Redmond's Golden Arches

If you drive around Redmond these days -- or just about any place in Central Oregon -- the one thing you see time and again are new foundations being laid where once there might have been cattle and horses. After a six-month lull in new building, it seems like the earth movers are out with a vengence. As I stated in my previous blog, I am thrilled by the prospect of a revitalized downtown area. I think it will be fantastic when there are art galleries, and cafes, and places for people to gather. But I know all of that comes with a cost, and evidence of that cost is everywhere. Three new "For Sale" signs just cropped up in the last week as three more farming families decided to get out of the business of raising cattle or sheep or llamas to move on to ... who knows what. Do we really have to sacrifice one thing for another? Can't we have lots of wide open spaces and art galleries? Redmond is going through some growing pains right now. I guess I am feeling them, too.