Peter Sugia: Beekman did the right thing, regardless of mayors’ objections

The uproar over Matt Beekman’s efforts to amend agricultural preservation policy through LAFCO comes as little surprise. It exposes the tension that will always exist between preservation, profits and short-term planning.

Responsible management of farmland is inconvenient to housing developers and those they influence in city government because it limits unrestrained growth. This amendment, approved by a majority of LAFCO commissioners on March 25, provides succinct guidelines toward funding farmland preservation those who choose not to purchase easements directly.

LAFCO is ethically and legally bound to develop and implement policies consistent with this objective. The objections of six mayors now calling for Beekman’s resignation from the LAFCO board apparently represent a misunderstanding as to his role. His duty as commissioner is to uphold the legal guidelines and advocate for prudent land use policies. He is not, nor should he feel obliged to agree with the six mayors who appointed him though they stand opposed to his amendment. He is responsible to the citizens of Stanislaus County.

Kudos to Beekman for his hard work and perseverance in crafting the (amended) Agricultural Preservation Policy. Free enterprise created the sprawl we call Los Angeles. I appreciate LAFCO’s efforts in promoting more responsible growth.

This story was originally published May 4, 2015 at 1:14 PM with the headline "Peter Sugia: Beekman did the right thing, regardless of mayors’ objections."