Springfield: The 'can-do' city faces hard times
SPRINGFIELD, Ore. -- The mayor calls it the 'can-do' city, one that bounces back from defeat and keeps chugging along.
Now is no exception: The current economic crisis has taken its toll on Sid Leiken's city.
"It was expected that the national unemployment rate rising to 10, and I think those of us here in Oregon wish it was 10 percent," said Leiken. "This is the issue here is, 'Are we going to be secure?'"
- SPRINGFIELD: Become a neighborhood blogger on KVAL.com
According to Leiken, construction in the city has nearly come to a halt.
"Our fiscal year ends in June so we are going to do a midterm update on our budget and it's going to be ugly," said Leiken.
One thing that has changed over the years is the demographics. The Latino population has nearly doubled in the last 10 years and, in the process, changed the face of Main Street.
Maria Parada opened her beauty shop five years ago.
"When I came and opened here, there was probably only like two or three Hispanic shops," said Parada. "Now we have seven or eight."
For Leiken, the growth is a brightspot in the otherwise dismal economic time.
"They are contributing to the property tax base, hiring people, putting people to work," said Leiken.
Where Springfield's road leads, Leiken said it's not up to him -- it's up to the people.
