Cupid's Countdown to Oregon 150

With the state quickly approaching it's 150th birthday celebration, Oregonians have much to consider.

Eugene youngster's attempt at being a mid-1800's Oregon cowboy Photo courtesy: schools.4j.lane.edu

(SALEM) - When February 14th, 2007 arrives, it will mark the 148th birthday of Oregon Statehood. That also means our Governor and Legislature have only two years left to implement specific plans to mark our Statehood Sesquicentennial--aka the "Oregon 150" birthday--for the benefit of all Oregonians. We want much more than mere hoopla!

As a history buff and former reporter on community affairs, I truly hope that Salem will be ready to play a central role. Not only are we the State Capital but we are the repository of historical artifacts and, indeed, the host of the oldest college in the west, Willamette University, founded 1842.

I also see this as a challenge for the Legislature to begin doing a report card on quality and quantity of State services to its citizens. Of what value is allocating state revenues if that funding does not produce measurable progress? If we fail to upgrade, we head downhill.

The year 2009 can also become the focus for planning ahead as our Baby Boomers reach senior citizen status, with expanded needs in both healthcare and transportation, including those is rural areas. We who inhabit cities should never neglect our country cousins for they also have valid needs. Nor should the Willamette Corridor become elitist and berate those Oregonians who live east of the Cascades.

As to Greater Salem, what I'd like to see become reality includes:

• Infrastructure Repair: May broken bridges and dangerous roads be treated to "extreme makeovers" for the sake of safety;
• Improved Transportation: Locally this requires finding alternatives to the third Willamette bridge, which may take a decade to complete; using the railroad bridge for express buses between W. Salem and downtown may offer one solution;
• Boise Redevelopment: New mixed use possibilities, mingling retail and housing and recreation, will help create a positive living environment;
• Expanded Healthcare: Will the day ever arrive when Salem Hospital develops some satellite clinics in various neighborhoods? Might Gov. Kitzhaber's progressive plan for revamping how we deliver healthcare find a responsive pilot project for Salem?
• Intergenerational Projects: Let's reduce the gap between our youth and elderly by creating more contacts between retirees and young people, such as elder mentor programs to help with homework for students in need. Perhaps the new YWCA and the Kroc Center can be pioneers in this, which in turn can curb the risk of drug use and vandalism as a teenager's reaction to boredom.

Finally, I foresee 2009 as the ideal vehicle for social studies classes to re-examine our national climate in 1859, the eve of our Civil War. If the root causes of slavery were given another look, perhaps our sense of social justice would grow sharper in the process. Yes, 2009 in fast approaching. We must prepare ourselves for that challenge.

(Note: The writer is a retired journalist who lives in Salemtowne, and can be reached by calling 503-365-7533).