Anti MROSD Letter to Ed by SusanTrue

December 4, 2002
Susan True
P.O. Box 220
Redwood City, CA 94061

Editor
San Francisco Chronicle Newspaper
Regarding Open Space Coastside Annexation

Dear Editor,

     As an environmentalist and tax payer, I have grave concerns about the proposed annexation of the San Mateo county coastside by Mid-Peninsula Regional Open Space District (MROSD).

     MROSD currently owns 48,000 acres and want more!  However, as cattle and crops are removed with acquisition, brush and dry grass return to create explosive fuel for wildfire.  A catastrophic coastside wildfire could threaten the entire Bay Area.

     Most of the 140,000 acres MROSD wants to acquire between Skyline and the coast has already been preserved by generations of farmers, ranchers and land owners limited y rigid county and coastal commission building restrictions.  Quaint rural communities like Pescadero and La Honda would ultimately be forced to close schools and businesses as their own agricultural economy suffers from MROSD empire building acquisitions.

     I believe taxpayers would be better served by improved accessibility and safety on MROSD's already impressive holdings….(largest Open Space District in California).  We have such a wealth of open space that needs tending to…..MROSD provides virtually no stewardship for their holding.

     I don't wish to trade rows of flowers and hillsides cattle grazing for parking spaces and port-a-pots.

     I cherish the history and character of the coastside and don't want to see it erased forever under a 15 year MROSD annexation.

     If you share these concerns contact Supervisors Jerry Hill at 650-363-4568.