The Similkameen News Leader
Editorial
December 09, 2008
HOW TO BUILD A TOWN - Part 1
Here's a quick and simple lesson on how to build a town.
Step One: Once you have picked the ideal location for your town, build infrastructure. This can include a number of things such as roads, subdividing lots and servicing those lots with the necessary utilities.
Step Two: Before encouraging growth of your community, complete Step One first.
Step Three: If your town has grown to capacity, go back to Step One.
There you have it! Real simple rules to follow in building any community. The bottom line is, without infrastructure you have nothing. No foundation to build on.
So when I hear talk about the possible need for houses for an influx of residents, or the need for affordable housing for existing residents I shake my head.
As far as I can tell, there's nowhere in town where the infrastructure exists to attract future development which makes me think I'm not going to see a subdivision of 25 to 50 homes popping up any time soon.
I'm not ignoring the water project to East Princeton as that is a part of the infrastructure needed to build our community.
Which is a good start.
What bothers me is that we seem to always play 'catch up' with these things. Where's the vision that would have developed fully serviced lots years ago? Why are we just getting around to these things?
I think we, as a community, need to support our Town Council and remind them we are tired of playing catch up. The potential exists where our community could be self-sufficient. With a slightly larger tax base and slightly higher taxes, we may eventually get to the point where we don't have to beg for government money in order to accomplish projects we should have had in place years ago.
It bugs me to no end to see how much we could accomplish and how little we end up accomplishing because we're so willing to just accept the crumbs that fall our way.
We need to crush that mind set and take control of our own destiny. With a strong, vibrant town we can do these things. We will also experience growth.
But it all is not possible without the infrastructure in place to begin with. Have you ever tried to put jam on a sandwich without bread? Have you ever tried to roof a building without walls? It can't be done.
Until we get the infrastructure in place to build on, we will also play catch up. I'm tired of being on the team that plays with borrowed or worn out equipment.
I want to be on the winning team that gets all the best players, the best equipment and the best places to play.
And I see that being possible in Princeton. We just have to quit settled for second or third best and strive for being Number One.
And when in doubt, just refer back to Step One.
