The Villages at Mt. Hood had plenty on its plate at the Oct. 6 Board of
Directors meeting.

From issues ranging from formation of a visitor information services task
force, to the evolution of an action plan spinning off the September Mountain
survey, to the prickly issue of incorporation, the board had a variety of
victuals to munch on.

Visitor info services
Board member Rick Applegate served up the appetizer with a motion to
authorize a task force to pull together community leaders to solve an
economic issue facing the community: “Namely, inadequate CCTCA
(Clackamas County Tourism and Cultural Affairs) funded visitor information
services for our community during the next 12 to 36 months,” Applegate’s
motion stated.

“It’s time we get something done,” Applegate said. “The county won’t help.
People’s livelihoods are at stake.”

The county tourism board is satisfied with the Zigzag Ranger Station’s efforts
to provide information to tourists and visitors, but limited hours – specifically
in the winter months – seem inadequate to Applegate, and as it turned out to
other members of the board as well.

Applegate pointed out that current plans to add space at the ranger station, a
task CCTCA says will be completed by 2012, leaves a serious void for the
community.

Applegate cited the plan does not address:
1. Covering weekends year round;
2. Offering extended early evening hours;
3. Offering the visibility needed for visitors staying in our area (the ranger
station is on the way out of town); and,
4. Does not provide sufficient capacity to properly guide visitors to area
businesses.

The discussion was lively with the motion finally passing by a 5-3-1 margin.
Board members Applegate, George Wilson, Brigette Romeo, Pat Buckley and
Doug Saldivar cast yea votes. Chair Bob Reeves, Judith Norval and Shirley
Dueber opposed the motion, and Pat Sharp abstained.

The motion included setting up another meeting to develop an interim visitor
information services plan for the community.

Community Survey
The survey review process was the main course. The board discussed the
results and decided on a system to give weight to the community responses.
The survey attracted 57 responses, 41 turned into The Mountain Times and
another 16 mail-ins to the Villages.

There were nine issues addressed in the survey, each asking for a high,
medium or low priority rating.

The results found that “improving road design on Welches Road for pedestrian
and bike safety” topped the priority list with 32 points of “high” interest in the
weighting system.

Environmental protection projects was a close second with 31 high-interest
responses, followed by tourism development (26), increasing recycling
opportunities (23), permanent closure of Miller Road Quarry (23), linking of
community transportation system (22), encourage economic growth (22),
construction of a community center (15), and water availability (14).
The Villages will work on an action plan in light of the survey at the Town Hall
Meeting, Nov. 21 (see info box, this page), and will encourage community
input.

To City, or Not
For dessert, the board tackled the issue of incorporation for the community,
and the discussion was not always so sweet.

A point was made as to the unsavory aspect of such discussions.

“We should be facing controversy,” said interim board member George Wilson.

“If we don’t start dealing with real issues, it’s dishonest if we don’t.”

“Some are fearful, some are advocates,” Applegate said. “But the community
is sick and tired of inaction.”

“There’s an impression we don’t do anything,” said board member Doug
Saldivar. “We recommend but we can’t make decisions.”

“We must be prepared (for this issue of incorporation),” said board member
Pat Buckley.

Pat Sharp offered a middle ground, suggesting that the board should turn its
attention to the issue in a methodical manner.

“We must educate ourselves first,” she said.

The dessert being finished, one thing was certain: this delectable will be
served up again in future meetings.

In other business, the board:
-- Approved a $250 award to Gary Randall to create a Villages logo; and
-- Accepted the resignation of Robert Baker from the Main Street Program.