Finding the Road to Recovery

By Jeffrey Weitz, President - North Rim Partners

My 14 year old son Gabe and I were walking Bosco, our chocolate brown standard poodle pup, the other morning and he asked me, "When will the economy be getting better and how will we know when it's happening?" As we walked though the cold morning mist, I reflected on the depth of his question. We came upon a subdivision near our home in West Linn that had been developed over 2 years ago with the streets, utilities and infrastructure for 16 new homes that had been sitting dormant since the downturn in the economy. As we walked and kicked stones across the vacant streets, I thought long and hard about his question.

Having been in the building business for over 25 years, I know that a strong economy is based on a strong housing market. With housing and construction, comes new buyers and with them comes the stimulus for all the other market sectors from household furnishings, electronics, appliances, landscapers, plumbers, electricians, roofers and many other trades and industries that are stimulated by an upswing in the housing sector.

As I looked into his youthful eyes I realized that I knew exactly when the market would start breathing new life back into our economy. So I stopped in the middle of that desolate street, looked at Gabe, picked up a stick and through it across the street for the puppy to chase and said, "We will know that the economy is turning around when we see and smell the fresh cut wood rising from the foundations of these vacant lots." He looked back at me, smiled, paused and said, "Now I get it."

I arrived home last week and Gabe came out to greet me on the driveway with our puppy Bosco. He was excited and smiling from ear to ear and told me to follow him. We walked to the edge of our neighborhood and as we turned the last corner I saw why he was smiling. There at the edge of the vacant subdivision were the signs of a "new economy emerging.

Concrete trucks were roaring and tumbling the raw materials for the foundations to the new homes, carpenters were hammering away at the giant stacks of milled lumber and there was laughter and promise in the air. My son looked at the glint in my eye and said, "It's turning now, isn't it dad!" I replied with a smile, "Yes son, it looks like we are on the road to recovery once again!"

So as the holidays fast approach, I would like to take a moment to wish for everyone a vision of the promise of a renewed economy and of better times ahead. A heartfelt thanks to all of you who have braved through the worst economic storm we have seen in decades. Thank you for your courage, strength, dedication and hope.

From our company and staff to all of yours, a healthy, prosperous and joyful new year in 2010. Peace, joy and good health to all in the days ahead. And know in your hearts that the signs of prosperity are on the faces of those carpenters hammering the boards of promise into the neighborhoods and commercial districts where we live and work.

Continued Success in 2010!