Propst, the commissioner representing the Tucson conservation group, says he hopes whatever emerges won't be "so watered down that it's meaningless." On the other hand, he has little faith that the Legislature will do much of value.
"I think it is the lack of leadership in the Legislature that got us into this bind," he says. "We can't look to the same leadership to get us out of it."
Attorney Steve Betts makes a point during an open house.
Paolo Vescia
Attorney Steve Betts makes a point during an open house.
Related Content
More About
He says some expect "a knock-down drag-out" fight among opposing forces before next year's election. Sides are already being chosen. But not everyone is lining up in expected spots.
Woods says many in the business community are beginning to come over to the environmentalists' side. And Arizonans for Responsible Planning, a coalition supporting Growing Smarter, has backers like the Arizona Chamber of Commerce, the Arizona Farm Bureau, the Arizona Cattlemen's Association and home builders. But it doesn't have the unswerving loyalty of some major business players.
Tom Browning, the executive director of the Greater Phoenix Leadership who participated in the subcommittee work, says his group is in a "wait and see" mode: "Until the Growing Smarter Commission says what their recommendations are, I can't say if we might support or not support them."
Browning said he was unfamiliar with the newly formed Arizonans for Responsible Planning group. His organization, which supports improved growth management in the state, is made up of 90 local top executives who work on issues affecting the quality of life in the Valley. The group has broadened its membership and changed its name since the days when, as the Phoenix 40, it had a reputation as an exclusive group of behind-the-scenes power brokers.
Woods disagrees with Arizonans for Responsible Planning's argument that Growing Smarter should be given a chance to work before any alternative growth package is considered.
"If they come up with something that is truly meaningful, I'm sure we would support it," he says. "But in the meantime, we can't take the chance that either nothing will be done or something that is so weak that it's the equivalent of nothing will be done."
If conflicting measures pass next year, the one that has the most votes likely will become law, although a court interpretation surely would be sought. And if all growth-related propositions fail? No one is giving up.
Growing Smarter and CGMI backers say they'll keep up their efforts to bring acceptable growth management policies to the state. Carla says if the Arizona Land Legacy preservation proposals are not approved, land trust groups are prepared to embark on Plan B: an initiative drive to get on the 2002 ballot.
"I sincerely hope we won't have to wait until 2002," Carla says. "Think of how much damage will occur between now and then. There are so many places that will be lost if we have to wait."
Many have said that even if all these efforts produce nothing next year, the work will have served a worthy purpose -- getting people in a previously growth-happy state to talk seriously about managing development.
But Woods is not so upbeat about the value of merely opening up the dialogue.
"It should have been done 20 years ago," he says.
Contact Laura Laughlin at her online address: llaughlin@newtimes.com
