Better watch out for steam-rolling developers

Let's see if I have this straight. The purpose of BetterYuma.org is "to promote, preserve and protect fair and reasonable development of Yuma County," according to their articles of incorporation as published in The Sun on Jan. 26 and 27. Also, as stated by Pasquinelli Produce's Paul Muthart, a member of BY.org, "the group wants to do a better job of communicating and take a position on various issues and make that position known ("Commission blasts council," Page 1, Jan. 27).

Muthart also describes BY.org members as "a pretty diverse group." The occupations he mentioned were homebuilders, accountants, lawyers, contractors, farmers and title company executives. It was helpful to me that the BY.org and Kammann Properties articles of incorporation were published side by side in The Sun. Harvey Campbell's name appeared on both organization witness signatures. He works for Kammann.

My interpretation of the above information is that some of the big construction companies in this area are reacting to public complaints against them by displaying their power on one hand and slinging a little PR to soften the blow on the other. No doubt that "diverse group" is tightly connected to the builders and landowners - and not just casual observers!

Look out, anyone near land these guys can develop. They're prepared to steam roller over any public objection to their plans. Muthart described the group as "a force to be reckoned with." I take that threat seriously!

Elected officials, please get a little backbone. Not every money-making venture that benefits the construction industry and the tax base should injure innocent bystanders. (If planning commission recommendations through the years had been heeded, perhaps we wouldn't have this gorilla running rampant now.)

LYNN BURNETT

Yuma