Sustainability Feedback

I’ve gotten some comments on the sustainability posting from the  meeting with the City of Chelan on Monday.  I’ve had a couple of people who have expressed concerns about the process.  While implementation of this “process” was pretty much soft sold (I suspect that the SERA Architects would like to get a consulting contract from the City of Chelan), it is something that I think citizens should consider carefully.

It was my impression that sustainability was being presented in a loosely defined, squish way.  At the presentation, all the points Terry mentions were mentioned.  They were mentioned as flexible things.  However, Terry is right, what is being promoted is a much more socialist approach to local governance that the system of elected officials having oversight that we have now.  It was presented as involved citizens and non-profits governing things like planning, permits,  design standards and even utility services.  It does bring concerns of accountability of these groups since they would not necessarily be elected positions that could be changed.

I received phone calls and one comment that I was allowed to share.  Here is the Sustainability PowerPoint Presentation that is referred to in the following comment from Terry Urness:

Hello Al.   I didn’t get to the workshop, I stayed out to change sprinklers, and otherwise work.  I appreciate you comment, and followed the link to the SERA website and was able to download and view a powerpoint presentation on the subject.

 

You mentioned,  

According to what I heard from Mr. Smith, there just isn’t a clear definition for sustainability, it is a squishy concept that encompasses environmental concerns, business relationships, community relationships, planning and design.

 

After reading through the attached presentation, I think the objective is stated in the following definition:

a theory or system of social organization that advocates the vesting of the ownership and control of the means of production and distribution, of capital, land, etc., in the community as a whole.

 

Slide #21 states:

3. Requires a New Social Contract

 Premise: The present social contract is dysfunctional and obsolete

 Present contract

• A republic with representative government

• Citizenship =Voting and paying taxes

A new social contract linking people to their
• “ Civic Democracy ” (Shutkin)

• Regular participation of citizens in political decisions affecting their place

• The ruled and the rulers are one

 

I find this pretty disturbing, and instead of labeling this sustainability, which has a “feel good” sound to it, it should be called what it is.    Socialism

 

 

I wish I could organize my thoughts and write something better on this, but work awaits, and I have three employees needing supervision.

Terry Urness