Letters

Letter from Philippe Mazaud

The following letter was sent to the Mayor of Hillsboro in response to his comments at the October 14^th Reserves Steering Committee meeting, as reported in this article. You may send email to the Hillsboro Mayor or City Council here.

October 23, 2009

Dear Mr. Mayor,

As a resident of Hillsboro (Baseline Street and 4th) concerned about the short and long term prospects of this city (and of the greater Portland area more generally) I feel compelled to let you know of my own reaction to the comments you made recently, as they were reported two days ago in the Hillsboro Argus.

I feel very strongly that we must be willing to find innovative and creative solutions for economic and urban development; solutions that promote both vibrant city centers and recognize the value of high- quality rural and green areas. Quick-fixes, in particular unchecked suburban sprawl, are non-solutions.

The insistence on optimizing space, on investing in and committing to a truly urban development and redevelopment, the recognition of the value of farmland (in particular one as outstanding as that known as "Helvetia") and of its contribution to the very health and quality of this area, far from being quaint and unambitious sentimentality, are a necessary break from unimaginative and short-sighted practices.

Indeed, it is the blind insistence on pursuing the same outdated models of suburban growth inherited from the 1950's and 1960's that is backward-looking. Leaving urban centers mostly lifeless and decayed in order to forever sprawl out is both unsustainable and unambitious. It may be cheap in the short run, may profit a few, but it is far more costly in the long run, and ultimately impoverishes us.

Your reported comments, directed against both the specific proposals and what appears to be the general intent of the group referred to as "1000 Friends" in the Argus, are unfortunate. These proposals strike me as having a great deal of merit, and I urge you to seek common ground with those with similar viewpoints.

Sincerely,

Philippe Mazaud
Hillsboro

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