Defending Edmiston

Stop the message but don’t kill the messenger.

Save Open Space, a dedicated group fighting for preservation of Cheeseboro Canyon and stopping the Jordan Ranch development and the developer-proposed land swap with the National Park Service, has recently asked the governor to remove Joe Edmiston from the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. Like removing Dr. Martin Luther King from the civil rights movement, preventing Babe Ruth from playing baseball or taking the poor away from Mother Teresa, this seems unthinkable.

Joseph T. Edmiston for most of his 41 years has planned for, fought for, negotiated for and has been the lead parliamentary agent for preservation of the Santa Monica Mountains. Every park in the Santa Monicas from Franklin Canyon to Circle X owes its existence to the creativity and perseverance of Edmiston and his environmental assault squad. From the Santa Monica Mountains Comprehensive Plan to his negotiations for China Flats, Edmiston’s commitment and passion for preservation of these beautiful mountains has been unwavering.

The intent of this letter is not to ask for his canonization but a plea for open discussion of public issues without the personal attacks which distract from the real issues.

I believe the swap of Cheeseboro Canyon parkland for Jordan Ranch access should not take place. I believe Ventura County should stand by its master plan and should have never allowed the Potomac Investment Associates proposal to go this far. I do not think the conservancy or the National Park Service should act before there is community support for proposals.

I do not however question the integrity or commitment of Edmiston or the conservancy board to the preservation of the Santa Monica Mountains.

GLEN PETERSON

Agoura