Pace of Growth in the County

It seems to me that for all the ink being given to the slow-growth initiative, isn’t it about time to report on the specifics of the issue?

I have lived in the county for 20 years, and I positively abhor the traffic problem here. I have looked into the issue relative to Measure A, and I am convinced that it is not a solution to the congestion problem. Even the proponents of the initiative admit that it will not get cars off the road, nor will it provide new roads.

Rather, the implications of the initiative are:

* Growth will be slowed by curbing development--eliminating developer fees for new roads.

* Current levels of mobility will be decreased because bond financing will not be available. Without bonds and developer fees, more than $400 million needed for new roads will be jeopardized. Estimates are that 27,000 jobs in the construction industry alone could be eliminated.

Right now, there are just 500 new homes available in the county. Restrictions will cause prices of these and future homes to increase substantially. Rents will also be raised. When this happens, people will buy in Corona and Riverside and drive to Orange County, thereby adding to the traffic problem.

School financing through developer fees and bond issues will be jeopardized, which could result in double sessions and busing.

The Center for Economic Research at Chapman College predicts an overall countywide reduction in economic growth. Tax revenues will decrease, unemployment levels will rise and personal income will suffer.

The measure creates a new level of bureaucracy, with limited power in the areas needed to develop traffic solutions.

I think you can see why I feel this initiative threatens the quality of life in our county and does absolutely nothing to ease the traffic problem.

ANDREW K. SKIVER

Newport Beach