Fox News reports that in Winston-Salem, N.C., the city is about to take by eminent domain the automotive shop of Harvey Davis who has been operating at the same location since 1975. The taking of Mr. Davis’ shop, a former train depot, is for, appropriately enough, a railroad depot. The city hopes to use it to get its hands on some federal money (that’s your taxes) for the trendy use of high speed rail.
The city has offered $680,000, but the article gives no indication of Mr. Davis’ view of the matter of compensation.
This seems like an ordinary eminent domain cum human interest story, except that a careful reading of it discloses that this is the fifth time — yes, you read it correctly — that Mr. Harvey’s property has been acquired by the city.