Now that the spotlights are
turned off and dismantled from the backside of Coker Butte, the McPhail's find
a way to get comfortable in their new "digs", and the ABC
crew is off to their next community "Takeover", I think there is time for pause
for meaningful thought.
I think this was a wonderful
community event! Bringing good people together to do a good thing for some good
people. That is what we do here, have always done and hopefully always will. No
less, the Leather's Playground, saving Mt. Ashland,
the 4-H Youth Livestock auction each year, even the annual United Way drive are a few other
community successes for which we can brag and have community pride. After working my shift on the build, I noticed
people walking a little taller, a little prouder, and behaving a little kinder.
These collaborative projects have a way of doing that to us and for us.
One of the things that struck me
in this process was, considering Oregon's and Jackson County's penchant for
land use strangulation, how in the devil does one go about accomplishing such a
feat in 106 hours? How do you navigate the permitting process? How do you
navigate the inspection process? And
lastly, how do you hope to cope with the permit fees and system development
charges? What I heard was that this was such an advertising boon for the region
that the ends justified the means. And
if a national broadcasting network camera is in the house, you can gather
consensus in a hurry! If the figures promoted by the producers are true, the
ends are quite significant. However, I would have preferred to hear from
officials, "Yes, we are going to do this as it is significant AND we are going
to investigate ways we can do this better, faster, cheaper, and less intrusive
for all us who remain here in Happy Valley every day" That is the part I didn't
hear any talk or thought given. Before the glow is gone, the pats on the back
fade, and folks return to their routine of trying to make a living, I wish we
can do community introspection on the subject. Not just when the lights,
camera, action are in play, not just when Amy's
Kitchen is planning an expansion, but even when Billy Bob wants better "digs"
for Emmylou!! Yes, let's figure out how to "Move that bus" blocking our view of
all of our little economic development projects across the region. Give it some
thought. Ask some questions. I think
we can do better or at least try.
Curt Johnson, SIOR