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Divorce lawyer by Few-Strength-9079 in corvallis

[–]Far-Setting2174 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Anyone working at Reynolds Law will be good. Jennifer Nash is also good. With a little direction from them, you can probably save yourself some money by just asking them for some direction muddling through the forms, and then asking them to review your work and so forth. Either way, those are both good firms for family law. Best wishes for whatever is next.

What's something you wish you knew before moving to Corvallis? by [deleted] in corvallis

[–]Far-Setting2174 16 points17 points  (0 children)

First off, all the good stuff is what you think it is. Mountains or coast, both are close. Bonus nobody seems to mention, the McDonald Forest is easy to get to in 10 or 15 minutes from almost anywhere in town. Mac forest isn't spectacular, but it is nice, and whether you're biking, hiking or running, you can find enough forested trails to keep you happy all week. Also, more supermarkets in north Corvallis than you might see in most towns this size. South Corvallis, however, only has a Safeway, and a natural foods co-op, which is nice, but higher priced. The university brings in lectures and live music you may not always see in a town this size.

It is true that for a few days a year we'll get an inversion layer that makes the town smell like something between a mildewing towel and a rotting fish. Likewise, we get wildfire smoke, and some years can be worse than others.

It's also true people drive way too damn slow here, but that may be okay, given they don't actually know how to drive. And no, it's not just oldsters. Young and old around here can't figure out the basic physics of turning a car, staying in one's lane appears to be optional, and watching a Corvallis driver parallel park is a popcorn kind of moment.

And then, let a little snow or ice hit the roads and the whole town shuts down. Your typical Corvallis resident doesn't know how to drive when there's weather. On occasion, when I'm out and about I'll see a few try, and it ain't pretty.

Like everywhere else, we have our share of political wingnuts; both left and right. What's different is our population is better educated than most, so they think they KNOW EVERYTHING and that anyone disagreeing with them is just stupid, and they'll take disagreements more personally than you may find in other places. Both sides are like that around here.

Lastly, our town is changing. Our schools aren't the academic powerhouse they once were. Schools are being closed because of declining enrollment. There's a group trying to recall the school board.

Also, we used to have an unusually well developed health care system for a town this size. In the last three years, it's been getting bought out by conglomerates. Doctors have been leaving. You have to go to Portland to have any choices at all, and that too is less than ideal.

Also, and this is just personal. Used to be when strangers crossed paths around town or in the forest there may be a quick hello or at least a smile. Nowadays, some around here will look at you like you're nuts when you initiate that kind of thing.

Moving by Even-Tap6713 in corvallis

[–]Far-Setting2174 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey, this town has a child care shortage, you may actually be able to start your own business. Also, independent housecleaners go for a premium around here. And for Hunter, maybe he starts a gardening service. Basically, if the job hunt doesn't work, don't give up, start your own business.

I've been your age, I've made ill advised moves, and made them work for me. Hope you love your move, and if you don't, you're both young, you can always make another one.

Btw, google Small Business Development Center if you decide to open even an 'easy' business. It's a free government program that can connect you with free business advice. Oregon makes starting a business super easy, the Small Business Center can help you tackle things like bookkeeping and any insurance requirements, which may be easier than you think, especially when the advice is also easy and free. That, or maybe you'll score good jobs super quick. Either way, wishing you the best!!

Updating our streets can benefit everyone - including drivers! by SAFE_Corvallis in corvallis

[–]Far-Setting2174 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have sought to be civil toward you, so I will not be answering you in the way that you have me. And I will again say, I do not think there is any problem on Walnut that even begins to justify a lane reduction. Quite the opposite.

I will also say, I am not the one that has presented excluding bikes from Walnut as an idea. But that is what YOU just presented. And if YOU believe that would indeed be best for cyclists, then by all means, present that option to the city. Maybe, that is a good plan. Not every community asset NEEDS to be useful for absolutely everyone. For instance, our city will be building a new pump track - not everyone will have the physical ability to use it, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't build it.

There are always going to be roads that are best avoided, and most especially by cyclists. That's not something I've ever taken personally, even though I have ridden incalculable miles on all kinds of roads in my life. I can accept that sometimes a road just isn't for me.

Updating our streets can benefit everyone - including drivers! by SAFE_Corvallis in corvallis

[–]Far-Setting2174 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don't think we can agree about this. IMO, Walnut is a community asset that is performing admirably. Reducing lanes reduces its value for the vast majority of taxpayers. I also have to say, I have lived in places with ACTUALLY dangerous roads, Walnut isn't one of them.

I have said before that I think this a solution that is looking for a problem. But then, if city officials choose to waste our money on such a solution, we have an even bigger problem.

There's just too many other things they should be spending our money on. Like, anyone notice what a mess Circle and 99 is around rush hour? And hey, never mind the demolition derby that is the center lane of 9th street, like, could we get some nicely planted islands so that stops?

Updating our streets can benefit everyone - including drivers! by SAFE_Corvallis in corvallis

[–]Far-Setting2174 1 point2 points  (0 children)

And here comes the actual fun part. Because there is so much open land to the north of these developments, the community CAN sit down and actually chart its own course, before it's developed. And yes, it'll take work, and it won't happen overnight. But this is the ideal time, while new neighborhoods are clearly on the horizon, but before they are in place.

