🚀 go-pugleaf

Ron Newman wrote:
> This is South Pasadena's decision.  Nobody should be forcing them
> to destroy their community for the benefit of others.


While local governments may believe, act, and
in some cases be sovereign entities, accountable
only to the citizens within their borders, if
they act without regard for their neighbor
communities, everyone loses - including them.

In most metropolitan areas, there is a local
council of governments, set up by the Feds to
jointly administer planning, air quality, and
other issues/programs which affect all the
communities in a given region.

From my experience watching some of these COGs
in action, a city which acts in complete
disregard of its neighbors often ends up on the
short end of the stick, due to the other cities'
retribution in the COG process by diverting funds,
delaying projects, and other acts.

One beneficial aspect of COGs is that they force
the local communities to at least meet each
other as equals on technical issues, outside
(hopefully) of the 'border war' attitude seen
so often these days in urban regions.

As to the question "Is it fair?" - that depends
on who you ask. What's fair for the greater
community may not be as fair for the smaller
community.

My point is: a community can act in any way it
pleases within the law; however, it should be
prepared to face the outside consequences of
its actions.


P.S.: I drove the 710 corridor last week when I was in
the area, so at least I could see the area being
affected. The one thing that struck me - there seemed
to be a big demographic shift once you cross Alhambra
Rd. - I can see how there might be a difference of
opinion between the two communities on many issues,
including this one.


-- 
Richard C. Moeur, P.E.,  N7WTB,  E.C.I.,  whatever...
Practicing Traffic Engineer (I'll get it right someday...)
Phoenix, Arizona, USA
"Life is just one W1-5 after another, until the W14-1"
The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of
the Arizona Department of Transportation. Really.
Now Open!: http://members.aol.com/rcmoeur
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