Springfield, Oregon, Hopes Homer Simpson's Home is There

It's hot. And from what this new resident is hearing... it's going to get hotter!

But that's Springfield, Oregon.

Statistics estimate that the hottest part of the year here is in July.

Springfield Oregon has been a haven of contentment in the short time I've been living here. I've seen so much goodness in people and experienced a myriad of exceptional hospitality that I have known in few other places in my varied travels as a screenwriter and businessman. I've come to see Springfield as more than just a dot on the map... it is now my home.

For those of you who have yet to experience the allure of a small city town like Springfield, you would find the same stereotypical happenings here as in any small town location. Outregeous gossip, everyone knowing each other's business, and getting in it too, but without the other negative aspects associated with those stereotypes. We do have a certain amount of crime, but it is no way on the scale as the bigger cities and a lost dog or kids smoking happy in the park is a high day of crime day here. Being a part of Eugene, we do catch flack along the borders with some disproportionate drug activities, but for the most part this has been a peaceful and quiet place to live.

If you've noticed, yes that's the Simpsons up there and right now Springfield is in a war over who's going to get the right be named the Springfield original city, and the one portrayed as the Simpsons city in the movie. You can check out the Springfield Movie Challenge here: http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/simpsons-contest.htm where fourteen Springfield's across the country are vying to be picked as the Simpson city of residence, and Springfield, Oregon has been touted as the most looked like city so far.

We have all the city land marks and in my own estimation the attitude to be that perfect little city. I've always wondered if I'm going to see Homer every time I walk down the street, and visiting City Hall, whom do you guess I see sitting in the lobby?

Matter of fact, even the Governor has given his support of the Simpson's movie coming to our city:

In a press release dated July 1, "Governor joins Tony Hawk to bring Simpsons home"
Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski has released the following statement:

"With Simpsons creator Matt Groening a native Oregonian and references to our state littered across the show, I think it is clear that the Simpson's Springfield is Springfield, Oregon," said Governor Kulongoski. "In Oregon we have always held a special place in our hearts for the Simpsons family and it would be an honor to welcome them home for their movie debut. I encourage all Oregonians to join me in voting for our Springfield."

The hard work of the Springfield community is now online at http://www.thesimpsons.usatoday.com.

Skateboard legend Tony Hawk, who, in real life, helped build Springfield's Skate Park and appeared in episode #300 of the Simpsons, makes an appearance, along-side other community members in the humorous pitch. The story is a faithful parody of the 80's show In Search Of and uses fact and conjecture to outline the possible inspirations for the Simpson's creator and native Oregonian Matt Groening.

Located in the Willamette Valley, Springfield, Oregon is nestled between two mountain ranges that is the only place you'll see any rise in the flat land called Springfield. Driving through and to Eugene too is a flat drive and it's a different feeling coming from Seattle Washington where we have so many hills.

Average relative humidity thoughout the city is 74% at 10 a.m. and 60% at 4 p.m. Thunderstorms occur infrequently throughout the year, averaging five annually. Over the last 30 years, Springfield's average annual rainfall has been 46.04 inches (117 centimeters) as a monthly average of temperature and precipitation.

On the verge of the celebration of America's freedom, I stopped by Springfield's City Hall to find out its plans for the holidays. Entering the City Manager's offices, I was graciously greeted by Julie Wilson, Springfield's Administrative Coordinator whose smile was infectious enough to prove once again that Springfield is the place where my roots have been lucky enough to have found a place to grow. Unfortunately, the City Manager was in a meeting and could not get away at the time but Julie was nice enough to direct me to speak with Neil Laudati, Community Relations Manager.

While the running even of a small city requires a constant vigil, Neil who was busy also, did call me later to give me few moments on the phone to tell me about Springfield's wide assortment of city activities planned for this fourth of July celebration. He told me about The Lights of Liberty Festival at Island Park

Springfield's Fire Department also has a hand in keeping it safe at the event and a sane environment by assuring the safety and sanity of the celebration's evening by watching for illegal firework activity during the night's events.

Community Relations Manager Laudati, also reminded me that all pet owners should be exceptionally careful with their pets during the fireworks displays on the fourth, since many pets cannot handle the loud noise and all the activity that the day brings. Some smaller friskier animal may also need tranquilizes so he wanted to emphasize preparing your pets whether they be indoor or outdoor animals that this is going to be a very exciting day for humans, and we want it to be just as favorable for our animal friends as well.

Giving you a little history of Springfield taken from their own city web-site, http://www.ci.springfield.or.us/index.htm tells the story of its founding and how it grew from a small town with big ideals to a better small town over the years, still stemmed in the same integral aspects that made it great and which are continuing to making it even greater today.

"Springfield was settled when Elias and Mary Briggs and their family arrived in 1848. They were among the first party to travel to the region via the "Southern Route" by Klamath Lake, over the Cascades, into the Rogue Valley, then north to the Willamette Valley.

Springfield maintained its small town ways until after World War II. "...In 1940, the City's area was only 1.5 square miles and the population only 3,805. By 1998, apartments covered the spring. The City expanded to more than 13 square miles and the population grew to 51,700.

sponsored by SUB (Springfield Utility Board) where all the firework activity is going to take place, which is planned as a fun filled afternoon/evening of safe family entertainment with fireworks being presented at 10:00 pm for all to see.The McKenzie Drift Boat: is the "...symbol of the City of Springfield adopted as the community's official symbol on March 26, 1985 to commemorate the importance of this famous boat in the history of Springfield and the McKenzie River. This well-known 'type of craft' is still used today around the world on streams and rivers requiring a sturdy agile boat to handle their perilous rapids. A detailed one-half scale model is on display in Springfield City Hall."

For more information on Springfield or to contact city officials, please see the list below:

Springfield City Hall Hours: 8:00a.m. to 5:00p.m., Monday - Friday

Address: 225 Fifth Street, Springfield, Oregon, 97477
Telephone: 541-726-3700
Fax: 541-726-2363
E-mail: cmo@ci.springfield.or.us
Mayor's Office: 541-726-3702
City Recorder: 541-726-3700
Volunteering: 541-726-3700
City Meeting Rooms: 541-726-3700
Complaints: 541-726-3700
TDD : 541-726-2247

City Manager: Gino Grimaldi
Administrative Aide/City Recorder: Amy Sowa
Administrative Coordinator : Julie Wilson
Assistant City Manager: Jeff Towery
Community Relations Manager: Niel Laudati
Economic Development Manager: John Tamulonis
Office Assistant: Trudy Borrevik

So all in all, it's should be a lively night on the Fourth for the residence of Springfield, Oregon.
We hope to be the City picked as the Simpson city of the world, especially with people living here as gracious as those in the cartoon itself.

I am personally glad to have found such a place, and in the words of one philosopher loving Springfield as much as I...

"You don't see a lot in Springfield, but what you do see you see a lot of. Good people"

I'm Bobby Fleeks, and "That's Springfield Today "