Look ahead, but look back as well

Published 5:00 am Wednesday, July 26, 2006

They’re calling it “Project Poulsbo” and the way we see it, the name’s right on the money. It’s definitely a project and it’s certainly about Poulsbo. But like the city itself, the title of its visioning process infers a sense of motion.

Projects often do.

And as this one marches forward, it’s vital to note that projects — of every sort and size — are not without their challenges. While residents will offer a clear, concise vote on the preferred location of a new city hall in November, their input on the direction they want to see Poulsbo heading will also be sought.

This will be neither clear nor concise, and city officials will likely have a challenge on their hands as they attempt to determine what the citizenry sees in the crystal ball. It’ll be as varied as the residents themselves.

Some will aim to protect the environment, others will seek increased land rights and still others will hope to reconfigure the business climate. It’ll be a mixed bag, but one into which city officials must reach if they don’t want to have yet another study collecting dust on the shelves at city hall.

The council and the mayor no doubt recognize this.

They also must realize that while they’re steering Little Norway toward the future, they’re also in essence letting go of the wheel in allowing the public to chime in so loudly.

This will have its pros and cons because although Poulsbo is definitely a city on the grow, not all of the residents who will be surveyed will still be living in Poulsbo in 10 years. Others just arrived and haven’t given much thought to those who lived here before them.

On that note, as the city looks headlong into the future, it is important that its officials do not lose touch with the past.

Little Norway has a history so rich and unique, it should not be ignored as the city’s “project” gets underway. While the city is fortunate to have council members who know the community intimately — both past and present — hopefully, a member or two from the prestigious Poulsbo Historical Society will be sought to play an active role in the effort as well.

“Our city, our future,” indeed. But Poulsbo residents must not overlook exactly how they got to this point in history to begin with. Some might say, the past is past. Others might argue that “Project Poulsbo” is all about looking forward.

We disagree.

And while the city finds itself in the midst of rapid growth, various improvements, new businesses and an influx of citizens, it should take steps to ensure it isn’t writing off the history of the area as this project moves forward. It is imperative.

Then again, maybe newer residents of the city don’t give a rip. Maybe they’re content driving down Jensen, Caldart, Iverson, Moe and the like without wondering the origin of the street names.

Maybe they live here for convenience and have no desire to know anything about Poulsbo other than the fact that it’s called “Little Norway” and was founded by Norwegian immigrants.

Maybe the majority of these residents do want to only look forward as far as Poulsbo is concerned.

But we hope not.