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<br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br /> <br /> <br />1617 <br /> <br />, <br />.. . -6JII~';;_~~f!!,---IJr,-_ <br /> <br />PERCEPTIONS OF CHANGE <br /> <br />"We came here when the population was <br />35,000 because we wanted to live in a <br />small town. We aren't living in a small <br />town anymore." <br /> <br />In order to gain a sense of historical <br />perspective about the physical form of <br />the City, several long-time residents of <br />the community were asked, "How has the <br />community changed over the years? How <br />does it look now compared to previous <br />years?" Each resident mentioned the <br />growth of the City-physical, economic <br />and cultural. The following quotes ore <br />typical of the reactions of those persons <br />interviewed concerning the growth <br />experienced in the City over the post <br />forty years. Whether this growth is seen <br />as positive or negative, it is seen as the <br />most pervasive fact in the changes that <br />have occurred in the community. I <br /> <br />"Downtown was THE social and shopping <br />center. We used to dress up to go <br />shopping on Saturday. Now it's so quiet <br />on Saturdays, it's frightening." <br /> <br />... <br />;: <br /> <br />"" <br /> <br />'. <br /> <br />'"~a"'''. <br /><'" , ~ W'*}w.'+ <br />. - ',' ~..i--<:._ _ _ . - <br />--00~~' ~.-w;_-q",^_~":\~:,,,_. <br />-~.~~~<:.:.,' , <br />~'><"~"', ~~<::"I <br />. ',; ~~.h." J <br />... ,~..:';~~ <br /> <br />"The effects of growth have been <br />devastating." <br /> <br />"I used to be able to walk alone in <br />Monument Valley Park and leave my doors <br />unlocked. I wouldn't dare do either now. <br />A recent burglary has made me aware <br />that this is not the peaceful, quiet <br />community that I grew up in." <br /> <br />"The town was stagnant when the <br />population was 35,000." <br /> <br />"I love this City and what's been done, but <br />it's different, quite different." <br /> <br />"The east side is like another City; it <br />seems to lack character and planning." <br /> <br />"All the new houses are alike; there are <br />no distinct neighborhoods in the new <br />areas. In earlier years, it was very <br />unusual to see two houses built alike." <br /> <br />"The slums used to be much worse, <br />they've really improved." <br /> <br />"Growth has been good because of the <br />type of people who have moved here." <br /> <br />13 <br />