Why does it have to be an "all or nothing" approach to open space when it comes to Rocky Anderson and North Salt Lake's proposal? In an ideal world, there would be parks on every street and property taxes would all be so low no one would take serious notice of the bill when it came in November. Of course, that's not the real world -- at least not as most people see it. Mayor Kay Briggs has proposed allowing 20 of an 80 disputed acres of property it owns to be developed as a residential subdivision. Another 10 acres would be divided between a park and cemetery.

The only hitch, of course, lies in the fact that the property lies within Salt Lake City's borders.

"Rocky" wants it all conserved, every last acre.

Yet his city has no way to access the property to provide any necessary services. On top of that, the city doesn't own the land and, lastly, has offered a paltry sum tied to the threat of condemnation to get its way.

Rocky has painted Briggs as a money-hungry man who doesn't care about preserving any vistas for future generations.

Yet it is Briggs and his city who have purchased and set aside hundreds of acres to help form a strong nucleus for the city's expanding open space. That is land which could be developed in any number of ways. Instead, it will be left in perpetuity to be enjoyed as a natural habitat, devoid of homes and other structures.

We believe Anderson needs to get off his high horse, see reality and try to get along with his neighbors.

Briggs' proposal provides ongoing tax dollars to help support the city while also making it possible to provide the area with fire protection and other services -- something Salt Lake City is unable to do because lacks access.

Salt Lake City needs to learn compromise. It needs to learn that there are other fish in the pond besides itself. Just as there used to be feuding, at times, between Layton and Clearfield many years ago, or between North Davis and South Davis, that has virtually disappeared.

It didn't come overnight, and there are still differences, at times. But a climate of compromise has been developed throughout the county, a spirit of cooperation -- one that Anderson and company need to learn more about and try to emulate.