Some of you may not be aware that Norm (with a smidge of help from Alan)writes a biweekly article for the local newspaper, "The Sierra Sun". In the most recent edition he told a nice narrative about what drew him to Truckee, how the town has changed, but ultimately how it has remained "the greatest place on the face of the earth." Following is the unedited article . . .
Upon returning from So. Carolina, I read several letters to the editor which included conversation over living here, feeling welcome, quality of life, etc. It is always interesting to see people's perspectives and reasons for wanting to live in the area.
I first became acquainted with the Truckee/Tahoe area in 1964 when I first came up here to learn to ski. Besides spending weekends and holidays skiing in the winter, I would also come up several times each summer. Although a city boy from Oakland, I fell in love with the country.
In those days the population sign by the Donner Pass Rd. exit of east bound Interstate 80 read under 1000. I imagine that was based on the census in 1960. The numbers have grown substantially since.
When my wife Alice and I decided we would like to attempt to live up here full time, this community was very dependent upon tourism, construction, our lumber mill, the railroad, utility workers and service related jobs. Blue collar jobs were much more abundant than white collar jobs. Even then, we had a quality hospital and well respected doctors who took care of our broken legs and other maladies. We also had a couple of grocery stores, shops and restaurants downtown, and (of course) multiple gas stations with expensive gas! There was not a single traffic signal or fast food restaurant to be found.
The draw to the area was the environment, the skiing, the lakes, and a slower, happier, pace of life. Everyone knew your name, or at least your face. People worked together and played together. Much of the population consisted of people from 25 to 50 years old. At the time the area was not considered to be especially appealing to retired people.
With time and the increase in population, our community has changed and become more diverse. We have rich people, poor people, middle class people, super seniors, and a multitude of second home owners. White collar jobs have definitely increased while the number of blue collar jobs related to construction and service has drecreased starting with the closing of the lumber mill and, in more recent years, due to the downturn of the economy, the housing bubble, cost of living, and "probably" the result of over development in the past 10 years. (Don't shoot me fellow Realtors!).
What has stayed consistent over the years is that what you receive from living in this beautiful area is dependent upon what you seek out. There are no welcome wagons, so to speak, or neighbors knocking down your door looking to borrow a cup of sugar.
If you wish to be a recluse, you can. If you wish to be involved in your community, you certainly can. There are numerous clubs, organizations, non-profits, schools, youth organizations, churches, senior services, etc. looking for people who would like to get involved with them to help enhance their causes and the quality of our community. The more involved one gets the more people you meet and friendships formed.
We also have multiple special districts that are managed by "elected" board members, as well as the Town of Truckee and the various counties with elected positions. So, for those wanting to be a politician and/or a policy maker, there are many opportunities.
The cost of living up here is still high, jobs are harder to find, and we continue to have inherent "growing pains." But, to coin the words of a good friend, Bob Colquhoun, "this is the greatest place on the face of the earth!" So if you are new to the area, find your niche, get involved, meet people and enjoy this piece of paradise many of us call home.
