March 29, 2005

Butch Lindley, Chair
Monterey County Board of Supervisors
Court House
Salinas, CA 93902

Subject:  County General Plan Update Process

Dear Supervisor Lindley and Members of the Board:

The Leagues of Women Voters of the Salinas Valley and the Monterey Peninsula support active, informed citizen participation in government. Representatives from both Leagues attended the entire full-day workshop on the General Plan that was held on February 23.

The League also supports government hearing processes that encourage and provide for full public participation. Thus we were very concerned that any member or members of the Board of Supervisors would attempt to push for adoption of any of the current general plan proposals in advance of public hearings or review by the planning commission. Your meeting agenda of March 15 called only for the setting of dates to consider the general plan. The motion to adopt or proceed with only one draft version of the plan was inappropriate and ill considered and we appreciate the author rescinding the motion.

The League of Women Voters will continue to take advantage of all opportunities for public participation in the adoption of a new general plan. The Board discussion on March 15 though, has caused us to feel we need to watch very closely the process the Board follows.

The adoption of the new general plan is one of the most important and critical of your many responsibilities. For the new general plan to have any credibility and for it be legally sustainable, the process must provide for full, fair and timely public participation. The League of Women Voters will be watching closely to make certain that the General Plan Update process provides the legally required adequate noticing and is equally available to all the public in addition to private parties.

Sincerely,
     Anne Herendeen, President, LWV of the Salinas Valley
     Nancy Green, Copresident, LWV of the Monterey Peninsula