At the outset of the recent Budget Committee meetings, each member was given the opportunity to speak about his or her concerns as we entered consideration of the the budget. Concerns ranged from eliminating staff positions, to proper use of transient room tax revenue, to replacement of the ambulance, to how much control the council has over the budget. Now that the budget committee has made their recommendation to council, my question is, "What are your concerns about next year's budget? Is there anything you would like the council to change? What do you see as our biggest financial challenges in the coming year?
There have been several business ventures proposed for starting up or moving to Cascade Locks (Casino, Nestle, Foundry, etc.). In most cases, there has been support and at least some level of opposition. What other kinds businesses would you like to see start up or move to Cascade Locks? What can the city or port do to help make this happen? What would be the advantage of having this kind of business in town?
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Councilman for Cascade Locks
- Lance Masters
- This blog is intended as a way for people interested in Cascade Locks to share ideas and opinions. Posts that are interpreted as hindering the free flow of ideas and opinions may be removed. Please be encouraged to discuss ideas and opinions rather than individuals and names.
55 comments:
The city belongs to three chambers - Skamania, West Columbia Gorge and Hood River County. When was the last time one of these organizations held a "welcome businesses" type forum or event in town and invited prospective business owners, interested artists, etcetera.
What about a small business type incubator class to teach local people how to run their own business? Such as expand a landscaping service into a gardening shop or form a cooperative to share space/seek capital/combine forces to afford overhead for a building? Such as a combined bike shop and book store? Or consignment shop/antique place? Or ?????
Maybe the Community College would be the better place to put on such a class than the Port or City but it's an idea along the lines of your initial post.
I think Andy has a good idea. Get people with entrepenureal ideas to come to town for a guided tour and presentation of what we can offer.
I have always believed that too many cooks spoil the broth and in our case, it appears that there are so many differing opinions and personal interests, that we are running in circles. If someone doesn't get their way, accusations fly of favoritism, nepotism, you name it. I say, stop! Realize that we have a city to run and face the facts that almost everyone is related to someone, one way or another and get down to business. Leave the theatrics and name-calling out of Council Chambers.
I believe that the funding for the part-time Paramedic needs to shared jointly between the city and the Port - no exceptions. If one goes along with the theory that our services need to stay in the city, then it makes sense. We get calls down at the Port, so they should share in the financial responsibility as does Mult. County. Could we afford our own Law Enforcement Officer if we took the funding for the OEO and put it with the monies for HRSO? Not saying it's ideal, but better than publicly haggling contracts and it keeps the money in town. These are our two most important services that go hand in hand and need to be secured so that we can move forward.
I personally thought that a book store along with a new library would be a great idea and went so far as to speak with the woman on the Library board for HR County. Funding is at the very least, 2 years down the road and possibly farther for a new library. A book store combined with an information center would be a welcome addition. Even if we just start with an information center! Forcing our tourists to ask the merchants for information/maps for trails, historical places to visit, and the like, is a burden to some as they don't shop - only take time. I know that sounds harsh, but that's the reality. I've been in the tourist industry in the Gorge for many years and we are not capitalizing on that enough nor are we providing enough services/information.
I believe that the Skamania Chamber does (or did) have some "welcome business" type events/forums as I've been informed of them in the past, but in looking at their website as well HR Chamber website, I didn't see anything close to what Andy was referring to. I think he's got a great idea because not only does it potentially assist current business owners but also encourages those interested in starting a business here, as well. Maybe a call to Casey Roeder at Skamania Chamber would answer those questions as she is a fountain of information. FYI, Lacamas FCU is opening June 11th in Stevenson. I was really hoping that we could have opened another one here with better results but that doesn't mean that we should abandon pursuing a branch office that is open maybe 3 days a week.
No matter how and where we want to improve however, two things will always remain a constant, in order to build a solid community and tax base, we have to have two things in place: Safety and education. Communites all over the United States are struggling with the same situation and one can only hope that we can work past our differences to achieve the final goal of stability and progress. Susan F.
Not sure this is the category to address this problem but I think it needs mentioning.
Does our Fire department have the capability of rescuing citizens who fall into the holes in the Post Office parking lot? They will need ropes and grappling hooks.
What is the status of repairing the lot and who is responsible? The PO? property owner? city?
That part of the parking lot does not belong to Ed, it is part of the Fire Hall property, that we may not sell for 5 years. Maybe when they get deep enough we can sell the property to the Tourism Committee and offer cave tours.
