Picturing the Valley's future

There's a picture of Carson Valley we all carry around in our heads. In the foreground is green grass with cows placidly standing about. In the background, blue and white mountains reaching for the sky. Above it all, a bright blue sky.

That picture is what the debate over growth rates and building permits all comes down to.

Some folks see that picture and then watch houses being built across the street from them and wonder how long those cows will continue to graze on green lands.

Others see that picture and imagine how many people would enjoy purchasing a home with that very view.

Still others see the picture and realize how much water it takes to keep the land green and the cows fed.

It's the same picture, but people look at it from very different angles.

Economics plays a real factor in the future of this Valley. People must be able to both live and work here. They must be able to build a future here.

Forcing growth elsewhere to preserve the Valley will load up our highways and aggravate our neighbors.

However growth shouldn't overwhelm our ability to provide services or prevent us from preserving a place with historic, scenic and cultural value.

The time it takes for Carson Valley to be substantially different from the picture in our heads could be 20 years, or it could be 40 or 70, or even 100.

Not many people would say they want the picture to change, but change it will.

The question is by how much and how fast.