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Voice of Reason wrote on Nov 6, 2008 11:24 AM:
TANNER HAMLETT–
I couldn’t agree more, local business providing local money is the key for community growth. As a business owner myself, it is my drive in life to accomplish just that.
However, I do feel that outside businesses are a necessary part of the success of local businesses. Money has to be put into the hands of the masses so that the may frequent the very local businesses in question. Only then will local businesses be able to thrive and be the future employers we need.
Numerous studies have shown larger outside companies help to increase the growth and profitability of smaller local businesses in an area. It’s a phenomenon caused by the fact that these companies create jobs (albeit low paying) that directly contribute to amount of total money in the community to be spent at local businesses.
This doesn’t happen in a vacuum though and it’s the job of local businesses to find a relevant direction and position their products and/or services to create demand. It’s not always an easy or simple process, but it creates a scenario that contributes to substantial economic growth.
I couldn’t agree more, local business providing local money is the key for community growth. As a business owner myself, it is my drive in life to accomplish just that.
However, I do feel that outside businesses are a necessary part of the success of local businesses. Money has to be put into the hands of the masses so that the may frequent the very local businesses in question. Only then will local businesses be able to thrive and be the future employers we need.
Numerous studies have shown larger outside companies help to increase the growth and profitability of smaller local businesses in an area. It’s a phenomenon caused by the fact that these companies create jobs (albeit low paying) that directly contribute to amount of total money in the community to be spent at local businesses.
This doesn’t happen in a vacuum though and it’s the job of local businesses to find a relevant direction and position their products and/or services to create demand. It’s not always an easy or simple process, but it creates a scenario that contributes to substantial economic growth.
Voice of Reason wrote on Nov 5, 2008 11:27 AM:
Let’s not forget that acquiring the tools is only part of the process. Once you have them, you still have to use them. And often people find the tools they have gained aren’t necessarily the ones required for the available jobs. This again is unfortunate, but not a hopeless situation.
I am a firm believer that the only way to truly loose in life is to give up. My advice to those who find themselves currently unemployed, need to examine whether or not they are actually employable and if not, discover what needs to be done to get there.
Don’t give up, there is always a way… Trust me I’ve been there and back.
I am a firm believer that the only way to truly loose in life is to give up. My advice to those who find themselves currently unemployed, need to examine whether or not they are actually employable and if not, discover what needs to be done to get there.
Don’t give up, there is always a way… Trust me I’ve been there and back.
Tanner Hamlett wrote on Nov 5, 2008 10:29 AM:
This is why we need to focus on developing Coos County-owned businesses for the people of Coos County.
Depending on outside corporations to give a darn about the people of Coos County is foolish. Their incentive is profit, which I'm alright with, but it marginalizes the lives and livelihoods of the people who live in Coos County.
The profit being made off of Coos County should REMAIN in Coos County.
We need to stop looking for help from the outside because it is never going to materialize.
Despite the cutbacks, we still have amazing resources and amazing people, and we need to focus on keeping the good ones here in Coos County.
Depending on outside corporations to give a darn about the people of Coos County is foolish. Their incentive is profit, which I'm alright with, but it marginalizes the lives and livelihoods of the people who live in Coos County.
The profit being made off of Coos County should REMAIN in Coos County.
We need to stop looking for help from the outside because it is never going to materialize.
Despite the cutbacks, we still have amazing resources and amazing people, and we need to focus on keeping the good ones here in Coos County.
Jay wrote on Nov 5, 2008 6:51 AM:
And now SOCC is doing layoffs too. Those are professional employees who will likely have to find work somewhere else. Let's face it, this town is going nowhere.
To Voice of Reason wrote on Nov 4, 2008 10:35 PM:
You are right on about getting educated and attaining skills. Unfortunately for Coos County, the Oregon Employment Department data doesn't show a lot of promise for skilled trades here outside of nursing. BUT! people need to get an education and get trained in an "in demand" occupation. Get with the OED and check out the statistics for this area, or other areas you'd consider relocating to. Get your kids, grandkids, etc. an education and keep them out of these seasonal, subject to layoff jobs. And despite the current turmoil at SOCC, they have wonderful distance education opportunities.
Been There wrote on Nov 4, 2008 6:20 PM:
I seem to recall the shut down of Weyerhaeuser Paper mill. How many of those employees were able to stay in the Coos Bay area? I know we had to move to Washington state to get a good paying job. It seems to me that there will soon be no jobs left in Coos Bay, that pays more than minimum wage. What a shame. Good luck to those of you who are facing the prospect of no job.
To Voice of Reason wrote on Nov 4, 2008 11:42 AM:
So what about those of us who did get a college education later in life and still find ourselves layed off with no prospect of a decent paying wage. Your solution is good in theory...
Voice of Reason part 3 wrote on Nov 4, 2008 10:52 AM:
As for businesses, WE need to be ever looking forward with the perceptions of the economy being what they are. Remember, economic conditions are nothing more than the manifested expectations of the people who do business (sellers and consumers) in the economic area of influence. It is up to us to drive economic expansion by actively pursuing and promoting our businesses. If what we’re doing isn’t working then we need to change it. Personally I know that I must now work harder and invest more in promotions just to maintain a slight degree of growth, but I push on because I must do so for the continued well being and the good of the community I do business and spend my money in. I choose not to believe that things are going down the drain economically and I see it as my duty to shoulder the burden of economic woe and make a change. I CHALLENGE ALL BUSINESSES TO JOIN ME AND DO THE SAME!
