Message From the Chair Emeritus—Richard Johanson
Congratulations to Nick Yovino and Keith Bergthold of the City of Fresno for convening the recent workshop to discuss the Southeast Growth Area Specific Plan. (SEGA) A large crowd at the New Exhibit Hall had the dual privileges of listening to an excellent presentation followed by an opportunity to express their individual viewpoints in numerous small group settings. It is events such as this coupled with the ongoing San Joaquin Valley Blueprint study by the Councils of County Governments that will help lead us into the future. There is too much at stake for our children and grandchildren to move forward without adequate planning for the allocation of our finite resources. Ultimately, it will be our ability to collaborate in arriving at workable solutions to formidable problems that will become our heritage.

The SEGA Event
Pictures, words, numbers, statistics and facts presented by someone with expertise and passion offers up a compelling story. If you were unable to attend the SEGA event, Peter Calthorpe’s PowerPoint presentation is available here. The principles underlying sustainability include: diversity &balance, human & pedestrian scale, conservation & restoration and connections & interdependence. When decisions are made through a singular lens, unintended consequences often undermine goals. Calthorpe’s approach looks through multiple lenses at the outset so planning and execution result in a sustainable, desirable landscape. Key points from the presentation:

• From 1990 to 2004, 115 acres of farmland was urbanized in the Fresno/Clovis Metro Area. At this rate, 135,600 acres will be consumed by 2040 resulting in $3.9 billion in lost production. (American Farmland Trust)
• Nearly ½ of Fresno’s water is used for outside irrigation and landscaping.
• In 1970 41% of households were married couples with children. In 2005, this number dropped to 23% and 28% percent consisted of married couples without children.
• Mixed-use neighborhoods with community centers and transit can substantially decrease housing costs (energy use, water use, transportation), require less costly infrastructure investments from the public sector and promote fiscal sustainability for both individuals and the public sector.

While more difficult after the fact, many of the lessons of the SEGA effort can be factored into ongoing revitalization efforts in the urban core.

Eds, Meds & Urban Renewal—Universities & Medical Centers are Economic Engines
Where once the number of smokestacks in a community were indicators of economic health, in today’s economy its about technological innovation and know how. That means that universities and medical centers are now considered indispensable cornerstones of a thriving economy. Across the country, universities and civic leaders are working together to tap into the expertise and other resources of the educational community to meet social, economic and K-12 education challenges. “Political and civic leaders are starting to think strategically about how to use academic institutions to spur further economic and community development, while university administrators are getting accustomed to the higher expectations thrust on them…” Source: Governing.May.2008.

Great People Create Great Communities
"The greatest source of power in any organization is personal power: the character, courage, determination, knowledge and skill of the individual members of the organization.” Keshavan Nair-- A Higher Standard of Leadership--Lessons from the Life of Gandhi.