Judge in case, member of electric co-op
MARQUETTE -- The court case deals with more than two miles along County Road 550 in Marquette County, where Alger-Delta Electric Co-op wants to run guide wires from their electric poles.
The Co-op, which is suing Tom Baldwin, owner of Granot Loma Farms in Powell Township, asked the judge for direction on Friday on how to treat Baldwin, who they claim is a member of the co-op. And as such, they say he's required to grant them easements on his property for the project.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Judge Thomas Solka announced a possible conflict, since he, himself, receives power from the Co-op.
"We were hoping for, finding or a decision today," said Alger-Delta Manager, Tom Harrell. "But I think we came into this knowing that something unusual could happen."
Judge Solka told both sides they have a week to file an objection to him ruling on the case. In any case, Alger-Delta said they're moving ahead with the project, even if the utility doesn't get the easements. They'll reroute the project.
As for his membership, Baldwin said he never signed the Co-op papers, and, therefore, he doesn't believe he should give Alger-Delta the easements for free. Furthermore, he claims the real reason for the transmission lines is the proposed Kennecott Mine outside of Big Bay.
"It's a dispute over money," said Baldwin. 'It's pretty simple. They want to take my property and they want to take it for free and then they want me to continue to pay my property taxes forever, and it's for the benefit of Kennecott and they don't want to come out and say that."
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