Well, did you all have an opportunity to visit with your elected official during the month of September? I did?EUR??,,????'??? and it was as informative as it was easy to do. The first step is to call the city library in your voting jurisdiction, ask for the reference desk and then ask for the name and phone number of your elected official. Then you call the elected official and ask to set an appointment. That?EUR??,,????'???s it. You are now on your way to fully understand the environment in which we work.

My representative is Nolan Frizzelle (notice the photo). He had some very interesting comments on the how, what and why of licensure. According to Frizzelle, Landscape Architects must first develop a statement of purpose showing why we want our licenses. Just saying we protect the a Public Health, Safety and Welfare is clearly not enough.

We also need to increase our numbers and, correspondingly increase the enforcement behind the licenses. There should be 60,000 licensed landscape architects in this country. Nobody should even consider changing the landscape without first consulting a licensed landscape architect. At the same time, we must begin to enforce the intent of the law granting your licenses. Enforcement means to first of all police the already licensed members of the profession and also to police those infringing on your work. If the number of licensed landscape architects increases the reputation of it practitioners can be maintained if there is appropriate enforcement. No one has the ultimate right to be licensed for anything. A license must be worked for and a worked on. The cattle barons of the old west fought hard to keep their land. You need to fight just as hard to keep your licenses. When someone damages the profession by providing substandard work, they should be reprimanded. If someone infringes on the work of a licensed landscape architect, they should be told to stop.

Still the public has the right to choose whatever they wish, even if it is to their detriment. So the third point for the preservation of the profession of landscape architecture as a licensed profession is to get the word out to the public. Here the landscape architect has historically been subtle in getting out the word. While it is fine to be subtle, the point is to get the word out! Did you know that the monies collected by the state board can be used to pay for advertising of the profession? Wouldn?EUR??,,????'???t it be nice to hear a commercial on the radio asking the public to first consult a Licensed Landscape Architect? Wouldn?EUR??,,????'???t that say something about the power of the profession? Wouldn?EUR??,,????'???t that show the legislators and the public that there is an answer to environmental planning? Wouldn?EUR??,,????'???t it be nice for your parents to understand the great impact you have on the growth and planning of this great nation?

Why should we be forced to join in with other design or construction professionals when we a have the ability to grow and become a dominant force in the planning of every progressive community in the world?

A few weeks ago I had the privilege of attending the Fall Conference of the Southern California Chapter of the ASLA up at Lake Arrowhead. Don Tompkins, next years SCC/ASLA President should be complimented on his foresight in preparing a meeting with a purpose. The purpose was to motivate members of the profession to take charge and move progressively in establishing the worth of the landscape architectural profession to the construction industry and also to the public. The theme was to make the environment more livable. The feeling generated at the conference was one that we all should follow... Yes, Let?EUR??,,????'???s do something... Let?EUR??,,????'???s do it now!... Let?EUR??,,????'???s get it done!!!

?EUR??,,????'??+God Bless