Editor:
Jim Musgrave’s letter that appeared in the May 30 edition of The New Era was insightful and raised a variety of issues. Certainly, the City Council has greater issues with which to deal than a poker tournament.
As a new resident of Sweet Home, I am curious to know what is being done to improve or enhance the economic growth of this community.
With the large number of homes being built here, one must ask from where the services to support these new residents will come. There are some viable businesses in Sweet Home, and my wife and I try to buy locally whenever we can.
However, the Wal-Mart in Lebanon and the variety of stores in Albany are attractive when we want to make a day of it and get all our needs taken care of at once.
Like many others, we are sad to see longtime local businesses go under but have to ask the question of why.
I think the answer is simple. Sweet Home does not support the needs of a retired or emerging family. Where am I going to get my oil changed, my dry cleaning done, my car washed or shop for basic household goods?
I am going to Lebanon and Albany. If I want to go to a good restaurant or see a movie, I am going there as well. I am not saying there are no good restaurants in Sweet Home, but there are better choices elsewhere.
Instead of debating the issue of a minor poker tournament, the City Council would be better served with investigating the possibility of enticing new businesses to service what I hope is a growing community.
There is a lot of speculative building here. Someone saw some potential. It is about time for the city to get on board and either stop issuing building permits for new homes or deal with the infrastructure and economic growth issues that will make all of this viable.
Sweet Home needs to become more than the home of the Oregon Jamboree. It needs to become Sweet Home.
Kenneth R. England
Sweet Home