BD Newsletter

An Introspection of McMinnville by McMinnvillians

By Brad Durham

If you are reading this, it is almost certain that you are a McMinnville resident. You probably call this place your home. Most likely, you were born here, and your parents were born here. Or, you moved here either recently or a long time ago. We are individuals but similar in many ways. I interviewed twelve people in McMinnville to create an introspection of McMinnville, a deeper understanding of who we are in this small town.

Putting all labels and distinctions aside, my focus was to learn more about what unites and divides us, what people value about education and the things that people would change. There is the obvious existential question of why are you here, and then the questions become more about the quality of life you want for yourself and everyone in McMinnville.

McMinnville is where we are. McMinnville is also part of who we are. Some people say that America is a nation built on a dream, a dream that is still being defined and realized. McMinnville is part of that American dream. Our Declaration of Independence states:

         We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

The interviews are an introspection to determine how McMinnville is doing in the pursuit of these ideals — through the eyes of people in McMinnville. The interviews also offer a sense of discovery. McMinnville can learn more about itself by learning what different people think about McMinnville.

The best place to start is an introduction to the twelve people I interviewed and their explanations of why they are here. In future publications, the interviews will dive more deeply into the quality of life and philosophical questions about what McMinnville is and what people want McMinnville to be.

It is my hope that the publication of these interviews can lead to a town meeting in the near future, which can turn these interviews into an interactive conversation and positive thinking. McMinnville is a place where people can affirm each other and work together to keep McMinnville moving forward in the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness for all of its residents. 

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FIRST IN THE SERIES OF ARTICLES: 

         Introduction of Interviewees.

         The interviewees stating why they are in McMinnville.