She talked of retiring but never wanted to leave a job undone if it was for the association. You were a gem, Marie. Your last words were, love you. I love you too and miss you. It provides quality of life and reason to live in this place.
Local amenities play a big part.
Golf courses, swimming pools, parks, civic centers, schools, art venues, good fire and police, streets, etc., are all a part of why some places grow and prosper and other wither and die. I generally support a users fee approach to public services, but there are many reasons for a general community support of certain community attributes. It makes a community worth living in and desirable. Wish we could have more and better. If the tax on tobacco was repealed because it unfairly singled out a particular group of people, then the bed tax is subject to the same issues.