It is hard for me to believe that this is the fourth quarterly article that I am writing for the Trail News. It means that I am nearing the end of my first year of service as Mayor of this fabulous city. it is also hard for me believe that i am returning to a topic that i discussed in my second article, and by the time you read this article, you will know more about this topic than I now know.

The Metro Region Government announced that it was submitting a bid for the property where the Blue Heron Mill was situated using funds provided by bonds overwhelmingly supported by voters for procuring open spaces in or near the Metro regional boundary. The purposes for these funds was to purchase lands
from willing sellers that had high value as natural habitat, for access to natural areas, for protection of fish and wildlife, or for protection of archeological sites. The former mill site meets all of those criteria, and it is for these reasons that the Metro Council became convinced that this would be a key site for procurement.

Willamette Falls is a major natural feature that was created by basalt flow that dammed the Willamette River, creating two very different major features: the upper Willamette Valley with deep fertile soils forming the base of a vibrant agricultural industry; and the lower Willamette, which, being barely above sea level, created an extensive regional river-lane to ocean commerce. While Willamette Falls has been transformed over time to provide power for electrical and for industrial production, it’s nature-created architecture is still largely intact and is impressive to those who have taken river voyages to its base. These features would be visible to the greater public if access were provided to the top of the falls. The falls is traversed by endangered species including upper Willamette spring Chinook salmon, sea-run cutthroat trout, and lamprey. The falls area is the site of many historically significant industrial structures including the foundation of the Oregon City Woolen Mill, generations of paper and wood processing industries, and the original outfalls of c-turbines that created power for the first long-distance transmission of electricity and later power for the first inter-urban street cars. For millennia Willamette Falls was also (and occasionally still is) the fishing grounds of various tribes from the Pacific northwest, ancient petroglyphs testifying to the importance of this site to the original human inhabitants of this tumwater.

This site, more than any other within the Metro region, has the potential of becoming a regional destination for our residents and tourists to experience that natural feature which resulted in Oregon City becoming the center of early development and the Capitol of the Oregon territory. With the right kind of development we can not only have access to the falls but create a trail that links the river from the Columbia through the urban region, past the falls, the Canemah Bluffs, and the Willamette narrows to the gateway of the agriculturally rich lands of Clackamas County.

Whether or not Metro is the successful bidder, Oregon City’s Comprehensive Plan requires a master plan for the area. Such a Master Plan will require public input. In addition to public access and protection of our natural and cultural resources, the public process should look at potential use of historically significant buildings and the potential of small-scale industrial and commercial uses consistent with the nature of the falls area. The site’s development will probably not begin for several years because the effect of more than a century and a half of industrial use on the site will have to be evaluated.

ZIP Codes: 97045, 97038, 97042, 97013, 97004, 97015, 97022

Approximate Location Boundaries: Oregon City, Mulino, Canby, Molalla (Rural Clackamas county)

Location Characteristics: Suburban and rural areas. A lot of newer homes and continued new homes being built. If you’re looking for a home with acreage these are the areas to consider.

This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes there is! It’s time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?

Everyone — yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber?

Gym membership? It’s appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.

Who wouldn’t appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.

Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plunking down the Benjamin’s on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.

There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants — all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn’t the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint.

Remember, folks this isn’t about big National chains — this is about supporting your home town. Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.

How many people couldn’t use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?

Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day. (I say who wouldn’t appreciate that)

How about a computer tune-up, and I KNOW you can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.

OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.

Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre. Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of light, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip… they are Americans.

You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about US, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. When we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn’t imagine.

THIS is the new American Christmas tradition. This is a revolution of caring about each other, and isn’t that what Christmas is about?