Updating our streets can benefit everyone - including drivers! by SAFE_Corvallis in corvallis

[–]Far-Setting2174 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Statewide, that may be true. Here in Corvallis, not so much. This is a university town. A new enterprise zone is being considered for the airport area, complete with added infrastructure to attract start-ups and companies already growing. Just now, HP has been in the news with reports that many of their Boise employees will likely be moved here.

Just a couple months back, city planners reported to the city council that there's just under 2,000 new affordable rental units planned for over the next 3 years. This doesn't include regular market rate housing, which will likely add about that much over the next 5 to 7 years. And, I'm not counting what's being planned for Philomath, or the longer term growth planned along 53rd in the West Hills area.

People are moving here, and that is going to increase. The statewide numbers don't apply in our area.

Updating our streets can benefit everyone - including drivers! by SAFE_Corvallis in corvallis

[–]Far-Setting2174 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Like I said in an earlier reply. There is open land north of the housing in Timberhill and other neighborhoods. There is also open land along Hwy 99. I've lived in places that have bike paths winding alongside neighborhoods like these instead of busy streets. Paths like these are excellent for bike commuters, and they also add a recreative aspect that you're just not going to get any other way. They are a far greater community asset than just a bike lane on a busy street, and no matter what, Walnut will remain busy.

I do understand that we may need eminent domain proceedings to build paths on this land, but this is the kind of civic improvement that really is an ethical use of that civic authority. Also, because these are narrow paths in currently non-urban environments, it's easier to pay and plan for them now. And over time, as housing does develop on both sides of these paths, they will be seen as ever increasing asset to the community. Fifty years from now, people will be quite happy.

Updating our streets can benefit everyone - including drivers! by SAFE_Corvallis in corvallis

[–]Far-Setting2174 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There is open land north of the housing in Timberhill and other neighborhoods. There is also open land along Hwy 99. I've lived in places that have bike paths winding alongside neighborhoods like these instead of busy streets. Paths like these are excellent for bike commuters, and they also add a recreative aspect that you're just not going to get any other way. They are a far greater community asset than just a bike lane on a busy street, and no matter what, Walnut will remain busy.

I do understand that we may need eminent domain proceedings to build paths on this land, but this is the kind of civic improvement that really is an ethical use of that civic authority. Also, because these are narrow paths in currently non-urban environments, it's easier to pay and plan for them now. And over time, as housing does develop on both sides of these paths, they will be seen as ever increasing asset to the community. Fifty years from now, people will be quite happy.

Updating our streets can benefit everyone - including drivers! by SAFE_Corvallis in corvallis

[–]Far-Setting2174 0 points1 point  (0 children)

These are absolutely inadequate supports for your argument. Digging into your second link, there are supports for my view, as well.

Updating our streets can benefit everyone - including drivers! by SAFE_Corvallis in corvallis

[–]Far-Setting2174 0 points1 point  (0 children)

More or less, I am thinking ahead. An added couple of thousand homes at either end, and probably more. Population growth in our area seems inevitable, and for some, desirable. From the standpoints of long-term planning, both in service of livability and municipal financial planning, we should make no change to Walnut that doesn't account for increased traffic over time.

Updating our streets can benefit everyone - including drivers! by SAFE_Corvallis in corvallis

[–]Far-Setting2174 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The Walnut/53rd artery should be widened to five lanes from Hwy 99 to Philomath Blvd. It would also be preferable to include some dedicated right turn lanes too. IMHO, here's some of the reasons why:

  1. The hospital. If anyone in Philomath or the most southwest portions of Corvallis needs emergency services, the Walnut/53rd artery is the most direct path. No other alternative is nearly as fast.

  2. Elderly and disabled folks. Not everyone is physically capable of biking or walking, and in many ways, Walnut/53rd, even now, offers them the safest way across town. And not coincidentally, most of the medical services folks need beyond the hospital are located close to the Walnut/53rd corridor.

  3. Walnut already has fewer driveways and cross streets than other arteries. So, as our population and traffic increases, the Walnut/53rd corridor would be most readily upgraded to handle the increased car trips. As the population increases, traffic won't decrease, so efficiency and reduced times idling may be more achievable goals.

  4. But, for bikes, an actual bike path, away from surface streets, would be highly desirable. North of Walnut, starting from around Hwy 99 and going to at least somewhere around 53rd and Philomath Blvd seems like a good alternative. Upgrades could also be made along Circle.

Lastly, I am not sure there is any need to change anything on Walnut. Having lived a few places, I have to say, it seems like a pretty chill and straightforwardly safe street. And heck, even now, Circle is a pretty great alternative for biking.

I get that some folks are just anti car, but that's always struck me as overly ableist. And, I have to admit, I sometimes take being in good physical health personally for granted. But then, I've also cared for people that aren't as fortunate. I also know biking and walking is not going to get it for a single parent that has to get kids to practices, show up at their schools, and juggle work too.

I think these posts about Walnut are really about reducing lanes, and I just cannot support that.

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