UPDATE!
The PO parking lot has been patched!
Who says RUTAwKIN2ME? doesn't have influence?
I see the biggest financial challenge to be the City Administrator. How can you possible first ignore the vote of the City Council to not have a paramedic or EMT and then add insult to injury and just re-apportion the fire dept budget in the middle of the hearings and the voting process? On top of that, leave to the Budget Committee members to realize on their own that the figures have changed. Many a person on that committee spent a great deal of their own time studying those figures before the meetings. The FC was at the City Hall at 7:00 am Tuesday whining to the CA and then the two of collaborated to change the figures into something they wanted.
Way to go RUTAwKIN2ME. You rock. Now mention something else that needs fixing while your magic juju is still rockin
Hey Janissary, your misguided rhetoric and finger pointing are boring. Make sure you check your facts before spreading your lies! Its obvious that you are a sore loser and can't seem to agree to disagree and let the chips go. I happened to be chatting with one of the volunteers today and the FC wasn't in town for most of Tuesday.
Is there a reason you feel that negativity is more productive than looking for solutions?
Susan F and Andy... way to go! Keep up the good ideas.
-Riverview concerned-
Riverview Koncerned -
"Most of Tuesday" Hmmm. Not all of Tuesday. And from a secondary source. I have my facts straight - I saw the emergency truck at City Hall at 7:15 am.
And why would you possibly consider me a sore loser? - Have we hired a paramedic yet?
Hey Riverview, I thought we were going to not attack each other for our views. Some fast name calling there on your part. It isn't Amerika yet, you know.
If Janissary wants to point out that the fire dept budget was changed midstream without notice, well, J is right. It was and I'm not too happy about it myself.
Janissary is a sore loser along with some others. We now have a new fire hall, a new fire truck and will soon have a much needed clinic. Hopefully we'll get a part time paramedic and a new ambulance, plus phase two of the fire station. Now if we can just get some people to come on board and join the people who run the boat and others who would like to bring in businesses, we could eventually make this into a thriving community instead of a place where some fight every positive move to bring in business and public safety. Watching the population decrease and our schools close is not my idea progress. It would also be nice to drop the paranoid fantasies about the city buying big screens for the fire station, when the volunteers raised the money. Janissary, why don't you spread your malevolence on your own blog?
Cause today, the fishing is better over here. Look at the big one I just caught!
We need to be able to pay for the fire hall.
The volunteers purchased only one screen, the city the other,
I have never said anything against the new fire truck.
We don't need and can't afford a new Paramedic. We do need to pay for what we have already bought - Fire Hall.
If we don't get the Paramedic we can't afford and don't transport people who are not citizens, then we only need one new ambulance, and not for a while.
How am I a sore loser if we still haven't hired a new Paramedic?
The Malevolence was a Subjugator-class heavy cruiser active during the Clone Wars.
And even you are welcome on... http://theforgottencitizen.blogspot.com/
Janissary are you a stalker now? Why do we care if the FC is at city, or when he is there, and why is every thing always a conspiracy to you? This is getting old. The Parametric position is done with so why keep harping? Try and come up with something interesting to talk about, please!
This is a reply to the post Anonymouse post of the May 18, 2009 @4:54pm
Calling J a stalker in this little town because he notices The FC official truck (which only he drives) is a cheap shot. Heck, after one afternoon stop at Country Market I can tell you what half the people in town are having for dinner. By the way you spelled paramedic as "Parametric". I give you the benefit of the doubt that you have had an education and are not illigitimate.
RUTAwKIN2ME?
I'm thinking Anon. meant more along the lines of making a point of everything "J" sees is somebody doing something to someone or somebody for some dark reason and not to be compared with "what half the people in town are having for dinner". And come RU, it's illiterate not illegitimate! lol. That was just good to pass up.
Oops, I was so eager to put in my two cents for business ideas I skipped the first part of Lance's post.
My biggest budget concern is having something go wrong with the sewer plant or parts of the ancient water system in town that there isn't any money to fix readily and then it becomes a question of robbing from something else to fix it. I think capital set aside is important for infrastructure.
Does he cost less if we use the Metric system?
Andy-man, My concern is that we have already been robbing from something else. The electrical dept. to pay for the fire dept.. And our rates will go up and up and up...
