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From the Monterey County
Herald L
E T T E R S T O T H E
E D I T O R
Editor: Joe Livernois' characterization
of LandWatch as "a group with a strong Democratic
bent," (A party divided against itself, Dec. 5)
misses the point. LandWatch Monterey County is a
public-interest,community-based organization that
promotes healthy and safe communities. Our 1,000
members include registered Republicans,
Independents and others. Our mission is decidedly
nonpartisan: to advocate for the public interest.
We promote land-use policies that guaranteed
workforce housing, conserve valuable natural
resources and save taxpayer dollars. Contrary to what some partisans
assert, we are one county. Decisions in Salinas
impact Peninsula residents and vice versa. That's
true whether you're stuck in traffic on Highway 68,
or get water from an overdrawn and polluted
groundwater basin, or want to use a library. These
issues won't be resolved by segregating our
community, but by understanding that land-use
patterns, traffic water and air quality, libraries,
schools and other public services are all
interconnected. Elite special interests are
trying to confuse the public about land use. These
special interests profit enormously from bad
planning decisions at great expense to the public.
LandWatch's mission is to improve the quality of
life for everyone living in Monterey County, no
matter what his or her political
affiliation Roderic
McMahan |