Letter to the editor
To the Editor:
Last week I was unable to attend a Farragut Board of Mayor and Alderman meeting due to illness and prepared the following presentation read at the meeting.
Recently there was much publicity about condemning property to build sidewalks or walkways. I know government has authority by eminent domain for roads, utilities, and schools; but the use of eminent domain for sidewalks and walkways is wrong. I don’t know if it’s legal, but I do believe it is wrong except sidewalks for school.
For the past several years, I heard many times about “this is what the founders wanted” or “this is what the founders would do”. As one of the seven founders I can verify those statements are not always true. The founders were seven people with some very important common opinions, but also some differing opinions.
Unfortunately, only three of the founders remain. I can assure you all, or at least almost all of the founders, did not support condemning property for walkways. We tried to be very respectful of property owners.
The first walkway constructed by the town was along Turkey Creek Road 45 years ago. It ended at the sharp curve because it could not be built due to topographical restraints. Too costly and too much damage would be done to several residential properties. Now the Town is proposing obtaining property using eminent domain and building a very expensive walkway.
Farragut is not an urban environment where people walk to work, stores, restaurants, and schools. Almost all of the use of walkways is for recreation. Sidewalks and walkways are valuable but not a necessity except adjacent to schools.
Our roads and streets are in need of more repair and resurfacing than can be done with currently budgeted funds. I suggest you use the funds for roads and streets.
On August 12th 2025 I sent an email with my concerns to everyone on the BOMA. I was not confrontational- just expressing a citizen’s opinion. Only Alderman Alex Cain responded.
I will end with a historical quote by a great man: Ronald Reagan.
“Government has an inborn tendency to grow. And, left to itself, it will grow beyond the control of the people. Only constant complaint by the people will inhibit its growth.”
I need to add a clarification about corresponding or meeting with BOMA members. Several months before my email to the BOMA Mayor Williams took time out of his busy schedule to meet and discuss numerous town issues. Unfortunately we did not talk very much about sidewalks. I appreciate the time he spent with me.
~ Eric Johnson
Farragut