I read something very interesting the other day in researching other communities our size. Port Orford, Oregon has: "POPULATION
> City of Port Orford 2000 population is 1153, (1990 - 1,040), while the surrounding area adds another 3,500+- to the population total. Curry County 2000 population is 21,137 (1990 - 22,050) (1970 - 13,006). Curry County includes 1,648 square miles of the most pristine coastal landscape in Oregon. Estimated population is 13 people per square mile. As of 2000, there were 662 available housing units in the City of Port Orford, with a total of 11,406 in the county. (Population in the 97465 zip code is noted at 2,133 in 2000. )
> GOVERNMENT
> The City of Port Orford has an elected mayor, paid city administrator and elected city council. Three elected commissioners operateCurry County. Property taxes range from $11.00 to $13.00 per thousand-accessed value.
> LAW ENFORCEMENT / FIRE / AMBULANCE:
> The City of Port Orford Police Department has a staff of four, plus volunteers. The Curry County Sheriff's Office (Emergency: 911 All other calls: 541 247 3242 or 541 247 7011 Press 1) and Oregon State Police also serve the area. The Port Orford Volunteer Fire Department, Port Orford Rural Fire Department and Sixes Rural Fire Department provide area fire support. Stations are located at City Hall, Cedar Terrace, Elk River and Sixes. Ambulance Service provided by the Port Orford Volunteer Ambulance Service."
Port Orford's Tax rate is between 11 and 13 dollars per thousand and ours is 2.705. Some are complaining and want to lower it even further.
We want it, we don't want to pay for it...
On "Port Orford",
Someone needs to look a little closer at the #'s.
The tax rate you gave is city+county.
Makes a big difference, but it sounds good anyway.
I got this directly from Port Orford's website and just put it up for a comparison.... The numbers do appear to reflect county wide but the point was the tax base itself. It may feel good in some aspects to have one of the lowest rates in Oregon but is it worth the havoc that it's creating? Don't preach to me about the firehall, please. It was in the planning for years and if people lied, cheated, and stole to get it here, why didn't all the investigations into the matter result in an arrest or some kind of disciplinary action? Move forward, move ahead and move on... If we had a higher tax base, even just a fraction, it would help alleviate some of the concerns such as the ancient sewer and water system.
About the Budget being changed mid-stream? That was a sheet worked up as a second scenario to give the Budget Committee a total view of what the outcome would be either way. If someone on the Budget Committee isn't happy, maybe they didn't listen close enough to understand what it really was.
Lance, I'll have to check the charts again, but it didn't appear that there were that many empty buildings that a business could move into without pouring a fortune into them but you have some great ideas that I believe are worth pursuing. Susan F.
Hey RUTAwKIN2ME:
Shouldn't that read what half the town is drinking for dinner???
Pity the soul who buys an adult beverage at the Country market. I heard the young clerk say to a guy old enough to be his grandpa who was buying a bottle of something brown, "whoa, is this your lunch?". I guess if someone wanted to buy condoms they would have to put a paper bag over their heads, (which is a poor subsitute).
I love people!
Susan F,
A "tax base" is the appraised value of the property within a taxing district.
Cascade Locks pays more than anyone in HRC other than Hood River, which has police, fire, parks, pool ect ect.
We pay over $13.00 per 1,000 here, so your point contradicts itself.
Why make a statement when you don't know the facts? Are you trying to confuse people?
Wow, not so fast! You are correct about taxing districts, but you are incorrect about the $13. In the state of Oregon we are protected by something called compression. The compression rate for our good state is $10 per thousand. We are no where near $10. However, having said that, certain bonds and levies are exempt from compression and as a result of the exemptions rates can be higher than $10.
Cascade Locks is an incorporated city, so logic has it that Hood River is comparable (not ideal), Odell, Pine Grove and other unincorporated communities can not be compared. In addition to county taxes and bonds and levies for the school district, THEY have to pay higher rates for water districts, sewer districts and fire district taxes. While we do pay about a $1 more in some cases you can't compare an unincorporated community to an incorporated one.
In looking at our tax rate I find it interesting that the largest assessment is for the SCHOOLS at $7. You are complaining about the meager $2.70 city rate and mocking susan. Seriously! If I were you I would be irate about the $7 charge not the $2 one. Especially since the school district is pulling the school out of the locks. Also, all of the other taxing districts pay for county parks and rec.
