I’m not saying that Walla Walla County is ready to vote Democratic—yet. And maybe it won’t ever—Bill Grant excepted. But the county is experiencing changes that bear watching and political reassessment.
The Walla Walla Valley has seen the number of wineries go from a handful a decade ago to more than 100 today. The region has been reviewed favorably in national and regional publications. Those changes are bringing more tourists, upscale restaurants, and jobs to town.
In addition, the valley has turned into something of an early retirement mecca as scores of Westsiders and Californians have been cashing out the accrued values in their homes and settling here. Property values and new housing starts continue to climb at a breathtaking pace.
And the migrant population that used to move through the region with the fruit crops seems to be, at least to some extent, taking root in a number of Southeastern Washington communities. Their kids are completing school, and they’re building businesses. Latinos represent the largest minority in the state, and they are becoming more politically active.
Walla Walla County is no longer just the reserve of the wheat farmer and the penitentiary guard. Perhaps the time is right for a political realignment here in Eastern Washington.
June 11, 2007 at 11:43 pm
Hey, I agree with your anonymity. And I find some of the sparse comments to be both… dumb and entertaining.
Thanks for starting this blog.
But I’d also add… while I suspect that you have the “required fields” for comment on as a blog-spamming filter, it is interesting that you want others name but don’t want to share your own.
Since I’m with you, figure out. Or not. It’s not that serious, I suppose.
Also, I do really wish we had more than the “top 3″ mayoral candidates. I’m not terribly impressed with any of them.
Have fun.
June 12, 2007 at 10:30 pm
Well, I know “they” can figure out who we are anyway, so I don’t do incognito internet. This does seem an interesting start for a blog. Keep it up.
I expect you know me, if you don’t then your connections may not be as wide spread as y’all think…