Registration and the RLA

Dear LASN: I?EUR??,,????'???m glad that you take the trouble to write regularly about registration and membership. You have the best column on the subject! Keep up the good work of putting it in terms we all easily read and understand. I intend to write to and join IRLA and I?EUR??,,????'???m glad that you have brought its formation to my attention. It?EUR??,,????'???s time that 16,000+ LA?EUR??,,????'???s get off their rear ends, join the group (ASLA and/or IRLA) and get this registration in the U.S. worked out! P.S. Just so you know, APLD is really starting to aggravate me ?EUR??,,????'??+ I don?EUR??,,????'???t understand their beef with having a strong law. ASLA Member & Registered, Atlanta, GA.

Dear LASN: I applaud your effort to move the registration of Landscape Architects to the forefront of the profession. As a ?EUR??,,????'??grandfathered?EUR??,,????'?? landscape architect in Illinois I also worked to pass the LARE in Ohio. Please believe me when I say that certificates of registration hanging on my wall (particularly Ohio?EUR??,,????'???s) display my pride in the profession and my personal accomplishment. Carolstream, IL.

Dear LASN: We tried to reinstate licensing/registration in Colorado in recent years. I was on the core committee called LAW (Landscape Architects Licensure Assistance Workshop). We were helped by ASLA. We experienced extreme apathy from Colorado practitioners, and failed to impress the legislature. We never got our bill out of committee. Jeffrey L. Pecka, Englewood, CO.

Dear LASN: I am a Licensed/Registered Landscape Architect in N.J., PA, and DE who recently cancelled my membership to ASLA because they charge too much, are too pompous and out of touch with most LA?EUR??,,????'???s. Who are the IRLA and how big? What is their goal? Can?EUR??,,????'???t we have one unified powerful group in this country to lobby for us? ?EUR??,,????'??Frustrated?EUR??,,????'?? with the profession, Philadelphia, PA.

Dear LASN: I think the effort being spent to form IRLA would be better spent working within ASLA. Rather than splintering our efforts, a united effort would be stronger. Lobby those who have the pull in ASLA to get registration higher on the agenda. A lot of LA?EUR??,,????'???s are worried terribly about the anti-registration movement. Why did we work so hard, if we lose it now? We have to pull together. (No postmark.)

Dear LASN: I commend you and your staff with writing an article promoting registration of landscape architects. Our number one problem in enforcement is unlicensed activity. I agree with your goals as stated in A - D, and I would like to add an E: consideration of a secondary license for Residential Landscape Designers, which would curb our unlicensed activity and develop a stronger power base. Keep up the good work. Hope to see you and your readers at our Strategic Planning Workshop on March 10 in Sacramento. Jeanne Brode, Executive Officer, Sacramento, CA.

Dear LASN: Oh, good, now a group of LA?EUR??,,????'???s are seeking to do what we?EUR??,,????'???ve accused architects and engineers of doing -- locking designers out of their livelihoods through regulations. Shame on you. I thought all you Republicans were anti-regulation and pro-market forces? Oakland, CA.

The Suggestion Box

Dear LASN: Greetings from Wisc Your magazine while small, still contains a wealth of info, even for us in the semi-frozen interior of America. Keep up the good work & perhaps a few more articles on plants for Zones 3 - 4 - 5. David Graham, Janesville, WI.

Dear LASN: I enjoy your mag very much. Always informative with a variety of interesting projects. Keep up the good work! Mike Stinemon (can?EUR??,,????'???t afford ASLA), Qtuncy, IL.

Dear LASN: Your magazine is tops. I appreciate the opportunity. * Issue: like to read about: site planning considerations for best use of landscape amenities, land use, environmental improvements, support local aesthetics. * Issue: What is the LA?EUR??,,????'???s role in issue of native vs. profession: I practice, if the client and the site are able, to except (sic) either type plant material or plan for the assignment [ofl the main issue should be: the LA should support and contribute his best efforts and experience to plan for complete satisfaction or pass it on to the proper LA knowledgeable enough in that special form of planning requirements and site conditions. To protect our image, professional standards, share and gain good will for future assignments, curbside appeal and public eye. G.C. Tyler, Landscape Architect, N.J.

Dear LASN: Design counts the most. Graphics is only the ability to communicate the design. When it gets built, the design remains and the plans get filed away. Too many of my fellow LA students quit LA because of graphics criticism. Many lousy designers got by because they could draw ?EUR??,,????'??pretty pictures.?EUR??,,????'?? Enter AutoCADD. New York, NY.

Dear LASN: Great job! Thanks. Colorado Springs, CO.

Dear LASN: This magazine sucks! It has since 1987 when I first subscribed to it -- now you mail it to me for free -- it?EUR??,,????'???s still not worth my time. Try doing something different; i.e., ?EUR??,,????'??breakdown?EUR??,,????'?? a design -- point out good and bad!! Show design ideas, tips or short-cuts, etc.!! Evaluate critically products shown in your magazine -- it is so boring!! Long Beach, CA.

Correction

On page 35 of the February 1994 issue, the Case Study entitled ?EUR??,,????'??Rockscape Renovations: New Poly Fiber Replaces Deteriorating Glass Fiber,?EUR??,,????'?? the company of Rockscapes of Canada was referred to as a PPFRC Manufacturer. The correction should read PPFRC Fiber Manufacturer. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused.

LASN welcomes and appreciates any and all corrections brought to our attention. Please send corrections to: LASN Ombudsman, P.O. Box 30087, Santa Ana, CA 92705.