Welcome 2007: Bright New Day?
Portland’s local leading newspaper, The Oregonian, ran an editorial yesterday highlighting a burgeoning optimism in Oregon residents.
It’s that time in Oregon. The new year arrives in a state that will awaken tomorrow feeling more optimistic, more hopeful, than it has in many years. For the first time since 2001, the mood in this state is lightening, and the shadows are growing smaller.
Why? Despite a slowing real estate market, the editorial points to reasonably strong economy, a new legislative session that inherits a positive tax base, new leadership in city and county governments, growth and development in many of Oregon’s communities. And even the real estate market is out-pacing national averages.
The pollster Moore Information recently surveyed Oregonians and found that 49 percent see their state headed in the right direction, while 36 percent still believe it is on the wrong track. That’s hardly wild, unalloyed optimism, but consider this: Only three years ago nearly 80 percent of Oregonians believed their state had veered off course.
That optimism, and other good PR, are influencing new immigrants to move to the state. I’ve talked to, emailed, toured properties, and represented purchases with several out-of-state buyers attracted to the natural and social resources of this area.
But there’s another side to the coin:
Of course, it is not all blue skies in Oregon. Rural communities still struggle to adapt to myriad challenges facing their traditional industries, agriculture, timber and fishing. The wood products industry lost another 2,000 jobs just over the last three months in Oregon. There is no end to the debates over the economic use or the environmental protection of Oregon’s natural resources. There will be more fights over land-use planning, wilderness, natural gas terminals, dam removal and forest health.
And more….
Oregon, remember, was built on optimism, beginning with the pioneers who made the long trek West. More recently, it was a bold state that protected public access to its beaches, cleaned up the Willamette River and led the nation in adopting innovative laws to govern land use, spur recycling and expand health care to the poor.
This state no longer has that kind of ambition or leadership. It’s not here. Not now. But as 2007 arrives, at least there is a glimmer of renewed optimism in Oregon.
Are you upbeat, pessimistic, or holding back judgment?
Here’s the full text of The Oregonian editorial. Photo by dan_photoman. Used under Creative Commons license.
Technorati Tags: new year, Oregon, optimism, pessimism, real estate
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1 comment January 1st, 2007
