disappointment in housing

[cok...@yahoo.com]

I have lived in northern Arizona since I returned from working in
China ten years ago. I worked on the Navaho Reservation before
retiring. I couldn't find any housing suitable for me that I could
afford. I am a preservationist for the last 30 years but nothing I
could care for in town; so I had to go out in the county. I ended up
building a new home with alternative energy, water catchment,
composting toilets, and grey water use. I am a bit concerned about
roads being in traveling mode, medical emergencies and fire
possibilites. There are no services available. It is a long drive to
get mail, groceries, gas, let alone delivery of drinking water and
propane.

I so love my place in this area. I love the wild life who graze in my
yard. I love the hawks and eagles who stay in a craggy tree
overlooking this vaste land. It is a blessing to be part of this land,
aside from the "moving in" damage I have caused. I am slowly allowing
it to go back to its natural state. I am getting older and worry that
my far neighbors find me toes up but then that could be the same in
Flagstaff with my neighbors 30 feet from me.

It is a sacrifice to stay in this area. I am so in love with the land,
the skies and the peace. I love the mountains and respect the Native
American respect for them.

I want to see less development in Flagstaff as traffic is getting to
be overwhelming (yet I lived in China) and finding items in shops that
are rather unnecessary and not the things of the student population.
Do we want Phoenix to be connected in every sense of the place? Why
come here for the peace and beauty and bring all that extra stuff to
Flagstaff?