"Greed, for lack of a better word, is good. Greed is right; greed works."

Those were the immortal words uttered by Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas) in the movie Wall Street (1987). Oliver Stone's morality tale depicts the contrast between those who value materialism and power versus those who instead treasure honesty and integrity.

Those were the immortal words uttered by Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas) in the movie Wall Street (1987). Oliver Stone's morality tale depicts the contrast between those who value materialism and power versus those who instead treasure honesty and integrity.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

The July 20th issue of The Parkville Luminary brings us news of more exploitation of the land. It seems that, in the minds of some, the western fringe of Parkville near I-435, annexed just a few years ago, is at this point an inadequate blank slate, awaiting "improvement" and spurring the ever-desirable growth.

In this case, the developer is apparently so anxious to get underway that he cannot wait to get the appropriate permitting and access agreements in order. The toll of manifest destiny echoes across the centuries. At every turn, the people and other living beings who existed on this continent before Europeans and their American progeny spread onward have been subjugated, turned out, and/or exterminated. This case appears to be a rippling-forth of the same phenomenon.

Luminary Publisher Mark Vasto says the opportunities for commerce are "too great" along I-435 for the land to be left in its current state. This is the mindset of nearly everyone in this culture, so it shouldn't come as a shock to see it in print. I'd just like to state for the record, however, that "growth" isn't always a good thing. Edward Abbey admonished us that "growth for the sake of growth is the ideology of the cancer cell."

Perhaps it IS inevitable that some development be consummated along the I-435 corridor west of Parkville. It is private property, and this is, after all, a "free country" (it is especially free for those who already possess wealth and are willing to fully exploit the system). However, it would be enlightening to look at the model of European countries, where this culture has been in place for millennia.

European cities are characterized by urban areas which end abruptly, bordered by countryside. In these places, people "own" land, but they cannot expect to do with it whatever they want, should what they want not coincide with what is considered the greater good of the community. This contrasts starkly with America, where it goes unquestioned that one can simply ignore the wishes of one's neighbors, human and otherwise, in order to extract maximum short-term profit from the land. Developers often exemplify this attitude, that it is their birthright to impose their will on the landscape.

I'm suggesting that we need to take a longer view of the situation, to assess the real value we get from the landbase. If we look at the situation carefully, we'll realize there's greater good in some uses of the land than others. If development must occur, we need to ensure that it is truly of benefit. The trade publication Shopping Centers Today revealed that, of the top five nations in terms of square feet of retail space per person, the U.S. led the way with a tally of 20.2. Sweden was second at 3.3 square feet, followed by the U.K. at 2.5, France at 2.3, and Italy at 1.1.

In the June 29^th issue of The Luminary, local developer David Barth was quoted complaining about local governments increasing "rules and regulations" and how "that sends the wrong message to buyers and the building industry". I know that the invisible hand of the free market is a sacred concept to many, but the problem does not lie in regulation. It lies in trying to maintain unsustainable behavior.

The "wrong message" is that perpetual development, with its attendant consumption of the local landbase, is desirable, or possible. As we run headlong into the wall of increasing global petroleum consumption versus decreasing availability thereof, we'll find ourselves wishing that someone nearby was producing our food, and whatever other materials we really need.

Locally-grown food, green space, unpaved areas, and, if the demand is really there, thoughtful, intelligent development are what we need. We mustn't fall into the trap of greed, of "growth for the sake of growth". We need for our city and county leaders to make sure the requirements of the whole community (not just those of the developer) are met when potential development is pondered, and when enforcement of justice is necessitated by developers' behavior.