Some parting(?) words (was: Re: [PEAR-DEV] future and stuff)

Lukas Smith wrote:

Hi, the recent threads are highlighting this more and more. We need to think about the future. I know that I am insanely busy at work atm and I have checked back with Stig who is in the same position currently. However even though I think we need to make some important decisions as to how PEAR is supposed to resolve the recent causes for confusion and flames, we shouldn't hurry any decisions.

OK, it seems that a general consensus of the flame I started is "Let's pretend that it did not happen, everything is normal, move on". But I suppose it will happen again, so here goes. As PEAR grows older, there will be packages whose original authors are no more interested in maintaining them. Today Ulf Wendel's packages are the examples of these, tomorrow --- who knows? And a question will appear: either remove them, or choose someone to maintain them. The first option is not always desirable, as the package may be stable and used by many people. And the second option is not thought out at all. I assume that whoever is the first to volunteer becomes the maintainer (couldn't find examples in the archives, sorry). But what happens if the maintainer is unable to actually maintain package, as he does not fully understand it? What happens if another developer, willing to work and maintain the package appears, but not-quite-competent maintainer just says "no" because he can?