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Show off city's 'gems,' consultants urge

Wednesday, March 19, 2008 6:11 AM PDT

By Amy M.E. Fischer
afischer@tdn.com

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A pair of marketing consultants hired to evaluate Longview through the eyes of a visitor rapped the city's unkempt downtown and confusing wayfinding signs, but their critique wasn't all bad.

They loved the area's golf courses, Lake Sacajawea Park, the Columbia Theatre and a handful of downtown businesses, Destination Development consultants told local leaders Monday night.

If the city of Longview wants to become a destination for visitors, it needs to play up the unique experiences offered in Longview, because it's not enough anymore to claim you're the "Gateway to Mount St. Helens," said Roger Brooks, CEO of Destination Development.

Brooks and his business partner Dr. Monica Dixon visited Longview unannounced for two days earlier this month and returned Monday to offer their impressions of the community, which wants to create a distinctive, positive image.

The consultants, who charged Longview and Kelso $10,000 each for this stage of the "branding" project, will provide Longview with a complete written report in a couple of weeks, Brooks said. He'll present his findings about Kelso in mid-April.

Nothing jumped out at him during his initial visit that could be marketed as the city's "brand," Brooks said. However, he'll soon quiz citizens about what they think the town should be known for and evaluate whether that would make a feasible brand, he said.

People will visit a place if it has activities to keep them busy four times longer than it took them to travel there, Brooks said. Under the "Four Times Rule," someone from Olympia would be unlikely to drive an hour to Longview for a visit of less than four hours, for example.

Because Longview is on the Interstate 5 corridor, on which 50 million vehicles travel per year, and because more than 7 million people live within a 150-mile radius of Longview, the city has great tourism potential, Brooks said. The trick is to offer visitors something they can't get closer to home -- and post signs about food, lodging and attractions that give them a reason to turn off the freeway, he said.

Brooks and Dixon were impressed by the beauty of Lake Sacajawea Park, Mint Valley Golf Course and Three Rivers Golf Course in Kelso (where they ended up while searching for downtown Longview), calling them "hidden gems." The city should consider installing prominent signs that point visitors to those attractions, as well as signs indicating the golf courses are public and whether they're nine or 18 holes, they said.

Brooks and Dixon said they stumbled upon Lake Sacajawea by accident and had no idea where the walking trails led. The city should erect a "you are here" map of the lake that shows the network of trails, they said. Distance markers should be clearly posted on the trails, said the consultants, who apparently missed the brick mileposts set into the ground beside the paths. The city also might want to build a visitor information kiosk stocked with brochures near the bathrooms in the Hemlock Plaza area of the lake, they said.

The pair was frustrated by the area's lack of useful signage from the minute they left the interstate. Following the "Kelso" sign on I-5, they took Exit 40, putting them in residential North Kelso. Following the signs pointing to the train depot, they took North Pacific Avenue to the Cowlitz Way Bridge and didn't know which way to turn to find downtown Longview. Seeing a sign that said "Downtown," they went straight. Which is how they wound up at Three Rivers Golf Course.

"There's nothing that says which town is which," Brooks said, complaining that the signs don't connect.

Although signs for downtown Longview proved elusive, the consultants did see a slew of "Cruising Control Area" signs posted around town.

"There were so many signs for the cruising control area that we could find out the entire cruising route," Brooks said. "If you could put up one wayfinding sign for every 10 of those, you'd be in business."

