Teddy Roosevelt’s land-use policy

Editor, Index-Tribune:

Regarding the ongoing controversy over Drakes Bay Oyster Company: Teddy Roosevelt had a very different take on matters of land use ... He thought the land was there to be used, not prevented from being used. And the fact is, there is a business, a business that is property, and our government is there to protect property, not let property disappear by default by refusing to renew a public lease based on internal agency policy. And if they do, they must compensate for the loss of that property to its owner by the terms of our national contract.

Oh, and if we all own the land collectively, I’d like to either renew the lease on my portion of that land, or just sell it if I can’t ‘cause I could sure use the money!

Phineas Worthington

Sonoma