Friday, July 6, 1990... a front page article in the Payson Roundup / Mogollon Advisor by Carolyn Dreyer asked these questions about the consequences of the devastating Dude Fire:

- How does a small community recover from a monumental disaster with such lasting effects?

- Will tourism suffer as greatly as we fear, now that one of the area's most popular attractions, Zane Grey's Cabin, is reduced to a pile of ashes?

- Will area businesses cling by a shred?

- How will this thing they call "The Dude" affect economic development and the future job market?

In the midst of all this speculation, the Heber Ranger District began conducting free tours of the burn area. Bus tours were scheduled twice a day. It was observed at the time that the buses were consistently filled with nearly as many residents of the surrounding local communities as visitors who came up from the Valley. Most of the tours and thousands of "drive-through" curiosity-seekers stopped in Christopher Creek to have lunch or dinner. Many stayed overnight at the Creekside, Christopher Creek Lodge or the Grey Hackle Lodge. Over and over again, people were heard to say, "Gee, I didn't even know this little town was here, and I've been through this way a hundred times going to Showlow!"

A new sense of optimism could be felt around the little market now known as Tall Pines, over at Red's Service Station, in the restaurants and the R.V. parks, and especially over at the ERA Real Estate office. Business owners, manager and employees alike all began to wonder if this would be the beginning of a new era in Christopher Creek. As the seasons changed, they began to notice that visitors were not only coming in during the summer, they were coming all year around, including during the traditionally "sleepy" winter months. It seemed that despite the terrible loss of trees, homes and precious lives, there would actually be some good coming out of the devastating fire.

This may seem like an over-simplification, but in the ten years or so since the "Dude", the dramatic increase in tourism to our area has spurred the economic growth that provided new jobs which required additional housing, thus depleting the available inventory of properties suitable for "vacation" homes, and leading ultimately to the construction of new homes, not only here in Christopher Creek, but everywhere in the Rim Country.

As an example of an absolutely unpredicted side effect of this growth, just two years later in 1992, a $50 million housing plan for the Payson area was announced. Now known as Chaparral Pines, the idea of an upscale, gated community with an exclusive golf course, a 43-acre recreation center with a private lake stocked with trout, a fitness center, covered tennis courts and a swimming pool, a full service restaurant and a lodge for overnight guests... all this seemed pretty far fetched to the local residents. I am told they are virtually sold out.

Hunter Creek, another gated community just a stone's throw from Christopher Creek, saw a huge increase in lot sales and new home construction. The same phenomenon has occurred in Christopher Creek itself. The demand for new homes eventually became more than the local builders could handle, and as a result, several new contractors have been attracted to the area.

Not all aspects of this trend are seen as "rosy", however. Certainly, as all these new people have been coming into the area increasing the population figures, so have they increased property values, for existing as well as newly-built homes. This is fine for those hoping to sell, but a different story for buyers.

Then there's the fact that the amount of traffic on two-lane Highway 260 has increased to such a degree that there are plans in the near future for the construction of a Christopher Creek by-pass, possibly by the year 2002. More developers are moving in from out of the area, even from out of state, with grandiose plans for new subdivisions. In the opinion of many, they are being proposed for areas where they simply should not be.

Most of the residents of Christopher Creek and Tonto Village are adamant about wanting to keep this area rural. They feel this is no place for side-by-side, cookie cutter, all-in-a-row houses. Nor do they want to have a high-speed, divided highway built just yards from their homes, an intrusion that will displace many, many trees and permanently disrupt the forest's wildlife here on top of the hill.

Just to get a "feeling" for local attitudes, I conducted a thoroughly un-scientific poll of Rim Country residents, asking how they felt about the changes to Christopher Creek specifically, and to the Rim Country in general. As one might expect, most were not in favor of the trend, but their opinions did run the gamut:

JOHN ZALESKA - CHRISTOPHER CREEK

"I don't think anyone who lives in Christopher Creek wants high density housing. We will do whatever it takes to railroad any effort like that. If the Board of Supervisors play fair zoning, they should stop it cold. We are worried about "back room" deals. The current property owner bought the land under the current zoning restrictions, so I don't feel bad for them one bit.

There would be serious water and sewage problems that are being glossed-over as well. Developers have money, lawyers and questionable political influence. All we have is our neighbors and our lifestyle.

As far as the bypass goes, the meadows between Christopher Creek and Hunter Creek will be ruined. All ADOT cares about is a "big project". A divided highway will take the most width and destroy the most trees and consume the most area. It is not in keeping with the work that has already been done to SR 260 North and East. (Undivided) I would have to question the motives of ADOT. There is more to this than what we see here. The best we can hope for is to delay it as long as possible, keep an eye out for spotted owls, and hope for ADOT budget cuts!"

"Being in the business that I am in, I really don't have any real strong feelings on it. I know that I probably should, since selling property is my bread and butter. I am not sure what kind of people it would bring in, certainly couldn't be any worse than some we already have here, although they don't usually last long and affordable housing is the reason."

"I guess I'm kind of luke warm on the matter. I hate to see people get all upset over the inevitable. I try to see the up-side in most things, particularly progress, and would recommend that people try to make the best of it. Look for new opportunities, that sort of thing. Nothing stays the same, for better or for worse, so we'd better go with the flow."

"I have heard several opinions on that. Some people feel that the by-pass will hurt some of the local businesses losing customers from the traffic that passes through. However, having an alternative route for the big trucks and people who are just in a hurry will help a lot with the traffic problem. Other than the by-pass, I do not know much else about what is going on in Christopher Creek itself.