Brooks' other suggestions:

n Install signs at city limits that tell visitors the distance to food, lodging and attractions. For instance, "Historic downtown ahead 1.5 miles." Signs should be where they'll make the first, best impression.

n Get rid of "closed" signs on businesses. Tell people when you'll be open again; make it sound like an invitation.

n Give downtown Longview a name to make it sound like a destination, along the lines of Pioneer Square in Portland, Bourbon Street and the French Quarter in New Orleans, and Gastown in Vancouver, B.C.

n Clean up downtown, create enticing storefront merchandise displays, plant flowers, and add benches, outdoor tables and umbrellas. Make it a place the locals want to hang out, and then visitors will follow.

n Hang "blade" signs perpendicular to the street under storefront awnings so pedestrians and drivers can easily read the businesses' names.

n Keep downtown businesses open at night, which is when 70 percent of consumer spending occurs, Brooks said.

n Create a downtown block with businesses catering to locals, such as insurance and real estate companies and alterations shops. Fun, unique stores and restaurants should be on a separate block.

n Follow the "10-by-10-by-10" rule. In three lineal blocks downtown, there should be 10 places that sell food, 10 destination retail shops (not second-hand stores, which visitors can find in their own hometowns) and 10 places that stay open after 6 p.m. (entertainment, theaters, bars, bistros, specialty shops, dining, open-air markets).

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rainier dude wrote on Mar 19, 2008 7:05 AM:

" This was $20K worth spending if Longview actually does what is recommeneded. They certainly hit the nail on the head about the cruising control signs which in my opinion is so outdated it is pathetic. What kid can afford to buy gas for cruising with todays prices? "

Nobody In Particular wrote on Mar 19, 2008 7:21 AM:

" If the city officials ever paid attention to the readers who post on tdn.com, they could have saved thousands of tax-payer's dollars. Not one suggestion mentioned by these "consultants" isn't something I've already read time and time again from frustrated, over-taxed citizens. "

rrrrrrrr wrote on Mar 19, 2008 7:22 AM:

" I wonder if the consultants noticed that the largest river west of the missippi was here. "

Kelso Resident wrote on Mar 19, 2008 7:41 AM:

" Now, I"m confused Kelso is smaller than Longview why do we have to wait till mid April? "

Kalama Dude wrote on Mar 19, 2008 7:48 AM:

" We are sure that when Longview/Kelso come up with some real gems they will be happy to show them off. Until then.................. "

My 2 Cents. wrote on Mar 19, 2008 7:52 AM:

" I think Longview needs to work on a new entrance to the city from I-5. What is the first think that visitors are greeted by when coming into our city from the South? The County Landfill and the Asphalt plant. What a wonderful first impression of the city. "

Kelso Gringo wrote on Mar 19, 2008 8:04 AM:

" Its good to get an outside view. I think this will pay off in the long run. "

Buford McGee wrote on Mar 19, 2008 8:09 AM:

" Both downtown Longview and Kelso look horrible. It is not the business owners that are at fault but the property owners. The buildings are not kept up. These are the same building owner that want the city to increase customers so that they increase property value and profit. These building owners need to invest in their property and not expect the city to do it all for them. "

pangborn wrote on Mar 19, 2008 8:35 AM:

"
Consultants?

Conmen is a better title.

Our tax money is paying for complete strangers to get lost.

I say, get lost.

Go away.

... and shooo.
"

Encourage a collective effort wrote on Mar 19, 2008 8:35 AM:

" Improving the town is a collective effort. Business and property owners will need to work together to make the place more attractive. What the city governments need to do is reward the businesses that work together and improve the town. This could be done via free advertising, tax incentives for visible improvements, etc. Reward owners for beautifying their property and the town, don't punish them with higher property taxes! "

Transplanted wrote on Mar 19, 2008 8:38 AM:

" Sounds like exactly everything I have experienced since moving here. It has taken me 5 years to figure out most of this town and I am still learning! Thank goodness for the maps in the front of the phone books! Hope they follow the suggestions and don't waste any more money on "Consultants." Just ask new arrivals from out of the county. "

Mr40cal wrote on Mar 19, 2008 8:42 AM:

" "Keep business open late Downtown"? I wonder if they actually visited Downtown after dark? If they had, I'm sure the suggestion would have been to erect signs saying "Enter at own risk after dark!!". Maybe a good suggestion would be to close the upstairs drug lairs and tweaker nests that line Commerace Avenue. "

The Bag wrote on Mar 19, 2008 9:18 AM:

