This Topic: "Introduction" to Better, Not Bigger, Book by Eben

[Bill Frederick]

1. What are your thoughts as you read these short 6 introductory paragraphs to Mr. Fodor's book?

2. Would you like to get the book and write a chapter summary to post here for all our reading?

This fits in with the "Walkable Community" idea that we are working on utilizing Dan Burden's Freeland report and his writings on the subject in his in-preparation book, currently entitled, "The Book on Walkability and Walkable Communities." We are seeking Dan's permission to quote the following under Freeland Community Forum "Trails" section, namely,

• 12 principles of walkable communities
• The Transportation and Land Use Partnership
• 5 keys to the success of place
• Needs of Children and Seniors

Now to the Table of Contents and Introduction of Eben Fodor's book,

BETTER, NOT BIGGER
How to Take Control of Urban Growth and Improve Your Community

<a>http://www.fodorandassociates.com/book/more_info_about_bnb.htm#Introduction<a>

By Eben V. Fodor

* Table of Contents
* Introduction
* Ordering Info

BOOK CONTENTS

Growth Survey

Introduction

Chapter 1: The Endangered Landscape

Chapter 2: Meet the Urban Growth Machine

Chapter 3: The 12 Big Myths of Growth

Chapter 4: The Truth About Jobs, Housing and Growth

Chapter 5: Discovering the Real Cost of Growth in Your Community

Chapter 6: Putting the Brakes on Growth - What Works?

Chapter 7: The New Millennium Community

Appendix A: Selected References on Urban Growth
Appendix B: Organizations Concerned with Land Use

Acknowledgments
About the Author



Introduction


Growth is good, they say, reciting like an incantation the prime article of faith of the official American religion: Bigger is better and best is biggest. Growth, they tell us, means more jobs, more bank accounts, more cars, more people, leading in turn to the demand for more jobs, more economic expansion, more industrial development. Where, when, and how is this spiraling process supposed to reach a rational end - a state of stability, sanity, and equilibrium?

- Edward Abbey, Learning to Listen to the Land


A February 5, 1998 article appearing in a major Oregon newspaper was headlined: "Inevitable growth worries small towns." The article reported that 13 of 16 communities in southern Oregon "have expressed a desire to remain small towns, but growth is inevitable." Residents are concerned that growth will destroy the character of their communities and cause them to merge together in a "seamless" mass of urban development - and they feel powerless to do anything about it.

In these circumstances, the standard refrain of many public officials is that "growth is a given." It's not a question of whether we'll grow, they say, but how. This sort of resignation that growth is inevitable is simplistic at best. At worst, it shows a callous attitude toward the legitimate concerns of citizens and a reckless disregard for the long-term consequences of endless urban growth.

As a citizen who is wondering about the effects of growth on your community, you undoubtedly have many unanswered questions. You may find yourself asking: Is continued growth really desirable? Are the benefits attributed to growth realistic? Have all the costs been accounted for? If growth were found to be undesirable, would we be able to stop it? If we were able to stop growth, what would the alternatives look like?

To some extent, the answers lie in uncharted territory. We have accepted the necessity of growth in such an unquestioning manner that there has been little serious consideration of growth alternatives. There is an astonishing lack of good information about the real impacts of growth on our communities. There is very little awareness of the strategies and policy options for slowing or limiting growth. And good role models for stable communities are hard to find.

This book is intended to be a resource for individuals and groups who want to get off the treadmill of urban growth. It provides insights, ideas, information, tools and techniques to make the transition away from growth-oriented and growth-addicted communities and toward stability. This book brings together some of the best available information on these topics. It is written for those who are seeking a more balanced, informed and productive discussion about growth. Overall, the message is intended to be one of optimism and empowerment. Responsible policies toward growth will foster strong, healthy communities that will remain great places to live for generations to come.

This book grew out of my own involvement in community growth issues and my frustration with the lack of good information about the real impacts of urban growth and the apparent lack of good policy options. In an effort to answer my own questions about this fascinating and complex subject, I have found many contradictions and surprising insights. I have uncovered excellent resources and references from all over North America. And I have found that effective policy options for curbing growth do exist.

[Dean Enell]

As we know - the County is in the midst of declaring Freeland a Non Municipal Urban Growth Area (NMUGA). They will be reporting on their progress tomorrow at Trinity Lutheran - see below.

A community meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 10, from 5 ­ 7 pm at Trinity Lutheran Grigware Hall, 18341 SR 525, Freeland. Personnel from Island County Public Works and Freeland Water & Sewer District will provide background information and update the status of stormwater management, transportation and sanitary sewer planning as they relate to the Freeland area. BHC Consultants will provide an update regarding their work on the Freeland Sub Area Plan and Draft EIS

This is an important and historical step for the Freeland area. As we all know, a great deal of effort and good intent went into this effort during the Freeland sub area planning activity from 2000-2004. The draft of these finding and recommendations can be found at http://www.islandcounty.net/planning/pdf/freeland/Freeland_Plan_Draft%2008-06-04-singleside.pdf

Stop by if you have a chance and see if your visions are being realized as the County finally gets around to taking some action.

Dean