ITC Moves Forward in Oshtemo
In reading the mlive article, one might think that ITC is facing some impossible issues to overcome with the local community.
The reality is that this issue has been fought between the same counsel before, with ITC coming out the winner. The real issues with ITC do not seem to be dealt with, in part because the MPSC does not desire to do so and because the MPSC does not believe it can do so.
The likely result here will be one very large expenditure by the property owners fighting the project, to little avail. Did the owners take a long and hard look at alternatives? ITC had no problem making a major change from its original plan as to at least one parcel, and possibly the community simply did not look at the best way of moving forward in the planning of the transmission line.
A grassroots group representing more than half of the land owners along the two potential routes proposed by ITC staunchly oppose the routes, said Curt Hartman, who represented the Neighbors, Industry, Community and Environment (NICE) group before ITC officials last week. He and others have called for a comprehensive review of the route alternatives.
"We have no desire to push this project onto our neighbors," Hartman said.
NICE has hired Northville, Mich.-based attorney Michael Watza to help them explore their options. Group members have pooled money for the effort.
“We will be doing something,” said Micki Maxwell, a member of the NICE.
'Your home is your castle'
Watza said members of the NICE group have rights as property owners.
“It really does come down to fundamental property rights,” he said. “The U.S. Constitution, the Michigan Constitution are very strong on 'your home is your castle' and you’re entitled to be safe and secure on your property. You need a place to retreat to that’s yours, and you’re safe and secure.”