Being so smart with research and numbers, maybe you can explain how a gallon of milk has gone up in price over the last twenty years, the cost of buying a car etc, etc; but when we look at the city tax rate, it hasn't changed for a long time. I would say close to 10-15 years. If the cost of doing business goes up don't you think the tax rate needs to reflect that as well? Sorry, the 3% increase a year in assessed valuation doesn't really do it for me. In terms of tax collection for the city, they only get a little over 160,000. Thats not very much.
Lance, I propose a special operating levy for public safety. With a 3-5 year levy we could get more law enforcement patrol and coverage. We could try it for 3 years and if it works, renew it. If not forget it. I would like to see an increase in patrol. Specifically with OUR community having such a high crime rate. I think its time we start paying for what we need and want. I'm willing to pay for the law enforcement, are you?
Anonymous,
I agree with your idea of a special taxing district, it's difficult to do, witness the attempt to start a fire district to finance the fire and ambulance service. It was voted down. We are limited in the amount we can raise through property taxes as you point out. The answer is special districts. If people want services that's how it has to be done. Gov Kulongowski says he's appointing a special commission to look at ways to change the taxing system, whether anything positive comes from that remains to be seen.
Robb
Not, if it includes Shown, otherwise, good idea
Hmm....
The statement was we have such a "low" tax rate and it should be increased. An example was provided. The example contradicts the statement.
The tax receipts increase every year, just like milk and cars. It's called inflation.
If $160,000 or $160 per resident per year is "not very much", what would be enough?
Look a little deeper and you will also see franchise fees and transfers that use utilities to charge additional hidden taxes directly onto your electric, water and telephone bills. This money is also city revenue, just like taxes, and adds up to more than the total collected in property tax.
Government will never believe it has enough money, schools are a good example. Even with your $7 number, they are screaming poverty at the top to their lungs, it's never enough.
Shifting responsibility to special districts is grossly inefficient and poorly represents the electorate, again the school district is a good example, closing CLHS while investing millions in real estate and collecting additional local option money is disgusting.
Again I have to agree that closing our school and spending money for property seems unjustified and unfair. As to the hidden fees, franchise or otherwise, how many are passthroughs? It makes it difficult to tell what we are paying for things when the charges are disguised or come to us from somewhere else. As to the special districts taxing, that was brought on by the passage of measures 5 and 100, I believe I have the numbers correct. It put a limitation of 3% on the amount our property taxes could be raised regardless of the amount of inflation or the need for additional services. I think we could have a good discussion as to what people want their government to provide, some want minimal services others want more. There will always be tension between the two differing camps.
The initiative process should be reviewed at the state level, we've become a test state for all kinds of ideas others want to see instituted in other places or federally, one reason is it's easy to get something on the ballot here, also the cost is lower in a state with a smaller population. Again you have a tension between conflicting ideas.
Robb
The money the S.D. is spending on property comes from a bond levy, which restricts its use to that purpose and it cannot use the bond money for operating expenses.
Thus the dichotomy.
You're correct about where the money came from and the limits on it's usage. It's still seems ironic that at this time when they have extra room here in C/L they are buying up more land and closing our high school. It leaves a bad taste in people's mouths, and I for one, will be reticent about voting or working on anymore bond levies for the school district. If they had a a bus going to the high school offering electives to our students, and bringing people back here who needed individual attention I would have been ok with that. As it is, I feel betrayed, particularly after they said they weren't going to close our high school. If work starts soon on a casino, or Nestles decides to settle here, they'll be stuck with another problem, even more children to transport and settle into H/R high school. If both come at the same time?
Robb
In looking over the proposed budget, as published in the HR News, I am disgusted at the transfers from every Fund. There is nothing in the budget for contingencies. By emptying out all "extra" funds & not acknowledging that things make break, wear out, etc. is totally irresponsible. Why has the billing not been done for the past 6 months for the emergency services? By putting it off they will receive less than if it was billed timely. It is a crime what our budget committee & CA have promoted. Tighten your belt & quit looking to the citizens to pay more & more & more.
If you are basing your comment on the Hood River News article, they only publish the bare bones. The contingency funds still exist.
On the hand hand, I totally agree with your question about the billing. I would like to see an answer to that one myself as the billing isn't even done by us - it is done by a billing company in Salem. They only need the information from the chief. So what is the hold-up?
Anyone happy perusing the agenda for the next Council Meeting? How long is this one going to go on for, eight, nine hours?
Another long-winded "field notes" for the city? Not really needed, just another chance to BS to play cheerleader for the audience. It will only take 10 to 15 minutes along with a couple of slides- NOT.
