The Canyon’s Fate: Leave It to the Voters

Congratulations on your editorial “The Canyon’s Fate Is Up to the Voters” (July 8).

I could not agree more with your conclusion that “it all comes down to money.” I sincerely hope the residents of Laguna Beach can learn a lesson from San Juan Capistrano.

In my opinion, the residents of San Juan Capistrano gave the rest of Orange County a (somewhat overlooked) lesson this past April 10. By an overwhelming majority (71%), our residents voted to tax themselves to acquire approximately 140 acres of open space and farmland.

Why? Because they wanted to preserve a certain, quantifiable quality of life, prevent the development of these areas and create play fields and a community center for both present and future generations. It would have been easy to vote “no.” It took vision, courage and a true sense of community to say “yes.”

We do not live in a world where “someone else” will solve our problems. The federal, state and county governments do not have the money.

We have all chosen to live in a very popular area of the world. That choice has also brought public responsibilities along with our jobs, homes and wonderful climate.

One of these burdens is to collectively invest in the future of Orange County and, from time to time, in our own communities. GARY L. HAUSDORFER Mayor San Juan Capistrano