Helen Culp is not against development. Helen did not object when a neighbor put in a cabinet shop nearby so he could make a living near his home. She didn't mind when another neighbor excavated part of his flood-prone property to make a water-skiing lake. But now, that neighbor has filed a Measure 37 claim to pave over rich farm land and build homes and a recreational vehicle park around that lake. Culp finally thinks the development is going too far.

The 57 year-old Helen , who lives in tiny Shedd, near Corvallis, is supporting Measure 49 to stop such inappropriate development in Oregon. "I'm all for curbing excess," she says.

"I'm concerned about farm land. I'm saddened to see that going away," she says. Helen, a former nurse, breeds West Highland Terriers and has goats and horses on her land. She loves the quiet country life and has lived in her home for more than 20 years.

The application for the homes and RV park says the land is not being farmed, but she says that it is. "It is funny how all the weeds grow in neat, little rows," she says wryly.

The area is ill-suited for development she says, because of the constant flooding. "I can count on getting rained in at least twice a year," she says. "I don't know how the land would support this development. There is already a drainage problem in winter." Plus, the roads are inadequate for more development, she says.

She hates to see unplanned development come to Shedd, which has a population of only 890. "I don't object to a house or two," she says. And Measure 49 would allow some slow and careful development. But says Helen, "You know, it is just that we are talking about a process that is not reversible. I think a lot of care needs to go into it when you are changing farm land into something else."