" I think the South Pacific corridor in Kelso is one of those undiscovered gems. I mean what more do you want? You've got run-down apartments, garbage, jobless government leeches abound, scores of illegal immigrants, and a fleet of tweakers patrolling the streets on stolen bicycles. "

sparks wrote on Mar 19, 2008 9:41 AM:

" I wasn't aware that Kelso still HAD a downtown area......is it hidden somewhere under the bridge? Perhaps we could call it "Historic Downtown Trolltown". "

yeah well wrote on Mar 19, 2008 9:50 AM:

" These suggestion are good. The problem is if this town had a 10x10X10 whatever you'd still have to sit next to all the locals and that may very well be the only reason I wouldn't want to go. I hate to be stereotypical, but I can't go anywhere without having a conversation with somebody that doesn't have a fat snoose in their lip, weigh four hundred pounds b/c they don't walk, or have five hundred children b/c they are either stupid or so stinkin religious they feel a need to procreate like bunnies to perpetuate their sad point of few for eternity. A little education in this town would go a long way. All we can do is cross our fingers that LCC grows so that this town might have a chance. "

harleyman wrote on Mar 19, 2008 9:58 AM:

" I'd like to offer my services to the cities. For a lot less than $10k I can drive in circles, get lost, then offer obvious suggestions with little substance. Can't find downtown but Three Rivers Golf Course wasn't a problem? You need a GPS and Sherpa guide to find that place. If you're interested I think $59 would be fair. "

Long Timer wrote on Mar 19, 2008 10:00 AM:

" My notes on their notes: First, a sign for the golf courses will never happen because the metal thieves will find their way there. As long as they're a kept secret most people who are poor don't know they exist. Hence the rich can share company without the poor being around. I consider these courses a rich man's toy at the public expense. All golf courses should be privately owned and no public expense should go to them. Golf is too expensive for most to enjoy. The rich like to keep it that way.

The plethora of crusing signs instead of way finder signs? Shows the police state aura of the area. New name for Downtown? How about Tree Removal Lane. Since the trees are gone and there is no place to park or sit; locals don't want to come. It's hot and you sit there and breathe car fumes. We told you for 15 years not to close the town down at sunset. It's as if everyone here is afraid of vampires. So you cripple on with 30% of potential business and keep complaining? Heaven forbid you have to HIRE someone for a JOB to stay open longer! ! ! !

Nobody In Particular has it right. Collective effort? Why not spread the profit the businesses would take in and make THAT collective too? Like lay a little more taxes on businesses and less on homeowners. In fact if I didn't have to pay over a THOUSAND A MONTH on health care I could go shopping around here.

re: Kelso: Mistake BIG TIME putting Red Canoe in the center of town instead of a park. Shows lack of concern for people and real basic GREED. "

klp1102 wrote on Mar 19, 2008 10:02 AM:

" Will this help get rid of the tweakers and thieves? "

What do WE really want wrote on Mar 19, 2008 10:07 AM:

" The larger question is what do WE want for our community. Maybe we don't want tourists clogging the streets, looking for entertainment and public restrooms. Maybe we don't want our lifeblood to be tourist retail money which other than perhaps the storeowners may only produce minimum wage jobs. Sure it would be lovely to have a decent downtown and a nice restaurant that could consistently produce good food and professional service. It would be great to have more well-paying, non-polluting businesses. Those who live here do so because they can either get by on their income and like what the area has to offer or they can't afford to move. "

Just Me wrote on Mar 19, 2008 10:42 AM:

" WHY DON'T WE MARKET THE HORSE FACILITY AT THE FAIRGROUNDS!!! ONE BIG SHOW COULD BRING LITERALLY (I AM NOT KIDDING) MILLIONS TO OUR COMMUNITY!!
IMAGINE 900+ FOR 10 DAYS EVERY OTHER MONTH!!!
"

To:rainier dude wrote on Mar 19, 2008 10:55 AM:

" Get a clue. It isn't the kids buying the gas or the cars. It's their parents.

