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Thursday, August 25, 2016

Road not taken: Harrison Ave. feud continues in Berlin

The ongoing feud between leadership in Berlin and the Adkins Company has apparently not abated, and no resolution to the closing of Harrison Avenue, which Adkins owns, appears imminent.

Adkins put up barricades on a portion of Harrison Avenue in June after town officials and the company could not reach agreement to purchase the road.

During a Berlin mayor and council meeting on Monday, resident Jack Orris, a candidate for the District 2 council seat, asked for an update during public comments.

“Going around, I’m talking to people and I’m at a loss to explain what’s going on currently with Harrison Avenue. People are asking me is there’s anything the council can do,” he said.

Mayor Gee Williams replied that the town would “not be extorted for $400,000,” referring to the price Adkins had apparently asked for the road.

“It’s going to create some inconvenience for a while, but I swear to God we’re not going to be extorted for $400,000 if hell has to freeze over. That’s the way it is,” he said. “I’m sorry that they’re so inconvenienced, but we didn’t put that blockade up there.

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12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Born here's have a greedy streak.

Anonymous said...

Actually, Holland makes a good point when referring to eminent domain. Williams doesn't want to go that route, and he's VERY familiar with that process, because he knows the courts will strongly consider the Trice appraisal. This is not greed, it's the town wanting to get something for nothing. And, I don't have a dog in this race, not even from the same county, just listening and observing.

Anonymous said...

The owner has every right to demand a price or keep his property.
At least for now. The future in Maryland and the US is totally up for grabs.
We may eventually have no rights at all to "real estate". The county can already make taxes such a burden that many people can lose their property. The little guy has to hang on as long as possible.

Anonymous said...

5:17 I agree!

Anonymous said...

Who says the right of way has to be passable
Ruts I say ruts!!!

Anonymous said...

Williams get off your high horse! the town has used that road for years and never paid one dime for up keep. Maybe if you offered to help maintain the road correctly he would open it back up!Damn democrats always wanting to screw the people and not help each other.

Anonymous said...

It's not extortion! It's supply an demand! Huge difference! I'm waiting for the government to find a way to just take it from them! Which is exactly what I hear is in the works!

Anonymous said...


Not from Berlin.

In recent years the town has paid large sums for land for a new police station, and more recently for its park at the former chicken plant. As time goes by and more development takes place the asking price is likely to increase.

Maybe they could 'rent with an option to buy'?

Or Adkins could put up a toll booth at say .25 each way?

Anonymous said...

Ever hear of eminent domain?

Anonymous said...

"Ever hear of eminent domain?"

Yeah, but Gee Williams is afraid to use it because he knows the court will probably give Adkins their asking price, or close to it.

Anonymous said...

I agree with the Adkins position 100%. The corporation OWNS the land. They set a price. Buy it or not. Get over it. And someone should tell the mayor to stop making insulting statements about a longtime tax paying employer.

Anonymous said...

You know the offer sucks when the owner is ASKING for eminent domain to take place.