Georgia's Public Service Commission will soon decide if a short line railroad can forcibly acquire land in a predominantly Black neighborhood for a new rail line aiming to ship locally manufactured products.
Stanley Dunlap reports for Georgia Recorder.
In short:
- The Sandersville Railroad Co. seeks to condemn land in Hancock County to extend a rail line.
- Local landowners argue this threatens property passed down through generations in their community.
- The decision could set a precedent for Georgia’s eminent domain law.
Key quote:
"This is not just a question of our evidence versus their evidence. Instead, the railroad has failed to show either the most basic facts that this project constitutes a public use or is necessary to accommodate their business."
— Bill Maurer, attorney with the Institute for Justice representing the property owners.
Why this matters:
The case highlights a clash between private property rights and economic development, with implications for future eminent domain cases in Georgia.
