We can honor our farmers and have a trail

By Philip Forve Oct 15

Too often this debate is framed as farmers versus trail advocates. In my mind, that's "living with the tyranny of or." We do not have to live that way here in Yamhill County.  We are a county with many industries and each one is important in a balanced economy. Oregon has shown that we are better off with balanced solutions that address the needs of all stakeholders and look long-term. 

For example, our historic decision to make our beaches a public space, not broken up by properties along the coast.  Another example is the state-run Banks-Vernonia trail that winds through forests and farms. Fencing, signage, designated crossings, and buffers beside active fields protect crops and neighbors alike.  Both of these resources attract people from outside our area - spending money which creates jobs and helps our communities thrive.

I have not heard a single opponent to the referendum argue against outdoor recreation or active transportation.  The opposition claims primarily that the process of development and approval of the Yamhelas Westsider Trail was flawed and farm use laws were ignored.  OK, let's fix the planning process!  Meanwhile, the county owns a 17 mile long 60-foot corridor it purchased for public use. A yes vote helps to protect that public land from being sold in pieces.  When the time's right, we can find the right people, including willing farmers, to fix the planning and development process.  

If the land we own is sold off in pieces, we will never get it back. Keeping it in the TSP commits no one to spending a dollar, and it preserves every option for our important needs tomorrow, and no one has a 20/20 vision of the future.

I urge you to think long-term and vote yes on 36-241. Keep the corridor, keep talking, and keep our farms farming.