Question of the Week: What should The City of The Dalles do with Google Dollars?
By Cole Goodwin
Welcome to Question of the Week, a weekly news column that poses timely questions about life, politics, culture, economics, health, and more to people out and about in our communities. Our hope at CCC News is that having this space dedicated to being curious about other people’s experiences can help us to deepen our understanding of people from all walks of life.
This week’s question asks us to consider the needs of The Dalles and Wasco County and how incoming dollars from Google might support those needs.
This week's Question is: How would you like to see the City and County spend incoming Google dollars?
Alex Smith, 38, The Dalles
“I'm from Chicago, actually and we've been here for twelve years.
I would like to see it put towards youth stuff because there's not a whole lot for kids to do around here. There's no more bowling alley. There's no skating rink. There's not even. I mean, a Youth Center attempted to be put up here, but there wasn't really a sustainable plan for it.
So, to have safe places for a lot of the kids in the area to be able to go in the winter or summer.
The Smith kids had a few suggestions too.
Will piped in saying he’d like to see a new skate park.
Jack, age 8, said he’d like to see them rebuild the jump house, a skatepark, have a bigger indoor pool, skydiving center, and a candy shop.
Other suggestions included a rock wall, like a climbing center, or a ropes course at Sorosis.
"I think the other part of that would be… a place that could not just provide a safe space and things for kids to do but something where multiple places that could train them up with skills, you know? So, it's equipping them. Whether it's running a cafe or a candy shop.”
Danial Rosaeo, 43, Puerto Rico/The Dalles
“Fix the roads. Or give it to the homeless. The homeless need it more. They need food, a place to sleep in the winter.”
Dominic Benson, 21, The Dalles; Michael Holmes, 23, The Dalles
“Fix the roads. That's my biggest problem. Some of the potholes are really really bad for my vehicle,” said Dominic.
“I’d like to see it go back into the community and into something for families to do,” said Michael. “Like after school programs. There was a building that was going to be built over by the movie theater, that never got built, that was going to be for youth. It was going to be a massive center for youth, and now it’s just an empty lot. So, I’d like to see that built for the youth.”
Ronald Meyers, South County, Pine Hollow
“Urban Renewal. We definitely need it here”
Ernie Blatz, 65, The Dalles
“Give it to the school. Build new schools.
The buildings are falling down. They’re in terrible shape. There’s no air conditioning at the high school. The walls are splitting out at Wahtonka. Fifteen years ago we did a real in-depth survey of all our buildings, and we had seventy-five million dollars in issues. Dry Hollow had a part break on one of their heating units and we had to go on eBay to find one because they don’t make them anymore.
Eventually, we’re going to have to rebuild these buildings; it’s a no-brainer. We’re gonna have to. The Community has to step up… we tried to pass a bond, and I get it, the taxes are high. But it’s only going to get more expensive to build the longer we wait.”
Anthony Pereira, 46, second generation The Dalles
“That’s a big question. I will tell you where I don’t want it to go. I don’t want it to just be divided up evenly and sprinkled. Don’t just do a government wish list. And give money to various departments you know, don’t sprinkle it because it will be lost into the ether of public domain.
I would like it to have a direction and purpose.
I think there’s a lot of projects whether it be, you know, schools or economic development or something that could be directed purposely after receiving some public input. The Dalles has a lot of things that need to be improved upon. Whatever it is, make it more desirable to live here; make it more marketable, more attractive and raise the bar for people who live here. If it’s more activities, great; if it’s better facilities, great; let’s knock out the reforestation of Sorosis Park… but let’s not just hire another Park’s person; let’s build direct assets for The Dalles, not just pay for labor. I’d like to see us do more with what we have.
I’m not the person to say what project needs to come first. But I’d like to see the City get public input, then assign a purpose for the money and direct it.”
The City is currently seeking input for the future of The Dalles. Read the CCCNews story on a recent City survey on residents’ thoughts about The Dalles Vision 2040 here and find out how you can have a voice in the discussion.