I've got a great idea. Rainier should install a cruising zone. We can send all of our inept 16 and 17 year old drivers over there to congregate, throw their trash down, and urinate on all of your parking lots and sidewalks. Then for some real innocent fun they can vandalize all of your downtown businesses. "

Signs wrote on Mar 19, 2008 11:00 AM:

" ...and signs to direct the tweakers to 10 places to buy meth, 10 crash pads, 10 places to get free needles, 10 places to cash your welfare checks, and 10 places to cash in your stolen property.

More tax money well spent. "

To Kelso Resident wrote on Mar 19, 2008 11:02 AM:

" It's because they are going to have to come back again, they couldn't find anything good in Kelso to write about or that could be changed into something good. "

Comicreleafdude wrote on Mar 19, 2008 11:04 AM:

" The installation of secure viewing booths a safe distance above the streets complete with lounge chairs and the availability of fountain drinks and condiments for the viewing of "meth heads" in their natural habitat would draw huge crowds. The nonstop action of the life and times of said complete with the arrest by local police in their usual passive actions or the staged events which are the norm, one would never know what they would be in for on a particular night......let the games begin! "

Time in Longview wrote on Mar 19, 2008 11:13 AM:

" I know what people can do here to help waste time here on their visit. Put up some signs directing them to the circle by the LV Post Office. Have them stand in the center of the circle watching the traffic until they have spent 15 consecutive minutes without witnessing a driving violation such as speeding, not seeing a yeild or right of of way violation, not letting a pedestrian have the right of way, not changing lanes without signaling. Well I guess that wouldn't be good on the dark an rainy nights. For those how about driving up and down Commerce without seeing a tweeker. "

South Kelso wrote on Mar 19, 2008 11:34 AM:

" Well, I'd Gladly accept $20,000 to point out we have a golf course and that half of the downtown businesses are closed. So, when do they actually come up with GOOD SUGGESTIONS? "

Do the math wrote on Mar 19, 2008 11:48 AM:

" Attractive businesses = more visitors = more jobs = more tax revenue + fewer unemployed = a stronger, nicer, safer place to live. And yes, improving the area DOES send homeless thieves and druggies somewhere else IF WE CONTINUE TO CARE FOR IT. If you want to help determine what changes DO happen, then don't just sit at your keyboard and gripe. It doesn't have to be a world destination. It can be just a halfway point between Portland and Olympia that has something really unique and attractive that makes people want to stop, spend some money, and leave (of course, I think the hotels would rather some other solution). "

go green wrote on Mar 19, 2008 12:04 PM:

" These guys are a farce,TURN THIS COUNTY INTO THE MOST GREEN PLACE ON EARTH,clean the air polution,start with the new style coal plant and continue to set an example in leading the way to total renewable energy sources.Offer the businesses the incentives they will come and give it 20 years we'll be the most successful change from GHOST TOWN to thriving U.S.manufactoring zone.Keep the power here! "

neat-o wrote on Mar 19, 2008 12:17 PM:

" You could have gotten the same info from a high tweaker if you had offered him only half of the cruising signs for scrap! Here on these posts we have offered our thoughts and suggestions many times over and nobody listened. We freely gave them and now we get a slap in the face as they give our tax money away. "

Me n HARLEY MAN wrote on Mar 19, 2008 12:27 PM:

" just $118 and the results won't take till April fool's day "

agree-disagree wrote on Mar 19, 2008 12:29 PM:

" Yes the golf courses are nice. But what is the draw to the lake? It's not worth calling a lake if you won't let your kids swim in it. Call it what it is, STORM SEWER RUN OFF HOLDING POND. It's disgusting. Fill it in and put a par three golf course on it. The other misconseption is "new buisness" what Longview needs is Corporations, Industrial jobs that pay. "

Listen to "Do the math"! wrote on Mar 19, 2008 12:48 PM:

" "Do the math" has it correct, people! It seems that so many have tons of energy to whine and complain, but no sensible solutions. When sensible solutions are offered, those prone to whining and complaining choose to reject the solutions. Why? If things improve, what will be left to whine and complain about? "

