It would be difficult for anyone without the library of historical family resources I have to accurately portray or understand the series of events and individuals that lead to the establishment of the Grosse Ile Bridge Company ninety-one years ago. Therefore I would like to share this information.
Eminent DomainKnowledge is power. I urge every reader to visit the website www.CastleCoalition.org. This is a nationwide network of property owners and community activists that seeks to prevent government and private parties from taking private property through Eminent Domain. At this site, you can read about actual cases where a family property or business was seized through the abuse of the power of Eminent Domain.Limits on condemnation power are provided by the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Governments may condemn only for “Public Use”, as well as paying just compensation. How can compensation be “just” when one is being forced to sell? In the case of the Grosse Ile Bridge Company (which could pertain to any business or private property), township officials decided to take the bridge by using Eminent Domain without the courtesy of notification. Township officials did not make any attempt to negotiate an outright purchase from me. According to the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association, there are approximately 130 operating toll bridges in North America. They (IBTTA) estimate that there are only 20 privately owned and operated toll bridges similar to the Grosse Ile Toll Bridge, with nearly all of these being closely held companies with long histories. It has been a sobering awakening to me to see what the abuse of government power can do to our liberties. Paul Smoke |
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