You gotta love Richard Louv's inimitable childlike style of writing which
makes reading him so fun -- a style that adds immensely to his popularity. (This
time, let's bypass the usual suspects U-T 3/30/03)
Now he's not happy with local planning groups, and democratically elected
government, and still never misses a chance to diss developers who he contends,
really "rule" San Diego. Over 100 regulations, ordinances, and laws have been
passed doubling the cost of housing in San Diego (most enacted over developer
objections and lawsuits), and still he contends "developers rule." Incredible!
Louv looks longingly to other regions having "civil society organizations --
ones that engage the broad public." Since "public" is an all-inclusive word
that means every man, woman and child in the community, what is a "broad public"
other than an imposter term used to honeyfuggle non-intellectuals? He cites
1000 Friends of Oregon as a counterweight to public officials -- ironically, an
organization controlled by lawsuit crazed attorneys, environmentalists and
corporate welfare developers seeking to densify Oregon cities, increase
congestion and stop highways from being built.
Best of all, Richard is championing a new civic leadership peopled by 19 year
olds, college students no less (kids aren't jaded). Interestingly, many if not
most 19 year old college students have someone else paying for their food,
clothing, housing, cars and gasoline. Total dependency doesn't exactly foster
leadership or good planning. It will be another 11 years before most will be
amazed at how smart their parents have become during those 11 years between 19
and 30.
Planning, or the lack of planning that Louv seems to decry has never been an
issue in San Diego. The issue is always who should do the planning, those who
look in the horse's mouth and count the teeth, or those who sit in the library
and argue about it. If the 19 year olds egged on by Louv will implement their
personal plans judiciously, and not plan everyone else's life, the future of San
Diego will indeed be in good hands.
Fred Schnaubelt
2728 Adams Avenue
San Diego, Ca. 92116
619-280-2082
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