"Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It contains within it two key concepts:
- the concept of needs, in particular the essential needs of the world's poor, to which overriding priority should be given; and
- the idea of limitations imposed by the state of technology and social organization on the environment's ability to meet present and future needs."
In theory, this sounds fine. In practice, "Sustainable Development" harkens back to the United Nations "Agenda 21, the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, and the Statement of principles for the Sustainable Management of Forests".
Effectively, "Agenda 21" defines the basic planning process for land development for local governments around the world. The article "Agenda 21 UN: The History of Sustainable Development - Connecting the Dots" is a good read on how this all came about, including the spread of this doctrine across the United States.
What does this mean at the local level? A good example is Carroll County, Maryland, where a "smart growth plan" called "Pathways" because the mechanism of choice for a land grab by the County a few years ago. The plan "...proposed a breathtaking reshuffling of land rights:"
- Rezoning of thousands of acres of beautiful, low-density agricultural farmland and protected residential conservation land into office parks
- Down-zoning of agriculture land to prevent future subdivision by farmers
- Up-zoning of low-density residential land around small towns into higher density zoning to permit construction of hundreds or possibly thousands of inclusive housing units, including apartments and condominiums
- Inclusive housing with placement of multi-family construction on in-fill lots within existing residential single family communities
- Endorsement of government-sponsored housing initiatives (subsidies) to ensure healthier, balanced neighborhoods
How this applies to the Walla Walla TEA Party Patriots is quite simple: The City of Walla Walla Sustainability Committee.
This is a permanent committee, with the stated purpose:
To conduct scenario planning to prepare for social, economic, and environmental changes in an efficient and cost-effective manner and to provide advice to the council upon the development and integration of sustainability parameters to be used in the implementation of the goals, objectives, and policies of the Walla Walla Comprehensive Plan.The committee was formed in 2010, and is just starting to organize itself. It's part of the City Planning Department, under the Sustainability Office.
This is all quite legal, but it is appropriate that tax payers ask relevant questions. For example, how much does it cost the city to maintain a "Sustainability Coordinator"? In light of budget woes, is such a position truly needed? Are there any costs to maintain the committee itself? And so on.
Citizen involvement in government is to be encouraged. But there was an active push to develop this advisory committee at the same time the streets of Walla Walla "lacked a street advocate". The City Manager, Nabiel Shawa, and Public Works Director Ki Bealey, are involved with the sustainability committee as well, according to minutes on the committee web site. Granted, they are seeking input on community development. That's why the committee was formed.
But has the city pushed as hard for a streets advisory committee? Is there a streets coordinator? One has to wonder just where the priorities of the City of Walla Walla truly lie. And if the tax "revenue" so badly needed for street maintenance is more a matter of the priorities of the City of Walla Walla.
UPDATE: I forgot to note that this post is based on contributions from other members of our group. My apologies.
