Living in Longview, we’ve all had those moments—seeing decisions made by city council or local leaders that make us shake our heads and wonder, “What are they thinking?” It’s easy to look at some of their choices and label them as out of touch, confused, or, let’s face it, just plain incompetent. But what if there’s more to it than meets the eye?

The truth is, Longview’s politicians are often shouldering the weight of complex issues and knowledge we, as regular citizens, aren’t fully aware of. They’re balancing competing interests, budget constraints, and long-term impacts that we may never see. In many ways, they’re working within a tangled web of challenges that makes even simple decisions look messy from the outside. Let’s dig into why this happens—and why it might be time to cut them a little slack.

1. Local Knowledge That Doesn’t Make the Headlines

Politicians in Longview are in the loop on information most of us never hear about. They’re briefed on city reports, legal constraints, economic analyses, and community needs that add up to a complex picture. This “insider” knowledge often makes them see things differently than we do. While we might see an empty lot and think, “Why can’t they just build something useful there?” they’re dealing with zoning restrictions, budget limitations, and potential environmental impacts.

This behind-the-scenes knowledge is what we call “the curse of information”—they know more than they can communicate in a quick soundbite. So while we may not understand why they hesitate on certain projects or prioritize certain issues, it’s often because they see the whole picture, including the potential pitfalls that we can’t see from our side of things.

2. The Balancing Act of Competing Interests

Longview is a city of diverse needs and viewpoints, from long-time residents who want to preserve traditions to younger voices pushing for modernization. Our politicians are constantly trying to strike a balance between these different factions. Every decision they make will please some and frustrate others, making them appear indecisive or weak.

For example, any move to revamp downtown might be applauded by businesses looking to attract new customers, while at the same time drawing criticism from residents worried about gentrification or rising property taxes. What we see as “waffling” or “inaction” is often just the painful reality of trying to keep the peace in a city that’s pulling in all directions.

3. Thinking in Long-Term, While We’re Focused on the Now

One of the biggest disconnects between Longview’s politicians and its citizens is the difference in timelines. We want changes that will improve our lives right now—a safer intersection, a cleaner park, a repaired road. But our politicians often have to think years, if not decades, into the future. They’re setting up infrastructure and policies that may not show benefits until long after their term ends.

Take something like investing in sustainable energy projects or updating water infrastructure. These decisions might seem like slow, expensive choices that drain resources from more immediate needs. But for politicians, they’re long-term investments aimed at keeping Longview resilient in the face of future challenges. From our perspective, it looks like stalling; from theirs, it’s about leaving the city in better shape for future generations.

4. The Reality of Limited Resources

Unlike larger cities with sprawling budgets, Longview’s politicians are working with limited resources. Every dollar they spend on one project is a dollar not spent on another. This scarcity forces them to make tough calls that might seem baffling or misguided to us, especially when we don’t know all the financial pressures involved.

Allocating resources in Longview often means sacrificing smaller, visible projects for larger, unseen ones. We see the cracks in the sidewalks or the need for a new playground, but they’re grappling with issues like maintaining emergency services, updating aging infrastructure, or managing debt. Decisions that seem small to us might have big implications for Longview’s budget stability.

5. The Amplification of Public Opinion

In a city as close-knit as Longview, opinions get amplified quickly. Politicians here aren’t just working under the scrutiny of news outlets or critics—they’re likely to run into that critic at the grocery store. Every choice they make, every delay or misstep, echoes through the community, and it often feels magnified in ways that bigger cities might avoid.

This amplified scrutiny can make politicians seem slow to act or overly cautious. They know their choices have very real, very personal repercussions in a place where they’re deeply connected to their community. Their hesitation or reluctance may come not from incompetence but from a genuine effort to act responsibly in a community that they know will hold them accountable.

So, Are They Really Incompetent?

It’s easy to criticize, especially when we don’t have all the information. But maybe Longview’s politicians aren’t as clueless as we might think. Maybe they’re just trying to navigate a job that requires juggling public opinion, future goals, scarce resources, and their own sense of responsibility to the community. It’s not that they’re out of touch; it’s that they’re dealing with a level of complexity that we, on the outside, aren’t fully aware of.

Maybe they do deserve a closer look, not as distant figures who don’t understand us, but as members of our community who are trying to make the best decisions they can with the hand they’ve been dealt. Longview isn’t an easy city to govern—it’s a place with a lot of pride, history, and voices clamoring to be heard. And perhaps our politicians’ struggle isn’t one of incompetence but of carrying the weight of a city that cares deeply about its future.

New to town. When does the first snow usually happen around here?

Anyone play? I'm new and I'm looking to play some 1 on 1 to get used to it before I hop into playing commander.

So increasing taxes for more police officers passed but funding drug court failed so now we will be paying for longer incarceration (and repeated incarcerations), more judges, more guards, a bigger facility, more lawyers, more more more. God so bent on being cruel you're willing to pay out of the nose for it.

I need to have a trans temp sensor replaced in my F-250 and the two shops I usually go to said they are booked so far out neither are willing to do the work (specifically noting because it’s a diesel truck transmission :/ ). I called that one place in Kelso that specializes in diesel trucks but after talking to them, I’d like another option.

Any recommendations?

Im new to the area

I’m looking to have my truck detailed, I’m mainly concerned with the interior at this point. Any help would be appreciated

Anyone know of any good local insurance agencies that deal with auto home and life ?

