Demolition for rail ‘blindsided’ residents

The RTC says it’s building a trail. But the demolition blueprints show the rail line fully preserved while land is cleared from dozens of homes — mostly seniors. This is not just a trail. It’s a masquerade — a quiet expansion of the rail corridor for a train that isn’t funded, cleared or even buildable.

“The letter” claims absolutes, but lacks a judge’s order. Residents were blindsided in blunt terms. Many are elderly. That raises serious concerns, including intentional misrepresentation and possible financial elder abuse.

There’s also the matter of the Fifth Amendment, which prohibits taking private property without just compensation or legitimate public use. A train that can’t function — blocked at Beach Street traffic — doesn’t qualify. The project undermines its own legality.

The RTC’s approach may look rosy on the surface. But silence, vague language and land removal without clear purpose add up to something deeply troubling and morally disturbing.

We deserve transparency — not demolition by disguise.

— Damon Meyer, Santa Cruz

Entire county will be far better off with train

I have been an involved and an active resident of Capitola for over 25 years. My support for the rail and trail has been unwavering due to its obvious widespread, increasing investments in the health, equity and climate resiliency of our entire Santa Cruz County community.

Despite the minority opinion of some self-interested parties, I applaud the RTC and the many local governmental bodies for forging ahead with their support for this project. Know, just as all these big infrastructure projects proceed, there will be adjustments and changes along the way but, in the end, our county will be far richer and healthier and safer thanks to the very hard work and sacrifices of so many.

Thank you for the gifts of health, transportation efficiency and equity for generations to come! Keep on “TRACKIN” and do not give up the fight! The future generations and our precious environment will thank you.

— Molly I. Ording, Capitola

Prescient article on ocean floor mining

I cannot help but think someone at the Sentinel is monitoring my communications. Your July 13 article on ocean floor mining (Ethan Baron, “Company looks to start mining ocean floor”) is excellent background to my July 20 KSQD broadcast of “Sustainability Now!” on “The false promise of deep-sea mining,” with professors D.G. Webster and Susan Park.

— Ronnie Lipschutz, Santa Cruz

‘Trumpeting’ just loud political theater

Political theater …

Like an elephant with a complaint …

“Trumpeting” — loud and penetrating …

Sounding without thought for the attraction it entices.

— Bill Patterson, Santa Cruz

Supporters of Israel need to protest killings in Gaza

What are local supporters of Israel doing to object to their government killing people “on the way to aid distribution sites” as the AP reports?

Some local supporters of Israel have the ear of our local member of Congress. Will supporters of Israel ask for consequences when they read of parents suffering the killing of their children who were running to get food? Will local supporters of Israel publicly protest when an American citizen was beaten to death by settlers who invaded his family’s land in the West Bank?

Those of us who have protested the slaughter of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank with weapons bought by our tax dollars do not have access to our member of Congress. This situation gives local supporters of Israel special responsibility to take action on behalf of Palestinian victims of Israeli violence. Tell Rep. Panetta to stop aiding cruelty by American killing instruments, and start aiding substantial humanitarian relief by the UN and proven aid agencies.

— Peter Klotz-Chamberlin, Santa Cruz

Why so many CHP officers sent out to accident?

Around 7 p.m. Sunday, thousands of motorists saw 11 Highway Patrol cars converge on Highway 17 in response to a two-car accident. This was in addition to fire engines and ambulances. At a time when our federal government is being dismantled in response to charges of government inefficiency, the CHP might reassess its approach to dispatching.

— Stephan Bianchi, Santa Cruz