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.

