On Point with Juandolyn Stokes welcomed Chad Livsey, whose family is at the center of a10-acre land-grab attempt by the Gwinnett County government. Prior to Friday, April 7, 2023 the county had been threatening to seize the family's land known in South Gwinnett County as "Promised Land" through eminent domain.
On Friday, the county backed off their highly publicized attempt to take the land, succumbing to intense media pressure and pressure from members of the community.
"I knew this would happen seven years ago," said Livsey.
Chad Livsey, whose great-great grandfather purchased the land over 100 years ago said, "I have known since 2016 they wanted the land."
Livsey says he started a beautification project of the land to deter the county from attempting this very type of take-over.
"I call myself the baddest man with a trash bag," joked Livsey.
The Livsey family sold part of their property where the Big House sits to the county in 2017, but now they want the land that encompasses Lake Sheryl, a man-made lake built by Livsey's grandfather and named after his aunt.
The county wants the land for its connection to the civil war and to re-create slave quarters.
"Promised Land" still holds remnants of its past including a barber/beauty shop, gas station, and some apartments, where members of the Livsey family presently live.
"We have received support from everyone-Black people, white people, Republicans, Democrats, just everyone," said Livsey.
Attorney Karen Greene and Catherine "Cat" Hardrick, who were also on the show, and are co-host of the podcast, "Conversations with Karen and Cat" have used their platform to raise awareness about the challenges the Livsey family are facing with Gwinnett county.
They also started a GoFundMe account to,"Help save and preserve the Promised Land"and to help pay for an attorney to represent the family and money to preserve the family's legacy.
