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Here is my basic logic. While we all live in our given cities, the fact is that we generally refer to ourselves more as Tri-Cities residents than as Pasconians, Richlanders, or whatever the demonym is for Kennewick. When I go to Pasco or Richland do I feel like I have gone out of town? No. If I want Spudnuts or Atomic Ale I go to Richland. If I want Garibaldi's or a trip to Griggs I go to Pasco. When either city's people want to go to a mall they come to Kennewick. In fact I'm quicker to go to Pasco than to east Kennewick for some things. In reality we are more connected than disconnected. How many people live in one city and work in another? Many.
Because this is true for the majority of locals, issues affecting the entire area should not be decided simply by one part of the area. Matters affecting the Coliseum affect everyone, just as do those involving Dust Devil Stadium. Such matters should have the input of the entire area. For this reason, the cities have the power to combine their resources so as to benefit the whole. What Kennewick could never manage by itself, the three cities in union could do--and for everyone's benefit. What if this might enable us to finally build Southern Washington University, and keep some of our college-bound students at home? What of other attractions and industries that could make life better here?
There is no need to consolidate the school districts unless we want to. There is no need to worry about the Franklin County seat--since it only administers issues relating to Franklin County, it would continue to do as it does. A county seat hardly need reside entirely within its county, and such a semantic issue shouldn't hold back real progress. Legislative districts often are not contiguous with city boundaries; how many exist within densely populated Seattle? What is more, each city government has had many years of small-town fiefdom, favoritism, gluteus-kissing and other political ills. Combining the cities would completely shake that dynamic up, as well as allowing the reduction in various bureaucratic functions.
What is more, recent changes in size have made the three cities more equivalent population-wise and in terms of economic power. Because of this, there is little reason for any of the three to feel that it will somehow be paying the freight for the others. And as mentioned before, what benefits one area benefits all, since we are in reality interconnected.
While we are at it, if the smaller regional towns want to join there is no reason they cannot, but they need not be pressured, forced or annexed. Finley wants to remain unincorporated and rural and underserved? Okay. Their call. West Richland wants to cling to its West Richlandness? Fine by me. The vast majority of the populace is in the three Tri-Cities. Suburbs may do as they like--though if they joined, they could share in significant benefits and have a direct voice in local development that affects them too.
It's time for this area to grow up. Pinocchio, you're a real boy now.
Thats interesting, yes I do feel like we all live in the same town, but I never refer myself as a "TCitian" I always say im from Pasco, and people tend to tack on the 'oh hes from Tri Cities.' Im even surprised that some people *ONLY* know the name Tri Cities. I swear to God, there was a man from Oregon who could not figure out where Pasco (or the other 2 for that matter) was until I said TC.
I think consolidation is going to be a little tough because some goverment jobs will be lost (i.e. one court house/ city hall = less jobs), and I suspect that quite a few people may not like that.
Or maybe my argument is just ridiculous. Either way, this area tends to act as one town anyways, so attitudes wont change, but at least it will give this area a stronger voice.
Tri Cities - all I see is a car culture, no urban core, no historical architecture, not much history, sprawl, and lots of big box stores and fast food. We need to rethink the definition of city in America and the tri's are not my idea of what a city should be. We need to increase core density, stop suburbanization, build alternatives to driving, stop shopping at Wal Mart and think local. Portland has got it. Spokane has the history and great urban core but needs to get on board with the rest of the equation. NO thanks Tri's.
Yeah, stopping shopping at Wal-Mart will fix it...
So, think locally (what does that even mean?) but look at other cities as how to get it?
Cities core densities decreased for a reason. Suburbs exist and are still being created every day for a reason, love 'em or hate 'em.
Speaking of which, skin, any idea why Burbank and Finley have never decided to stand on their own two feet city-wise? I assume they must reckon the benefits are greater remaining unincorporated, but I don't know the specifics. That or the residents just don't want another layer of government to deal with, feel like by being close to big city services yet outside it they have the best of both worlds, and don't want to mess that up.