Everytime I see this banner at the intersection I have this thought.

https://preview.redd.it/wzqa6fet3msd1.png?width=1024&format=png&auto=webp&s=2728ae518a91b435b14bebf8ac28279e8c2f4a26

Come play some board games with us Saturday at our monthly board gaming night at Fei’s Carriage Restaurant & Lounge at:

3353 Washington Way, Longview, WA 98632

When you pull in, enter the building on the left where the bar is, proceed past the bar, and in the billiard room, there is door on the left which leads to a room which the entertainment director has set up for us to play.

We gather on the first Saturday of every month at 9pm and play a variety of board games. Whether you're a seasoned player or just starting out, there's something for everyone. Feel free to bring your own games or play some of the many games we have available. It's a great opportunity to meet new people, have some fun, and enjoy a night of friendly competition. We hope to see you there!

Ps: if you would like to be on the email list, send me a dm with your email address

More info available at: https://robkohr.com/articles/longview-boardgamers

Reed's Extra Ginger Ale was my favorite drink for years, but now the bottled version has disappeared from all the grocery stores around here. The canned version just isn't the same (it tastes dilluted and metallic, not a fan).

I know the bottled version still exists because I found it in a grocery store while we were on vacation in Cannon Beach. Does anyone know if it's still sold locally anywhere? (Longview/Kelso). Every grocery store seems to have replaced it with another bottled ginger ale and none of them look appealing.

There used to be a cookie shop at the Three Rivers Mall back in the before times ... I think it was called The Cookie Place. It was just off the food court. Back in the 90s, Electronics Boutique was across from it.

It was one of the spots in the circle: https://imgur.com/lcMwK1z

They had these lemon frosted sugar cookies. They were my favorite. When I'd come back to visit, I'd stop by the mall to get one ... or more.

I need them. I've never found another cookie like them. Is there any chance that someone out there knows the recipe, or if there's a successor still in business somewhere?

Hi, I understand that Longview is on the more conservative side of things in many ways, and hey that’s just fine. I am wondering if, with that, there is a ‘more welcoming than other congregations’ when it comes to LGBTQ peeps here or nearby.

Please, spare me your personal views and interpretations on how you believe the Almighty God views people who are like me. There’s already enough of that over in r/Bible. My God is huge and love all encompassing. I am trying to find a place to worship and a Christian community to be apart of. If that is not in your Church, I can respect that. I am specifically trying not to intrude where I will not be welcomed.

Also, how “suit/ties and dresses” is Longview? Are nice jeans acceptable with a polo or button down type shirt for example?

Thank you.

I have tonight free and im looking for something to do and hopefully even meet someone, if thats still a thing, lol. Where do yall go to meet people and have fun?

I go running at the lake often and I get so happy every time I see the skeleton and whatever costume you have put on it for the season. I saw you added an additional giant skeleton on top of your car port and I'm thrilled. keep up the great work.

P.S. I'm also curious if the skeleton is at all a reference to My Brother, My Brother and Me.

We're staying in Kelso and heard that Erebus was the place. We checked it out and it looked amazing and perfect, really dug the vibe and will come back when passing thru again, buuuuut it was dead. Only like 6 people on a Saturday night. Is that normal for the area?

https://preview.redd.it/r55w6rjjbgnd1.png?width=3648&format=png&auto=webp&s=5e3da3854d785b1e0d74954ac9475707e33d70b0

Chill out and come play some board games with us tonight at our monthly board gaming night at Fei’s Carriage Restaurant & Lounge (renamed from the Regent) at:

3353 Washington Way, Longview, WA 98632

When you pull in, enter the building on the left where the bar is, proceed past the bar, and in the billiard room, there is door on the left which leads to a room which the entertainment director has set up for us to play.

We gather on the first Saturday of every month at 9pm and play a variety of board games. Whether you're a seasoned player or just starting out, there's something for everyone. Feel free to bring your own games or play some of the many games we have available. It's a great opportunity to meet new people, have some fun, and enjoy a night of friendly competition. We hope to see you there!

Ps: if you would like to be on the email list, send me a dm with your email address

More info available at: https://robkohr.com/articles/longview-boardgamers

At the MMA gym...across from the dump. Surreal.

Anyone here do welding at LCC ? How good is the degree, do local people like it for jobs ?

Garage sale today only at 503 N 4th Ave Kelso! My older friend is driving across country and needs help getting rid of some things! Stop by if your free! She has books, tools, kitchen ware, and a lot more!!

Our landlord has decided he's remodeling our unit. Since we're month to month he's allowed to asked us to leave and we have to after X period.

The issue is that my family lives pretty much paycheck to paycheck right now. We don't have anything in savings. The purpose of this post isn't to ask for help it's to ask to be pointed towards help. Most programs I've found so far are good for rental assistance but not for move in costs like first months rent, deposit and all of that.

I'm hoping to find something as otherwise we'll basically have to wait until we're out of here before we can start having money to put towards a new place.

Does anyone in town regularly drive to Portland for matchdays? I’ve recently had to downgrade my vehicle and my new to me car is not highway-worthy. I miss going to matches in person. ☹️

I would obviously be willing to chip in for gas/parking, although my former method was always to park and ride the yellow line from the expo center. Parking and fare are both free in this instance, as long as you have tickets to the match.