Hey Kids, we’re planning your future! Come tell us what the world should be for you.

While the title of my spotlight message this month is "Hey Kids, We’re planning your future" it could also be put more dryly as "Urban Growth Management: Living 20 years out, Planning 40 to 50 years out."

Look around you. Like me, I am certain that there are many young children and young people in your life: your children, grandchildren, children of friends, kids of your neighborhood. Imagine them and their life context, 10 years out, 20 years, even 40 years out, from elementary school onward through college, to business careers, adulthood, having children themselves, managing finances for their children’s college opportunities, their retirement needs, healthcare needs, the clean air and clean water we all know their bodies need as well as the healthy ecological system their lives depend upon. Our own life experience has been blessed by our thoughtful approach to planning, and the future for our young people will be shaped by the choices that we are making today.

How will our urban environment evolve as our population grows? Where will new homes and jobs be in the future? How will people get from place to place in the region and beyond? We are making decisions to achieve and maintain lively communities, economic prosperity, safe and reliable transportation, environmental leadership, clean air and water, and equity in the benefits and burdens of growth and change. These decisions are being made at the community, city, county and regional levels, in concert. We need you to offer your vision, your perspective, your opinions as to how the future should unfold for the young people in your life. Come help shape these decisions. We need to hear from you, NOW.

Share your views

Want to share your views with us or listen to those of others? Please do – I welcome and encourage it. We will be holding multiple open houses and public hearings to help you visit with us at times that work for your busy lives. Come as you can to one of these events. Come talk to us, and share your thoughts and viewpoints for your community, your future.

Monday, Sept. 21
2 to 4 p.m. (open house, written comments)
Hillsboro Civic Center, 150 E. Main St., Hillsboro
Spanish translation provided

Tuesday, Sept. 22
5 to 7:45 p.m. (open house, written comments)
Multnomah County Library, 512 N. Killingsworth St., Portland
Spanish translation provided

Thursday, Sept. 24
4 p.m. (open house) | 5:15 p.m. (hearing)
Beaverton City Hall, 4755 SW Griffith Drive, Beaverton

Thursday, Oct. 1
4 p.m. (open house) | 5:15 p.m. (hearing)
Gresham Conference Center, 1333 NW Eastman Parkway, Gresham

Thursday, Oct. 8
4 p.m. (open house) | 5:15 p.m. (hearing)
Happy Valley City Hall, 16000 SE Misty Dr., Happy Valley

Tuesday, Oct. 13
4 p.m. (open house) | 5:15 p.m. (hearing)
Clackamas County Public Services Building, 2051 Kaen Road, Oregon City

Thursday, Oct. 15
4 p.m. (open house) | 5:15 p.m. (hearing)
Metro Regional Center, 600 NE Grand Ave., Portland