To the editor:

I left Lebanon to join the service in 1990 right out of high school. Between now and the time I left, I have noticed a considerable change in my home town. What really have changed are the things that made Lebanon unique.

First we welcomed Wal-Mart to town to sit where the old Southgate shopping center was, but that wasn't big enough so Wal-Mart purchased and leveled the drive-in movie theater, which was the only one around for miles.

Second, the ever-so-popular Hasty Freeze burger stand and there famous giant Tim burgers. That had been there as far back as I can remember. It was closed and demolished for the sake of the truck route; which mind you there never seemed to be problems before with all the hundreds of chip and log trucks going around that corner before. Now that the corner was moved a few feet the truck traffic has declined due to the wood industry pulling out of Lebanon.

Third, probably the most important of them all, the Lebanon Skate Center. I know I wouldn't be the first to say that going there kept me out of trouble, and I also made a lot of friends there. But due to Lebanon needing a tenth bank and a small business plaza, the parking was taken away and now we see that the skate center is closed.

The only thing we have left now is the record holding strawberry shortcake. All the ingredients are donated by the local farmers to make this and it is truly Lebanon.

Is this the next thing to go? What reason will be found to take this away? Lebanon is a small town and it should remain that way. It use to be affordable to purchase a home here and now there are more houses sitting empty still costing more than most can afford.

I was finally able to move back home after being away for eighteen years and it just doesn't seem to have that home town feeling anymore. Lebanon is just going to be another city like Albany or Corvallis. What small town is next, Sweet Home?

Jason Hyder

Lebanon