I agree.

I agree.

Is there much difference between "economic development" as practiced by TVA and local government and the actions of organized crime? This is the greatest shame of our region. It is the legacy of our region. That government can ride roughshod over private citizens. There must be a special place in Hell for the thugs that steal people's property at the end of a pen.

Where is the leadership? Where is the media?

Finally, something the digit and I can complain about together!

All TVA really needs to do is make a policy that they will follow their own land use plans.  They have these for every reservoir, and they are really quite good.

Instead, Bill Baxter's policy was to evaluate everything on a case-by-case basis - which of course meant letting his developer buds have whatever they wanted.

 I didn't originally expect much out of the new board, but recent developments and comments made by some of them lead me to be cautiously optimistic that things are about to get better (if only because Baxter just went too far).

But we shall see.

I just wanted to say that I am most definitely not seeking public comment..oh wait... that TVA.

Regardless, as much as I would also like for the original land owners to have a shot at getting their land back, I would have to say the realistic legal chances of this are about zero or less. The land was taken (and some of my family members were quite literally carried off their land) and no provision was included in the enabling legislation (that I'm aware of) that the land would ever revert back to original ownership. I would guess that since "compensation" was given for the land, any legitimate claim previous landowners might have would be nullified-- much as if the previous owner of my car does not have right of first refusal when I choose to sell the car.

Would it be good public relations to do so? Yes. Will that drive the decision? Um, no. Besides, if the government starts setting that precedent, I imagine there are a few tribes out there with some interest in reclaiming surplus public lands.

Sounds great in princple but the deed is done and can't be undone without creating even more problems. If we give the land back to the white farmers, what about the land that was taken from my Cherokee ancestors? We never agreed to give it to the public and we would like to have that back thank you very much.