Some folks just don’t want to see past the
stereotypes. Regarding “The Aroma Of Tacoma” by Karen Mockler, how
would Ms. Mockler like it if I advertised via a syndicated column
in over 40 newspapers across the West that her town of choice,
Billings, Mont., suffered perpetual Missoula insecurity syndrome
and was populated by nothing more than greasy oilfield hands,
hicks, rednecks and ignorant hayseeds (HCN,
7/23/07)?
As a longtime Boulderite, I think Boulder
residents can be justifiably proud of all the good things she
mentioned without suffering “relentless enlightenment” or joining
“herds of hippies nibbling … sacrosanct vegan concoctions” or
“fitness freaks with their far-too-healthy habits.”
One
of these days, the arts community will discover the cheap real
estate only blocks away from the Montana Brewpub and Yellowstone
Art Museum in Billings, and they’ll turn your town into another
Boulder, too. You see what’s happening over in Bozeman? I’d advise
you not to advertise Billings. You’re next.
Evan
Cantor
Boulder, Colorado
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Today, Bozeman; tomorrow, Billings.
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