New Group With Vision, Fire Needed

In this San Diego Union-Tribune column, Richard Louv writesabout the need for a regional "civic entity" to provide leadership forSan Diego as it faces the prospect of accommodating 1 million newresidents. As most environmental groups, local planning agencies, andgovernmental bodies are either divided or distracted, Louv suggests aregional network that would bring concerned citizens together, or acitizen's league such as 1000 Friends of Oregon, which has successfullyenforced urban growth boundaries and supported high-density housing asmeans to combat sprawl. While it is evident to many concerned residentsthat San Diego needs a strong regional voice, neither the leaders or thegroups have yet emerged, and Louv questions whether or not San Dieganscan rise to the challenge.