When we moved to Oakley approaching 40 years ago, no one wanted to live here. Our home sat vacant for a year.

Now with Vail Resorts, the Olympics and future Olympics, that has changed. Everyone on the east side has always complained about Park City being near. But to be honest, without Park City we wouldn’t have employment, medical care, open space, trails, recycling, or Mountain Town music.

I just wanted to caution you when you plan on moving to the east side. The reason you come here is the reason I want you to leave some things behind. I often joke that every new homeowner brings a sign package with them that begins with the word “No” and ends with trespassing, fishing, firearms, entry, etc. You’ve got to realize where that locked gate now stands the locals use to walk up that dirt road with their kids, teach them how to ride their four-wheeler, hunt deer, or ride their horses. That riverbank is where our kids swam and tubed on warm summer days. I don’t think you realize what you are locking out and who you are locking out.

Let me surmise the reason you want to live here. It has to have something to do with the beautiful land, the Weber River meandering through the valley, the Uinta mountains bordering the valley, and the lush hay meadows. We appreciate what you may have accomplished in your life, but more importantly we want you to show us who you really are. Don’t let what you have accomplished become more important than who you are.

We welcome you into a community where we share common ground, have similar values, open hands, open hearts and sometimes open minds. We are more than the beauty that surrounds us, as are you. So what we asking from you is to become a part of us. Open that gate, open that dirt road, open that river bank, open that mind, throw those signs away, float that river, fish that bank, climb that mountain, bike down that country road, leave that world you once knew behind you. Like my 80-something-year-old neighbor’s sign says: We moved to the country for the country. 

There was a time many years ago when homes and cars were left unlocked, no one worried about someone breaking in or stealing something from their home. Security wasn’t a big concern. Now we lock down everything.

Neighbors were ones you shared a walk with in early morning and a picnic later in the day. You could count on them when in need. This fellowship is something we all long for, but the obstacles to overcome are many, but we can overcome.

You just have to realize the people here before you came for the same reason. They have wishes and dreams as you do. They wanted to build something, too, but not to keep others away, but invite others in to a community.  

Gary Goog Beroset

Oakley