement district established under the provisions of Article 2 of Chapter 139 for the purposes stated in that Article, provided, however, that the provisions of G.S. 139-38 shall continue to apply.

(5) A housing authority established under the provisions of Article 1 of Chapter 157 for the purposes of that Article, provided, however, that the provisions of G.S. 157-11 shall continue to apply.

(6) A corporation as defined in G.S. 157-50 for the purposes of Article 3 of Chapter 157, provided, however, the provisions of G.S. 157-50 shall continue to apply.

(7) A commission established under the provisions of Article 22 of Chapter 160A for the purposes of that Article.

(8) An authority created under the provisions of Article 1 of Chapter 162A for the purposes of that Article.

(9) A district established under the provisions of Article 4 of Chapter 162A for the purposes of that Article.

(10) A district established under the provisions of Article 5 of Chapter 162A for purposes of that Article.

(11) The board of trustees of a community college established under the provisions of Article 2 of Chapter 115D for the purposes of that Article.

(12) A district established under the provisions of Article 6 of Chapter 162A for the purposes of that Article.

(13) A regional public transportation authority established under Article 26 of Chapter 160A of the General Statutes for the purposes of that Article.

The power of eminent domain shall be exercised by a public condemnor listed in this subsection under the procedures of Article 3 of this Chapter. (1852, c. 92, s. 1; R.C., c. 61, s. 9; 1874-5, c. 83; Code, s. 1698; Rev., s. 2575; 1907, cc. 39, 458, 783; 1911, c. 62, ss. 25, 26, 27; 1917, cc. 51, 132; C.S., s. 1706; 1923, c. 205; Ex. Sess. 1924, c. 118; 1937, c. 108, s. 1; 1939, c. 228, s. 4; 1941, c. 254; 1947, c. 806; 1951, c. 1002, ss. 1, 2; 1953, c. 1211; 1957, c. 65, s. 11; c. 1045, s. 1; 1961, c. 247; 1973, c. 507, s. 5; c. 1262, s. 86; 1977, c. 771, s. 4; 1981, c. 919, s. 1; 1983, c. 378, s. 2; 1983 (Reg. Sess., 1984), c. 1084; 1985, c. 689, s. 10; c. 696, s. 2; 1987, c. 2, s. 1; c. 564, s. 13; c. 783, s. 6; 1989, c. 706, s. 3; c. 740, s. 1.1; 2000-146, s. 8; 2001-36, ss. 1, 3; 2001-478, s. 2; 2001-487, s. 58; 2002-172, s. 4.1; 2003-282, ss. 1, 2; 2004-203, s. 32(a), (b); 2006-224, s. 2; 2006-259, s. 47.)

Joseph T.

Posted 5:09 pm, 12/11/2014

onlyinashe (view profile)

Posted 4:39 pm, 12/11/2014

JT, sure the County could seize the land for the trail, if they could come up with a legitimate reason to do so, I'm not real sure that stringing together a hike/bike trail would get it, if folks are screaming about expenditures at the airport, just wait until you start going to court to fight all the folks who do not want their land to be seized.

The Ashe County Ski slope has died a great depression death. The only person to make out on that deal was Eric Hunter when he sold the land that was going to be developed. The investment necessary to pull that one off would have been astronomical.

The conversion of the old hospital into a destination bed and breakfast met a similar fate, when the economy tanked, the ability to get speculative loans dried up and the anticipated grant funding for that development never came about.
I believe that the narrow strip of land that was the old RR bed needed for a county biking and hiking trail would meet the requirements given the Kelo decision the US Supreme court made.

onlyinashe

Posted 5:02 pm, 12/11/2014

Dog you are correct, in NC the State did not take the land for railroads in a imminent domain proceeding as they did in VA, the Railroads had to seek out their own right of way, the deeds for the right of way along the N&W's route to Elkland all had clauses to revert to the original owner if the railroad was ever removed and/or charter revoked.

underdog2

Posted 4:57 pm, 12/11/2014

The only way the county could have gotten the land was for the Rail road to have sold tracks and all to the county. Once the tracks were pulled up in NC thats considered abandonment. and the land reverts to adjacent land owners. I think it would be against state law to condemn land for a bike trail.

Now that state park sitting over there wasting space would make for some nice bike trails, camping areas, rv areas etc...

onlyinashe

Posted 4:39 pm, 12/11/2014

JT, sure the County could seize the land for the trail, if they could come up with a legitimate reason to do so, I'm not real sure that stringing together a hike/bike trail would get it, if folks are screaming about expenditures at the airport, just wait until you start going to court to fight all the folks who do not want their land to be seized.


The Ashe County Ski slope has died a great depression death. The only person to make out on that deal was Eric Hunter when he sold the land that was going to be developed. The investment necessary to pull that one off would have been astronomical.

The conversion of the old hospital into a destination bed and breakfast met a similar fate, when the economy tanked, the ability to get speculative loans dried up and the anticipated grant funding for that development never came about.

underdog2

Posted 4:34 pm, 12/11/2014

Community one bank foreclosed on the land. The castle on top continues to be on the market.

Joseph T.

Posted 4:15 pm, 12/11/2014

What ever happen to the proposed ski slope that was going to be built on Phoenix Mountain?

Mr.Trucker

Posted 1:10 pm, 12/11/2014

But the truth is the truth...

underdog2

Posted 1:08 pm, 12/11/2014

That has gotten so old it has mold on it.

Mr.Trucker

Posted 1:03 pm, 12/11/2014

Local gov't at it's finest!!! No matter how much things change, they stay the same.. History repeats itself!!

oldnews

Posted 8:37 am, 12/11/2014

So far some very good ideas but those in power do not seem to either have a vsision or care one way or another what happens to this county

Joseph T.

Posted 8:14 am, 12/11/2014

Yes it could have been done and still could be. It is my understanding that when the train pulled out the county could have taken over the ROW and didn't want to. It could still be done today with the use of eminent domain and the actual RR bed still exist today except for a few places. If the county where to take the old road bed and make it a bike/hiking trail like VA. did it would bring in a lot of tourism to the county in the summer and like Dog and Fins have said we need to cater to tourism since most of the manufacturing is gone.

If any one thinks it wont work just drive to Damascus and see what it has done for them. All we need is some forward looking people as much as I love this county and the way it is we have to do something and this would be a good start since it would bring more people who would spend money here and also visit other place like Mt. Jefferson and new river state park which would in turn get the parks more funding. This one thing alone would have been better for the county then expanding the airport run way.

secretagent

Posted 7:33 pm, 12/10/2014

That bike trail thing has been explained here several times. Coulda shoulda woulda mighta oughta been but couldn't have been and therefor it wasn't. Different rules here in NC than in Va.

CooperFarms

Posted 6:33 pm, 12/10/2014

Hard to " take back" something that was never yours.

yardbird

Posted 6:23 pm, 12/10/2014

Rotsa Ruck with that idea.

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