Major Challenges for our Community

Economy

Our local economy has prospered through most of the past ten years. During that time our timber-based economy has been shored up with many more diverse industries. This diversity gives us greater resilience when particular economic sectors suffer. While per capita income is up, this strong economy has not produced any substantial reductions in the number of people living in poverty. In addition, our position may worsen if the recent financial problems of our trading partners in Asia do not improve. The quality of our workforce, the quality of life in our region, and the entrepreneurial spirit of our business leaders are our greatest resources.

Education

Our education system must become the best at preparing students to participate fully in the economy of our community. The Oregon Educational Act for the 21^st Century sets clear and measurable standards of student achievement and goals for what we teach our children to meet the needs of the next century. Yet we face grave concerns in our community about the funding to achieve this vision. Sustaining adequate and stable funding is essential for local schools to succeed. In addition, post-secondary education funding must be sufficient to provide for the changing skills and research needed in the future. Parents, community leaders, public officials, and students are bringing these issues to the public's attention. [Include something re: shift to Community Colleges/associate degrees/ continuing adult ed?]

Urban Vitality

The livability of our region attracts many new residents who contribute to the richness and diversity of our community. This population growth puts demands on our transportation, housing, water, and other services that are reaching the limits of their capacity. Healthy growth ensures that all residents can live in affordable housing, in caring communities, with efficient transportation and parks and open spaces nearby. We face the challenge of continuing to make the right decisions to preserve the livability of our community and ensure access to the natural riches of our environment.

Environment

The natural riches of our region – ocean [river?], forests, mountains, desert – are just a short distance from our doorstep. Our community is the first major urban area in the nation directly affected by the Endangered Species Act [also, how about Sustainable City Principles?]. The decline in salmon and steelhead populations here, and throughout the Pacific Northwest, is the result of many activities that are part of our daily lives – electricity from dams, forestry, agriculture, roads, industry, and urban development. The Governor’s Salmon Plan is a means for all of us to share in solutions to preserve our natural riches. [Energy crisis?]