Is it really fair to expect recently elected public officials to be knowledgeable about the many and varied issues that come up? Everyone (but the lumber industry) is laughing at George Bush for stating that the best way to prevent forest fires is to cut the trees down. After all, how can a man from Texas (which is not known for its forests) have any expertise in forestry management? Yet, as president, he is expected to have a solution for the many and complex problems our nation faces – no forests – viola! – no forest fires.
Right here in Snohomish County we have another example of the pressure on government officials to produce solutions to our pressing problems. County Council members Jeff Sax (a real estate salesman) and John Koster (a dairyman) are presented with a plan to manage growth for the next 20 years or so. Not having degrees in land use management, they were forced to rely on the old KISS (keep it simple, stupid) theory. How could they be expected to understand and implement a growth strategy developed over the past three years by highly trained city, county and state personnel? Isn’t it rather unreasonable for the mayors and councils of the various cities within the county, and the planning staffs with their obvious advantage of years of study and experience, to be so furious when Mr. Sax and Mr. Koster try to put together a plan they can understand?
Perhaps we unjustly overestimate the ability of those we elect to handle the complex issues of today. Maybe some patience and a few more terms in office will give Bush, Sax and Koster time to learn and understand 21st Century problems, thereby freeing them from the domination of the industry groups who spent all that money to get them in office. Of course, the big question is, can we sustain the livability of our communities until that time?
Arlington
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