You Can Only Push So Hard for a Project

The Hidden Creek Ranch situation finally clicked into focus for me, with the Feb. 20 story about the developer owing $1.4 million in taxes and the Messenger Investment Co. being down to “about six” employees.

My analogy is Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy trying to hoist the grand piano up the outdoor staircase.

Moorpark Mayor Paul Lawrason is probably legally correct in asserting, as I understand the story, that “first things first” means awaiting the result of the environmental impact report and specific plan.

But isn’t that nonsense? How could the equivalent of a mom-and-pop operation possibly finance a billion-dollar development? Perhaps the answer is this: Those who are so anxious for development are willing to deal with Messenger, despite frustrations, so that in the end there will be a plan in place for somebody to implement.

GILBERT S. BAHN

Moorpark