As far as Payson goes, a lot of new housing is aimed more at people who live elsewhere and can afford an expensive summer/weekend home. 80% of those who live here full time have to work and get paid the salaries we get, which is usually LESS than in a big city. So, with prices of land going up and the new impact fees, what does that do for us? It makes me have to work harder, hoping to be able to afford a manufactured home on a small lot outside of town. I can't believe what they get for old run down houses in town... $150,000 for two bedrooms!?"

"When people decide to move to a small town they do it for two reasons. they want to be away from the city, but they still want civilization close by.

What I did was move to the outlying area of the small town. That way I have it all! The drive in to town is only 20 minutes, even in winter and I have elk, deer and squirrels on my land!

Let them change and grow all they want in town. It will take them FOREVER to grow out this far!"

"In a way, I can see both sides of the issue. The most common attitude I hear expressed is that of the "Gate Slammer" - I got mine, now to Hell with the rest of 'em!

The bottom line is that I'm for sensible growth. I believe in Master Plans, and will continue to support those who promise to abide by them. I think that the most important element in determining the amount and direction of growth in any community lies in the "identity" phase of a town's Master Plan. Who are we, and what do we want to be ten years from now? Twenty years from now? What kind of image do we want to project? Western? Alpine? Or a schizophrenic amalgam of both and neither?

Unless these questions are asked and answered, all plans lack a solid foundation, and efficient, sensible growth will remain an elusive, frustrating and expensive dream."

"There already is a problem in northern Gila County with the roads. The road structure was not built to handle heavy traffic and construction has proven painfully slow. When I moved here 12 years ago, improvements to the Beeline Highway were to be completed by 1995, and it still is not done. It will be much worse as traffic spills over from the Beeline to community streets.

Whopping growth means whopping costs. The continued growth will stress our resources. Eventually, consumers will have to pay to rebuild and enlarge the sewer system to prevent flooding and avoid pollution and contamination of area fresh waters. Extending water and sewer lines is likely to increase water rates for everybody."

"Change is inevitable, and those who refuse to adapt are doomed to failure. Just look at Social Security... with the baby-boomers retiring we are forced to change the system or have it collapse. Payson and other small towns are in that same kind of situation. Adapt to the times or fall apart. That's my two cents anyway."

"I bought a house in the Rim Country about 4-5 years ago to retire in. Have not moved here full time as yet. I am sorry to see how the area is being changed. It is losing its small town atmosphere. Why would anyone allow a Wal Mart be placed on the main highway along with a couple of new traffic lights?

I see developments with golf courses, yet there is not an abundance of water up here. I currently live in a big city and it is a shame to see that the plan seems to be to convert Payson to the same mess larger cities are in. It would be nice if there could be some control put on the politicians, developers, and Realtors before this place loses its appeal. I do not normally believe in government controls, but it seems that the wrong people are running the show here and should be curtailed."

"Frankly, we could use a little sophistication. I think the new batch of council people are a little more up to date in attitude and planing for the town. I'm sure some mistakes will be made, but better than the do nothing mentality of the past. The old guard is just going to have to accept some change."

"I'm still able to drive throughout the area and not see any gang graffiti. How long will that last? My guess - probably about five to ten more years. Employers trying to squeeze out a little more profit provide the incentive for illegal aliens to flock here. With these illegals come massive problems, and the Rim Country will inevitably fall. Oh well...it was nice while it lasted! Yes... I've decided to move!"

"Growth, it seems to me, is not an option, but a necessity.

The nation is replete with stagnating communities, small, dusty towns, some not so small and not so dusty, but dying nonetheless; towns that failed to see the necessity of growth to their economic viability. We should look to them as an example, a template as to what NOT to do."

"What never occurs to the "pro-growth" crowd is that the rest of us have another word for stagnation... that word is "Home". Since most of these new arrivals are wandering, homeless, opportunist carpetbaggers anyway, I wouldn't expect them to comprehend the concept.

If there are so many "small, dusty dying towns" out there that are obviously in need of a Capitalist Resurrection, why don't they just pack up their arrogant ideas and go anoint some other hapless community and leave us pitiful Paysonites to our blissful ignorance"

No lack of opinions on THIS subject!

It has been troubling to me, watching our little slice of rural America become more urban day by day. That is, until I have to make a trip to Tucson or Phoenix. Then I realize we really don't have it so bad here in the Rim Country. Those of us who were lucky enough to live here in the 50's, 60's and 70's are truly blessed to have lived here "back then." But we are also blessed to live here in the 90's and on into the New Millennium.

While reading the back issues of all the old newspapers Susan Keown over at ERA Real Estate provided for this article, it occurred to me that even as recently as 1998, hardly any advertisers had an eMail address or an internet web page. In 1998, personal computers were almost non-existent in Christopher Creek. Now it's hard to find anyone who DOESN'T have a computer, and almost all of us correspond by eMail. What? Use a telephone? Or, write a letter and drop it in the mail at Tall Pines Market? Not me, and the same goes for most of my friends.

It appears that we are learning to slowly let go of what "used to be", while looking forward to things new and exciting, toward the promise of the New Millennium.

Till next time...

Post Script: If anyone knows the results of the applications to re-zone the properties in Christopher Creek and Thompson Draw, I would appreciate an eMail from you. The information I have is this: Planing and Zoning approved the application to re-zone, but the Board of Supervisors tabled the approval because of local property owners' protests.