Swiss Town To Evacuate For 10 Years?

[Mike]

Damn, that seems like a long time to clear a WWII armory. It would probably be cheaper just to buy-out the town and detonate the armory.

Residents of a Swiss town may have to abandon their homes for more than a decade while authorities clear out a massive World War II underground weapons cache nearby, officials say.

Around 3,500 tons of ammunition remain inside a former armory in Mitholz. Some of the material already exploded in 1947, killing nine people and damaging properties. But most of what’s left of the arsenal is now reportedly covered by fallen rocks.

"Depending on how the work develops, residents should expect the evacuation to last up to more than 10 years," the Agence France-Presse quoted Switzerland’s defense ministry as saying.

SOURCE

I'm thinking if they were to hire the Swiss, Panorama Village might have to evacuate for somewhere around 6 weeks to clear an unnamed member's place.

[Truckman]

I'm thinking if they were to hire the Swiss, Panorama Village might have to evacuate for somewhere around 6 weeks to clear an unnamed member's place.

I hear that guy's fuse is wet anyway......Ben

[Truckman]

If you're wondering why the neutral nation of Switzerland stockpiled over 3500 tons of munitions, this may explain...

Switzerland has not fought in a war since 1815, including World War Two.

But for four years during the conflict, Switzerland was entirely surrounded by Nazi Germany and its allies. At one point German leader Adolf Hitler even commissioned invasion plans.

In response to the threat, the Swiss called up hundreds of thousands of men. They developed a defensive plan known as the National Redoubt - a series of fortifications deep inside the mountainous country which could be defended against attackers.

More here...As for explaining the Panorama Village recluse, authorities gave up on that idea decades ago in favor of just keeping him under close, constant surveillance......Ben

[wacojoe]

My last visit to reconnoiter Panorama Village was 30+ years ago when I was trying out my new sports car. I was pulled over and given a ticket by their predatory police for exceeding their ridiculous 25mph posted speed limit. After setting the heinous charges for trial, I appeared representing myself. In Texas for a municipality to set a speed limit below 30mph, it must first meet specific requirements of various surveys by independent certified traffic engineers attesting to the need and make a public record of the process. That has to be expensive. As it happened, the courtroom was crowded with other victims of the revenue-raising speed-trap scheme whose cases were set for trial. A couple of victims had their cases called to trial before mine, and we all watched as they were browbeat into submission and fined. When my case was called, I opened with my motion to see the qualifying traffic surveys to set the low speed limit. The judge asked what I was talking about at which time I produced the relevant statute requiring same. After reading it, he was honest enough to recognize its authority and understand the municipality had done zip to set up a proper speed trap, and thus reluctantly dismissed the case in front of a courtroom packed with potential suckers.

I hope those behind me were paying attention and jumped on the out, but I did not stick around to watch, as the cops were glowering at me and twitching as I turned and escaped driving very judiciously. I never came back through.

[Dave Grubb]

Switzerland also continues to have mandatory military service for all male citizens beginning at age 18. Female service is voluntary. It is a series of annual training periods up to age 30 to 50 years of age.

Switzerland also has one of the highest ratios of "armed homes" anywhere, since all military members are required to maintain their entire issue, including weapons, at home.