Re: (rshsdepot) ATSF Seligman, AZ Harvey House demolition

[luckyshow_@_mindspring.com]

They should be given exemptions for historic structures or have them taken by eminentdomain. THIS PROPERTY EXCEPT ON EAST COAST WAS GIVEN TO THEM, THEY WERE SUPOSED TO RUN PASSENGER TRAINS IN PERPETUITY. THEY DON'T. UNLESS THE PROPERTY IS IN DOWNTOWN L.A., FOR INSTANCE, AND WILL BE ACTUALLY REUSED FOR SOMETHING, IN OTHER WORDS THE PROPERTY IS ACTUALLY VALUABLE, THE HISTORIC PROPERTIES SHOULD BE PRESERVED. IF THE RAIL COMPANY DISLIKES IT, TOO BAD, THE LIABILITY PROTECTION (WITHIN REASON, WE DON'T WANT THEM STORING PILES OF KEROSENE FILLED TANKS IN STRUCTURES DUE TO THE PROTECTION AGAISNT LAWSUITS.

I CAN CARE LESS ABOUT WHAT LAWYERS SAY, THE LAW COULD ALSO EXEMPT HISTORIC STRUCTURES ON OTHERWISE USELESS LAND FROM PROPERTY TAXES, PERHAPS ONLY CHARGING FOR THE LAND OR NOT AT ALL, THE LOSSES WOULD BE MINIMAL. HALF THE TIME THESE ARE TOXIC WASTE SUPEFUND SITES AND LAY FALLOW FOR YEARS ANYWAY, THE GOVT. DOESN'T EVEN CHARGE THE COMPANES TO CLEAN UP THEIR OLD SITES AFTER THEY NO LONGER OWN THEM.

LIABILITY IS JUST THE LATEST EXCUSE FORD EMOLISHING LANDMARKS..I STILL AWAIT A CASE INVOLVING A STRUCTURE, AND NOT WHERE A KID CLIMBS ON THE ROOF AND TRIES TO DO GYMNASTICS ON A SEMIPHORE SIGNAL AND GETS IMPALED ON IT.

- -----Original Message-----
>From: James Kelling <james.kelling_@_nara.gov>
>Sent: Apr 15, 2008 11:36 AM
>To: rshsdepot_@_lists.railfan.net
>Subject: Re: (rshsdepot) ATSF Seligman, AZ Harvey House demolition
>
>Liability for injuries sustained on their property is a very serious
>concern for all railroads, not to mention their continued tax liability
>for such property, even though abandoned.
> 
>I think BNSF made an honest effort to sell the Havasu, but no one with
>enough resources came forward, unfortunately.  "Demolition by neglect"
>has been ongoing for a long time on this and many other historic
>railroad structures.  It is a shame to lose the Havasu, if that is what
>will happen.
> 
>J. Kelling
>
>>>> jdent1_@_optonline.net 4/15/2008 10:43 AM >>>
>
>Paul,
>
>Read this case:
>http://www.morelaw.com/verdicts/case.asp?n=04CV955&s=PA%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20&d=32462
>
>And tell me how that reconciles with what you stated below.  
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: luckyshow_@_mindspring.com
>Date: Tuesday, April 15, 2008 10:22 am
>Subject: Re: (rshsdepot) ATSF Seligman, AZ Harvey House demolition
>To: rshsdepot_@_lists.railfan.net
>
>> In the 40, 50 years that railroads have been abandoning 
>> facilities and stations and water towers and freight facilities, 
>> can someone tell me how many instances of injury where railroads 
>> had to pay damages, were sued, etc.? Does it actually happen or 
>> is this just about insurance costs and nothing else...for 
>> decades going cross country I stopped at such abandoned 
>> structures and looked around, at times inside. I never saw dead 
>> bodies, injured peeople, satanic cults or anything of the kind, 
>> just falling apart structures, which fell apart more the next 
>> year, etc....
>> 
>> I am perplexed by all the panic to clear off everything and 
>> leave empty lots in their place...I see no point in it...I want 
>> to know how many times this structure, for instance, was 
>> involved in any litigation or settlement or if this really 
>> happens to thismega corporations with their cookie cutter 
>> lawyers and such which a while ago determined that these 
>> structures sitting there harming no one for years and years are 
>> all of a sudden seen as huge liabilities..
>> 
>> I for one fail to grasp this nonsense that all else accept as 
>> gospel...most of these railroads were given the land for free 
>> and no doubt got variences and public infrastructure 
>> enhancements and frankly this all should just be public property 
>> by reversion and eminent domain.
>> 
>
>Jim Dent 
>Oakland, NJ
>
>================================
>The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of
>existing
>railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org
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>
>
>=================================
>The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
>railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org
>To Unsubscribe: http://lists.railfan.net/rshsdepot-photo/unsub.html

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The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org
To Unsubscribe: http://lists.railfan.net/rshsdepot-photo/unsub.html

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