After the president: It's now up to us

Tahoe Daily Tribune

July 30, 1997

Letter to the Editor

To the editor:

Those who worked to bring about the Presidential Forum, the extensive efforts preceding it, and the commitments which resulted can be proud of their accomplishments on behalf of all of us and our region. They did an excellent job, especially considering that many decisions were outside their control. Our states' and federal governments responded with a commitment of significant funds.

While the level of commitments may not have been what everyone would have liked, or what is ultimately needed, we can now move forward together with these initial funds. Others do have a point when they say we can not on one hand ask for tax dollars to be spent here while complaining about the cost of government. In my opinion, appropriate questions are what value is received for the expenditures and who do they benefit? Preserving Lake Tahoe benefits all of us and future generations. We now have a focus on Lake Tahoe and resources to continue to work together to achieve common goals of a healthy economy, environmental integrity and human well being. Over the next two years, we can demonstrate that the funding provided is being used effectively and efficiently to produce direct benefits. We can also justify continued confidence in our efforts to preserve Lake Tahoe, enhance the quality of our lives and of our economy.

For maximum benefit of the effort expended, we will communicate what is being done in a way which allows all policymakers and the public to understand what is happening and why, the choices available and decisions made, and the results of those decisions. Available information technologies and communication tools can achieve these goals, allowing us to collaborate and together learn from what we do. We are only now beginning to address the complexities of creating a sustainable society. The power of these communications systems can allow us all to evaluate the same information, leading to knowledge about our situation, and hopefully greater wisdom in addressing it. We could even create a convergence of the many different visions of the future we now hold, a desirable outcome.

If we are successful, as we can be working together, it seems likely an administration which values a sustainable future will be a willing partner in the next steps. It is now up to us.

Joseph Kruth,
Cave Rock