Summary: Wednesday, January 6, 2016 / 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. There is an “unhidden agenda” for the Land Use Report. I am trying to stimulate listeners to get personally involved in the land use decision making process. I had such an experience myself, in the early 1970’s, when I joined a community group that was trying to “Save Lighthouse Field” in the City of Santa Cruz. If you have ever been out to Lighthouse Point, located at the very northernmost point of Monterey Bay, you will know that our efforts were successful! The success of the Save Lighthouse Point Association changed local politics in Santa Cruz, with the big change being that community residents suddenly saw that their personal involvement in local land use matters could actually make a big difference. It’s still true! Hence, the “unhidden agenda” of this Land Use Report. We are kicking off a new year, so I thought I’d highlight, this week, some of the key factors that can lead to successful community participation. Step one, often the hardest step of all, is to admit the truth of what Bob Dylan says in his rather negative song about politics: “We Live In A Political World!” Most people don’t like “politics,” and often for good reason, but Mr. Dylan is right. Our world is defined by the political choices we make. And if ordinary people aren’t involved in making those decisions, that world is not going to be the kind of world we’d like to have. More Information: Land Use Links Gary Patton’s Two Worlds Blog Bob Dylan: We Live In A Political World Lyrics - Political World
