Still think MT has is bad?

[anothercalifornian]

As a native Californian, having migrated first to Northern Ca., which is a totally different mindset than its southern relative. I have been exposed to all kinds of predjudice and stigmas as well as being the butt of jokes. I have to tell you as an American to another American that yes, our Southern border is litterally being overrun by the Mexican front. I am so glad to see so much pride from people about their state; MT, and I am in fact a little jealous. But where I grew up I knew nothing about that kind of pride. I grew up on the beach in "surf city", basically all I cared about was the waves, partying and working a descent job to live the life I wanted to; eat healthy, drink good beer, fish and vacation regularly. That dream vanished. I had to re-evaluate my life and who I was personally. I lost my job with the City of huntington Beach public works to underbidding mexican contractors. Since that point on, the housing market is so out of reach for people of the "generation x". We had people moving into my little surf town from the east coast, all over America to buy these little "cookie cutter" suburban tract homes that are selling for well over 600,000 dollars. All of a sudden I start seeing 30 somethings and 40 somethings not from the area taking up surfing, etc. The amount of frustration I felt was unimaginable, I saw my livelihood going south, no hope of buying a home, and being surrounded by bad areas; meaning places that harbor illegals, gangs, etc. My home was becoming a concrete jungle. I sure wish we saw what was going to happen, then maybe people would acted collectively to stop all that madness.
So for those who say that californians "stick their heads in the sand" I have to say one thing, quit blaming us for any demise that may or may not happen to your "grand lady". Instead why don't you look at the big picture and see what it is that maybe you can start doing to help change that picture. I never dreamed of moving to Montana, but here I am as a result of not enough people not giving a rats #$% about what happens to a nice place when the word gets out about it.

[JoeJoeMan]

to anothercalifornian,
first off my sympathy for your situation as it turned out in Calif, that's exactly what we don't want to happen here, although it is happening, bit by bit day by day, it creeps in. And when I say something about it.....I get the "ah it's so big in montana", "we need growth, just manage it",,,, dah dah dah...........it's starting here just like it started in Calif, bit by bit, mall by mall, subdivision by subdivsion, one brick at a time, until one day it's "Sh*t how did this happen" and it's to late to turn back...Even the common joe blow nail banger up here is building spec houses and condos, so it's not just the big boys to blame.

Unfortunately to many people in Calif where you came from did have their heads in the sand. More busy with their own good time then what their land around them was turning into. "well just move a little further out"....

They just railroaded thru a subdivision in Missoula that people were against it 30 to 1 according to the paper, but the town offical with the say-so approved it because, get this, and they still let it pass, her friend was putting in the subdivision, unbelievable isn't it.... Nothing like sticking it right in your face, huh......So you'll never beat'em in city hall or going that route....you'll you save a field here and there, mean while a giant subdivision goes in a couple blocks away as part of the 'compromise".....it a losing situation going that route. "Managed Growth" - that like saying to the cancer patient - "we decided that instead of trying to stop you disease we'll just manage your tumor" - great ! how stupid of a notion is that - "we'll just manage it" - it's a problem it's a disease - STOP IT - don't manage it. Just like the doctors managing your tumor - the developers will use that as a passifier while that get more money out of you then if they just stopped the problem in the first place. Meaning "managing growth" is falling right into their hands and they'll be building more than the otherwise would have. In short "managed growth" is worse than un-managed growth.

My route is to change the minds of enough people, so that the developer is debased to the same low scoundrel level as a clear cutter or foul-practiced mining company, pollutist or racist. Where we has a society that over-whelming looks down on those people.
Also to change our whole notion of growth - IT IS NOT GOOD IN ANY AMOUNT, it may have been good a some point in our history BUT IT GOOD ANYMORE. But enough said for now

anothercalifornian - I guess I don't have to convince you - Growth Kills

[anothercalifornian]

So true- growth kills, and unfortunately so many of us here- including myself are reliant on the growth, for example: the construction industry. I work in the concrete business and I can tell you that so many livelihoods are dependent on building. I would be a hypocrite to say that I support a zero growth stance on the subject, but in order for a town to survive- especially against economic giants like Wal-Mart, eventually it will have to roll with the changes. Unfortunately wages suck everywhere you go and a person has to swallow their pride and shop at places like Wal-Mart. I still can't believe I drive 40 miles for the chance to buy meat for a dollar less a pound!