BOS direction and TUD kudos

To the Editor:

The season opener for the new TUD board “game show” was amazing! This reality program, now at 9 a.m. alternating Tuesdays ,has everything. A dedicated band of underpaid and highly maligned public servants are pitted against a deep pocket, heavily entrenched development cabal who use fear, intimidation, name calling and back room shenanigans to exert their will.

Two-hour public meetings become six-hour epics (pack a lunch) as it becomes clear how much dedication and perseverance goes into the “mundane” task of ensuring our community has something in their taps.

If you missed it, the Stone Mill request for enhanced water hookups (think 80 unit luxe apartments adjoining) was for three businesses on 2 acres for “unknown” tenants.

Staff decided this must be equivalent to four family homes requiring “1/100th of 1%” of the county's water allotment. Pretty specific for unknown tenants. The developers' vaunted prompt care agreement might need more water, the rumored Dollar General may not... unless a toxic spill needs washing down...

Meanwhile, we have a new Justice Center, recently expanded medical center and resilience projects requiring potable water, hopefully they have priority.

The developer argument seemed to be “we are here to fill public coffers with tried and true infill, because look how well off we all are with all our past projects.” They reminded everyone how expert they were at improving our lot, I guess five big strip malls within a six-mile radius is just awaiting Stone Mill for all the winning to kick in.

As our county Board of Supervisors workshop their goals and direction; please, supervisors, include your constituents in planning their communities as was the case before the post-2008 purge and amend the General Plan to reflect the true nature of our neighborhoods.

“Urban”?! That designation is about as thin as government toilet tissue.

R.D. Haratani

Columbia