What do you intend to do to make Oregon a better place to live? (Bend: houses, neighborhoods)

[Clear2land]

Des gave me a good idea for the Oregon Forum when he outlined all the good things he could bring to his fellow citizens when he moves to Oregon.

I’m a retired Financial Advisor so I would like to teach a personal money management course in local high schools. The College for Financial Planning materials is free for the asking and I would love to offer my 30-years of expertise to high school students. Second, I would like to teach drivers education to those who can’t afford it free of charge. I would like to find a way to do that. I would like to help student pilots learn how to land their airplane better. I’ve been flying for 38-years and have some expertise in that area. I know of one young struggling high school student that went on to get his Bachelor’s degree in Airport Management that today flies commercial jets as a Captain for Continental Airlines all because I invited him to take a ride in an airplane. I would like to volunteer time at my local airport. I’ll pick up litter when I go on walks. I will do my ever-loving best to leave Oregon a better place than I found it.

So the question is what will you do to make Oregon a better place to live?

Dan

[fairweathergolfer]

Okay, is it just me? Des is a woman an all out strong minded, personality and experience plus woman. When I look at Des's posts this is what I read and see. Sorry Des to make this post about you (in response to the one above it), but I couldn't pass on this one. No way.

[freedom]

Work hard, raise my family in honor and pass on loving attributes.
Give to those that are in need.
Let others live the life they choose and never loose my freedom to express where I disagree in actions or lifestyles that are contrary to my belief.
The world is weak when good men/women do nothing.

[Brett]

I vote in every election. And I research my votes.

I write letters to elected officials concerning my perspective on current legislation. I belong to my neighborhood association, attend every meeting.

I drive as carefully through other's neighborhoods as I would like them to drive through mine. I don't drive somewhere I can bike or walk too.

I know the name of my child's teacher, principal, guidance counselor. I know what subjects are being studied in his class and how he is doing. I also know the names of his friends.

[Steve97415]

Going through other parts of the country, the two unsustainable practices that have destroyed other places...California in particular...are obvious:

1. overpopulation
2. traffic congestion through the proliferation of automobiles

As to the first, I promote the One Family-One Child model of family planning that people who care about the future practice. Anything else produces population growth, which is precisely what is killing the planet.
As to the second, I rely on bicycles as the primary means of daily transportation. I use an automobile (that runs on biofuel) only for long distance travel or in emergencies. It's not uncommon for me to go a month without starting my car.
There are other sustainable living practices I adhere to as much as possible such as energy-efficient home design and organic food production, but all sustainability practices are predicated on achieving population reduction and transportation sanity. I'm also a local land-use efficiency advocate and fight to contain urban and suburban sprawl.

[Des_Demona]

I love this idea for a post (and yes I am a woman... a very opinionated one I know I know ) I just love the Oregon message board. It's so fun and informative and everyone (well almost everyone!) is so helpful and nice.

For me: I will support local businesses and not the giant corporations by spending my money wisely and supporting local farmers as well.

I will make informed voting decisions that are based not only on my personal needs but the interests of all Oregonians

I will recycle of course, grow Organics and donate them to the poor and volunteer in at least one worthwhile organization that is centered around education for the disadvantaged.

I will have a MAXIMUM one child (maybe even none) in my lifetime thus not contributing to the horrible population growth that is killing our planet.

I will make a concerted effort to ride a bicycle (gotta get one of those...) or my skateboard or my rollerblades (when the ground isn't wet) rather than driving everywhere to help cut back on traffic problems.

I will make an effort to learn about my neighbors, be more patient and slow-paced (yes even with my driving) and I will certainly not be a rude driver. I want to assimilate as smoothly as possible into the Oregon lifestyle because it's what I've always wanted.

[Brett]

Get fenders before you bike in the rain or riske getting "the stripe"

check out bikeportland.org

[Joyce Gerhardt]

Oregon is such a beautiful place to live. I feel very grateful to live in the Willamette Valley. My husband and I purchased and old historical home and spent several years restoring it and cleaning up the grounds. We have received many wonderful comments for taking care of it. On our land we grow a very large vegetable garden and sell or give away a great deal of our organic produce. We participate in the "Adopted a Road" program and pick up liter constantly on our road. We both volunteer our time to our church and community. Our 2 children are grown now. Our son is lives on the coast and our daughter and husband are moving back from Idaho to Bend. They too have an appreciation and respect for the land, and know the importance of being a good neighbor. There is such a quality of life living here how can we not give back!

[Joyce Gerhardt]

Oregon is such a beautiful place to live. I feel very grateful to live in the Willamette Valley. My husband and I purchased and old historical home and spent several years restoring it and cleaning up the grounds. We have received many wonderful comments for taking care of it. On our land we grow a large vegetable garden and sell or give away a great deal of our organic produce. We participate in the "Adopted a Road" program and pick up liter often on our road. We both volunteer our time to our church and community. Our 2 children are grown now. Our son lives on the coast and our daughter and husband are moving back from Idaho to Bend. They too have an appreciation and respect for the land and know the importance of being a good neighbor. We enjoy having family and friends come visit from other parts of the world and we share our Oregon hospitality however we can. There is such a quality of life living here how can we not give back!

[sb-gal]

Well we've just moved here (sorry I already have 3 kids but left the two full growns in over-populated California )

We are in escrow right now for a home that needs a lot of work. We'll be purchasing materials and furnishings locally and utilizing local help for the project.

As soon as we can get the pastures and garden areas cleaned out we'll begin growing our own fruits and veggies as well as raise chickens for eggs and meat. We plan on donating the bounty to the food bank.

Unfortunately we'll be living too remotely to give up the cars, I will only be able to walk to my neighbors houses since nothing else is remotely near by.