In Ongoing Pursuit of River Trail, Council to Employ Eminent Domain
“After a lengthy debate, the borough council voted 5-3 on November 14 to condemn, via eminent domain, certain easements and rights of way on a property that’s long stood in the way of its plans to expand the Schuylkill River Trail. The decision had its detractors. While councilman Jim Kovaleski called eminent domain “heavy handed” and suggested that there were other, better, alternatives, Karl Bucus was the most vocal critic of the proposal. He suggested the council would be wise to table the issue for a month; during which time it could develop a preliminary budget outlining the legal cost of the maneuver, while enlisting the aid of trail-supporting legislators Jim Gerlach and Andy Dinniman in the hopes of acquiring the right to build through less controversial means. The suggestion was voted down 6-2.
The advocates of eminent domain downplayed the problem of its cost.”
Sunnergren, Tom. Phoenixville, PA Patch 29 November 2012.