With a Bi-weekly Administrator's reports, even though they are usually a week late, he certainly doesn't have to tell the Council anything. It's nothing but his show-off time for the audience.
The quilter's presentation.
Unfinished business: yet another fight over the EMS person. how many times does the Council have to say "No?"
New business: 9 items. NINE items!!
Another Committee committee yawner.
And then, maybe if it's not yet midnight, another Executive session.
Bernard may have had a vacation, but no one else has...
We are a city of about 1050 people. Our Council members are caring citizens, our neighbors and volunteers. Two of them are working lots of hours now because of the tourist season, Lance is probably finishing up a school year with finals.
Perhaps someone needs to tell BS and BL that... or maybe they want someone to quit so they can stack the deck even more in their favor. Hang in there, Lance!
We've had one city administrator leave in disgust and be welcomed to a new and larger town, also one planner chased off. Both replacements were approved by some of the same people who disliked the original ones and now dislike the replacements they approved of. If and when our town tries to get a new administrator we will find the field even narrower than it was last time as the word spreads farther as to what a terrible place C/L is to try and accomplish anything. Your administrator comes from a much larger community, is experienced, has a degree from West Point. Our city planner has been both a city planner and a city administrator, currently working in towns much larger than C/L, for those who don't remember he stepped in on an interim basis until Bernard arrived and led the town under rather trying circumstances doing it working part time. Your fire chief is nationally recognized for his wild land fire skills and has managed to retain his volunteers under trying circumstances. He's overseen the building of a new station, the acquisition of a new replacement engine. Now we only need a new ambulance, and a ladder truck when the casino arrives. We have an excellent team in place for the coming of the casino. Maybe we'll finally have jobs and prosperity in C/L, they've been absent since 1977 when the new power house was built.
Robb
Well, one thing I have learned is that Brother Robb is easily impressed with resumes of people who can't do any better than pushing around a little town of 1000 people. They are simply feathering their own nest and CL is easy pickin's. Those who think Cascade Locks should change its name I would suggest, "Stepping Stone, OR 97014"
Anytime you see somebody holding their breath for a double long shot like the Casino ( #1, if it will even happen. #2, that it will solve all of CL problems without creating more.)you have a pretty good measure of their sound judgement.
RUTAwKIN2ME doesn't want to look at resumes. Hey, if that's the case, then we could hire the local meth dealer to run the ambulance and maybe a high school dropout to be the city administrator. Stupidity isn't limited to druggies and dropouts.
Rut's comments don't need answering, Anonymous did it beautifully.
Getting back to the question of types of businesses, the suggestion was made a decade ago to put in a row of tilt-up buildings for use as a high tech incubator, since then Google drove past us out to The Dalles. tilt-ups are still something to be considered. We don't need to wait for someone serving multiple towns to do work for us, we could contact the PDC and the Port of Portland directly and see if they can help with siting just as we did for Cardinal Glass in Hood River. As to the type of business, I'd say that something that's environmentally clean would be important here in the gorge. Something that will attract young educated people eager to grow our town and help restart our high school. I like the idea of bringing art based businesses, they help with tourism and bring in creative people. Either Chuck, Bernard, Tim Lee or our mayor or a combine of them should be tasked with contacting the PDC or the Port. Julie Rawls and Shawn Uhlman are listed as contacts at the PDC on their web site. Small Business Dev is handled at the Port by Rhonnda Edmiston. It costs nothing more than a couple of phone calls to get started, we don't have to belong to a group chamber, hire anyone, just do it.
Robb
Robb:
Considering that the planning comission is to have a hearing tomorrow night regarding an art-based business, shouldn't you shut up?
Considering the Planning Commission spent most of the last meeting talking about what not to say in blogs, in the paper and in public, "Robb" needs to be recalled AGAIN! Can you say ex - parte Robb?
I suppose by now most everyone will have watched the fiasco tonight which people keep telling me is actually a Planning Commission meeting, but maybe we should change the name of it to the "Sandra Kelley Hour"? Her personal grudge against the Mayor is totally out of control and it is obvious that she is taking it out on anything he is associated with either directly or remotely. And the threatening phone comment? Please, somebody tell that woman to prove it or shut up about it! Not only is it old news but a guesstimate at best on her end. Anyway, moving right along here......The Foundry was once again put on hold with hearty congratulations to Sandra Kelley and Gary Munkhoff for once again derailing potential income and jobs for the city. Parking is an issue, I won't dispute that, but it is for every business and whoever passed the Ordinance that each new business should have 6 parking spaces, should have been taken on a public tour of the streets they drive every day and ask them where they think the businesses are supposed to put them! If I was a business owner looking to open a new business in this town? I wouldn't. Not as long as Sandra Kelley runs the meetings and is allowed to spew her poison about everyone (with one or two exceptions) that run it.
