On the Lighter Side.....

Worst Planning Poetry Award Nominee

DUMB GROWTH BLUES

(To be sung to B.B. King's blues classic "Caldonia")

I like smart growth.  I don' like it dumb,

Cuz tearin' up the countryside makes me feel glum.

They're messin' up our water, an' they're chokin' up de air,

They're jammin' up the streets an' dey just don' care.

If I could have it my way, there'd by no new highway,

The Legacy is fantasy.  It's just plain dumb!

It's crazy!... It's crazy!...

What fills their heads with rum?

Taking care of nature should be a rule of thumb.

Can't stand it any more.  I'm 'bout to go insane,

Y' know I gotta stop this madness, this' Dumb Growth game.

(Anonymous)

Editor's Note: To prevent publication of any more of this verse, newsletter readers are encouraged to send in replacement material that adequately reflects the talent and true feelings of area planners.  This piece also suggests some questions: Are planners tour guides or traffic cops?  Are they environmentalists or administrators?  Editorial comments are welcome.