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Articles
Our Communal Home
We’ve all seen the old
photographs of Lake Oswego’s early years of passengers disembarking the
train along State Street. They remind us of our beginnings and upon
examination they tell us how we have grown into another era.
Like our individual homes our communal home has changed over the years.
It has been expanded, renovated, repaired and beautified. And, it needs
continuous maintenance for its functionality.
Our forbearers and we have created a beautiful community estate. The
infrastructures of it are the utilities, parks, streets, and our public
buildings. All of these parts are necessary to keep us functioning as a
healthy, vibrant and attractive place to live.
So, how do we budget for our communal home? It is similar to how we
budget for our individual homes – yearly savings and long term loans.
Some items you pay for in cash, others you dip into savings and for larger
expenditures we might get a loan or in municipal jargon – sell bonds.
What are our current infrastructure challenges? Obviously, our pipes
(sewer interceptor) are in need of expansion and upgrade. Fifty years ago
our current sewer system was installed to meet the needs of a growing
community. It is now time to upgrade and meet our current and future
community needs. Other maintenance issues include our streets, buildings,
landscaping, parks and buildings. Maintaining our communal household is a
high priority but it should not preclude thinking or dreaming about other
wonderful possibilities that can enhance our community. We enjoy an
exceptional community -- the results of the vision our forbearers and it
is our responsibility to make sure that we continue the vision to Keep
Lake Oswego Great!
Mary Puskas
www.keeplogreat.com |