Summary: Monday, December 21, 2015 / 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. I am fond of saying that if we want to gain the benefits of “self-government,” we will need to get involved ourselves! I generally try to provide at least some opportunities for civic engagement with respect to the multitudinous land use policy and project decisions that have such an important impact on the future of our local communities. Giving listeners information about their opportunities to get involved in land use decisionmaking is what I call the “unhidden agenda” of the Land Use Report. This week, Christmas week, is not the season for governmental meetings. You’re off the hook! I hope all of those listening will have a wonderful holiday experience as we get ready to turn a corner, and start a sprint into the coming New Year. Since there aren’t really any governmental meetings I can comment on this week, let me note that one way to affect land use policy is to use the initiative powers that are guaranteed to the people in the California Constitution. If you want to get an idea of just how significant the use of the initiative power can be, check out today’s edition of the Land Use Report blog, at kusp.org/landuse. The Monterey County Weekly has a very informative article about an initiative measure in Salinas that may end up in reigniting fireworks sales in that City. We will probably know by the next Fourth of July. Just in time! More Information: Land Use Links Gary Patton’s Two Worlds Blog Monterey County Weekly Article On Initiative Measure