From what I hear of Burbank (my son works there), people are worried incorporation would drive up their taxes, and they're just too conservative to contemplate such a fate. You'd think that conservatism would allow them to see that with incorporation would also come local control, including the tax situation. (For years, my wife's home town had only one paid staff member, a cop whose duties included mowing the city cemetery—everyone else was volunteer, but I digress.) At present, they are under Walla Walla County's thumb, which is having some very negative consequences: the minimum lot size for new construction is 2 acres, which alienates a lot of the young families who would otherwise be interested in settling down there. This year, Columbia-Burbank graduated ~75 seniors, but the in-coming kindergarten class is only ~40, a trend that has been underway for several years. Does not bode well for their future.
A good friend of ours is a Burbank native who works for the county, and he tells me they pretty much get forgotten by the county in general. Then again, I suppose most small towns a fair distance from the center of services tend to feel similarly most of the time.
Yeah, stopping shopping at Wal-Mart will fix it...
So, think locally (what does that even mean?) but look at other cities as how to get it?
I believe Jim Kay means to spend your dollars at locally owned stores/businesses.
Dollars spent at a local, independently-owned store cycle through the local economy more than do dollars spent in national chain stores and certainly more so than when dollars are spent at an out-of-town big-box chain store.
It's just better for the local economy.
I believe Jim Kay means to spend your dollars at locally owned stores/businesses.
Dollars spent at a local, independently-owned store cycle through the local economy more than do dollars spent in national chain stores and certainly more so than when dollars are spent at an out-of-town big-box chain store.
It's just better for the local economy.
Thanks. I'm not sure that's what he meant or not, but re-reading it I expect your right. It's just that the "think locally" phrase has been used to death in many different contexts to the point that I've seen and heard it used nonsensically.
I always shop local business when I can! You're absolutely right that local bucks have a larger impact, um, locally. I taught economics for over 10 years. Much has changed economically since I last did, but not that much!
I always shop local business when I can! You're absolutely right that local bucks have a larger impact, um, locally. I taught economics for over 10 years. Much has changed economically since I last did, but not that much!
A secondary benefit is that the local business pretty much has to care what you think, because your hatred could devastate it. The megacorporation does not. Consider the case of this aggrieved consumer--let's make it you, since you're a known good sport--and the probable responses:
Skinem (bringing computer back where you bought it): "This machine has sucked for a month now. It randomly reboots, I think the video card is on the fritz, and two of the USB ports don't work. I am not getting jack done."
Worst Buy: "I'm sorry, sir. You've had it too long for our return policy. However, it is under warranty, which means that we will repair it for you. Well, not really. We will send it to Fornicalia where they will swap out some parts, do some quick-and-dirty testing, then return it to you working about as badly as before. Oh, and you're going to lose all your data, or you might--please sign here signifying that you approve."
Skinem: "You suck worse than your computer."
or:
Hell (very heavily accented, on phone): "Sir, you can mail it back to us, provided you have the original box, which we expressly told you to keep laying around in all your spare space. We will then repair it according to our warranty terms, which mean that we will use 'reconditioned' (non-working) parts, and send it back to you working even worse than before. And if you still aren't satisfied, we will continue to pay to have you ship it back and will continue to put in 'reconditioned' parts until you give up or write a letter to Michael Hell. Never mind that the accumulated shipping cost to us will soon amount to far more than the defective parts' actual worth--we're just that inefficient."
Skinem: "Now I see why they call you Hell. I also see why you're circling the financial drain."
or:
José's Pasco Computemporium: "Wow, that really sucks, Mr. Skinem. I'll get it on the bench and we'll get this squared away. Leave me your number and I'll let you know when I have it fixed. If I can let the new parts burn in for a day, that would be better, so that we can believe it'll stay fixed. I'm really sorry about the headache--we pick out our own parts and we try very hard not to pick problem children."
Skinem: "Thanks, José, really appreciate it. No problem on the burn-in; I'd like to have this out of the way as much as you. Here's my cell phone number, have a great day."
It's not hard to see, simply based on economic theory of motivation by self-interest, which situation is more palatable.
I've pretty well lived each of those...sounds like you have as well!
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