The following was posted by Thomas Kertschner of the Journal Sentinel on July 5, 2010:
Oak Creek – The Common Council, which was hit by a storm of denunciation after it considered using eminent domain to acquire a 94-year-old farmer’s property, will be asked Tuesday to pay the man’s $9,081 legal bill.
The request comes from Michael Schober, the attorney who represents Earl Giefer.
Giefer’s family has said it has no interest in selling the farm at 10523 S. Howell Ave., which has been in family since the 1800s.
City officials had argued that the 25-acre property would impede plans for a business park nearby and believe the farm qualifies as blighted.
The council decided June 1 to stop discussions of the possible use of eminent domain.Continue Reading Oak Creek Will Be Asked To Pay Farmer’s Legal Bills