County Commissioners hear public comment on idea of eminent domain for Jack Creek Road

The Madison County Board of Commissioners received public comment about the possibility of seizure of Jack Creek Road through eminent domain at their work session on Feb. 24. 

Commissioner Duke Gilman noted for the record that he took issue with the quote from commissioner Bill Todd in The Madisonian indicating the county was "actively exploring the seizure of Jack Creek Road via eminent domain." 

"I want to clarify that this is not something that I have ever considered, but I am willing to learn about it," said Gilman before the floor was opened to public comment. In a later conversation commissioner Ron Nye indicated he was also not aware of the topic.

The commission listened to roughly 45 minutes of testimony on topics ranging from cost and length of time for the process to impacts on wildlife, law enforcement and the changes a public road would bring to the town of Ennis. 

"While we can't make any decisions today, I think it is important that we can sit here and have discussions about difficult topics... If we can't sit here and be constructive and actually discuss things without being forced to make any decisions [then] I am concerned about what that says about us as a county. I am happy to hear viewpoints from both sides," said Todd.

Comments were made about the impacts of making the road public would have on wildlife in the area.

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