Boring, Oregon

On Wednesday afternoon, December 14th, Boring residents received proof that democracy does work, that their rural voice has been heard by the TriMet Board of Directors.  As the Oregonian reporter Emily Fuggetta wrote “TriMet’s Board of Directors voted unanimously today to release Boring from the transportation agency’s service, a move that will save the unincorporated area’s business owners more than half a million dollars per year in taxes.” 

On the first Tuesday of each month, a group of Boring residents and business leaders gather in the Boring Fire Station to not only address area concerns, but also plan for the future.  The organization, known as the “Boring Community Planning Organization,” led by CPO Chair Steve Bates, first filed a petition in September with Tri-Met to withdraw from the Tri-Met service.  Business owners, supported by a majority of the over 8,000 local residents, were not excited, to say the least, about continuing to pay and support a service that was costing them the nearly $600,000 in taxes for the service.  They were convinced that other less costly and perhaps more efficient options could and should be developed for the average 4 riders who use the TriMet service each day, as well as the approximately 25 or so people who use the TriMet lift service on a regular basis.  Boring business leaders and residents expressed a sincere desire to work towards supporting an optional transportation program that services effectively the area residents, including their seniors and those requiring special transportation needs.

As Steve Bates, the chair of the Boring Community Planning Organization recently stated in response to TriMet’s acceptance of Boring’s request for withdrawal,  “It shows democracy does work.”

As we now move into a new year with a new transportation challenge ahead of us, let your voice be heard.  Join us as we together plan our own Boring, Oregon future.

During the coming 2012 year, Boring residents and business leaders will be working closely together with Clackamas County and TriMet to develop and implement a smooth transition towards an effective and responsive transportation system for the area.

Technology impacts all of us one way or another – including our community of Boring, Oregon.  Thanks to such social outlets as Facebook and Twitter, and now even Google+, communities such as Boring have new ways of engaging not only with those within their boundaries, but those that travel through us on their way to other destinations.  We have, as Boring citizens. the opportunity to not only share our community, but our way of life, our businesses, our Nutz-n-Boltz theater,  and our dreams such as the Boring Station Trailhead Park.

Perhaps you have your memories of Boring past, pictures you’ve taken, or hopes for our future.  You’re invited to be apart of the Boring, Oregon discussion as we move into 2012.  Engage with us on Facebook or on this Boring website.  Boring, Oregon is, and will continue to be,  ”the most exciting place to live” and work.

Your involvement, whether it be your participation at a meeting of the Boring Community Planing Organization (CPO), being a member of our local Grange Hall or Kiwanis group,  a shopper at our Boring Farmers Market (held each Saturday through September 24th),  your support of our area businesses, or your participation here – that spirit is what gives us vitality.   Thank you for being a part of our changing fabric.