Selfishness a Delightful Alternative

One year ago, I realized my dream and moved to wonderful Old Agoura. After 32 years in West Los Angeles, common sense told me that the quality of life did not exist there for me. Yet, within the boundaries of the county I was born in, I could in fact live where there was open space, a national park and a unique equestrian community.

I live on the peaceful western border of Cheeseboro Canyon, the national park. The open hill views from my back porch are some of the most beautiful I have ever seen. The oak-filled canyon is a treasure for hiking, biking and riding my horse. Every night, the coyote choirs reassure that wildlife and Mother Nature still exist. Selfishly, I have a lot to lose if Jordan Ranch is developed. Selfishly, my dream will be shattered but I know that I’ll survive.

What I selfishly fear the most is the following:

The loss of the wonderful, pristine Cheeseboro Canyon National Park.

The further senseless endangerment of wildlife in its natural habitat.

More than 1,000 ancient oak trees will be destroyed and lost forever.

The natural beauty of the soft rolling hills outside my back yard will be turned into an autobahn, a race track for the careless.

As defined in the environmental impact report, Chesebro Road will become a sewer of floodwater, erosion and chemical pollutants from a PGA golf course.

Furthermore, Agoura Hills will become yet another overcrowded suburb without anything unique about it.

When I weigh what will be lost to the irrevocable gains of urban sprawl here by my beautiful home, I find selfishness a delightful alternative.

GARY BAKER

Agoura Hills