Dear HCN,
Yes, house hunting in
Bozeman can be frustrating (as described in the Jan. 24 HCN,
“Montana Town Puts Out the Unwelcome Mat”). But unlike others
profiled in that story, I don’t exclusively blame footloose
entrepreneurs, Californians or Hollywood stars for this and other
growth-related problems.
While not always to our
liking, change is inevitable. Human communities, much like natural
communities, are dynamic and ever-evolving. We can influence these
patterns of change, preserve the best of our past and prepare for
the challenges of the future. But this won’t happen without a great
deal of thoughtful planning and committed action. The participation
of everyone who values the region’s natural and cultural amenities
– from recent arrival to fourth-generation rancher – is equally
important.
Let’s not kid ourselves, this ain’t
gonna be easy. But while finger-pointing is understandable, it will
not solve problems. In the long run, becoming a regular at planning
board meetings will prove far more
constructive.
Dennis
Glick
Livingston, Montana
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Some advice for rural residents.
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
