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I would really like to here a discussion from multiple sides on 'development' in small towns and rural areas.  I have mixed feelings about various types of development in small towns because as much as new development is touted as community-friendly, there are always negative aspects to it.  One example of development in Eastern Oregon are the wine industry and culture in the Walla Walla Valley which has brought a lot of money and service-oriented jobs.  But is that what we need?  Also Eastern Oregon is being covered in wind turbines;  Wind farms seem to appear over night.  Wind farms can be environmentally and asthetically problematic for those of us who live in their shadow.  And since the energy they generate is sent to California, it is hard to see the benefit of this 'development' that is touted as good for rural people.  Every new development scheme in my rural home seems tempting, but I think the overwhelming feeling is that rural areas are used for the production of products for more affluent folks who will never have to abide any of the costs.

posted 3 years, 11 months ago
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