Yachats Oregon Writer Rick Schultze

Just saying twenty ten seems to come very naturally as opposed to other New Years of the past and I haven’t even made the mistake of putting the wrong year on the checks I’ve paid my bills with. That alone gives me the impression that maybe 2010 might just be a good year. However some factors make the possibility that 2010 could be less than stellar but that’s where the “Rolling into 2010” comes from. If you’re a boxer you roll with the punches, if someone smacks you a good one you get back up and fire back. I’m guessing there are lots of us that have been smacked about quite a bit recently. Yachats where I live, no longer has a community health clinic or grocery store. For me that’s a problem but for the many seniors who live here and don’t drive it’s a real problem. As rumors swirl as to the future of the store folks are just kind of shaking their heads. In Waldport where they have already lost one grocery store it’s the same kind of wonderment; what happened? There are lots of answers but none stand alone as the big problem. It’s the ripple effect that most likely is based upon the economy. That’s won’t change overnight, that’s for sure, but I don’t sense the sense of despair. More of a taking a deep breath and getting ready to forge ahead attitude. Right now all the Central Oregon coastal towns are feeling the after the holidays slump which is very normal. It happens every year just as the slump after summer ends does and we are used to it but the slump is packing a tough wallop this year. Unemployment is up and jobs are down, it’s tough but we’re tough too. If the normal swings in the weather, employment and the economy aren’t enough to have you staggering a bit, don’t expect to be having a easy and quick airline trip anytime soon either. Just today new regulations effecting security are being instituted which will be much more time consuming and aggravating if you aren’t prepared. But this isn’t meant to be a negative column but just a reminder that when things are hard the hardy dig in and think of the positive things that are there to take advantage of. There are some pluses to a down economy and many experts say this kind of economy is the best time to begin a new business. Sound confusing? Well frankly it is, but I know Oregonians and I know what Oregonians can and will do; we’ll roll into 2010 and keep on rolling and ducking the punches while scoring many good ones of our own! Have a great New Year.. To reach Rick Schultze email:yarick@pioneer.net.