Left in the Dust

I moved to the Santa Clarita Valley outskirts about five years ago. I remember driving down Interstate 5 and seeing about a 20-acre Christmas tree farm only a half-mile away from a place called Hillgate Development. The brochure read, “A country-perfect address with a backdrop of picturesque rolling hills, acres of tree-studded countryside, create a naturally beautiful setting for a single-family community. Here is an area of delightful contrasts, peaceful and secluded away from the crowds.”

It was perfect. Fine schools, parks, outdoor recreation away from the San Fernando Valley crowds, noise, traffic and crime. A place to raise my kids.

When I realized what was happening two weeks ago, sadness came to my eyes.

There was no more tree farm. The coyotes, raccoons and rabbits are gone. The noise of bulldozers and land movers can be heard. Mountains disappear. There’s dust in the air.

There’s noise, traffic, air pollution, hazardous waste and a 1,436-acre industrial park, one of the largest in the state.

It is where our kids will be brought up. In the eyes of many, it’s wrong and we must defend our right to freedom. The neighborhood is tough because we were brought up that way.

The best people in the world live here. We’ll try our best to defeat the giant like David did.

Where are our kids going to play?

RUSSELL BACH

Saugus