“What the World Needs Now” – May 12, 2010

     Some people make speaking their minds in public look easy.  Most of us are better at waxing poetic about our beliefs in the privacy of our own homes or perhaps while talking with a neighbor over the back fence.  ‘Going on record’ is not something people feel comfortable doing.  Cate Gable does it every week in her “Coast Chronicles” column in the Chinook Observer.  Her thoughts are out there for all of us to mull over and talk about, to agree with or disagree with – not that we usually do so in public.
     Cate’s column in yesterday’s paper is a case in point.  I was at the meeting of the Pacific County Planning Commission last week observing the same tired and ineffective process that she describes.  In fact, I sat right next to her and silently admired her careful note-taking.  I wondered if she felt as disillusioned as I, and speculated whether her next column would be about the ‘same’ meeting I was attending or if she would see it entirely differently.  So, as soon as I got my paper yesterday morning I turned to her column to find out.  She was spot on!
     I considered writing a letter to the editor right then, commenting especially on the picture of our Community Development Director.  It’s not very often you see a photograph which so accurately captures Attitude with a capital A.  Cate’s was perfect!  But then I wondered if there would be a time down the road when I’d need a good word from the county planners.  I haven’t written my letter yet… but if anyone sees Cate, tell her “Kudos” from me!