These are a few comments that best express what I was trying to get at in my last few posts. I chose to post this way instead of trying to address it in comments to kinda bring it full circle.
“I think the community as a whole is confused as to who we are supposed to be and not willing to make us known as US.” Zenpanda
Maybe we should try being us, and not worry about what others think we are supposed to be.
“We have the potential to grow in many directions.” Zenpanda
Yes we do. Drive around town and look at all the new home construction. You don’t build houses in towns that aren’t growing. Growth is not just about retail.
“John Kramer once said to me that it is a bit by bit thing. Every little success helps a community feel pride, until it becomes a self-sustaining thing.
It sure wouldn't be bad for our community to gain a little pride.” Geeguy
We have a lot to be proud of. Compare Gt. Falls today to Gt. Falls ten years ago.
“In my lifetime, we have always felt second best. I still have to struggle to overcome the "we're not Missoula" mindset. Look, this is a great place. We need to remind people of that.” Geeguy
Exactly. Don’t compare us, that takes away our uniqueness.
“Someone has to see the big picture and set up the rules of the game so that we all win.” Wolfpack
Um, any takers?
“I like going to Great Falls simply because of the very lack of "renewal", it's one of the few places left where a person can have a good meal in a mom and pop cafe, or stay in a clean, comfortable, privately owned motel for a reasonable price, or shop in a store that doesn't send all of its money overseas. Go ahead and "renew" away, then it'll be the same as everywhere else, big money leeches on every corner, sucking up money and sending it out of town. People can find that anywhere, it won't make Great Falls special, it'll just make Great Falls just like everywhere else.” Justin
We have some good “renewal”. Go to the High Plains Heritage Center. Go see the Symphony in one of the best small auditoriums in Montana. Go to the CMR Museum. Go to Paris Gibson Square. The Interpretive Center, Historic Downtown and residential districts, Railroad Square, Milwaukee depot, Childrens Museum, Giant Springs, Ulm Pishkun, Have dinner at 3D’s or Charlie Russell manor, drive out to the Grand Union Hotel in Fort Benton, take a Trolley tour. We have an incredible amount of history, that is still here, growing and flourishing.
We have new movie theatres, Marketplace, lots of newer business, old business moving up and on and great potential for more. Restaurants new and old. We have many things to be happy for and proud of and we will get more. But I don't want to be Billings or Missoula. I don’t want to be like anywhere else. I want us to be Great Falls, Montana. I want us to grow in a way that will support the reasons I live here. Want to be more like Missoula? Move there.
“I think the community as a whole is confused as to who we are supposed to be and not willing to make us known as US.” Zenpanda
Maybe we should try being us, and not worry about what others think we are supposed to be.
“We have the potential to grow in many directions.” Zenpanda
Yes we do. Drive around town and look at all the new home construction. You don’t build houses in towns that aren’t growing. Growth is not just about retail.
“John Kramer once said to me that it is a bit by bit thing. Every little success helps a community feel pride, until it becomes a self-sustaining thing.
It sure wouldn't be bad for our community to gain a little pride.” Geeguy
We have a lot to be proud of. Compare Gt. Falls today to Gt. Falls ten years ago.
“In my lifetime, we have always felt second best. I still have to struggle to overcome the "we're not Missoula" mindset. Look, this is a great place. We need to remind people of that.” Geeguy
Exactly. Don’t compare us, that takes away our uniqueness.
“Someone has to see the big picture and set up the rules of the game so that we all win.” Wolfpack
Um, any takers?
“I like going to Great Falls simply because of the very lack of "renewal", it's one of the few places left where a person can have a good meal in a mom and pop cafe, or stay in a clean, comfortable, privately owned motel for a reasonable price, or shop in a store that doesn't send all of its money overseas. Go ahead and "renew" away, then it'll be the same as everywhere else, big money leeches on every corner, sucking up money and sending it out of town. People can find that anywhere, it won't make Great Falls special, it'll just make Great Falls just like everywhere else.” Justin
We have some good “renewal”. Go to the High Plains Heritage Center. Go see the Symphony in one of the best small auditoriums in Montana. Go to the CMR Museum. Go to Paris Gibson Square. The Interpretive Center, Historic Downtown and residential districts, Railroad Square, Milwaukee depot, Childrens Museum, Giant Springs, Ulm Pishkun, Have dinner at 3D’s or Charlie Russell manor, drive out to the Grand Union Hotel in Fort Benton, take a Trolley tour. We have an incredible amount of history, that is still here, growing and flourishing.
We have new movie theatres, Marketplace, lots of newer business, old business moving up and on and great potential for more. Restaurants new and old. We have many things to be happy for and proud of and we will get more. But I don't want to be Billings or Missoula. I don’t want to be like anywhere else. I want us to be Great Falls, Montana. I want us to grow in a way that will support the reasons I live here. Want to be more like Missoula? Move there.
posted by a-fire-fly at 9:58 AM
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