Envision Oregon jumpstarts public involvement in "Big Look"

CORVALLIS - Last Saturday, a capacity crowd of two hundred Oregonians attended an Envision Oregon town hall forum to discuss what they value most about living in Oregon and define a vision for the future of Oregon. A summary of the event will be forwarded to the state "Big Look" task force.

For many participants, the forum filled a hunger to be involved in shaping the future of the state and to connect with fellow Oregonians. Attendees came from as far away as St. Helens, Hood River, Prineville and Medford to make their voices heard. Keynote speaker Jack McGowan of SOLV said, "The forum was a refreshing contrast to the polarizing agendas affecting all of Oregon."

Participants worked together around tables to develop lists of common values and a shared vision for the future, citing "community involvement," "a sense of community that promotes sustainable living in rural and urban lands," and "diversity and accessibility of natural beauty, geography and our environment."

The results of the town hall will be sent to the Big Look task force, which is currently developing a work plan for its three-year effort. Task force members Ken Bailey of The Dalles and Judie Hammerstad of Lake Oswego participated in the forum.

Keynote speaker Jefferson Smith of the Bus Project told the crowd, "At some point it won't be merely history asking us a question, someday it will be our own grandchildren. And they will say, 'When the country was at a turning point of history and we were deciding what kind of place we wanted to be like and how we were going to get there, where were you?' We are going to say, 'When we were revolutionizing energy, health care, education and land use systems, we were here. When Oregon was setting an example for the nation, we were here.' "

The Envision Oregon Corvallis forum was co-sponsored by SOLV, the Bus Project, 1000 Friends of Oregon, Oregon Business Association, League of Women Voters® of Oregon, and Coalition for a Livable Future. Similar forums are planned around the state.

Envision Oregon is citizen-driven effort to make Oregon an even better place by providing tools for Oregonians to learn about, discuss, and affect the issues that will shape the future of our state and communities. Visit www.EnvisionOregon.org for more information.

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