Confused, are you involved in the city planning? Have you been involved in the past? As soon as the first land owner sold off land to developers the city was headed for change. If all the "oldtimers" didn't want change then they should have stood up and made their voice be heard back then. It is too late now, the city has grown and will continue to grow and change. The best thing that can happen now is for it to grow the right way, with controlled/planned growth. The small town feel can stay, but change is coming. There are a lot of "newcomers" who want to keep the small town feel. I am one of them. I plan on participating so that my voice will make a difference and my concerns can be heard.
What are you willing to do?