Money and Power

Columbia Gorge Plans and Politics

By Tomi Owens, 10-19-06

The Dalles Chronicle has recycled a front page story concerning a $5 million promise made twenty years ago to encourage economic growth “in existing urban areas” of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area”. Sue Ryan’s story first ran over the weekend in the Hood River News. But that’s okay, it takes at least two readings to decipher all the acronyms and figure out just exactly who will be administering the (hopefully) forthcoming $1million in government funding.

Despite the complicated mishmash of agencies and departments involved the funding has thus far been able to aid with practical projects such as The Dalles wastewater plant and Bear Mountain Forest Products company. In addition, the funding has helped to support a variety of other causes including the Hood River Library and the recently formed Gorge Grown Food Network

Candidates for the Oregon District 26 seat in the Senate, incumbent Sen. Rick Metzger, D-Welches and challenger Carol York, a Republican and Hood River County Commissioner answered questions this week at the Hood River News. The same six questions were asked each candidate and both agreed that education, public safety, and health would be top priorities for the 2007-09 legislative session.

However, Metsger and York differed significantly in their support of Measure 37.

York said that it is “obvious that we need more flexibility in our land-use system.” She supported Measure 37 because “it had a waiver built in” and would allow for local government to be more involved in land-use decisions. She concludes that “The voters have spoken and I believe we need to honor their will with Measure 37.”

Mestger firmly opposed 37, suggesting that voters were mislead by the campaign to pass the land-use measure. “I think with Measure 37 [voters] wanted Dorothy English, a senior citizen, to be able to carve off lots for her children and not 250 homes on a subdivision in the Hood River Valley .” He blames “enmeshed interests” of complicating the land-use issue by involving the courts rather than participating in open discussions. “It will be interesting to see what recommendations the state Big Look Committee brings back to us,” says Metsger.

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