Valkyrie
25th September 2002, 02:33
Reminds me of when Donald Trump was running people off their land to build more of his casinos. That's Ok.. because I am sure he is wearing a toupee now. Something money can't buy.... hair growth. Oh well, no offense anybody..
Power Company Buys Ohio Village
By LIZ SIDOTI
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - A power company finalized a deal Tuesday to buy most of an Ohio village where many residents say they are happy to get away from what they say is a polluting coal plant.
The deal will all but empty Cheshire of its 221 residents, though about a dozen holdouts have refused to sell.
``All along we've hoped that the ones who wanted to stay would be allowed to stay, and that's what will happen,'' Mayor Tom Reese said. ``But the majority of people wanted to sell.''
American Electric Power had coexisted with the tiny river hamlet for nearly 30 years. But a pollution control system in the plant periodically caused a blue sulfuric acid haze to fall over Cheshire; people complained of burning eyes and nostrils and sores on their lips and tongues.
Residents hired attorneys to either file a lawsuit or broker a buyout.
The company denies emissions from the Gen. James M. Gavin plant are harmful and says the emissions are below federal and state regulations. Under the deal, residents waive their right to sue for any subsequent health problems.
The company said it agreed to the buyout because it wanted to address concerns and allow for expansion. Still, about a dozen people refuse to sell their land and homes in the town 90 miles southeast of Columbus.
Beulah ``Boots'' Hern, 82, said she won't move unless she gets $1 million for her riverfront property. She was offered $242,000.
``Just because I'm old doesn't mean I'm stupid,'' Hern said. ``I don't feel that I'm being greedy. I just want what I think is fair.''
The few businesses in Cheshire, mostly supported by coal plant employees, will also remain. A small number of senior citizens who agreed to sell their homes will stay until their deaths, rent-free.
Mike Miller, American Electric Power's deputy general counsel, said the utility will buy 90 percent of the privately owned property for less than the $20 million it had expected to pay. Some residents say they will be paid double to triple the 1999 appraised values of their homes, which range from $45,000 to $50,000.
Miller said the utility likely will negotiate with the holdouts at another time. But Hern, at least, isn't giving any indication she'll be receptive.
``They tell me it's still going to be a dot on the map,'' she said. ``It's still going to be Cheshire, and I'm still staying.''
On the Net:
American Electric Power: http://www.aep.com
Power Company Buys Ohio Village
By LIZ SIDOTI
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - A power company finalized a deal Tuesday to buy most of an Ohio village where many residents say they are happy to get away from what they say is a polluting coal plant.
The deal will all but empty Cheshire of its 221 residents, though about a dozen holdouts have refused to sell.
``All along we've hoped that the ones who wanted to stay would be allowed to stay, and that's what will happen,'' Mayor Tom Reese said. ``But the majority of people wanted to sell.''
American Electric Power had coexisted with the tiny river hamlet for nearly 30 years. But a pollution control system in the plant periodically caused a blue sulfuric acid haze to fall over Cheshire; people complained of burning eyes and nostrils and sores on their lips and tongues.
Residents hired attorneys to either file a lawsuit or broker a buyout.
The company denies emissions from the Gen. James M. Gavin plant are harmful and says the emissions are below federal and state regulations. Under the deal, residents waive their right to sue for any subsequent health problems.
The company said it agreed to the buyout because it wanted to address concerns and allow for expansion. Still, about a dozen people refuse to sell their land and homes in the town 90 miles southeast of Columbus.
Beulah ``Boots'' Hern, 82, said she won't move unless she gets $1 million for her riverfront property. She was offered $242,000.
``Just because I'm old doesn't mean I'm stupid,'' Hern said. ``I don't feel that I'm being greedy. I just want what I think is fair.''
The few businesses in Cheshire, mostly supported by coal plant employees, will also remain. A small number of senior citizens who agreed to sell their homes will stay until their deaths, rent-free.
Mike Miller, American Electric Power's deputy general counsel, said the utility will buy 90 percent of the privately owned property for less than the $20 million it had expected to pay. Some residents say they will be paid double to triple the 1999 appraised values of their homes, which range from $45,000 to $50,000.
Miller said the utility likely will negotiate with the holdouts at another time. But Hern, at least, isn't giving any indication she'll be receptive.
``They tell me it's still going to be a dot on the map,'' she said. ``It's still going to be Cheshire, and I'm still staying.''
On the Net:
American Electric Power: http://www.aep.com