GOP candidate for TN-Sen caught up in allegations of an illegal land deal

Thorgrim · 08-20-2006, 08:57 PM

May 1, 1996: A company later bought by Bob Corker grants a conservation easement to the City of Chattanooga. The easement from East Ridge Development Co. dedicates 7.8 acres of woods along South Chickamauga Creek to be "retained forever in its scenic, recreational and open space condition...''

April 16, 2001: Corker is sworn in as Chattanooga mayor.

Feb. 14, 2003: Developers of a planned Wal-Mart Supercenter submit plans to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. The planned store and strip mall are adjacent to protected area and also affect nearby wetlands.

June 17, 2003: Mayor Corker's public works administrator, William C. McDonald, gives the Wal-Mart developers rights to run construction vehicles across city land along the path of as-yet unbuilt Greenway View Drive. Environmentalists allege the easement ruins access to the dedicated nature area.

July 1, 2003: With the construction access easement in place, a second Corker company, Osborne Building Corp., sells land adjacent to the nature area to Wal-Mart developers for $4.66 million.

Memphis Commercial Appeal - Memphis' Source for News and Information: Politics

I don't have any polling on the effect of this, but this could tip the 6 point lead Corker has back towards Ford, and that'd be 6 seats where Democrats are leading in the polls

JaJae · 08-20-2006, 09:00 PM

I don't think it'll matter much in TN. Kennedy kills a girl and MA continues to vote him in. I'd be surprised if TN ousted a Republican over a land deal. But if it does at least it'll show some morality in the party.

Thorgrim · 08-20-2006, 09:05 PM

Originally Posted by JaJae

I don't think it'll matter much in TN. Kennedy kills a girl and MA continues to vote him in. I'd be surprised if TN ousted a Republican over a land deal. But if it does at least it'll show some morality in the party.

Kennedy was not within the MoE in a MA-Sen race before the story broke

Diesel66 · 08-20-2006, 09:52 PM

Originally Posted by Thorgrim

May 1, 1996: A company later bought by Bob Corker grants a conservation easement to the City of Chattanooga. The easement from East Ridge Development Co. dedicates 7.8 acres of woods along South Chickamauga Creek to be "retained forever in its scenic, recreational and open space condition...''

April 16, 2001: Corker is sworn in as Chattanooga mayor.

Feb. 14, 2003: Developers of a planned Wal-Mart Supercenter submit plans to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. The planned store and strip mall are adjacent to protected area and also affect nearby wetlands.

June 17, 2003: Mayor Corker's public works administrator, William C. McDonald, gives the Wal-Mart developers rights to run construction vehicles across city land along the path of as-yet unbuilt Greenway View Drive. Environmentalists allege the easement ruins access to the dedicated nature area.

July 1, 2003: With the construction access easement in place, a second Corker company, Osborne Building Corp., sells land adjacent to the nature area to Wal-Mart developers for $4.66 million.

Memphis Commercial Appeal - Memphis' Source for News and Information: Politics

I don't have any polling on the effect of this, but this could tip the 6 point lead Corker has back towards Ford, and that'd be 6 seats where Democrats are leading in the polls

How is this an illegal land deal with the land in question wasnt the stuff protected ?

Thorgrim · 08-20-2006, 10:05 PM

Originally Posted by Diesel66

How is this an illegal land deal with the land in question wasnt the stuff protected ?

its more an insider trading thing, I think thats what I would call the main aspect

"hey im the mayor...hey walmart...why dont you buy this land I own, eh...the papers will come through pretty quick and we'll both make money"

Diesel66 · 08-20-2006, 10:13 PM

Originally Posted by Thorgrim

its more an insider trading thing, I think thats what I would call the main aspect

"hey im the mayor...hey walmart...why dont you buy this land I own, eh...the papers will come through pretty quick and we'll both make money"

oops, thought it was about building on the wildlife area.

SoFlaJDM · 08-20-2006, 11:20 PM

and yet another pickup for the dems

Thorgrim · 08-20-2006, 11:24 PM

Originally Posted by SoFlaJDM

and yet another pickup for the dems

Ford would be an amazing Presidential candidate in like 14 years

2 senate terms, 2 terms as governor...president

motivez · 08-21-2006, 04:13 PM

Originally Posted by Diesel66

oops, thought it was about building on the wildlife area.

I've read that the area in question wasn't supposed to be built on because it was a historic site / wetlands with a rare species of something or other.. but because he was in the position he was, he kind of 'greased the wheels' so to speak

ballz2wallz · 08-21-2006, 04:17 PM

Originally Posted by motivez

it was a historic site / wetlands with a rare species of something or other..

they all have some rare species of something or other...nobody ever knows what that something or other is though

motivez · 08-21-2006, 04:37 PM

Historic property:

site originally as a mission within the Cherokee Nation. The property, buildings, and improvements were purchased from John McDonald, the grandfather of Cherokee Chief John Ross. The mission was the principal mission among other, smaller ones within the Cherokee Nation, and served as a training ground for the American Board. At the height of its operation, the developed mission complex consisted of 50 acres, and contained some 40 buildings, including, among others, boarding houses, boys' and girls' schools and churches, houses, a mill, barns, warehouses, carpenters' and blacksmiths' shops, as well as extensive fields, gardens, and orchards. During removal, the missionaries sympathized with the Cherokee and most missionaries accompanied the Cherokee prior to forced removal on the Trail of Tears. On August 18, 1838, the last church service was held at the Brainerd Mission near the cemetery.

and

The wetlands were home to a rare type of snail darters only found in that particular area.

JaJae · 08-21-2006, 04:43 PM

Originally Posted by motivez

The wetlands were home to a rare type of snail darters only found in that particular area.

For some reason I find that funny. I don't know why. I agree it's wrong for him to use his power to make money on property. But could you imagine a "Save the Snail Darters" campaign?

motivez · 08-21-2006, 04:47 PM

The issue is using his power to violate the law (by deciding not to enforce it) because it made him money, it's not a simple case of using his influence to get a contract for a friend or something (to put it in a NJesque analogy you can understand...

)

And, it might sound a little ridiculous, but an entire species habitat vs a Walmart locating itself elsewhere.. god forbid we try to preserve some natural areas of our planet

JaJae · 08-21-2006, 04:52 PM

Originally Posted by motivez

The issue is using his power to violate the law (by deciding not to enforce it) because it made him money, it's not a simple case of using his influence to get a contract for a friend or something (to put it in a NJesque analogy you can understand... )

And, it might sound a little ridiculous, but an entire species habitat vs a Walmart locating itself elsewhere.. god forbid we try to preserve some natural areas of our planet

I agree with you that he shouldn't be allowed to do it. I just think the whole idea of snail darters is funny. He'd really be in trouble if it were a cute animal like the last known habitat for floppy-eared white bunnies.