Elder Statespersons

Mr. W. Paul Farmer, FAICP
122 South Michigan Ave. - Suite 1600
Chicago, IL 60603

Dear Mr. Farmer,

I have received your letter regarding the newly created fee structure for
life members of The American Planning Association. After carefully reviewing
your letter, I can agree that APA needs to restructure its budget, but I am
not sure that my 20 bucks will solve your problem.

I have been a member of all professional planning organizations since the
AIP recognized student planners as "members." I was one of sixteen students
enrolled in the University of Wisconsin-Madison undergraduate planning
program in 1958, and finishing with a Masters Degree in 1963, I have
considered myself a professional planner ever since.

I receive the APA Planning magazine, Association newsletters, notices of
important upcoming events, and other such material with great regularity. I
still find interest in all of that, but very little use to me on a daily
basis. My last public planning position dates from 1973 when I completed
four years as Director of the Memphis and Shelby County (Tennessee) Planning
Commission. Since then I have consulted from time to time on private
planning matters, and consider urban planning to be my vocation, but I make
my living in the field of real estate investment, which I consider my
avocation.

With regard to the new dues structure, I have a suggestion with which I
hope our board will agree. Firstly, remove my name from your mailing list.
Then simply recognize me as a member, and the incremental cost of servicing
me will fall to zero. You will have the same website cost and back office
costs regardless of what I decide to do anyway, although I hope that the $20
shortfall would not result in any APA-AICP staff layoffs. I think that
others in similar circumstances will agree to the terms, thereby saving the
Institute a bunch of money, and at the same time retaining the historical
linkage, and professional longevity, provided by those of us who precede
your charter. Simply keep us on the roster. Like having emeritus status, we
would be retired from professional life but permitted to retain as an
honorary title the rank of office held.

Sincerely,

John J. Griesbaum, Planner Emeritus (subject to confirmation)