My head has been full of thoughts about government this week. My husband and I had the opportunity to hear former President George Bush speak last Monday as part of the Denver Distinguished Lecture Series.
He shared antidotes about his presidency and his views on world politics. He stressed the importance of family, education and instilling good values in our children for the future prosperity of our country. He did an imitation of Dana Carvey doing an impression of him. He didn’t mention President Clinton or any of the current White House commotion in the news.
Mr. Bush also talked about getting involved in government at the local level and making a difference in your community. He asked how many people participated in their local caucus before the last presidential election. Out of 2,000 people, about 100 raised their hands. “Half of you are liars,” said Bush. I’ll bet the response would be much greater in Hardwick, Vt. You have to admire the concern and community involvement of those people. I had the chance to visit Vermont a few years ago, and it is arguably one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen.
I grew up in the small town of Broomfield, Colo. Population 8,000 in the 1970s and home of two gas stations, one grocery store, one high school and no stoplights. Today it is one of the fastest-growing places in Colorado with a population of 35,000. What will be the second-largest office park in the state is just a stone’s throw from the town and the cause of all of this growth. Yes, my husband and I moved back to Broomfield to raise our family in a small town. The best laid plans …
Broomfield is involved in its own debate involving a piece of property about one-half mile from our home. A developer would like to put an apartment community of 100 units on a space of about 8 acres. The homeowners in the surrounding area are livid. Currently the space is a field with large old trees where owls and ground hogs roam. I would not call the land beautiful, but it is a nice piece of open space breaking up an endless sea of homes.
We watched the city council meeting on TV last Tuesday. Resident after resident filed up to the podium to present concerns about traffic, crime, property values, etc., that would result from the development. I watched from my community-activist position on the couch with mixed feelings. I don’t want to see the apartments built either, but I am sure happy that Broomfield grew enough so I could move back there. Should the door be slammed shut after my family?
People want to use wireless phones for convenience and safety, but don’t want a tower anywhere near their sight? We just can’t have it both ways.
