‘People Becoming the Problem’

I was thoroughly impressed with Bill Stall’s article (Opinion, Aug. 2) on California and its people. His article was succinct, straight-forward and insightful.

The gemstone of the state, the University of California system, has indeed weathered between 15 to 20 years of fiscal, political and social attack. As an undergraduate and graduate student at both the University of California, Riverside and Santa Barbara campuses, I personally saw and perceived massive, and at times, incomprehensible changes and patterns in the educational systems. Unfortunately, most times these changes were not beneficial to California’s future or its educational system.

Stall likened the rapid growth of population in California to real and perceived seeds of trouble ahead. I agree with those perceptions unequivocally. In addition, I recognize the fact that sheer growth in population is not necessarily a positive ideal or influence. Indeed, “bigger is not necessarily better.”

California started to change for the worse in the mid to late ‘60s through a combination of political, social and economic exclusivity and fragmentation. Government is the only factor that can realign the future of California. If the force of government does not make itself known, the state of California will follow the lead of its rival--New York. Hopefully, this will not occur.

The article captured the flavor as well as concern for California’s past, present and future. Hopefully, through the forces of the public, private and political support and planning, the state of California will continue to flourish as a mecca for future generations.

MARK T. FLORIO

Granada Hills