Our Voice: Thumbs up, Thumbs down
Community gives at record level
A record number of people in the Tri-Cities and Eastern Oregon donated gift-filled shoeboxes as as part of Operation Christmas Child. Through the efforts of local service groups, businesses, schools and churches, 18,084 boxes were collected for distribution to needy children around the world.
If you’re looking for another way to give a gift that makes a difference and at the same time learn more about the dozens of non-profit organizations serving this community, then visit the Alternative Gift Fair. This weekend, the event is from noon to 4 p.m. on Dec. 5 at Community Unitarian Universalist Church, 2819 W. Sylvester St. in Pasco. Gifts range from $5 up. The event raised $17,000 last year for charities. Let’s make it $20,000 this year. For more information go to www.communityuu.org.
Another setback for downtown Pasco
A lot has changed in downtown Pasco since the ’40s and ’50s when most of the buildings were built. Very little of that change has been positive.
Over the years many retailers migrated out of the downtown to newer facilities near rapidly growing neighborhoods. Buildings fell into disrepair and many have been vacant for some time. This created an environment attractive to transient populations and the criminal element, whose presence further challenged any effort for revitalization.
There are those who dream of restoring this iconic downtown to its old luster, creating an environment where entrepreneurs could mix living, work and play and retailers could cater to those consumers. But those dreams found little traction until 2013. Some might justly say the community had given up hope.
The Pasco City Council hasn’t. In 2010, out of frustration over slow — or no — real progress, the council disbanded the old Pasco Downtown Development Association and created the Downtown Pasco Development Authority in 2011.
In 2012 Michael Goins became the development association’s executive director. His soft-spoken demeanor opened community and political doors previously closed. He brought talent, vision, and — most importantly — passion to the revitalization effort. The community began to rally around the message he brought and the city council increased investment in the plan from $60,000 a year to a planned $120,000 investment in 2016.
People began to believe, again, a brighter future was on the horizon.
On Tuesday, Goins was arrested on suspicion of first-degree theft. The organization he so passionately served is reportedly missing $90,000.
But even if Goins is vindicated, the stain of the charges will remain, on him and, in the mind of some, on the organization.
But people must continue to believe in the brighter future for downtown Pasco and the vision of the agency.
Anyone thinking of stepping back from that vision in light of these charges, needs to step forward instead.
This story was originally published December 2, 2015 at 5:34 PM with the headline "Our Voice: Thumbs up, Thumbs down."