Citizens of varied cultures spoke of their visions for improving the communities of Odell, Parkdale, Mt. Hood and the rest of the upper valley.

Another encouraging thing is that those citizens included upper valley residents Ron Rivers and Les Perkins, president and member, respectively, of the county commission.

As elected leaders, the two men are in a prime position to help the upper valley realize the goals and ideas expressed Saturday and throughout the LEAP visioning sessions over the past five weeks.

The overall goal of the community — “promoting prosperity while still preserving unique rural character” — can help serve as a foundation for planning the area’s future.

Specifically, one prime goal is to “engage a broad cross-section of people with diverse interests, experiences and backgrounds in the decision-making processes for the mid- and upper-valley.”

In the long term, this has significant possibilities. In the short term, there is one way upper valley residents can help achieve greater diverse representation: sign up for one of the many school and agency elected positions now on the Hood River County ballot. Many are vacant or have only one candidate.

The deadline to file for the May election is Thursday; please turn to page A6 for details.

The community owes a thank you to LEAP organizers in the upper valley, and in Cascade Locks, for spending many hours bringing people together for earnest, fruitful conversations.