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» Articles from December 2005

Little Town Views: A Statement of Principles

Dear Readers,

Welcome to our new website!

You’ll find the latest posting of my monthly column, “Views From Gallatin,” as well as all previous columns in the Features archive. You’ll also see a new, more frequent posting, “For the Record,” and an array of resources, links and tools under Other Resources. Sign up today for your free membership!

If you’re new to the “Views From Gallatin” series, a good place to start is an early column entitled “Once Upon A Time…”.

LittleTownViews.com is designed as a community catalyst and information resource dedicated to the proposition that we all have the right to live and raise our children in a small-town setting.

The site is neither pro-growth nor anti-development in its vision, neither right nor left in its political leaning, neither for nor against “progress.” Rather, our central view, based on in-depth research and level-headed analysis, is that runaway growth of the sort proposed for many of our rural towns would lead to substantially higher property taxes, more crowded schools, less affordable housing, and little economic gain other than for the developers and builders whose high returns we, the taxpayers, would be forced to subsidize.

The rural character and quality of life we enjoy today has great, lasting value. Indeed, it is the rural appeal of our towns that has allowed the region to post one of the strongest economic growth rates in the entire northeastern U.S. over the past five years. Only by means of effective, legally sanctioned planning tools can our government officials protect this small-town way of life to the benefit of all our neighbors whether rich or poor, native or newcomer.

Responsible government, thoughtful planning and active community involvement do not stand in the way of progress; they are essential ingredients in helping us all define what we view as progress itself.

Enjoy the site, contact me with your comments, and please sign up for your free membership.

Sincerely,

James Sheldon