Daily Art wrote on Mar 19, 2008 1:36 PM:

" We need more art, culture, and activity in our city. Things for kids and families to do will strengthen the town and reduce negative elements. Many people travel out of the area for this type of activity and would keep their money local if available. This would attract people that have disposable income to spend money in our area. Quality of life issues are the answer not what can our local stores sell or when they are open. The retail business available can be found in every town throughout the state. Improving the art, culture, activity, and quality of life has worked in other areas and will improve our city. "

Howie wrote on Mar 19, 2008 1:48 PM:

" I am a consultant and suggest getting the broken down store fronts in town repaired and presentable or no one will patronize down town businesses. If down town buildings were nicer and repaired they would not have drug users in them. They would bring in business that would attract people. That's my two million cents worth. "

It doesn't happen overnight wrote on Mar 19, 2008 1:50 PM:

" Yes, we need 'big' employers. But what draws them is a community where they want to do business, want their employees to live, want to be associated with it. To 'agree-disagree'--the lake is an attraction because of the paths around it, Martin's dock, the islands and gardens. You don't have to be IN it to appreciate it. There's enough golf for now. Everyone doesn't own clubs, y'know. "

Lake is great wrote on Mar 19, 2008 2:25 PM:

" agree-disagree: If you've ever been to the lake you'd know it's a huge draw. There are people spending time at the lake all day long every day. I doubt you can find another park in the county that has the same amount of usage.

You may not want to call it a lake but it's a fantastic park and a real gem for Longview. "

Don't move to Area wrote on Mar 19, 2008 2:44 PM:

" Based on the readers' feedback, i would never want to move to Longview/Kelso. Sounds like most don't like the area however if anyone ever tries to improve the area everyone complains. They all want something for nothing, including involving themselves. I will raise my family elsewhere. "

El Gabilon wrote on Mar 19, 2008 3:12 PM:

" In other words "lie" and cover up the reality of the city. Our tax dollars can be spent on something better than this. There are many people in Longview who do not want business to move in, do not want the city to grow, but would like to have it beautified by coming down with an iron fist on all busineses demanding a clean up of the signs, delapitated buildings and dumping their advertisements in every mailbox. Its a wonder that these "consultants" didn't recommend "pantaloons", "feathered caps" and "red coats" for our police officers. We would appreciate it if the city council would send us a check for $50 to recupe our wasted tax dollars. "

Longview is good wrote on Mar 19, 2008 3:29 PM:

" Longview has a lot of good points, but there is one huge thing missing. That is people helping and caring for their neighbors and families. Yes Longview could become a wonderful community if only everyone would not worry about what is best for themselves, and look at what they (we) can do to improve our community. Where else can you live and be 1 hr from the coast, Portland or the mountains?? It also has the potential to become a very "old time town" with all the history. Why not convert the downtown area to pedestrian traffic only and put in old trolley cars or something to that effect? Instead of condemn lets step up and clean our community up!!!!!!! "

Sameoldsong wrote on Mar 19, 2008 3:42 PM:

" No one said fishing , we have the best fishing location on the west coast.
Did it get said,? NO. Why ? Because they are out siders and have no clue.
Mt. St . Helens still attracts attention,bring it up on line some time and see what happens .
we used to have the biggest sawmill in the world.
Oh yes nice golf course. On old Kelso
LAND FILL= DUMP.
the lake has nothing to offer to keep
people in town over night.
A tour of the factories might.
Down town , they know what to do , they just do not do it .
All the big brand names went to the malls leaving down town a mess , this happened to Everett as well but they did some thing about it . "

READ ME wrote on Mar 19, 2008 3:54 PM:

" ALL OF YOU NEED TO DO SOMETHING. IT'S UP TO YOU. NOBODY ELSE BUT YOU. GO TO MEETINGS. VOICE YOUR OPINION SO IT GETS HEARD. DON'T SIT BEHIND A COMPUTER AND WHINE. OTHERWISE, YOU ARE NO BETTER THAN THE PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT DOING ANYTHING EITHER. DON'T BE LAZY. IF YOU REALLY CARE, GO TO SOME MEETINGS AND DO SOMETHING!! "

