How can Jim Weller’s Letter to the Editor correction (“RTC owns nearly all the land along rail corridor”) to a “misinformed” LTE be so misinformed … and by his own data? Interesting … because Mr. Weller is co-author of the RTC’s 2006 Appraisal Report (found on the RTC’s website) of the coastal rail corridor properties, using the same title report in use today. Page 48 of the report summarizes the BEFORE and AFTER deed analysis of how much of the 32-mile rail-corridor’s 10.3 million square feet has “LEGAL” title – meaning to be included in the RTC’s purchase of the corridor.
The RTC’s report states only 39% (4.1 million square feet) is part of the RTC’s purchase. The remaining 61% (6.2 million square feet) belong to someone else – Santa Cruzian home and business owners along the tracks.
No surprise, now the RTC is using eminent domain or bullying others with limited incomes who can’t afford huge legal fees to give them the properties without a fight, paid for by your taxpayer dollars.
— Carey Pico, Aptos
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