We'll Stay On Our Side

We'll Stay On Our Side

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Story Published: Feb 13, 2008 at 7:44 PM PDT

By Valerie Hurst

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The city decided it was time to start its expansion project on South 1st St, whether tom paul liked it or not.
He's been arguing with sunnyside for a couple years now over 15 feet of land.

The city needs to own it to expand the road.
Tom says, he just wants to be compensated.
Turns out, he won't be... because the city's going to expand 1st Street without touching Tom's side.
It'll put sidewalks on the *other side of the road, not his.
Last we heard, Tom and the city had struck a deal.
But apparently it turned sour.
Tom says he would have accepted the $100,000 grand from the city if they'd just admit it's his land.
He says, the city wouldn't.

"I don't think it's right that they do it halfway when it's federally-funded because they won't resolve the issue with me," Tom says.

"I believe we'll save about 600 to 700 thousand dollars," says City Manager Mark Kunkler.

City leaders decided they didn't need a roundabout off the freeway afterall, and that meant Tom's property wouldn't be necessary.
Time was also an issue, and going through legal hoops in court could have cost the allotted time frame on the construction bid.

With the money saved not touching paul's side of the street...
The city plans to expand and beautify other parts of South 1st Street.

The trial over ownership of Paul's property is scheduled for April.
And in case you're wondering, No, Mark Kunkler will not be acting as the city's attorney.
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