Anonymous 4
The phone threat is true, I have listened to it. Also, the Sheriff's office traced it to the responsible party and spoke with them.
Does any else besides myself, question the Planning Commission’s decision on Thursday evening regarding the parking issue? Please read this and then ask yourself the same questions I did, before you pass judgment on my post. NOTE: I am only talking about the parking issue and nothing else.
I agree with having parking stipulations but for the most part, the land doesn’t exist to accommodate that particular Ordinance and it is in my opinion, a waste of time of our city government in having to put it together. I'm still waiting to find out when this Ordinance was passed and who authored it, so to speak.
The questions are as follows:
1. Was the new Real Estate office held to these standards?
2. Was the Beauty Shop?
3. Or, were these two businesses “grandfathered in” and if so, why wasn’t Ed Potter’s building, regardless of who is occupying it right now?
4. Ed Potter’s building is basically very close to the same layout as the “mall” as in multiple entrances with ability to house at least 2 businesses, if not three.
Once again, it appears that the foundry (which will probably never happen) has become a victim of petty vendettas and it’s just sad because again, we have lost the revenue as well as the possibility for 2 to 3 new jobs and (potentially) new classes for students and adults alike to take. We’ve lived here for close to 17 yrs. now and with the exception of one business, there have only been four that went forward with almost no hitches and that’s because they bought existing businesses or before the ordinance went into effect. This isn’t Gresham or Wood Village or even Hood River. This community does not have the land to stipulate 4 parking spaces per businesses. If you want to complain about something, how about the vans or tall trucks that park on the corners of cross streets? How about posting some signs that say no parking within 100 feet of the corner? Sorry, I forgot, then the existing businesses would complain because then there literally, would be no parking left. Susan F.
There is no use in railing against the laws as stupid, or pointing out other infractions. You sound just like people who say, "Why give me a ticket, Officer. Why don't you go catch a burglar?" You cannot choose which laws to enforce.
The law exists, and we must deal with it. I'll bet it was put through with the idea of not becoming like Gresham or Hood River. I won't mention Wood Village as it is obviously a fabricated downtown.
The real estate office shares the parking for the Post Office, and the Beauty Salon has the parking lot behind the strip mall. Ed Potter's building does not. Parking is a valid issue with this application.
Why is no one asking about the lack of research on the part of the City Planner? You may not like Sandra, but you cannot find fault with how often she is correct.
"The real estate office shares the parking for the Post Office, and the Beauty Salon has the parking lot behind the strip mall. Ed Potter's building does not. Parking is a valid issue with this application."
There are a total of 10 parking spaces behind the Justice Court and at 4 per business, that leaves 2 short: Justice Court, Deli and Beauty Shop. It isn't just the Post Office that shares the parking lot, it's the Real Estate Office and Nestle Waters. There are currently 5 parking spaces to the side of the gallery which is a designated parking lot and the spot across from City Hall could be utilized for overflow parking.
My point was why was this particular business held to such strict standards when others which have opened within the past year, have not. Susan F.
So XXXXX X.,
You feel the planning com. should have ignored the ordinances and approved the business irregardless of the current laws?....
Why am I not in the least surprised? You fit right in with the Charlatans at city hall currently pretending to represent "the people".
Your little "troupe" is so blatantly obvious (oblivious?) in it's disregard for the rule of law it's sickening. The "WE DON'T CARE WHAT'S RIGHT, WE WANT WHAT WE WANT" mantra gets old.
If there is any "ONE" person to blame for the difficulties the foundry is having it's Mayor & Mrs XXXXXX,
"They should have requested a sub-division, it would have been quicker".
"One hole in the fence is the same as...."
You know, real "High level thinkers"
Special meetings, special attorney calls, special time frames ect ect ect, all the while xxxxxx in the face of those "IT" disagrees with.
Dishonesty and poor planning eventually catch up with everyone.
Even more quickly when you make a big issue of it.
Unfortunatley the foundry has fallen victim to the fire hall/2nd paramedic line of X.X. currently being shoveled out of city hall, too bad, but fitting.
