Not so fast Obama Care Claire, The tape wasn’t even removed from the tape player and the doors barely locked at Camdenton Middle School gym when press releases from McCaskill were being aired every hour on the hour by KRMS Radio. How did she do that so fast? Pre-arranged? We shall see how that miracle took place. What is the most absurd and outrageous is the Senator from Missouri has chosen to turn this into a political circus for her own gain. She is taking credit for “spearheading” this effort and essentially claiming victory.
In McCaskill’s phone conference she pretends to be so concerned about the lake residents and trying to appear to make Ameren the whipping boy, but was anyone listening when she called the spokesperson for Ameren, Jeff? Did she forget his last name? Keep in mind; although she has sent a Representative twice, Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler is the only Federal politician who has held two meetings personally here at the lake. One with the public, and the other with members of the Lake Area Conservative Club, The Camden County Commission, Camden County surveyor, and the affected homeowners on Screech Owl. Ninth District Congressman Luetkeymer has not attended or even bothered to send a Representative to either Town Hall. Camden County Commissioner Tom Gumm has also not attended either Town Hall. Where are those two legislators when this community needs them? Shame on them. Commissioners Kris Franken and Bev Thomas have attended both Town Hall meetings, and thank you to them.
Yesterday was a great Town Hall for the residents at the lake. It was a three hour Town Hall and led to some telling answers from Ameren. A letter was read from Dell & Melody Sackett regarding land they purchased in 1977 with a Warranty Deed that stated they owned to the 660 Elevation. The Sackett’s sat on the front row within twenty feet of the man, Ameren spokesperson Jeff Green who showed up on their property March, 2011. The letter explained how Mr. Green and his friends were putting up red flags and collecting arrow heads on the Sackett property that the Sacketts say have been paying taxes on and maintaining since purchasing the property. The letter stated Mr. Green told Mr. Sackett, his son, and their guest to get off the land because they were trespassing. A phone call from the Sacketts was made to Ameren following this incident. Mr. Brian Vance response to the Sacketts was he described it as an impasse. The Sacketts have spent tens of thousands of dollars fighting Ameren.
Others asked about the elevation in Senator Blunt’s Amendments to the 662 and if Ameren was going to change the property boundary to the 662 level. One specific question was asked by a homeowner who advised his property was the 674 level and would his property be adjusted down to 662 as well. I assume Mr. Green did not know this homeowner or his property, as he stated he would like to meet with him on his situation, as his situation may be a little different. You bet it was different, because he probably wasn’t one of the 1200 homes currently in the project boundary, or easement, whichever term you prefer.
At nearly the end of the Town Hall, Ameren’s slight of hand was starting to be seen. While the press across this state was being sucked in by the new FERC order last week, claiming “victory” and claiming “its over”, we learned Ameren ONLY plans to change the 662 level down for the affected 1200 homes. They are simply carving out the land to satisfy those folks in immediate jeopardy of losing their homes. While this is important for those folks, this is only the tip of the iceburg. LISTEN, LISTEN- there are over 4200 structures Ameren Claims are in their project boundary. The remaining structures 3000 will either be torn down, or you will be leasing the property you thought you owned, that explicitly entitles you to rights with reference to your deed and your easement of 1932. Simply stated, land you thought you owned, you don’t, and likely have to lease from Ameren to keep your sea wall, dock, stairways, gazebos…….. If a lake wide solution is not reached there may be thousands of homes and structures in the easement, where many owners currently do not know that are facing no option other than having Ameren “manage” those encroachments. Guess what? You, according to Ameren, have no right to have structures on your property without a permit or lease, even though you have been paying taxes and maintaining said property maybe for decades.
By Ameren’s own admission not everyone, and I dare say, the vast majority of the owners of the 3000 structures have not been notified. This does not include the potential future home or structure easement problems Ameren is not identifying, or do not know they have an “encroachment” within the easement.
The Lake Area Conservative Club began asking the Ameren Panel to clarify their position. Their eventual response was they are only asking for the 662 level for the 1200 Homes. This is not a lake wide solution and only further complicates the Real Estate situation here. They stated they may be willing to ask for a lake wide 662 elevation, but are not and have no plans to at this time. They stated they have to have FERC approval and that of other agencies involved, such as Dept. of Conservation.
The Ameren panel was asked if they have been paying taxes on the property located within the project boundary, fee simple. Mr. Jeff Green responded yes, and Mr. Jeff Douglas from Ameren took the microphone and stated it’s a little complicated. Jeff Douglas said in some cases they were, and others the private property owners were.
To Ameren: How can you say you have owned this property fee simple for 79 years and have not paid taxes on the same land private property owners have been paying on for decades? It would appear Camden County may owe someone millions of dollars in overpaid real estate taxes if it can be substantiated Ameren is telling the truth.
Camden County assessor, Eddie Whitworth was asked if Ameren or the homeowner had been paying taxes on the property within the easement. Mr. Whitworth stated as he understands is as an assessor, Ameren has been paying taxes up to the “variable water’s edge”. According to the 1932 easement, the homeowners have the responsibility to keep the taxes on the easement current.
Ameren was also asked by the Lake Area Conservative Club a couple of times if they supported the legislation currently submitted by Senator Roy Blunt. Again, they were non committal on supporting the legislation.
The LACC was glad Ameren brought their entourage and sat at the table to discuss this situation. It is clear Ameren only intends at this point to do the bare minimum required to get out of this public relations nightmare they have created.
One thing that is crystal clear, is this is far from over.
Make no mistake Ameren has written the Shore Line Management Plan with its excessive fees and excessive environmental regulations, Ameren is the one you will have to appeal to if you have a disagreement. Ameren is the one deciding to what elevation they want the project boundary to be and to what property it shall apply. Ameren is the one attempting the land grab by taking these easements granted from 1932. Ameren is the one holding the cards, and yesterday they tilted their hand, now its time to deal the ALL property owners here at the lake an honest and final solution to this problem that is plaguing our community and many of our livelihoods. The solution is simple, lower the elevation to the 662 lake wide, and preferably to the 660. Ameren stated yesterday they would lower the elevation to the 660, If FERC would agree. Well Ameren, what are you waiting for?
Cliff Luber
President,
Lake Area Conservative Club
