I understand a vote may be upcoming concerning the highly- controversial Cathey’s Valley Plan. Many years ago I attended meetings and listened to the different opinions about how Cathey’s Valley should plan for growth in the future. There was alot of tension, frustration and occasionally hostility when property owners pleaded for certain types of zoning for their properties.

After one particularly tense meeting in which residents were talking very harshly to a Mr. Fortner, I was so saddened that I didn't return to the meetings for a whiile. My husband and I would get a little discouraged with the news of the meetings and would attend occasionally when it looked as if some decisions were getting close to being made.. I think many residents felt that they weren't being listened to. While the members of the advisory board have been very kind, many of us decided it would probably be better to try to express our concerns to the board of supervisors.

Last year we attended a board of supervisors meeting and many people stood up with very clear credible concerns about the Cathey’s Valley Plan. Good people like Don Starchman who has done so much for this community and probably knows land laws more than any of us. Ranchers like Mr. Benson had valid concerns. Members of the church in Cathey’s Valley had concerns because of zoning that could limit the church’s growth and label it nonconforming. Business owners pleaded for help, asking supervisors to stop the changing of their zoning. My husband and I also own a little place not a quarter mile from the post office, right on the highway that will be changed from commercial to residential. I understand the concerns of those who worry abut water, but this is a problem all over and people will still need homes. Perhaps rather than trying to lock everyone out we can work together to conserve. Basically the plan allows no growth that I can see therefore it becomes poor planning, because like it or not, our population is growing. Therefore good planning is in order. Some day we may have to have a decent grocery store, a bigger post office, a business where my children and your’s can seek employment, a larger school.

I hear that the supervisors may be voting on this soon. We've laid our concerns before them. Let's go see if our supervisors really listened to the concerns of that packed house last year. I'd like to know which supervisors really listen to and represent the people.

Victoria Trujillo