Bridge owner settles lawsuit with City of Burlington, but says he got 'railroaded' in the deal [The Journal Times, Racine, Wisc.]
Feb. 15—BURLINGTON — The owner of a historic bridge says he has been "railroaded" in a legal battle with the
The two parties agreed to a settlement in
City officials are declining to comment on the Bieneman bridge episode.
Area residents recognize the bridge across
A
Bieneman, who says he filed suit because the city and its insurance company refused to take responsibility for the damage, said the resulting court battle cost him sleepless nights and forced him and his wife,
The settlement will pay the couple
Bieneman sad he agreed to settle out of court only because his legal expenses were climbing, and that going to trial would have required him to invest thousands of dollars more in the effort.
Bieneman, 81, a retired
"We got railroaded," he said. "You work hard. You save your money, and they come and take it away from you."
City officials declined to comment about the court fight with the Bienemans or the out-of-court settlement.
City Administrator
"Until the attorney advises I can respond, I am unable to do so," Walters stated in an email.
Mayor
Schultz said the city's liability insurance company was handling the matter.
"My understanding is they control all these decisions," he added.
The dispute began
The pilot was pulled from the wreckage but later died of his injuries.
As emergency crews raced to the crash site, a fire truck crossed Bieneman's bridge and left it severely damaged.
The bridge was built in 1877, and at one time was regarded as the oldest bridge of its kind in
Bieneman says city officials assured him that the city's insurance company would cover any repair costs.
But when months passed without an offer of help, Bieneman bought the necessary lumber and, with his three sons, rebuilt the bridge himself.
The cost of the lumber, equipment and other materials totaled
The Bienemans filed suit against the city in
Benko resigned shortly after the bridge incident.
Taxpayers ended up defending Benko's conduct in the suit, as he was named a co-defendant along with the
Roger and
"It bothers Roger more than it bothers me," she said. "We're just glad that it's going to be over."
Court records show that as the
The terms of the settlement have not been disclosed in court records.
Bieneman, whose family has been part of
"The market comes back," he said. "This ain't going to come back."
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