"This is a way to help Wolfe City and Ladonia," said Ladonia Mayor Leon Hurse regarding the proposed lake. "In southern Fannin County and northern Hunt County, we feel like we have a real good project." Hurse advised the Fannin County Commissioners Court that if Ladonia entered into an agreement with Upper Trinity Water District to build the impoundment on Sulphur River, this project would have the legal authority to declare eminent domain on property near Gober affected by the lake.
"He is going to have a battle on his hands," Commissioner Pat Hilliard responded. "Leon, I know you want progress. I appreciate that, but what is the county going to get out of it?"
"This project was never meant to supply water to all of Fannin County," Hurse continued. "Y'all are planning on building on Bois 'd Arc, anyway. The county does not own the water in Sulphur River; it belongs to the State of Texas. The agreement we are considering would give us 5% of the water produced at no charge and another 5% at cost."
"One thing I might suggest," Fannin County Judge Derrell Hall interjected, "is to get our negotiating team back together."
"The only response to Upper Trinity so far has been to tell them their offer was unacceptable," Hurse pointed out. "This project is important to Ladonia and the Ladonia City Council has given me full authority to move ahead. There will be no condemnations...a judge will appoint three members of a board to negotiate land settlements."
"Y'all are talking about eminent domain in Gober, Texas," Hilliard responded.
Hurse said is was evident there were strong feelings on both sides of this issue, with some land owners just as eager to see this lake become a reality in southeastern Fannin County as others were eager to see the project go elsewhere.
In other action the Fannin County Commissioners approved: