Talk:Oregon, Ohio
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The City of Oregon was carved out of a rural farm area east of Toledo, Ohio during the mid 20th century. Until about 1980 it grew and flourished as a small, but growing community with a rural base. At that time it seemed like the political leadership was unable to cope with the demands of increased migration of people into the small community. It appeared as though the politician’s thinking could not break out of the 1950’s mode. There was too much “good old boy networking” and not enough innovative thinking to move the community foreword. This trend is still present today - more on that later.
On the positive side the community has excellent police, fire and EMS department. Garbage pick up and snow removal are excellent. There is an area Metro Park, Pearson Park, located in town. It is an outstanding resource that is about to double in size making it an entire square mile. On the fringe of the City is a state park, Maumee Bay State Park. This is another outstanding resource for the entire area. The school system is mediocre to average.
Unfortunately there are many negative aspect of the City of Oregon. The City is home to two oil refineries. Even though they have “cleaned up their act” in recent years there is still sometimes refinery smell drifting over the City and excessive noise. Perhaps the biggest problems at this time is the local hazardous waste dumping facility. They were operating for almost nine years without an Ohio EPA permit because the renewal permit application was being reviewed. Recently the Ohio EPA, against all good judgment,renewed their permit for an additional ten years. The city is also home to about a dozen high (500-900’) TV towers. With their flashing lights it makes the city look like “TV tower city” or Christmas tree city”-- take you pick!!
The local government is a textbook example of all that is bad in local Ohio politics. It is characterized by extensive “good old boy” networking, what appears to be favoritism, employment of relatives, sitting on boards that pass judgments on proposals presented by relatives, carrying out their own agenda regardless of the desires of the community and more. Not all the politicians or city employees are insensitive to the concerns of the local residents but they are in the minority. As far as a lot of residents are concerned the City of Oregon has passed the point of no return and can never undo the mistakes that have been fostered upon it by the people in power during the last few years.
The motto of the City is, “Oregon, The City of Opportunity” which should now read, “Oregon, The City of Missed Opportunity”.
