Can Officials and Developers Talk? Sure, Just Do It in Public

I read with interest your editorial (“Untoward Developments on Planning Commission,” Aug. 26) regarding the shenanigans of certain Orange County planning commissioners and their cozy relations with developers.

This interest turned to indignation Aug. 27 as I read of the depressing shortage of usable parkland in our developing county areas.

Developers have been permitted to donate slopes, gullies and power line easements as parkland or pay in-lieu fees at a fraction of actual land values.

Despite staff warnings, the Board of Supervisors and their appointed planning commissioners have blissfully collected their freebies and dispensed their permits at the public expense of inadequate services and choking traffic.

CHRIS MOWRY

Orange