Think back on the last few years of contested political issues in Eureka. Downtown apartment buildings. Parking fees. Bulb-outs. Bicycle boulevards. Homelessness, and the strategy for addressing it. You know, all those things people are screaming about in your Facebook feed.

It occurred to us the other day that all these things can be boiled down to a single difference of perspective. That is: 

Is Eureka a big town or a tiny city?

If Eureka is a town, then many or most of the developments listed above seem insane. In a bucolic American town, people live in one place and drive to other places to go to work or to run errands. People there remember how things were and want them to stay that way. The economic prospects of a town may not be too great — just look around the country — but they are comfortable and we take pride in it. At least we’re not like they are in the city, we tell ourselves. We are proud of our heritage, our way of life.

If Eureka is a city, things look quite different. In that case, it makes absolute sense to embrace density, modernity, alternative modes of transportation, street festivals, live-work spaces, new things generally. Cities are dynamic. They have a better chance of attracting young people and new investment. Maybe, if you’re not careful, you run the risk of flaming out — not only failing to realize the vision, but of ruining what was there to begin with. But you’d better shoot your shot, or else you’re toast.

What do you think — is Eureka a big town or a small city? Or what should it be? Which path should its leaders pursue when planning for its future?