Maintaing sufficient levels of domestic production is a matter of national security and working with FEMA, a resiliant marketplace is vital.

Theo Johnson
12/23/2014
PA 640
Prof. McGrory


1. In the face of an increase in demand for new residential development, what are the key growth management issues a City should consider?

With growth issues, you need to be sure you have enough adequate 1. water 2. energy 3. food 4. housing 5. clothing 6. jobs & currency 7. roads and infrastructure 8. hospitals 9. courts 10. religious houses 11. marketplaces and offices, industrial and retail spaces 12. entertainment, arts and culture 12. transportation 13. sheriff's and cops 14. fire department and first responders 15. waste and sewers 16. corrections

In managing growth, cities need to concern themselves with housing, work-space and utilities. As cities grow, it is important that they grow as self-sustaining communities whenever possible so that sprawl can be reduced and more people can live close to where they work. Initiatives such as the I.D.E.A. District create an appealing model for future growth. If designers can develop communities that have housing, industrial space, store fronts, restaurants and forums for art and design then future communities can become fusion centers for innovation, prompting and motivating outstanding creativity and ingenuity. Imagine if an aspiring clothing designer could live next door to a textile space and an aspiring restaurant can live next to a brewery. What if housing spaces were above the store fronts where the residents lived and office space was around the corner from where you lived? What if local artists could paint murals and design urban art on designated walls in the district, and local residents could showcase music and perform at a stage on the block, and film makers could showcase films in a local theater? What if software designers and inventors had industrial space to turn out prototypes? What if basic assembly lines and industry took place on the third floor in the north wing sowing textiles and smelting golf clubs? What if roof tops has solar panels and urban farm spaces? An innovation society could provide for a dynamic local economy with high employment and a high quality of living, combined with an easy flow of capital such societies could become outstanding sources of development. Integrate in access to higher levels of education, technical training and seminars on various topics and suddenly you are on your way to a highly productive block. By designing the buildings to encourage interactions between residents, to spur innovative ideas and using social marketing such communities can become desirable and hip places to live.

      Building hip self sufficient communities as cities build out, and at times up, can make dealing with traffic, demand for utilities, parking and employment easier to manage. With any building proposal, there needs to be careful review to measure for the affects on utility demand, traffic and parking. There needs to be housing and living costs affordable with rates of pay and job creation. While the markets do generally provide for such, it none the less requires competent oversight, monitoring, studies, basic planning and project management. Doing this all requires competantly organized and accessible municipal governance and while the bureacracy should be streamlined and efficient, there is real need to divide work responsibilities and to set realistic goals to be sure that projects are completed in a timely manner and within budgetary allowances. When contracts are being awarded to corporations or private companies, it is important that the bidding process is fair and that the corporations are being paid enough to complete the job properly and that simultaneously without over-burdening the tax payers or municipal treasuries. The political process has a way of achieving such equalibrium, particular when it is transparent, democratic and open for review, forcing its accountability to the public and their expectations. It is important that politicians of both parties, avoid over-promising and instead work to set realistic expectations that are feasible according to professionaly trained economists and accountants.

2. What are the three most significant political reforms you would recommend to Governor Brown?
   A. The most significant political reform I would recommend is allowing for vouchers to transfer the state's expense per student on public education towards private schools. Having attending St. Matthew's Episcopal Day School, Sacred Heart Prepatory High School and Juniperro Serra High School I have experienced the immense value of private, faith-based education. Attending these schools provided for an immense advantage in getting into quality colleges and in my performance academically. Since my parents did not raise me in a religious household, I found the ethical and moral dimensions and understanding of Christians and others in my community to be a tremendous source of strength in difficult times. These schools were always accommodating and I am greatful that the foundations for my faith were laid while I was at these schools. I found that the science, literature, history and mathematics programs were outstanding, and the theology courses were taught in an academic context that defied traditional stereotypes of preachers and other faith community leaders. Looking at different challenges we faced, going through puberty and in high-school through a theological context, provided for understanding and guidance that encouraged improved decision-making. If nothing else, it provides a great multitude of perspective to look at problems and support for humanitarianism. I'm certainly no saint, but recognize that faith in a higher power can help temper the darker components of human nature and guide us into more palatable civilizaitons, communities and societies.
   B. I believe mandatory paid service either in the military, peace corps, americorps or through comparable religious charity organizations would be an incredible way to improve structure and training for young adults, offsetting high unemployment rates for that demographic and providing them the real world experience necessary for succesful careers. Public works programs are a far better means of providing support for the poor, encouraging work and keeping them engaged in society, providing them dignity that welfare and handouts undercut. In conjuntion with higher education, the United States of America could increase its reach oversees and address domestic issues caused by unemployed adults.
   C. I would encourage looking at ways to incease local self-sufficiency in the event of a break down in the global order by mandating stores to provide 25% of their shelf space to products produced in the county, 25% in the State, and 25% in the USA with the remaining 25% of shelf space for foreign made products. The markets would still decide what to buy, but at least local, state and national productions levels would be in supply. Combined with investment in initiatives to publicise local, state and national industries and encourage their production and consumption steady demand could be of very high value if larger wars or disasters were to occur. Maintaing sufficient levels of domestic production is a matter of national security and working with FEMA, a resiliant marketplace is vital.