Change is Difficult, Not Changing is Fatal
As human beings, we naturally resist change. It’s part of our nature—we get comfortable, we enjoy what we know, and we hold on tightly to what we love. In a perfect world, I would want our community to stay exactly as it is today—peaceful, small, and full of the charm that makes it so special. But the truth is, standing still is not an option.
Our government needs revenue, and that need is only going to grow in the years ahead. The question is not if we will need more revenue, but how we will generate it. And there are only two real options that allow us to stay small, rural and charming:
High Taxes – We could raise taxes, but that path eventually prices families out of living here. Longtime residents who have called this place home for generations would face the risk of being pushed away by costs they can no longer afford. That’s not fair, and it’s not sustainable.
Tourism – The other option is to embrace tourism. Now, I know that word can raise concerns. Nobody wants to see our community lose its identity or feel overrun. But done thoughtfully, tourism is a tool that actually helps keep our small area small. By inviting visitors to experience our trails, rivers, farms, and downtown shops, we grow revenue without overburdening local families. Tourism dollars strengthen small businesses, support jobs, and add to our tax base—all while protecting the charm that makes people want to visit in the first place.
The reality is this: change is difficult, but not changing is fatal. If we resist every effort to adapt, we risk losing the very things we love about our home. Embracing smart, sustainable tourism (along with continuing to stay diversified with light manufacturing in the northern corridor) is not about transforming our community into something unrecognizable. It’s about making sure we have the resources to preserve what makes us unique for generations to come.
We can protect our small-town charm while giving our kids and grandkids the opportunities they deserve. But it requires courage to face change head-on and to make the right choice for our future.