LWVMP President's Message: "It Can Be Done!"
During this election year where competition and controversy abound, I am reminded of three recent experiences where very diverse interests were able to coalesce and arrive at decisions that were mutually agreeable.
Grand Jury
As a member of the 2005 Grand Jury, I found myself looking around the room at my fellow jurors on those opening days, wondering how in the world we would ever agree on anything. Views ran from liberal to very conservative with most on the right of middle.
However, by a commitment to avoid policy issues and focus on the facts and efficiency in government, we were able to issue the most comprehensive Grand Jury report ever prepared on the County's planning process.
Water Advisory Committee
In 2007, I represented the League on the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District's Citizen Advisory Committee. The Committee is composed of historical adversaries who rarely agree on much of anything.
However, we had a clearly defined task to identify the pros and cons of various water supply alternatives to address Order WR 95-10 and other water needs consideration.
We were specifically directed to not take a position on any of them. While we struggled to stay on message, we ultimately were able to agree on a comprehensive list of arguments for and against the alternatives.
I recently learned that the Committee is being reconvened to address the draft Cease and Desist Order to implement Order WR 95-10. I suspect, consensus will not be so easy on this one!
Land Use Advisory Committee
As a member of the Carmel Valley Land Use Advisory Committee (LUAC), I represent the "inland" LUACs on a committee preparing recommendations on the guidelines describing roles, responsibilities and procedures for LUACs.
The committee is comprised of two planning commissioner, two representatives of the development community, two planning staff members and one other LUAC representative.
Fortunately for the process, there was agreement at the start to revitalize LUACs so they can provide greater input to the Planning Commission and County Planning staff. The focus has been on expanding projects that LUACs review while making the process as streamlined as possible.
While there has been significant disagreement on matters such as what LUACs are to consider (e.g., local versus so-called "regional" issues such as water), through discussion and compromise we have been able to come to agreement (e.g., focus on local, neighborhood concerns while not precluding consideration of other, more comprehensive issues).
What Is in Common?
I'm not sure what "the take-away" message is from these examples. What they all have in common is diversity of interests, discrete tasks, a give-and-take of ideas, and a commitment to end up with a product.
Of course, there is no substitute for defining priorities and policies through the great market place of ideas - elections. However, once our course is defined, hopefully, we can go about the business of developing solutions that address the issues.
Janet Brennan, President
