Ninety. Ten.
Hey, it's Ry.
Hope you're surviving the heat. Lots of folks on my block lost power and internet yesterday. Now would've been a fantastic time to cool off... in a community pool.
Which is why we gotta talk about the failed pool bond.
$78 million. That's the figure, but it's about more than just numbers. It's about our community's soul, about Camas, and all of you, the people who make it home.
Since we last connected, I've been diving into some of the details:
Ninety. Ten.
Nine out of ten Camasonians said NO WAY. This wasn't a whisper; it was a shout, loud and clear, from Camasonians. And it changed everything.
Or it should've.
The Disconnect
2019’s rejection exposed more than disapproval of the proposal—it exposed a huge disconnect between the City Council and the people they're supposed to represent—you.
It led to the removal of the Mayor, the resignation of the long-time City administrator, and made state history.
Enter the Consultants
But do you know WSP? Perhaps America's largest municipal consultancy, they were hired for $87,000 to "educate" you. They gathered input, crafted open houses with a science fair feel. And then told you their plan was the plan YOU wanted.
Their whole campaign was centered on the message,
“You spoke. We listened”.
But did they?
Our Mayor, Council, and the glowing press told you how beautiful the plan was. Accusations flew against anyone who dare question it publicly. They tried to sell you something extravagant, like a luxury car when you only needed a reliable ride.
But you knew better.
Ninety. Ten.
That rainy November morning back in 2019? A wakeup call. Because you trusted yourselves. You knew instinctively to reject a $78 million dollar blank check that would have cost more than our entire police or fire departments.
But just a few months prior, folks’ll remember that nearly 2,000 residents filed a petition and begged to save the old pool. City reps said then, and they still say, $2M was too much to renovate + operate the old pool.
But what’s too much for a pool we got for FREE?
Ninety. Ten.
When our pool was dug out to clear the path for their $78 million plan, something happened. You knew. Because you still care about this pool. Deeply. Because it's not just about a pool. It's about being for prudent, thoughtful progress.
Your Voice Matters
What it’s really about is our community's voice. Your voice. A voice that must be heard.
Folks think the story is over. But it's not over. The legacy of Ninety-Ten is gonna guide us forward. We remember, and we're reflecting, to ensure that the future of Camas is one we shape together.
But dang... if the City didn't double down.
OK. That’s it for now but more on the way.