| The “Speak Out” conducted by the county sought citizen input for preservation of Natural Resources through the “Smart Growth” process. County Commissioners presented “facts” to help guide input; specifically that large population growth (doubling in thirty years) and degradation of natural resources are inevitable. Unfortunately, the “facts” were assumptions, unsupported by solid research and analysis, and “Smart Growth” was revealed as a personal vision, not a proven plan.
If the version of “Smart Growth” offered by Commissioner Botkin was a business plan seeking private sector financial backing, it would be dead on arrival.
The questions about our future have not been properly asked and answered. The Kitsap Alliance of Property Owners (KAPO) has offered a formal, proven process to do the necessary research and to reach the decisions vital to the future of the county. The KAPO plan employs the logical, proven, decision-making process common to successful business, government, military, and personal endeavors. The process involves the following basic steps:
- Define the problem(s).
- Define the factors and qualities impacting on the problem.
- Identify and test the options available and, because this is a government decision, Announce the options to the public.
- Make the decision and implement it.
- Monitor the progress of the actions and make adjustments as necessary.
The KAPO recommended process will ensure that necessary questions get asked and answered. For example: What economic factors will cause growth to occur? Who will come to the county and what will they want? What form of housing will they want? When will growth occur and what growth rates are anticipated for each class of new arrivals? How will we monitor to ensure that planning estimates match reality? How will existing infrastructure be impacted by growth and how will we pay for new infrastructure? If clean water is a critical factor, what is our current inventory and use status and how much growth can we support? If rain water runoff is a major problem, where does the runoff occur, what options do we have to capture runoff, and what type of development minimizes runoff? If Ordinances are enacted to restrict beneficial use and enjoyment of private property, how will just compensation be made and who will pay for it?
These are just some of the basic questions that could not be answered during the “Speak Out” and which are elemental to the planning process. The active presence of public involvement in planning to date was not demonstrated. For the most part, the public has been relegated to an observer role, if any “participation” has been allowed. Now is the time, before any more tax dollars are wasted, to step back, review where we are and where we need to go, and then to proceed with a proven methodology that will result in a logical, sustainable plan for our future. KAPO stands ready to assist or, if necessary, to lead the way.
Jack Hamilton
Silverdale. |
