Radio Talk Show Host Editorial on Cornelius/Walmart Aspirations & Beyond

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/argus/jayne_carroll/index.ssf?/base/columnist/125727605482850.xml&coll=6
Time for a Gulp of Wal-Mart Love Potion by Jayne Carroll

Jayne does a great job asking open-ended questions for a political discussion in her editorial today. I'm flattered with her take on it to be honest.

Excerpts/condensed version...

"What a difference a bad economy makes."... "the good folks [of Cornelius] are downright euphoric over [Wal-Mart]." "Not only will Wal-Mart deliver 300 needed new local jobs and millions for street improvements, many Cornelius residents believe the retail giant is the precise economic shot in the arm they desperately need. " "[Most] in Cornelius can't wait until the new megastore opens its door for business." "Cornelius is anticipating..[Walmart to be]...a magnet for consumers throughout the region."

Great open-ended questions: Q4 is my favorite...because it may imply/pay a compliment to us citizens of Cornelius.

Q1: Is Cornelius a barometer for a changing attitude in Oregon toward the controversial, often reviled Wal-Mart? Or is Cornelius, a city facing even more economic carnage than the rest of Oregon, an anomaly?

Q2: As companies and talent leave our beautiful state in abundance for better economic opportunities elsewhere, are communities starting to reject the utopian policies of left-wing ideologues?

Q3: Will we soon see other job-hungry cities putting out the welcome mat to businesses considered odious to the politically correct?

Q4: Or are the no-nonsense, practical people of Cornelius reflective of a new Oregon - where we recognize that our state's magnificence, livability and families cannot be maintained without adequate jobs and economic opportunity?

Q5: Is Oregon's "smart growth" finally being recognized as great for big government but utterly stupid for a hopeful, prosperous Oregon future?

Jayne Carroll hosts The Jayne Carroll RadioTalk Show Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. on KUIK AM1360.
Her e-mail address is radiojayne@aol.com.
For comments or questions, call her at 503-648-0101 or at 503-640-1360 during show hours.

OH MY Oregonian

What's next? Oprah? =)

Thanks to Casey Parks for how article on the Cornelius Walmart and its future debut in Washington County. Work is certainly underway and I'm part of a growing number of people looking forward to another place to save a little more. Thanks ~ Jose

Cornelius bucks NIMBY trend, embraces Wal-Mart by Casey Parks, the Oregonian
http://www.oregonlive.com/washingtoncounty/index.ssf/2009/10/cornelius_bucks_nimby_trend_em.html

NIMBY = "Not In My BackYard"

Update to Urban Reserves

http://www.forestgrovenewstimes.com/news/story_2nd.php?story_id=125633065342299000
State slams Washington County reserve designation, by Christian Gaston of The Forest Grove News-Times

Commentary: This is basically the same news as I posted last time. Except with a better summary in the FGNT paper. The graphic from the Hillsboro Argus was nice though. ;)

Excerpts: "Forest Grove and Cornelius’s hopes to expand north of Council Creek have been met with controversy, with the Washington County Farm Bureau and 1000 Friends of Oregon pitching steep opposition."

"The foursome – Multnomah County Commissioner Jeff Cogen, Clackamas County Commissioner Charlotte Lehan, Washington County Chairman Tom Brian and Metro Councilor Kathryn Harrington – met last week and developed a list of tentative urban reserve and rural reserve designations."

"The list is more notable for the 27,106 acres of reserves the four didn’t agree on – and subsequently left for further discussion. Land north of Forest Grove and Cornelius, which farming advocates oppose including in urban reserve, land north of Hillsboro and Highway 26 and the Stafford triangle are some of the most notable lands."

Quick update on Urban Reserves

http://blog.oregonlive.com/hillsboroargus/2009/10/reserves_leaders_some_areas_ar.html

'Reserves leaders: Some areas are easy to agree upon' by Nick Christensen, the Hillsboro Argus.

In summary: Cornelius wants lands north of Council Creek for Industrial land expansion, the preliminary agreed upon areas remains south of the exisitng UGB. However, north of Council Creek is label as "Urban Areas for Further Discussion". This was the area Washington County helped Cornelius recommend as Urban Reserves on September 21, 2009.

Personal Take on Today's "Field Research"

I must say this is the first time I've actually been excited and anticipating checking out a construction site. It's very personal to see the place you call home and the surrounding areas change, for better or for worse; i.e. beneficial construction or graffiti on the other end. That's the main reason I've taken such an interest in planning, developments, and changes that can & will affect the place I call home today & in the future.

It was refreshing to be out there today on a beautiful Saturday afternoon...experiencing the Change first-hand with some other Cornelius residents I came across in support of the Walmart coming to town. It was nice to talk positively about our City...the progress made on the roadways and Main-Street area of Adair...the lights, the furniture, and all the new sidewalks. Great things to speak of in such gloomy recession minded times.

So I was like a grown-up kid watching his Tonka trucks move around...I describe it as an Onsite CATerpillar Demonstration..I mean...all the types of Machinery you can think of were out there. And these guys are working Fast...pushing dirt...rolling over it...time and time again...spraying water on it...dumping more dirt...non-stop. And to know that this has been going on for just a week or so...is impressive.. All 16 acres of the property look like they've been altered by these machines already. Hard to imagine that this was once thought to be the place for more cul-de-saqs, residences, a road, and several lots. Now that plan and those old homes, and the grass field are gone and soon so will the trees...all to make way for Commerce.

I welcome Walmart because I know it will attract many to at least shop in Cornelius and make us known for something more than the tiny town between Hillsboro & Forest Grove that's 3 miles wide. I don't care that we'll probably be known as the place where 'That Walmart Is". I think we're all in hopes of getting decent restaurants and shops in the area. Making this place we call home more livable and sustainable by the day. Thank you Walmart and welcome to our town of 10-11,000.

First Video of Photo Set - Walmart Site and Misc.

This is the first of hopefully many videos to come over the next several weeks of construction of our future beloved Walmart. My gf and I drove around the site starting from the NW corner (manufactured home area/fire access entrance)...around through 4th...and finally crossing Adair. The photos I took are basically facing the future 'entrances' to the Walmart. Get a good look of the views and the trees...because they will soon be gone to make way for Walmart.

I had the pleasure of meeting a senior couple that lives near the Northern fence of the property...Pat & Jerry. The nicest people...they're dealing with the pains of Construction literally next to their home - shaking of the plates...engine noise etc. But Pat said she can't wait for "Wally"... its been a long time coming [4-5 years]. Jerry too was taking photos of all the activity.

To describe the environment...they could spray water on bulldozers with a garden hose, they're so close. I let Pat and Jerry in on the plans as I understand them from site-plans...what the view from their house will look like etc. They were truely excited. Til next time. ~Jose

Another article about Walmart making headway

Cornelius Wal-Mart lurches toward 2010 opening, C. Gaston, Forest Grove Newstimes

http://www.forestgrovenewstimes.com/news/story.php?story_id=125503831177416600

Shown in the photo above [from article] is equipment and work in progress overseen by Engineered Structures Inc. of Boise, Idaho.