January 31, 2007
Editorial

What Are We Going To Be?

The communities of Lincoln County are at a crossroads faced by many similarly-sized areas at some point in their history.

Alamo, Caliente, Panaca, Pioche, and the rest of the towns in the county are at a point where the people are faced with the question:

What do we want to be when we grow up?

These venerable towns have seen plenty of change in their 100-plus year histories.

Change is upon us again.

Much of the change is not of our own choosing.

The Coyote Springs development currently under construction in the southwest corner of the county will bring thousands of new homes into the Lincoln County fold.

Ditto for Toquop Township, the Lincoln County Land Act parcels in the southeast corner near Mesquite.

Both of these developments will feature shiny new homes, bright new businesses, and blooming opportunity for those areas.

What are we going to do in the rest of the county?

There are plenty of options.

The first one is to do nothing, which is the easiest choice.

Of course, what’s easiest is seldom the smartest.

The residents of the northern towns can choose to ignore the southern towns, pretend they aren’t part of the county, and build psychological barriers between the communities.

Or, residents can embrace their heritage, maintain their roots, and emphasize the attractiveness of a slower-paced lifestyle as an alternative to the cookie-cutter houses that will jam the crowded lots of the new developments.

A third alternative is to capitalize on the buzz these developments will create, spruce up our existing townships, and try to bring new commerce and construction to all of Lincoln County instead of the two southern corners.

So what will it be?

The Lincoln County Commissioners will soon be tasked with plotting our future.

In order to do what’s best for their constituents, they need to hear from their constituents.

Over the next week, we are encouraging readers to send their opinions about what direction they would like their local government to follow.

Should we hang on to our rural roots and avoid change?

Should we protect the proud farming and ranching heritage that has been our calling for decades?

Should we use the millions of tax dollars from the new communities to market the county and recruit new business and industry?

And if so, what image should we project?

Or should we just sit and wait for the next big mining discovery?

Please send your thoughts to the Lincoln County Record via e-mail to morris@lincolncountyrecord.com, or mail your opinion to us at P.O. Box 507, Pioche, NV 89043.

Please limit your letters to 300 words or less.

Over the next few weeks, we will publish your opinions, and let Lincoln County’s leaders know what you want.