New homes being built smaller

Gone are the days of "McMansions" - I just read this story on AOL.

Here is the link: http://www.walletpop.com/mortgages/article/_a/bbdp/new-homes-being-built-smaller/300099

For the last decade, and probably even prior to that, we Americans have been obsessed with big cars, homes, salaries and now we are paying the price. We can no longer afford to live a half a million dollar world on a $40-50 thousand annual salary.

There lives in Salt Lake City, Utah - an amazing woman by the name of Lisette Gibson. She lives in a beautiful area of the city filled with charming homes. The area is entitled Yalecrest and the name conjures up images of quaint modest sized homes.

A few years ago, I was blessed to make Lisette's acquaintance - it seemed that some nefarious developers and homeowners were purchasing small homes, in order to tear them down and put up massive "McMansions" out of style and character with the "look and feel" of the neighborhood.

With the help of her amazing architect husband and a group of dedicated citizens, Lisette brought about the city council ordinance restricting massive homes in 5 of 7 city council districts.

What I learned from that dedicated group of grassroots activists is that we can do anything we put our minds to - a la Rosie the Riveter "We can do it!" and that when we are anxiously engaged in doing the right thing, right will most often prevail in the end.

The moral of this story: Never underestimate the power of a woman and by small means are great things accomplished.