Urbanization in the County

The Sept. 21 story [“Unpopular Development”] signals a time of change for our county: The majority of residents are clearly aware that growth is not in their best interest.

[Politicians should] consider this fact and its impact on their careers. The time when a few developers and construction interests could dictate county policy is rapidly passing.

Economic shifts mean that involved and aware citizens (the most likely voters) increasingly derive their incomes from sources other than development. We can afford to say “no” to further degradation of our environment by bulldozers. And we can afford to support those political officials who also say “no.” Economic growth and development are not synonymous.

Elected officials in Orange County today sit upon a cusp. Some will realize this and begin forging positions marking them as protectors of a threatened environment. Others will continue to operate from an older paradigm and be relegated to the dustbin of history.

Any who doubt this change should consult values research consistently showing the long-term “greening” of American citizens. Pro-growth is a retrograde position.

Issues such as the El Toro airport and the further bulldozing of vanishing natural habitat are the ones by which politicians will ultimately be measured. Electronic information will assure that each vote and each policy decision will be immediately known to voters.

ERIC D. NOBLE

Santa Ana