After much internal deliberations, I have decided to run for City Council in my community of Silverton, Oregon. The following is my “Voter’s Pamphlet” statement. We shall see what we shall see! There are three “at large” seats with nine candidates, including Pam Altree, the Silverton Grange’s Treasurer! My “Lawn Signs” are virtual.
After World War II, the United States was lulled into a false sense of security by the then-readily available, yet non-renewable petroleum. Despite this fact we continued to build a global society predicated on ever-continued growth, fueled by this one-shot energy source. The current economic situation that we find ourselves in is a direct result of these policies, (as well as by short-term profits for a few, generated by 30 years of corporate deregulation).
Society as a whole, and Silverton in particular is going through the first phase of a transition from this carbon-based economy, back to a more localized approach for many of our daily needs. This process has already begun. We see it in the ever-growing choices at our Farmer’s Market. We see it in the expanding local and organic food selections in our grocery stores. And we are starting to see it in the attitudes and life-style changes of many of our citizens.
My goals and priorities are to help the community recognize this shift of society, and to work with the City to initiate a re-localization paradigm. Silverton is blessed in that we have the potential to once again be pretty much self-sufficient. Like we were for the first century of our community’s existence.
Gus Frederick
