We’ve reported on numerous meetings over the years in which residents of one  community or another complained about the over-regulation of their lives. Too many laws are making their community an unfriendly place, people have said.

Morenci’s last city council meeting was notable in that just the opposite occurred. This time the cry was for more regulation and for better enforcement of existing laws. For the most part, audience members were calling for more control over landlords and rental properties.

It was easy to identify with some of the complaints listed at the meeting. Many business owners and customers have come close to being run over by speedy bicyclists on downtown sidewalks. Many pedestrians have been bothered by loose dogs. Rising assessments are a popular subject among home owners and it’s not all that uncommon to hear someone question the presence of youngsters out late at night.

There are stores and homes in town that are badly in need of repair, and the discomfort about the large number of homes being converted to rental units seems quite widespread.

But the general tone of that council meeting described a community with which we’re not familiar—a town that people are afraid to visit Morenci, a community that is rapidly going downhill.

Are we blind to so much that we missed the downfall of Morenci? Is it really that bad here?

Granted, there are problems to work on—much like any small town—but there are so many positive aspects to the city, ranging from the schools to services such as the library to highlights such as the theatre, the golf course and the good parks.

We still think this is a great community and a great place to live. We’re not at all convinced the conversion of dozens of homes to rental units is good for the community, and it probably has changed the character of the town, but have we slid so far that it’s a city in steep decline?

We don’t think so. We still think it’s a great destination for people looking for a friendly community to raise a family.