Do the Meth wrote on Mar 19, 2008 4:05 PM:

" My wife and I just spent an hour and half at a restaurant downtown and I saw no less than 5 tweekers and I was not even really looking that hard. To improve Longview/Kelso get the landlords to require background checks and start a foot/bike patrol of downtown. "

BIGDAR wrote on Mar 19, 2008 4:38 PM:

" Since the casinos do not seem to be drawing the tourists in, maybe the county should legalize prostitution. You can`t charge $5000.00 per night though like the former gov. of NY was paying. OK, you can get back to your comments about the tweakers and metal thieves now. Is it tweakers or tweekers, I don`t know for sure but I think it is tweakers derived from the word tweak as in to tweak something. I am starting to think this posting thing is becoming addictive>>>>>>>>>>>>I have got to stop this. "

Newcomer wrote on Mar 19, 2008 6:32 PM:

" We were attracted to 5 acres in Kelso hills - love the Lake and the trails and the 4th of July! Agree about a lot of the negatives being said BUT Lonview is Good and SAme Old Song are right --why doesn't the county/cities focus on being 1 hour from beach, Portland etc. and the great fishing? The other thing no one mentions is the wonderful sense of humor here - self deprecating and funny! Plus, if you need help, there are no more generous people than Southwest Washingtonians. We're a working class area - but that doesn't mean we have to hunker down and stare at our navels! Let's go to the meetings - are they going to welcome our comments there? "

Tweeker wrote on Mar 19, 2008 6:42 PM:

" Direct them to the Highlands. Alot of my Amigos travel this way on bussiness and we could use some trade down here. "

Sad wrote on Mar 19, 2008 7:46 PM:

" In the late 80's Mary & John Chilton were fixing up the "Merk." They filled it with lots of cute retail stores, plus there were several other retail stores along Commerce. Mens wear, gift shops, a couple women clothing store and etc. but atlas..they are all gone now. You can do all you want to do to "pretty up downtown," but if people do not support it with their dollars, these stores cannot stay open. And open at nights get real, if the people do not shop there during the day, you think they are going to come out at night?
As far as spending all the money on "help' give me a break, was on that committe for Kelso a few years back, what a joke...They paid this crummy looking guy from Seattle good money, and all he did was write ideas on the black board. Whoopee. "

Wishes wrote on Mar 19, 2008 7:58 PM:

" The trolley idea mentioned earlier sounds great. If it took you to a pedestrian only area with more restaurants, coffee shops, and bookstores that would really be wonderful. It could pass the lake. When they talk about Kelso in April, they should mention the Kelso Theater Pub. I went for the first time ever just a few months back. The pizza was yummy. I would suggest that they buy new couches, however. It felt a bit dirty inside. How do we go about getting an ice hockey rink in Kelso/Longview? That would be a great place for families to spend time together. Both towns seem very proud of their respective sports teams...hockey, ice skating, speed skating and curling may enrich that aspect. "

Longview Is Beautiful Myspace wrote on Mar 19, 2008 8:18 PM:

" Longview is beatufiul. Check out our myspace and add us.

www.myspace.com/longviewwashington "

April Fool's Day wrote on Mar 19, 2008 9:01 PM:

" Why did most of you post your jokes so early? You didn't expect anyone to take you seriously, did you? Actually though - thank you. It's unintelligible gutter smack like yours that proves the need for paying consultants to bring in new blood. Blood with which to dilute the current tainted stock, that is. "

You guys wrote on Mar 19, 2008 9:20 PM:

" You guys just whine whine whine. Why don't you guy's do anything about it. I mean Longview/Kelso could be an awesome place like Vancouver and Portland if they kicked the people out and made alot of the houses in the hills or buil tall condos and stuff like that. Also build a new Mall at the Wye and build a nice big big-brand names stores at somewhere. "

great memories wrote on Mar 20, 2008 6:29 AM:

