The Press and Property Rights
My law firm is often involved in litigating cases that get press attention. We typically represent landlords and developers. The coverage couldn't be more biased and shallow. A perfect example is yesterday's Orange County Register, reporting on litigation relating to the interpretation of the ground lease for Huntington Harbor Mobile Estates. The article by Cindy Carcamo starts with the proposition that the Judge decided "to appraise the land for much more than the land has been historically valued." Carcamo neglects to mention, the Judge found the land should be valued for what it is currently worth, exactly as specified in the ground lease. She does find room for a headline suggesting the owner wants to give senior residents "the boot." Kudos to Rob Coldren, Bill Dahlin and Irene Kiet of HKC who worked on the case.
I see nothing but fact in the way Cindy presented the article...its the old "beauty is in the eyes of the beholder" ... you are looking at it all though an attorneys eyes, Im looking at it as a 77 year old Senior, who saved, pays taxes, etc. and now may be forced to "start over" at an age where its really impossible. Of course we the lease holders will be the ones to raise our own rents if it comes to that, but it would be because the ground owners have raised their rent because of zoning,if they get their way. Didnt this happen in the Leisure World area of Seal Beach with a market? They couldnt pay what they were asked so had to go, now many Seniors have no market near them to shop at.Im not an attorney, so wont argue legal issues, but morally, is it right to do this to a generation that worked, saved, did everything they could to have a peaceful retirement? Doesnt seem fair to me, oh yes, Im one of the HHME residents, so I know firsthand,