Fast-track approach a surprise to jail foes
Thu, Mar 27, 2008
By EMILY STRANGERThe Brunswick News Glynn County commissioners say they are still negotiating to obtain property they need to expand the county jail downtown, rather than take it by eminent domain.But that news is small comfort to the people who have been fighting to convince the board to abandon the expansion plans and build a new detention facility on land the county owns on U.S. 341.Commission chairman Don Hogan said previously the panel would consider a resolution at its April 17 meeting to enable the county to acquire remaining property needed to expand the Glynn County Detention Center between I and J streets through eminent domain. Should the commission invoke its eminent domain authority, a judge would determine the price for the properties.Julie Hunter, a member of Defend Downtown Brunswick, a group opposed to the jail's expansion, was surprised by the county's eminent domain threat."I know they've said they would do it, but I didn't think it would happen so soon," said Hunter. "They're really trying to push it down our throats."Commissioners can anticipate at least one dissenting vote if they proceed with eminent domain, as commissioner Cap Fendig said Wednesday he would not support taking private property against the owners' wishes. Fendig has been against using the county's condemnation power since the debate began."I've already said I'm not going to vote to support it," Fendig reiterated Wednesday.Fendig said he has been working with the other commissioners to strike fair deals with the five property owners."We're still trying to find other ways to do it besides eminent domain," he said.But Neil Patel, one of the property owners who has refused to sell, said there has been very little negotiating.Patel has owned the One Stop gas station at the corner of Newcastle and I streets for two years."We haven't really sat down, not since June of last year," said Patel, adding he does not want to comment further until after the commission's April 17 meeting.George Michaud, an employee at the Brunswick Landing Marina across Newcastle Street from the jail site, thinks the county is making a grave mistake if it forces owners to sell out."It's a shame," said Michaud, who helped paint a "Stop the Jail" billboard Wednesday at the marina. "Why take the places where other folks live when (the county) can build out on U.S. 341, where nobody lives?"Consultants hired by the commission recommended the county do just that, noting Glynn County owns enough property on which to build on U.S. 341 outside the city limits.HoldoutsThese are the properties, along with names of owners who have declined to sell, which the Glynn County Commission will consider taking by eminent domain:* 405 I St., owner Tim Frayne* 1906/1908 Newcastle St., Neil Patel* 406 J St., Bob Torras* 1914 Newcastle St., James Chamberlin* 1911 Reynolds St., Jerilyn Cribbs
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