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Donald Trump: Building fences, burning bridges in Scotland
To form a boundary between his Scottish golf resort and the adjacent property of a long-time resident, Donald Trump builds a fence — and proceeds to bill his already aggravated neighbor for half the cost.
Mon, Jun 06 2011 at 6:13 PM
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Disgruntled Trump golf course neighbor David Milne ... pictured pre-fence. (Photo: Jeff J. Mitchell/Getty Images)
Another day, another misbehaving billionaire neighbor ...
In late May, a whole lot of you got mighty riled up over what I like to call “Redwood Gate” — an obnoxious and apparently recently resolved (out of court) neighborly dispute in San Francisco’s chichi Pacific Heights nabe involving pugnacious software kingpin Larry Ellison, his not-going-to-budge downslope neighbors, and a few slightly view-obstructing redwood trees.
Now, fresh from the “bellicose bully of a next-door neighbor” file comes news of another impossibly rich person with a somewhat disagreeable reputation. Donald Trump hired contractors to erect a massive wooden boundary fence and plant dozens of trees around the home of David Milne, the stiff-necked Scotsman whose property abuts Trump’s proposed $2 billion golf course development on the wild northeast coast of Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
The catch? Trump’s people sent Milne a bill for £2820 ($4,600) — half the total amount of the cost to construct the fence and plant the trees.
Milne, who has lived comfortably with his wife in their Menie Estate home for the past 20 years, remarks on Trump’s slap-in-the-face invoicing decision:
There is no way I'm going to pay it. As far as I'm concerned it's just another attempt to intimidate and bully me. But it's not going to work. I'm not paying any attention to it at all.
I could not believe it when the bill arrived. I priced the materials and I could put up the whole fence on my own for about £800.
As reported by The Daily Mail, the orange-skinned global warming skeptic and Milne have been going at it for a while now. After the masterplan for the controversial 1,235-acre golf resort — the “world’s greatest golf course” — was given the green light by the Scottish government in November 2008, Trump attempted to buy Milne’s property so he could expand the development. Milne, naturally, refused.
In addition to his individual disputes with Milne and, perhaps most famously, a kilt-wearing fisherman named Michael Forbes, Trump has also really ruffled the feathers of locals. The massive development — which, in addition to twin 18-hole golf courses includes hundreds of luxury homes, a hotel, and other buildings — will be built on sand dunes and beaches that are home to some of Scotland’s rarest birds ... seven endangered species to be exact.
If all goes as planned, the development will open next summer. It's also worth mentioning that The Donald himself is half Scottish (his mother, Mary MacLeod, immigrated from the Isle of Lewis to Manhattan at the age of 20) and he's made a big deal about this from the get-go. That's super and all, but it doesn't give Trump the right to act like a lunatic ruffian.
Via [Daily Mail]
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The story said the development threatened 7 endangered bird species. I assume the UK has protections against that. I guess since the Donald has messed with our heads by threatening to run for president now he's going to bug the Brits. Couldn't you give him a title or something and keep him busy.
The only reason crap like this happens is that Donald Trump wants to keep his name in the headlines, even if it is tripe.
Trump also needs a hairline!
This is his modus operandi. He has behaved this way consistently since he bought the golf course on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. He is not a good neighbor. I'm pleased to say that he claims that he will not come into our town, San Pedro. We called him on his BS a few years ago when he wanted to use our facilities for parking during one of his events.
That greedy, arrogant, loud-mouthed gas bag consistently exceeds the ceiling of my intense dislike and disgust for him. I hope someone hits a golf ball right into his head. The aim would have to be spot on, so as to avoid his shelaqued hair helmet. Seriously, my mind boggles at how self-important and delusional he is. WHY are people still investing in his failed and now ethics-free ventures?
If the fence is on both property lines consent needed to be given in order to construct. If consent was not given the fence must be constructed inside trumps property line. no fee can be charged as it's not a shared fence. the bad news is trump then has the right to put whatever he likes on either side of the fence.
i'd hire a survey company and if that fence in anyway touches my property line sue for theft.
He can only build those things that are allowed by the local municipality.
THIS POST IS WORTHLESS WITHOUT PICS OF THE FENCE.
I agree, the article includes a picture of the neighbor (pre-fence). What good does that do? I shouldn't have to search for a pic, it should be included.
Pictures are out there. The fence looks like it was made from popsicle sticks.
Why should a person have to search for a picture? If the entire article revolves around the fence, a picture of it should have been included.
WOW...such diplomacy, tact, patience and tolerance displayed by Mr. Trump...he's a real pic for President....his sending of the bill for half the fence...a negotiating tactic...just ignore it:) hahaahahha!
Trump is a failure at everything except self-promotion. He inherited a lot of money, yet he constantly teeters on the brink of bankruptcy because his investment schemes tend to be poorly executed. Much of his income derives from lending his name to projects he is not otherwise involved in.
Anyone who points out his obvious failings or lack of wealth is threatened with a lawsuit.
Trump is a fraud! AMEN PaulW..... now if you could get the networks to take him off the air and never put him on again,,,,, and while you are at it, have all newspapers and media NEVER BRING HIS NAME UP EVER AGAIN!!! That would do all of us a big favor... can we do this with a few others too????? PLEASE!
This guy is such a moron.
David Milne deserves to have a statue erected of himself giving Trump the finger. It can be put right on the property line between his home and Trump's precious golf course.
PERFECT!
CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP!!!
hey charlie, i think yer on to something. What goes up can also come down. i hope this neighbor can aggravate Mr. Trump for many years to come. I have been following all of this (plans to build the golf courses, et al.) for many years now. I'm sorry to hear Trump was successful.
One has to also blame the SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT, spineless YOU-KNOW-WHATS...fill in the blank.
David Milne should sue to get the fence and trees removed that have to be blocking his view. What's good for one is good for the other.
Anyone expect anything less from the Ass?
they need to beat his ass!
cant be the same knucklehead from the usa, he can be understood.
Trump certainly deserves the title of king of pigs!y
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