6/24/06 - South Central Farm   Ooops! I wrote another letter. This time to the mayor of LA to try and persuade him to "do the right thing" and save this urban agricultural movement and relocalize resources...

June 16, 2006

Dear Mayor Villaraigosa,

The South Central Farm is a symbol of and a functional proof of the viability of localizing agriculture in urbanized areas. I am appalled that the City of Los Angeles has not taken the lead in an issue as simple as this. From what I understand the owner of the property made an agreement to sell the property to the farmers for $16 million, then backed away.

I am a former 15 year resident of Los Angeles and have been extremely pleased to see the progress you have made in public transportation and other public ecology oriented developments. This event however is a drastic step backwards on so many fronts. I urge you personally mayor, to step in now, and put your career on line to establish this urban agricultural community a permanent home in LA.

The owner can buy one of the nearby, underused/vacant facilities of which I am sure are numerous, common opportunities. This community farm on the other hand is not a common opportunity. It is the opportunity of a generation to stake an urban community to self sufficiency and provide an exacting example of it's implementation. Localized support systems reduce pollution and traffic, make more liveable spaces out of the urban cement paradigm and revitalize community economies, reducing unemployment.

To me this decision is a no-brainer. This may, if possible, be an excellent opportunity to use eminent domain powers to "do the right thing". If not, then possibly gather together some wealthy supporters to boost the offer for the property. If the owner again refuses an even "more" fair offer then pump it to the media as what it is... a political maneuver to visibly dominate and control useful democratic efforts to positively benefit society through non-profit oriented methods.

It seems to me the business community has an element in it that likes to demonstrate their muscle and bully the public whenever possible so that citizens hesitate to challenge their activities. When the public benefit is concerned, this kind of selfish and destructive activity should be curtailed. Government and it's elected officials need to demonstrate that public well being and citizen survival is more important that the capricious personal profit of the powerful.

Fair is fair. The owner of the property has been offered fair compensation and should follow through. I urge you to act in this matter. It really will be seen in the future as a turning point, for you, the City and the citizens of LA. The benefits will be incredible.

Here are a couple of related links you might find interesting...

http://www.organicconsumers.org/2006/article_756.cfm

http://www.grinningplanet.com/2005/09-20/energy-peak-relocalization-article.htm

Cheers!

-Sandy