Voice of Reason part 2 wrote on Nov 4, 2008 10:51 AM:
But at what point do we as citizens take responsibility for our own futures and rise above working class to become skilled employees? When do we take it upon ourselves to obtain the necessary education and training to obtain the new jobs that must come in to replace those that are quickly becoming extinct? It’s not as if we don’t still have a very promising Junior College in close proximity (despite recent issues), as well as online education programs offering four year degrees with state colleges and universities (as an ex-mill worker and former student of SWOCC, I can honestly say the experience has completely changed my life for the better). Furthermore, anyone can easily go to http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ and apply for financial aid to get the government to pay them to go to school, really people it’s not that hard. Not to mention all the other programs out there, such as the displaced millworker program which provide even more money for people to go back to school. OPPORTUNITIES ARE OUT THERE PEOPLE, TAKE THEM!
Voice of Reason part 1 wrote on Nov 4, 2008 10:50 AM:
It is tragic to see so many people lose their jobs in an area that is insistent on being “depressed” as it is. Sure, we can attack the companies with accusations of greed and discrimination. We can also point fingers at the government and entrenched citizens who seem to be blocking progress every step of the way. But will any of that help the dozens of people who now are in need of a way to support their families? What about those already unemployed? Are we helping them by throwing blame around?
Call it greed, discrimination, protectionism or whatever else you want; the real problem is simply that the positions that these people held are no longer required by the companies they held them with. Let’s face it, the days of the high paying working class job are slipping away and any attempt to stop that will only delay things at best. Now I am not saying that working class positions should not be encouraged through the implementation of larger corporations coming in, there is always going to be some demand for those jobs to be done as well as a need for those positions by workers.
Call it greed, discrimination, protectionism or whatever else you want; the real problem is simply that the positions that these people held are no longer required by the companies they held them with. Let’s face it, the days of the high paying working class job are slipping away and any attempt to stop that will only delay things at best. Now I am not saying that working class positions should not be encouraged through the implementation of larger corporations coming in, there is always going to be some demand for those jobs to be done as well as a need for those positions by workers.
DENISE wrote on Nov 3, 2008 2:48 PM:
The lay offs at the Mill Casino is called "GREED". They don't care`about anyone but themselves! The lay offs at the GP Mill has to do with a slump in the housing industry. THERE ARE NO GAURANTEES THAT ANYONE OF US WILL GET A JOB AT THIS LNG TERMINAL. There will be 2 contractors from Paris,France and 3 from Missouri working on this "SCAM" Get informed!
Its all about money wrote on Nov 3, 2008 11:34 AM:
Joe, it's about money no matter who the employer is. Business is business. Why is it okay when that business is timber but not a casino??
joe Sixpack wrote on Nov 3, 2008 10:01 AM:
The difference between GP and the tribe is the tribe wants to keep more of money as people have less money to throw away!! And GP wants to draw down supplies to raise the product prices like OPECK and with a new contract the business needed readjust its work fores! Only Government can grow when times are bad!!!
Samuel wrote on Nov 3, 2008 8:53 AM:
You know when my father and his eldest brother were among the living back in the 1970's and 1980's, they were two who were among the proud career Timber workers. Third Generation Share Croppers and Wood Product workers is where my family originated from. I remember the old stories of a simpler time in Coos County before my time even. Now I see and hear what is happening today and I am saddened heavily because of it. Coos County holds a beauty like no other in the country and yet there is so much hate towards the working class there which takes from that and makes it an undesirable place.
God help all of you who are still there and hanging on! That is what it is going to take to get you through these tough times. Most of all remember to get out and vote tomorrow.
God help all of you who are still there and hanging on! That is what it is going to take to get you through these tough times. Most of all remember to get out and vote tomorrow.
Nice wrote on Nov 2, 2008 2:48 PM:
So The Mill Casino lays off 37 and it gets crucified and GP lays off 30 and it's all ok no big deal...And they say racism does not happen towards native americans hahaha
Arnold wrote on Nov 2, 2008 9:39 AM:
The anti-lng people don't want us to sell that lumber to California anyway.
My feelings are certainly with those displaced workers. About 10 years ago we started calling them displaced instead of unemployed, makes no sense really. I guess we should retrain these proud mill workers with tourism jobs. Do we get a lot of tourism in the winter? I suppose the rich big city refugees that retire here should each adopt a local when they move here. Price of entry to our no industry zone.
My feelings are certainly with those displaced workers. About 10 years ago we started calling them displaced instead of unemployed, makes no sense really. I guess we should retrain these proud mill workers with tourism jobs. Do we get a lot of tourism in the winter? I suppose the rich big city refugees that retire here should each adopt a local when they move here. Price of entry to our no industry zone.
Denise wrote on Nov 1, 2008 3:39 PM:
The casino, the college, and now the mill. Our economy is going down the toilet and the CAVE group wants to stop anything else coming in. Where are all these laid off people going to find work?
Heads Up wrote on Nov 1, 2008 2:34 PM:
I would bet that Georgia Pacific closes the Coos Bay Mill within a year. They will likely consolidate their mills to save on cost. Be prepared.
Former GP Employees wrote on Nov 1, 2008 12:08 PM:
Before you decide to support LNG and BOB BRADDOCK'S Cheerleaders get the real "FACTS". Visit www.citizensagainstlng.com Make an informed decision! Don't Listen to Ron Opitz or Tim Bishop..
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