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How does Susan propose to balance economic development with environmental issues? These two goals are not mutually exclusive. Most of us don’t like to venture out of our comfort zones, and it takes patience, repetition, and persuasion to coax us out of entrenched behaviors. As our natural resources dwindle, innovative thinking in business, science and development must flourish to meet environmental challenges. Good leadership requires us to set reliable standards and provide reasonable incentives for developers to incorporate sustainability in their business plans. The Commission on Sustainability is making good strides forward in researching environmental issues and helping the Council set sound public policy. The Commissions’ recently released Bloomington Environmental Quality Inventory raises awareness of sustainability into citizen’s notions of how we can grow with respect for the future. Business entities not yet willing to move in a more progressive direction will not find the same level of support or enthusiasm for proposed projects that have a negative impact on environmentally sensitive areas or that impair the livability of Bloomington. There is room for responsible, sustainable growth, and where there is a will… there is a way. I believe it is the political will of the majority in Bloomington for its Mayor and City Council to protect the landscape, preserve green spaces, ensure clean air and water, limit costly and unreasonable strains on City utilities, discourage urban sprawl, and build a better Bloomington. We can achieve those goals through incentives for smart and sustainable growth and disincentives for irresponsible sprawl. Negotiating that delicate balance will take courage, diplomacy and patience. Last but not least, it will take the support of concerned Bloomington citizens to stand up and be clear about what they want and don’t want to develop in their city.
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PAID FOR BY SANDBERG FOR CITY COUNCIL, CHARLOTTE ZIETLOW, TREASURER |