[StPaul] RE: On protecting natural environments - remember George Latimer

[CRISTY DELACRUZ]

Joe, please allow me to clarify my previous post, because I truly value the 
role of business in providing good jobs, very much contributing to the 
economic health of a community (particularly when they are local and require 
as little commute time for employees as possible). I have respect for many 
of the ethical and responsible entrepreneurs working to innovate in the 
environmental arenas. They surely will succeed as the public creates demand 
for their products in a changing marketplace and as our need for green space 
become all that much more precious.

Your point is apt, because Latimer was a innovator and a visionary (very 
UNLIKE our current mayor). I do not fault businesses for environmental 
destruction, per se. It is the classical economic models and the traditional 
ways of measuring economic success that need revision so that a long-term 
cost benefit analysis includes environmental "costs" and more properly 
factors them into development plans, without unintentionally creating 
incentives to waste resources.

It takes vigilant public leaders like Latimer and others to make sure that 
our economic and environmental goals might be realized in tandem, instead of 
subsidizing "free riders," businesses that do not fully pay for the natural 
resources they are gobbling up. Business, government, nonprofits and 
citizens must work together creatively while thinking long-term in order to 
reverse some of the unfortunate trends we see as environmental illnesses 
skyrocket.

Thanks for your thoughtful response.
Cristy De La Cruz
Highlander, but close to Mac/Groveland

From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: On protecting natural environments - remember George Latimer
Date: Sun, 12 Dec 2004 19:18:05 EST
Some of this list serve may remember George Latimer.   He was re-elected 
more
times in the 80's than any other mayor in St. Paul's history.

Latimer was a strong environmentalist.   At one point, Robert Redford came
into work with him.   At the same time, Latimer worked hard to help 
businesses
in this city make more money.   (Full disclosure - Latimer asked me to 
manage 2
of his mayoral campaigns)

I don't think the two efforts are always in conflict.   Latimer and many
others prize clear air, water, etc.   We also want to have businesses in 
this town
that will pay good wages.   The only way they can do that is to make money.
A strong community needs successful businesses, as well as non-profits.

It concerns me to read some comments that are vigorously anti-business
comments.
Joe Nathan
Highland Park

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