As a society we continue to make unwise investments. We already are in recession and it will be much worse. Inflation is out of control and we are almost all getting poorer. Freight traffic will reduce and private intercity travel will decrease dramatically.

So why is Baker City opening two major fuel stations (Maverik and Love’s) and reopening the Albertsons fuel plaza and convenience store? Which stations will be forced out of business? Will we trade a jewel of an eatery in the Baker Truck Corral for the unhealthy food available in convenience stores and fast food parlors? The profits from the giant stores will go out of state to investors. The health of all the local businesses will fall.

Local restaurants close and we invite another Mexican chain eatery.

People are social animals yet we continue moving in the direction of loneliness, despair, fear and disease.

Those who will still be able to afford intercity travel will be the wealthy, and their tastes are broader than the general public. Will they want to eat fast food in their cars or would they prefer a comfortable restaurant with food that they want, and perhaps even socialize with strangers?

Who can work in such settings as cooks and servers? They cannot afford to live here and it is not yet changing to my eyes. If they are paid enough to work, it is questionable that I could afford to eat there.

I am approaching my first year of living here continuously. Baker is quite a city and has some great traditions, individuals and families. I am grateful to be here but many things need to change that are broken. We cannot continue as a city dependent on just farming and tourism. We must take care of our own health and well-being locally.

As a city with many older adults we desperately need healthy younger families to provide care. Facilitating this should be our top priority. There are young people who will work hard and contribute to the community — bring them in.

Stephen Carr

Baker City