Transitional Aspects

Being raised in the relatively prosperous period of post-war America, we were lulled into a false sense of stability. But it was a stability of limited choices. Society as a whole seemed to take on a bland veneer. This was visible everywhere in society. Beautiful old Victorian buildings in Downtown Salem and elsewhere, were covered over with panels that gave them this monolithic block appearance. As if too much detail is bad.

Society likewise "encouraged" conformity in human behavior. Those who did not conform, either for social or political reasons, often found themselves ostracized from society. Or worse.

In spite of these facts, the glorious years of the 1950s and 1960s are often touted by some in our community, as a goal to return to, like some "Andy Griffith" delusion. "We are just 50 miles and 50 years away from Portland..." the catch-phrase goes. But do we really want to go back to an era, known for loyalty oaths, institutionalized racial bigotry and the beginning of centralized systems of production and distribution that truly killed many small town economies?

In reality, "want" has nothing to do with it. Market forces are guiding the way, primarily due to the ever-increasing cost of fuel. In short, our society is going through a transition: From a society predicated on unrealistic eternal growth to one that is based once again on a paradigm of sustainable relocalization. This can, and will be greatly facilitated by making use of our 21st century communications tools. Restoring Silverton's Town Square would be a step in this direction.

Why do we need to do this? Well, we don't need to do this. We don't need to do anything. But to do something is to make an investment in the future. This proposal places our community's focus back where Polly Coon had intended. A central Oak surrounded by a pedestrian plaza. A true central town square. Our community's living room. Making this arrangement permanent would send a message to the world that Silverton values its community heritage, over mechanical devices. Besides, the vehicles still have most of the rest of the town!