By Phil Harnage Santa Monica
Monday’s column by Bill Bauer was, pardon the expression, right on the money (“Following the money,” page 4, Sept. 8). Santa Monica is fast becoming a victim of its own success. It’s a sad fact that the more development we allow to take place, the more we will be victimized by increased traffic, pollution and overcrowding.
What surprises me is the intensity of the reaction of the anti-RIFT (Residents’ Initiative to Fight Traffic) forces. It’s not like residents are asking for a zero growth ordinance or a moratorium on all development, as has happened in other cities. Ironically, when I was gathering signatures for the RIFT petition, not one person turned me down, and just about everyone who signed it said they wished it went further. Of course, they weren’t developers.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 13, 2008. Read the original PDF.