Letters to the editor

Monterey County Herald
Posted on May 29, 2007

Compelled to speak

According to Thursday's Californian regarding Mayor Dennis Donohue's support of the "No on A" campaign, LandWatch's Chris Fitz's response was that the No on Measure A campaign "must have put huge pressure on Dennis. It was my understanding he felt strongly about staying out of this."

Such tactics are exactly the type of squeaky-wheel political rhetoric that makes the Measure A so dangerous. Passing a measure that puts decisions about land use in the hands of the people, although noble at first blush, is dangerous. It only serves individuals and companies with deep enough pockets to support a PR campaign to convince voters that they should have the right to develop.

This plays into the hands of LandWatch as Mr. Fitz, with his smooth style and well-financed organization, will use the court of public opinion to win future land-use battles.

The truth is that through concerted discourse with a close friend, Mayor Donohue came to see that the Measure A campaign is dangerous to the economy and fair housing and puts the burden and cost of future development on the individual municipalities. He was compelled to make his voice heard.

Daniel Vorhies
Monterey