From The Publisher October 1996 Well, the results from the election are yet to be received so I hesitate to say this . . . What if I read two things over the past week which made me shake my head and wonder. I mean . . . most every LA I listen to says that licensure is the central issue and that the Publics image, that of the Pagian "Posy Planter", needs to be converted to a commercial understanding of the value of a Landscape Architect in regard to land development and planning. Maybe it's just a National/Local Thing. You know . . . LASN is a national publication so we focus a lot of energy on the profession at a national level, but we communicate with so many professionals across the country that we're a part of many of the communities out there. The ASLA also has two distinct identities . . . one of the Local Chapter and one of the National Society. At the local level, I hear Landscape Architects saying that they want enforceable practice act and title act regulation, at a state level, on par with the architects and engineers. Yet, at a National level, I see very little in defined strategy, goal setting, nor success. At a local level, I hear Landscape Architects lamenting the lack of the Publics perception regarding the commercial relevance of this honorable profession, but at a National level we see more lawn mowers and gardeners than we do press releases. We rarely see anything from National regarding licensure and what we do see is often misleading and incomplete . . . You have to wonder "Why" . . . Then of course you realize that the answer is simple . . . . it's staring you right in the face . . . . I just had to read those two things to find the simple answer. They don't have a workable strategy, nor do they place the same importance on licensure at a National level as you do at a local level. Nor are they committed to promoting the commercial relevance of the profession to the Public. In the September Issue of the Northern California Chapters Newsletter, Jim Dalton, ASLA Executive Director (that means he's in charge) says his first three priorities in working the upcoming budget are: 1) Improving the Magazine (But still not even hinting that they reach the Public); 2) Doing Surveys on Company Brochures, Lost Time and Setting Guidelines for Streambank Restoration; 3) Working with noted Gardener & Coffee Table Detective, Angela Landsbury on a TV show called Legacy of Landscapes. My interpretation . . . 1) Compete against LASN . . . According to Pete Kirsch, only 3% of LAM's reach is a non-professional. Of course, LAM's Official Published Postal Audit shows that more than 13% of the circulation goes to the consumer newsstand. I believe the postal audit. But the real problem is that the information disseminating out of National clearly demonstrates the lack of defined commitment to reach the public by continuing their Bohardt-based efforts to keep the media out of the profession. 2) This part was OK, but not for #2 on the priority list. 3) I am truly sorry Ms Lansbury, you are perfect to showcase the gardens and I love your shows, but you seem to be exactly not the person to show the commercial relevance of the Registered Landscape Architect to the serious business of Land Development. But unless you focus entirely on the work of Registered Landscape Architects and maintain a 70% ratio of commercial project to residential, I'm afraid the Publics "Posy Planter" Perceptions are only going to be deeply reinforced. 4) Licensure???? Who knows??? They didn't list a Number Four. Although 20% of the Registered Landscape Architects in the country are about to be deregulated and possibly develop a trend that could spread across the country . . . licensure didn't even make the top three priorities at National ASLA?!? Wait . . . wait . . . I haven't even got to the next thing I read. This one came from the ASLA news vehicle LAND. Everyone who has been anywhere in the loop of the California Registration Battle knows that on July 1, 1997, the state board will no longer exist . . . Its responsibilities have been handed over to the Department of Consumer Affairs, who have said publicly that they are in favor of also removing the laws affecting Landscape Architects. Although I am becoming more certain that they are not focused on the matter, even National ASLA most assuredly knows this to be true. However, the September '96 issue of LAND, the editorial reads as follows: "The ASLA has received several calls regarding the status of California's licensing law regarding Landscape Architects. The licensing law in California remains in place and there is no legislation under consideration." The Law is absolutely not safe! Beginning 1/1/97 all indications say that Bills will be introduced to eliminate the law. That's only a short few months away. The ASLA, in fact, knows this, but continues by stating that: "Governor Wilson and the DCA had sought repeal of the licensing law, but they have since backed off." Yea . . . Until 1/1/97, when the bills start to arrive. In my opinion, this piece was meant to pacify membership at a time when membership renewals are in flux, and clearly misleads the membership as to the severity of the situation. Landscape Architects at the chapter level everywhere are asking . . .What?EUR??,,????'???s going on?? . . . Give me Clarity? . . . Put it in writing so we know where you stand! . . . But at the National level we see misleading information, half-truths and an unwillingness to clearly define their agenda. So I issue a challenge to Jim Dalton and Peter Kirsch . . . 1) Tell us, . . . in writing . . . exactly how much of your $6 million budget will you allocate to the fight for licensure and tell me precisely how and where the money will be spent. If your focus is in the right place, you should have the detailed campaign already printed for our publication. 2) Tell us . . . in writing . . . that the Angela Landsbury Show will feature only Registered Landscape Architects and tell us how this program is going to enhance the publics perception of landscape architects as commercial professionals. 3) Tell us . . . in writing . . . that at least 1 out of every 8 issues of LAM goes to the consumer newsstand and that your goal is to increase that number until the magazine fulfills its goal of promoting the profession to the public. Do the profession a favor and put it in writing . . . The profession needs to know where you are leading them because contrary to the Spin out of National Landscape Architects are not passive they are fighters . . . . . Need to end this thing soon . . . Just like Spock, never got another role. ..