We’re growing whether we like it or not; take the survey and help shape that growth

I just want to take a moment to encourage everyone to get online and fill out the City of Mountain Home’s Survey for the upcoming Comprehensive Plan.
I did it last week while I was at the open house that they put on and it literally only took a few minutes. It’s simple and easy and the link is right on the main page of the city website.
A lot of people have a lot to say about what the city is up to and where we are headed. Some want to see more eating establishments, some more retail and others more activities. Others don’t want the city to change at all and say they live here because it is so small and not like the other communities in the area. Unfortunately we cannot stay the same way forever. For one thing stagnation is never good, secondly whether we like it or not, Mountain Home is growing folks.
The secret is out that this is a friendly little community and that the commute from our end of the valley to Boise is a lot less stressful and time consuming then commuting to Boise from the west. Though our housing costs are currently on the rise, they are still lower then comparable homes in Boise, Kuna or Nampa.
We are becoming what Kuna became before us, a commuter community for people working in Ada County. On my own block I know of at least two homes that have sold in the past six months to people who work in Boise and have no Mountain Home ties and it’s inevitable.
However there could be good to come from this too, we are broadening our tax base and as long as these commuters begin frequenting our businesses and become involved in our community events-fingers crossed that they do- it will stimulate our economy and maybe bring some fresh ideas to our community.
That is why taking the survey is so important. Look at what places like Kuna, Star and Middleton were 15 to 20 years ago, those towns aren’t even recognizable anymore. I am sure there are people who are just tickled pink about how everything turned out and wouldn’t change a thing and there are others who wished the towns were like they used to be.
Lets be honest, anytime there is rapidly expanding growth there are going to be ‘growing pains,’ but the more we participate, the more that the city and county plan for this growth and jump out ahead of it, the better off we will all be.
Our government officials seem well aware of what seems to be on the horizon for our area and they are asking for our input. Now is our chance to say how we want all of this to go, so please be proactive and take the time to make your voice heard. No matter what there are things we won’t be happy with, there will be people who can’t be pleased at all, but as the saying goes if you don’t vote/participate at times like this, then I’m sorry but in my opinion you really don’t have a right to complain. So go take the survey, attend meetings, hearings and any other open houses and use your voice to help mold our community as we go forward.