" Like I said before, I love the blackberries, the fish, the flowers, the bluegrass, the artists, the vegetable gardens, the wildlife (beavers, otters, deer, chipmunks). Why not have a festival like Olalla does with a blackberry pie contest, music, etc? Actually, Winlock has a festival that is fun, and Clatskanie does, too. However, downtown does need to be more attractive like it was in the old days. "

Name Change? wrote on Mar 20, 2008 8:43 AM:

" How about changing the names of Longview/Kelso to Longpew/Smelso. That way the tourist would know what thier in for. They could adopt a theme song. Everyone sing with me. "Ooh, ooh that smell
Can't you smell that smell?
Ooh, ooh that smell
The smell of death surrounds you". If you read all of the lyrics to "That smell" from Lynyrd Skynyrd you would see it fits the Longpew/Smelso area to a tee. "

By wits together wrote on Mar 20, 2008 10:34 AM:

" I agree with Newcomer this community has alot of heart and a great sense of humor. There are also very intelligent and civic-minded citizens living here. One only has to read some of the LNG debate to find evidence. In any area it seems five percent of the people cause ninety percent of the problems but we can't allow the five percent to define us. I recommend the slogan- "Kelso-Longview, A Community That Lives By Its Wits", probably not a tourist draw though. "

cwuwildcat wrote on Mar 20, 2008 10:40 AM:

" my suggestion would be to make this town a sports mecca. we have a ton of beautiful sports complexes(david story feild, western, MM and RAL's baseball feilds are improving, kelso has a beautiful baseball field, we have two football stadiums, the cowlitz county fairgrounds, roy morris park, two public golf courses, etc) why not hold more tournaments and more fair events. it will bring in a ton of people and the hotels would make a lot more money. i understand that we hold a lot of baseball tournys during the summer but we have so many wonderful facilities here that we need to capitolize on them. try to get a rodeo here more often and more basketball tournys. take advantage of what we allready have. its not like we dont have an abundance of stellar athletes here anyways.

"

hey wildcat wrote on Mar 20, 2008 3:37 PM:

" Watch the paper for info about future meetings and come out to them. Same goes for anyone else who's willing to contribute something other than sarcasm. "

dimwits more like it wrote on Mar 20, 2008 9:00 PM:

" If Longview lives by its wits that explains the many knuckle dragging cretins one sees wandering about in a daze there. Evidently they are only half prepared to make it in the world. "

RE:hey wildcat wrote on Mar 21, 2008 12:37 AM:

" i would love to join in on the meetings but for now i live in ellensburg finishing up my degree so it'll have to wait until next fall.

community activism is a tool that needs to be used more often. i am involved in 3 different committees in ellensburg that help the college and city community get along and we have made a ton of progress in making that city a much safer and more beautiful place to live. all it takes is a little time, effort, and willingness to get the job done. if more people would take the time out of their days that they spend criticizing the work of others and spend that time on putting together ideas for progression a lot could change. committees such as those cant do alot for certain problems, such as our drug problem, but they sure can make the community a better place for everyone else. "

Mr. 40cal wrote on Mar 21, 2008 9:02 AM:

" THE NEW SLOGAN: Longview...Come for the Meth, Stay for the Kiddies. "

My 2 Cents too wrote on Mar 23, 2008 9:26 PM:

" I guess those consultants didn't park more than 2 hours on Commerce, and get one of those nice Warning parking tickets. Because if they had, they wouldn't dare park for more than 2 hours again, or they would recieve a $20.00 Parking ticket. A couple of years ago I met a friend downtown for lunch and then we shopped in a couple of shops. I left town with a $20.00 ticket. Why the heck would I want to go back. I guess thats how longview could afford to spring ten grand for the consultant services. The Parking ticket revenue must be a booming business for the city. Give me a break, the money could have been better spent by useing it to figure out how to increase parking and do away with those parking tickets. I might then consider shopping downtown longview. "

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