My wife and I, over a decade ago, moved from Cobb to Cherokee county. Together we oversaw the building of a new house in a rapidly growing development. This was before the housing bubble burst, hence our joy and optimism knew few bounds.
Yet shortly thereafter, the cement mixers disappeared from the streets. Residential construction came to a standstill as prices fell and personal wealth evaporated. What had seemed to be an unstoppable boom was suddenly thrown into reverse.
Nonetheless, there was a silver lining. The houses that were supposed to go up across the way never did. This left us on what amounted to a cul-de-sac. Instead of fronting on a roadway that led to dozens of additional residences, our street terminated just feet from us in an unbroken forest.
So there we were surrounded by trees. They were on three sides of us. Indeed, just two neighbors were close enough to be in talking distance, and one was almost never home. This was domestic tranquility on a scale we had not anticipated. For a couple of college professors, the peace and quiet was manna from heaven.
What is more, it was to last. As readers of my columns must know, I am not a fan of Barack Obama. I believe he did dreadful damage to our economy. Even so, his incompetence provided our little family with a gift. We received a vacation from further construction.
And yet, as we adults learn, most good things come to an end. Today the developers are back. Those beautiful trees are being cut down. Countless birds are being displaced and untold numbers of eggs will never hatch. As for the deer, the territory through which they wander will be drastically reduced.
What is more, all of this progress comes with an ear-splitting cacophony. Handsome trees do not go quietly. Saws make noise. So do bulldozers. But it is the super-chippers that make the most racket. Surplus branches have to be disposed of and hence are deafeningly converted into dust on site.
Now we get to look forward to utilities being put in, foundations being laid, and frames hammered together. No doubt, this building will go on for years. Much will depend on how fast these structures sell, but I am sure the developers will do their best to reduce the time span.
Not long ago, while workers were moving heavy equipment in front of our driveway, one of them cheerfully announced that they were bringing us new neighbors. Little did he realize that this would not bring smiles to our faces. We enjoy our comparative isolation.
Actually, my wife and I made a wise decision when we selected the lot for our home. Behind us lies an uninterrupted woodland that sweeps down to a reservoir. This expanse has been zoned to remain undeveloped. As a result, on one side of us we will continue to have pristine trees.
This makes us luckier than some of our fellow homeowners. More than a few, who until now had vegetation, will soon have houses behind them. For many, this signifies an end to their privacy. They will have to adjust or move.
As you may imagine, the anxieties and complaints have intensified. Because we don’t know how things will unfold, it is easy to imagine the worst. Will the new folks be as friendly as the old? Will they have lots of children or dogs? Could they play their music too loud?
One of the greatest worries is traffic. With so many additional homes will come scores of vehicles. For years, I could pull out of my driveway without looking. No more. From now on I will have to keep my eyes open. Then too, what about the automobiles going by in the dead of night? Will they keep me awake?
All of this musing may seem excessive. After all, the expansion of our development had been planned long before we moved in. Actually, most of those affected are coping rather well. Our mutual commiseration has, in fact, brought social solidarity and eased our anxieties.
Life, as they say goes, on. So thank you Obama. We enjoyed our hiatus from history. Now it is time to deal with the creative destruction that makes capitalism so great.
Melvyn L. Fein, Ph.D.
Professor of Sociology
Kennesaw State University
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