Comments on: “Letter From a Newbie” – What one new recruit thinks about our city.

By: Richard Joseph

Richard Joseph — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:52:43 +0000

Newbie………..what a great and well written letter and you are so totally right-on with all your comments. Yes indeed our Spokane is a great city and we are so very lucky to have a well versed guy like you living with us. Good luck my friend and welcome!

By: craig

craig — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 17:59:08 +0000

It sounds like your read of the city may be skewed a bit toward the young professional crowd. I moved here 4 years ago and when I first got here I was probably inclined to see most things in Spokane relative to my experience growing up in Seattle and living in L.A. or Houston. It lacks some of the diversity and density that bigger cities provide. It doesn’t attract the capital investment that other regions do, and probably never will. I saw it in a similar way that you are seeing it, as a city and region that could be great someday and has potential.

I still believe that, but I’ve come to know, and become a part of a group, you missed in your assessment; the group of who love Spokane for what it is, even as they are invested in what it someday will be. My sense is that this is the core of the city’s population. It’s the Air Force families that spent a few years at Fairchild and came back when they got in their 20 years. It’s the teachers who moved away to Seattle to get enough experience to land a job in Spokane and stay. It’s the 20 somethings who couldn’t wait to get out of here after college, but who couldn’t wait to get back when they got married and had kids. It’s the people I know who got out a map and picked Spokane because of its proximity to nature, health care and the city. And yes, it’s the young professionals who moved here on their way up the ladder, who couldn’t wait to leave even before they arrived, who came to love the city and decided to stay, even if it meant having a shorter ladder to climb.

Welcome to Spokane.

By: Kris

Kris — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:58:44 +0000

I love that Spokane is “in the midst of transition.” It has been for about 20 years. To me that says we are still capable of any possibility. The combination of imagination, optimism, and persistence I see in the city (and dare I say our country?) bodes well for all of us.

By: Brian A. Sayrs

Brian A. Sayrs — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 04:29:54 +0000

Welcome to Spokane.

It is true that this community is in the midst of a transition, but there are many who are trying their best to prevent it. Ultimately, they will fail as the optimism of the people eventually overtakes them. Then it will be they who seek out other places or merely fade away here, reminiscing about the good old days. Never mind that they never actually happened, but in their bitterness they will invent them nevertheless.

Thank you for your contribution. I look forward to seeing more posts.

By: North Central Resident, Artist, Woman, Spokanite

North Central Resident, Artist, Woman, Spokanite — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:56:38 +0000

I have lived her all my life. I have watched people, ideas, business’ and money come and go through this city. I agree with every thing you are saying here. You nailed it right on the head Newbie.

Thanks for your words of optimism and truth.

Welcome to Spokane.

By: LukeB

LukeB — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:02:13 +0000

“If a Spokane resident is good at their trade, do they have to ultimately move away to actually succeed? Most do. And sadly, I’d say they are probably wise in doing so, for now.”

My two trades are music performance and software engineering … and I work at Next IT and perform with the Spokane Symphony.

No need to move away. In fact, I came back.

By: Mayor of Spotucky

Mayor of Spotucky — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:49:21 +0000

You shouldn’t use the term “hillbilly retard”. It is redundandt.

Thank you.