Slow-Growth Controversy

Your editorial “Guide for Growth” (Aug. 4) places The Times series of articles on growth management into perspective. Now your call for fresh leadership, vision, and cooperation must be matched with action.

Over the last year I have talked with hundreds of homeowners, business leaders, and local officials about development problems and their desires for creative growth management. As chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Planning for California’s Growth, I sponsored two forums which convinced me that most public officials are reluctant to face up to what must be done.

If state officials continue to ignore the need to act, we will surely see a statewide growth-control initiative, born of frustration.

I am drafting legislation which calls for a “New Regionalism.” The Legislature must agree on a few broad goals to drive development decisions. We must then rearrange local decisions to follow these state goals and still meet regional needs.

There are ways to balance economic expansion with resource conservation. While state government does not have to practice mirco-management, we can supply Californians with firm policies and better tools to pursue their own regional solutions.

SEN. MARIAN BERGESON

R-Newport Beach