Observer Online | Viewpoints | Letters to the Editor

Posted Nov. 22, 2002

Columnist Needs to Look at Development

To the editor:

After reading Tom Grein's article, "Voters Will be Stuck in Traffic," I am wondering just how he personally benefits from what he calls growth and development§the same thing I call sprawl and destruction. You want growth, Tom? Well, it has already been happening, and you may want more, but the funny thing is you then complain about the traffic it creates.

Tom dismisses the voters who did the right thing by calling them all anti-taxers and claiming they fell for misinformation. The truth is that the no sprawl tax site is comprised of terrific facts and smarter solutions. Sloppy growth and the dishonest, manipulative, greedy developers have gotten us into this traffic mess, and we need real solutions to solve it.

Tom's statement that "the 'build it and they will come' philosophy" is a "phony and goofy argument" because "developers have always built houses and office parks even if the roads were not there" doesn't make any sense. He sounds like a contractor eager to build. The problem for poor Tom is he builds where there are no roads and Realtors can't figure out where his buildings are! No, Tom, you need to do the looking around! There are a lot of things that are legal and allowed, but that doesn't always make them right. That is something you have to ask yourself.

I am in Reston and I voted "no." I am not an "anti-taxer." I believe in doing the right thing. My decision was based on my observation that improved transportation has always encouraged sprawl and long distance commuting which eventually leads to the same traffic problems we currently have. I am also able to determine that the same mistake has been made repeatedly. There is no misinformation here, it is logical and observable!

I would love to solve the congestion problem. I don't like being stuck in traffic and I do not like the heavy pollution it causes. But, what needs to be improved is the attitude that there will always be a solution for the bad effects of our infinite appetite for finite space and resources. Growth cannot go on indefinitely, so why are some in such a rush anyway? Do we want it to stop now while there is still something to enjoy, or when the earth is finally a concrete ball?

Humans are not the only species on Earth: We just act like we are.

Lisa Qualls

Reston