Les Jones: West Knox County School Land Grab

January 20, 2005

East Tennessee > West Knox County School Land Grab

SayUncle and Bubba have links to the plan for Knoxville to buy land from West Knoxville developers for a new school, whether they like it or not. One of the landowners has set up a blog to plead his side of the case. Smart guy.

I'm always conflicted about eminent domain. On the one hand, without eminent domain for public use, we'd never build new roads, bridges, etc. My biggest beef is that landowners and homeowners should be compensated fairly - even more than fairly, since these deals are often done against their will - for their property.

In this case I have a beef with the location. I work off of the Dutchtown exit on Pellissippi, so I know the area. Dutchtown - currently a two-lane road trying to become four lanes in a residential area - is already home to two schools: Webb School and Knoxville Christian Academy. Is this really a good place to put even more school-hour traffic?

Posted by lesjones

Comments

I agree with the Lester here. This is an area that did not have room for rearranging. What can be gained here? I really miss what was. Knoxville can only be so big. Why do we have to ruin what is good to think we are improving?

Posted by: just-teddy.com at January 19, 2005

homeowners should be compensated fairly - even more than fairly, since these deals are often done against their will

I'm glad to see your opposition to government spending is not absolute. It's easy to assume an absolutist "I'm against all government spending" stance as a basis for opposing any government expenditure you wish. Rational people favor minimized and carefully considered government spending, not zero spending and simplistic dismissals rooted in economic idealism. It's more honest to debate specific projects and expenditures on their own merit, don't you think?

Posted by: hellbent at January 20, 2005

Comments on the old blog are closed.