Looking Forward

Each year the city council of Cascade Locks holds a goal setting session. In light of this, my question is, "What are your goals for our city this year?" If you have several to offer please prioritize them.

Putting Out the Fires

Two dramatic and controversial issues are confronting the city right now. The first has been at the forefront of my thoughts and activities the past few weeks. This issue involves the announced closure of Cascade Locks High School next year. Several options have been suggested for our community in response to the decision. Should we send our students to Hood River as the school board intends? Should we try to change the minds of a majority of the board members? Should legal action be taken to stop the closure? Should we send our students to another school district? Should we try to form our own school district or a charter school? What other options are there to consider? Do we need an organized group with a decision making board to navigate through the possibilities? What options do you support?

The second issue was raised during Monday's council meeting. Due to our fancy new emergency services building, our emergency services department has taken on some debt. We appear to be moving closer to the decision to place the burden of this debt on the department that has incurred the debt. Our temporary solution on Monday was to spend a portion of our contigency (cash carrry-over) fund to pay the January through June portion of the debt. The next step is to find a way for the emergency services department to shoulder the payments. Two options have been suggested. One option is to cut the services that are currently provided and use the savings to pay down the debt. The other option is to invest in the revenue generating abilities of the department and use the dividends of that investment to pay down the debt. Several questions must be answered for both of these options before a decision is made, however, it is not too soon for you to offer your opinions.

We have discussed the emergency services department before and it deserves more discussion. With this in mind, please remember to limit your comments to the respectful exchange of ideas and opinions rather than specific critiques of personalities or individuals.