I am doing something highly irregular this morning. I am addressing this editorial/article personally to each and every resident of Sultan, and am doing so without any frou-frou or fanfare. I am also urging everyone to forward this communication onto anyone they feel may have an interest in it, and to print out a copy and distribute it to neighbors (or advise them via phone) who may not yet be aware of it. We have not had an opportunity to "get the word" out as we would have liked. There's been a few other things to deal with recently, not the least of which are issues related to the recall, DNR gravel operations, electrical-generating plants, and a city administration that could benefit from some "adult" supervision.

Tomorrow night's meeting -- Thursday Night, June 28^th at 6 p.m.-- on the North Wagley $3.5 million Water and Sewer LID is one of the most important issues since the Wagley's LID was proposed several years ago. And it is in danger of flying by with barely any notice whatsoever (except for property owners), as did the Wagley LID. This LID would ultimately result in 550 houses (at a minimum) and well over 6,000 additional vehicle trips per day on Highway 2.

The city council and Gary Bourne from Berryman and Henigar (the city's consulting firm that is now the city's de facto planning department) had an informational briefing about a month ago to discuss this subject, billing the event as a "workshop." The comment was made several times by different council members that, if approved, this LID would "force property owners to develop." During that meeting, it was decided that the subject of this LID needed to be brought before the council to decide whether or not to even call a meeting of property owners to "decide" whether this project should be pursued. When the subject arrived at the council table, there was no discussion as to whether or not the project should go forward. There was only a discussion on WHEN the property owners' meeting would be called.

Yes, this is a property rights' issue. But it far exceeds that narrow decision-making criteria. As sprawl and gridlock comes to Sultan and even beyond, people are beginning to realize that there is infinitely more at stake than the rights of property owners. There are the rights of the majority of taxpaying citizens who must "live" with the gridlock and over-development that is created by government in the guise of property rights. But to continue to mindlessly develop communities for the almighty dollar when roads, water, sewer and other infrastructural support systems are strained or past the breaking point, is not only incompetent management of resources, it is an immoral abuse of authority.

(We ask residents to link to and read two items: One is a recent New York Times' article about Maryland's Governor Glendening on this subject (in word). The other item is an editorial I authored in early 2000 immediately following my attendance at our first-ever council meeting. It was one of my first "official" communications to Mayor Rowe which became one of many to which I have never received any reply whatsoever -- which indicates how little things have changed in 14 months under his administration.)

Yes, property owners need to be able to develop. Yes, Sultan will continue to grow larger. But to continue to be lead down the path of infrastructural "death-by-development" by a city administration proven to be unmindful of potential ramifications of its developmental actions, is unwise. (Problems surfacing now at Eagle Ridge and Willows Run are graphic examples of this statement.)

We urge residents to attend this meeting and become active participants in Sultan's future.