This is Floyd Wynne with "The View from Here" (6/08/04)

February 14, 2005...remember that date!

Yes, it's Valentine's day...but it's more than that.....much more.

Recently the Governor handed Klamath Falls one of the greatest tourist building ideas in a long, long time.

First of all.....Governor Kulongoski picked Crater Lake for the commemorative quarter that will represent this state. That quarter will be issued by the Federal Government on the date I mentioned.

Now...where is Crater Lake located? In Klamath County, you bet. But also....if one travels the I-5 freeway...you will find signs at Grants Pass as well as at Medford advertising Crater Lake.

So...how do we translate the fact that Crater Lake is in Klamath County into a tourism effort?

Well...for one idea....why not purchase a few thousand of these quarter from the mint....put them on a special card with a picture of Crater Lake....as well as a map showing how to get there from the South via US 97...or from the North via the Willamette Pass. Also on the card...add some of the things that would attract them to stop and spend a few days in Klamath Falls itself.

Stress the fact that Crater Lake is in Klamath County....not any of the adjacent counties.

After all, Crater Lake is the only National Park in the state of Oregon.

Another thought....why not urge residents of this area...to secure these quarters...and then send them with a card such as I have mentioned to their friends in other states...inviting them to come and visit.

I'm certain that there will be a number of other ideas that can be used to take advantage of this tremendous tourism effort. Hopefully the Chamber of Commerce...or our Board of Commissioners will take advantage of this opportunity and make it a point to see that the first Oregon quarters are issued from right here in Klamath Falls...not Medford or Grants Pass.

You can bet that Medford will make every effort to be the gateway to Crater Lake...they already claim that.

Let's only hope that one group or another begins the planning now to utilize the Oregon quarter for the advantage of Klamath County.

This is a golden opportunity to publicize our county....and a special committee should be appointed now....by the County Commissioners to explore ideas on how to capitalize on this opportunity.

It will be interesting to see what actions are taken.

This is Floyd Wynne and that's "The View from Here"