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I was born and raised in Philomath, and now live in the small town of Alsea. Alsea is also included in the Clemens Foundation Scholarship program. Philomath has grown, probably due to it's proximity to Corvallis, but Alsea is dying on the vine. The severe decline of the Timber Industry has brought about many changes to our rural area. The Forest Service closed up their extensive complex and relocated its headquarters into Corvallis. They now manage the Siusilaw National Forest from Corvallis. Many families have moved away, in search of family-wage earning jobs. A very clear picture of what is happening to our little town is the declining enrollment in the Alsea School District. We have gone from approximately 270 students, K-12, to the current enrollment of about 145 students. That is a very significant drop in enrollment. I believe this to be indicative of a majority of small rural Oregon communities, that are dependent on the use and management of natural resources. In lieu of timber harvest, the Federal Government has been subsidizing our state. This began in the early 1990's, when the spotted owl was listed on the endangered species list.(can anyone say Bard owl?) These funds have been EXTENDED to run our County governments, roads, schools, law enforsement, etc. These funds will probably not be extended again, and rightly so. The entire State of Oregon will get a taste of the reality the rural areas have been experiencing for quite some time. If you have any doubts about this, contact your County Commissioners about revenue forcasts and the 2009 budget.

posted 5 years ago
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