The more I read about the Dream Inn redevelopment, the more I like it. The only industry that Santa Cruz can foster that will keep our economy healthy without destroying our community and environment is cenvention tourism: tourists who will stay overnight. I've been studying Santa Cruz's 150 year history, and time and time again people have tried other industries (lumber, light industry, oil drilling...) and nothing is as sustainable as the convention business.

This convention center is exactly what Santa Cruz county needs. Sure, people who live in the trailer park near the hotel are going to be severely impacted, and frankly, the park should probably be closed. I'm really sorry about that. But look--where did that park come from? It was a campground for early car-trip tourists. Like Beach Flats, it was never indended to be housing, long-term, for poor people. It was landowners who turned our campgrounds into trailer parks for low-income people. It was not a rational decision based on what is best for both the poor people or the city.

Let's build real neighborhoods that are wonderful to live in, and let's build a tourist area that attracts rich people who will come here and play at the beach, leaving their money behind for us to enjoy--and to provide decent housing for everyone.