But in many ways it could have been ruling on almost any other suburban town.
But all the growth was in rural and suburban towns.
Lots of new people have moved in, but it still feels a little like a suburban town.
"It's true, we are a suburban town with city problems," he said.
"It was, and still is, a beautiful, small, quiet suburban town."
"Emerson is a suburban town, and people like to look at trees," he said.
As a result, many suburban towns have been left with a severe shortage of teachers, police and other workers.
Even among adjoining suburban towns in the same state the differences can be quite large.
On a spring morning in a suburban town these two men's paths will cross.
As an adult, I joined the volunteer fire department in my adopted suburban town.