To the Editor:

Definitions according to Websters Dictionary:

Economy: A system of producing and dividing wealth.

Ecosystem: A system permitting living things to exist.

Community: A town. A group with common interests.

Dependent: : Looking outside oneself for support.

Independent: Free of or needing no outside control.

A stable local ECOnomy is like a well balanced ecosystem. Whether it is our town or environment, there are certain laws that always apply, and if we pay attention and respect these laws, we will have a balance that can withstand many storms.

When I was a young man, I owned an organic gardening business. When I received a new client who had never used synthetics on their soil I was able to maintain and strengthen a healthy lawn and garden.

On the other hand, if the client used synthetic fertilizers, pest sprays and the like, I found this yard became dependent on these chemicals. Once these chemicals were no longer applied, the soil became dead and needed to be revived by drastic measures. I believe that a local economy can be balanced and taken care of just by removing the synthetics and creating a strong foundation by feeding it what it needs.

By synthetics, Im meaning being dependent on outside entities that only drain the wealth and give little in return. We as a people in this county are the organics; we are the life of this community, and our dependence should be on each and every one of us. We create the balance which in turn makes us independent. It is not the governments job to step in and save us, or some knight on a white horse (outside industry), it is our burden and it is up to us to create a strong and balanced economy.

When I made the decision to move here, it was based on what I saw in the people of this community, not because I wanted to get rich. It is the quality of life that I was looking for and have been enjoying for the past ten plus years. You want a strong local economy? Then feed it. Think of all of Grant County as a home, not just your 75×100 lot with a house its the land and the people of Grant County that makes it a home.

I personally know several people who invest in the very risky stock market of corporate America to earn a buck and when they make large purchases, they either go to the cities or shop online just so they can save a few bucks. I say if we feed our neighbors by supporting the people that already have invested their time and money in this community and wisely invest our time and money in creative ideas that will produce new money and jobs (such as small manufacturing), then and only then can we be independent and not dependent on the system of synthetics that depletes the community we live in.

David Paddock

Canyon City