I will agree on one point, I want the foundry to come to Cascade Locks. Maybe CA XXXXXX and his 4 can get together with property developer XXXX X, FC XXXX X and his crew and mix some ability in with the hyperbole.
I won't hold my breath.
Hopefully someone will relay this post to you, I know you don't have the time or interest to bother with blogging.
Lance, this probably deserves to be deleted, even though I followed your rules (XXXX). Regardless, I'm coping it to the "other" blog.
HEY! Someone want to invite Lance back to his blog? I miss the competition.
I won't lower myself to name calling but it boggles my mind how a person can put questions "out there" and all that comes back rhetoric and whining. I took the time to research and yes, Sandra was correct but Gary M. did bring up a valid point that was talked right over and that was "provisional". Given the geography of our community, I once again will say, that the CDC is very difficult to enforce. You'd have to raze half the buildings downtown and rebuild them with parking underneath. And the mantra of "WE DON'T LIKE WHO's IN CHARGE" is just tiring. Some were voted in by the very people you call a neighbor so get over it and the fact you didn't get your "favorite person" voted in, whoever that may be. Kate, have any thoughts as to how this could work for future businesses? Right now it feels like a no-win situation depending on what type of business comes in. Susan F.
Downtown enhancement has been put on the back burner for too long. Is it any wonder that burner is getting hot?
Compromising minimum standards to appease a "small group" of opportunistic self-promoting people is NOT going to get this town where the majority of citizens want it to go. We would NOT have to compromise to attract business if things were done right.
If business is so important to this community our City government needs to take immediate action to improve our curb appeal. How about dusting off that 5th downtown plan and actually DO something (street lights, safe crosswalks, etc.).
Several business owners have made considerable effort to enhance their businesses and our downtown, yet they receive no help from the City. Why after 20 years of downtown planning don't we have a "shovel ready" project? We're much more likely to get yet another downtown plan instead, because general fund grant money to feed the hungry hordes at City Hall is a greater priority than improving something.
An enhanced downtown could and would lift EVERYBODY'S pride, hope and confidence in this towns future.
Put on your hip waiters the BS is going to get deep. We cannot continue to put our fate into the hands of a few opportunistic, greedy and unethical individuals and their loyal minions.
Hurrah!! Thank you Observant insider for finally bringing that up. It's way past time. Personally, I don't believe that anyone wants anybody to "compromise standards', but just from watching all the televised meetings, it would have helped tremendously, had they been apprised of the requirements first-hand. As in some sort of checklist? I know for a fact that it didn't happen even after it was requested. That doesn't fall back on the Mayor, his wife or anyone else except those with the obligation to provide the guidelines, which would be whomever handles our permit process as well as Dean Nygaard. Neither happened.
Had the downtown plan gone forward back when, parking wouldn't even be an issue but it hasn't and one has to ask why? Who's responsibility was it to bring it all together? Our's as a community to volunteer our time? The Planning Commission to put together and go through the grant process in getting the plan put into motion? If you're knowledgeable, speak up and get it started again. Only this time, bring it to fruition with the help of many. Fifth plan? Sounds like everyone keeps changing it to suit their own wants and needs. If we work together as a community instead of several special interest groups, this can be an event we will be able to back on with pride.
FYI It didn't die to due to the hungry hordes for Pete's sake. It died due to lack of leadership from the various Councils and Planning Commissions. Check the Council's "to-do" list. It's been there forever but keeps getting pushed back for mundane things like oh let's see, the Southbank project, sewer plant, safety (both fire & police), etc. You know, the things that people can't live without but complain the loudest about paying for. Susan F.
Susan F.
Dean Nygaard isn't responsible for local development codes.
It's quite easy to find out who is responsible, it just takes a little research.
So this is a question
"Once again, it appears that the foundry (which will probably never happen) has become a victim of petty vendettas and it’s just sad"
Okay
it boggles my mind how a person can put questions "out there" and all that comes back rhetoric and whining.
It is sad indeed
The code for the town is very thick and convoluted. It was copied from another code, Portland?, by a previous planner - Keith Liden. It doesn't suit CL needs. The Planning Commission can only interpret what is applied for, based on the Code. It doesn't always make sense. The town doesn't have a building code, state code applies, administered by the permitting agency - Dean Nygaard of Hood River County. Planning Commission does not look at building issues when looking at land use applications.
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