I hear often that community planning needs fixing because:

1. Planners are reactive rather than proactive.

2. The failure to develop a "big vision" for the future leads to piecemeal, haphazard development and inadequate infrastructure to support it.

3. Squeaky-wheel decision-making is dominated by special favors for the self-interested who make the most noise.

4. It's a "good old boys" closed system.

The "fix" is for you to get interested and involved!

It's true that the work of county planners and community planning groups is reactive in the sense that they review plans that are created by real estate developers and other property owners. But development plans are reviewed against criteria: federal and state laws, the San Diego County General Plan, and countywide zoning and subdivision ordinances. Criteria particular to a local community, such as Valley Center, are found in the Valley Center Community Plan and in Valley Center's Design Guidelines.

It is in the creation of these planning documents that today's vision becomes tomorrow's reality. Public input matters.

Of course, developers and their consultants know enough to protect their financial interests when the rules are being established (when the bulldozers start, it's way too late). We've seen recently in national and regional politics that this system functions very effectively for the self-interested -- because the self-interested participate!

It's the public interest that needs richer, more diverse representation. The public needs to go public to ensure that the public interest is more than what's left over after the self-interested have finished finagling.

Most folks say they want pro-active, integrated planning that reflects community values and balances self-enriching interests with the long-term interests of the whole community. Now's your chance to pitch in!

Remember, the future is not something we walk into. It's something we create.

Attend the community planning meeting in Valley Center from 9 a.m. to noon April 18 at the Middle School in the multipurpose room. You may be surprised at the difference your voice makes!

Lael Montgomery lives in Valley Center.