| Candidate Schopp on Reforming Metro
The question for District 3 voters is do we continue the failed policies of the past, or do we start looking at common sense solutions to the critical issues that directly impact our daily lives? Although I address primarily my district, similar adverse effects of Metro policies are being witnessed every day across the region. 1. INDUSTRIAL LANDS Arbitrary, inflexible urban growth constraints are crowding industrial
development up against established residential areas, not only reducing
the livability of these areas (and reducing the value of the homes), but
also is a misuse of prime real estate that will be needed for future residential
Across the Willamette River, the next freeway interchange is the Donald-Aurora exit. With its own freeway access, existing truck plaza, other commercial uses, raw land and no established neighborhoods, this Marion County alternative is a good choice for everyones' needs. It will provide job-creating industry and economic stimulus in close proximity to the metropolitan area, and have room to grow. This solution would not only preserve the current targeted area around Langdon Farms golf course as the perfect buffer, but would also meet future demands for parks, schools, churches and even Kruse Way style development with restaurants, retail stores, and offices. Locating industrial development across the Willamette River will also avoid the nightmare of increased industrial traffic added to our maxed-out transportation system. Which brings us to the second critical issue... 2. TRANSPORTATION Metro today is still allergic to road construction, still committed to commuter rail, while road traffic moves at a snail's pace. Traffic spilling over into neighborhoods, long waits on I-5, 217, Tualatin-Sherwood Road and 99 will get NO relief from commuter rail. As millions are poured into more rail, requests for additional bus services are rejected. No money for additional buses or routes. No money for a 99-I-5 connector. No money for additional roads. The money is all diverted to the boondoggle of rail services. . 3. FISH AND WILDLIFE REGULATIONS While more missteps are happening with land use and transportation Metro is also aggressively working to dramatically expand restrictions on property uses -- proposing to prohibit or restrict use on some 80,000 acres in the tri-county region. The level of prohibition or restriction will be determined not by science or a cost/benefit analysis but by the level of resistance from the public. Presentation of the various plans with various levels of regulation are being given to the public at Metro open houses. People are being asked to view a large collection of maps and other documents and then comment on which plan they prefer while never gaining any real understanding of the broad implications each plan represents. With demands for new job-creating businesses, additional roads for traffic capacity, and more land for every use, we cannot afford to further limit our communities abilities to accommodate these demands. Individually, property owners will discover tremendous limitations on how they can use their existing land. Environmental zones of varying protection will prohibit or restrict uses in setbacks from every ditch or rain stream. In many cases those setbacks will be 300 feet or more thereby devouring virtually all potential use of once valuable land. With an absence of detailed, clear and convincing public benefit as well as the avoidance of a public vote these extreme restrictions will further stifle our already struggling economy and reduce our livability. Serious questions and answers must precede any implementation of what so far amounts to no more than reckless endangerment of our economic stability. Metro is taking evironmental protection far beyond a reasonable level resulting in forced sacrifices which are simply not justified. Conclusion With all of these issues comes one common problem. Not a single current Metro Councilor has or is representing the many good folks who may view current Metro policies as not working, and who do not want more of the same. With my election to the Metro Council there will be at least one strong voice for those concerned about the status quo. With the proper challenges and scrutiny coming from a Metro councilor our region will benefit from a new infusion of the common sense long ago discarded. Steve Schopp
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OMED:
Next month's primary, not the fall election, will fill the Metro seat for
which Steve is running. If you are interested in a little light reaching
into this mysterious and powerful government structure, Steve's your man.
Make a point of voting in the primary if you live in Clackamas, Multnomah
or Washington county. Make your mark for this home builder from Wilsonville
and you will make a beginning for those who love both kinds of Oregon green
-- living things and making an honest buck.