Keep O.C., L.A. Data Separate
* Re “For Economic Data, U.S. May Merge L.A., Orange Counties” (Sept. 30):
“If Orange County were a country, it would rank approximately 32nd in the world--ahead of such nations as Chile, Ireland, Israel, Malaysia, and New Zealand, and Singapore.” [Orange County Community Indicators 1999, County of Orange. 1999. Page 15.]
As such, it must have economic information independent of Los Angeles County to properly plan for the future.
The OMB plan to combine Orange County and Los Angeles County economic information is a bad idea that will mask the growth in Orange County at a time when it is crucial for Orange County to grow--and attract--major new businesses of its own. Fledgling new sectors, the rapid-growth gazelles of the future, will be even harder to identify and nurture. Opportunities will be lost because all the different entities working for livable growth in Orange County will be working from insufficient information.
Anyone with access to the decision-making process at the Metropolitan Standards Review Committee should do their best to make sure that Orange County continues to stand separate from Los Angeles County.
JACK MIXNER
Fullerton
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