A Dream Life in Wittmann
Sean described life in Wittmann as something out of a Western movie. “You know, this is what people think about when they think about Arizona,” he noted. “Dirt road, cactus, coyotes, cows running through… you get to escape to this every day.” For those who work in the city, Wittmann provided a perfect retreat—a place where you could let your dogs roam freely and soak up the tranquility of wide-open spaces.
Sean and his neighbors typify the independent, self-sufficient spirit of the area. He mentioned their family businesses, which range from carpet and tile cleaning to a coffee stand owned by his fiancée’s sister. It’s apparent that this land has fostered a nurturing environment for entrepreneurial minds and a life led on one’s own terms.
The BNSF Project: A Bolt from the Blue
However, this idyllic life is under threat from a giant in the transportation industry. The BNSF project initially seemed like a distant rumor, 18 months ago. Recently, residents received notices detailing the intermodal station. It was to be built merely on the other side of a local dirt road, shattering the peace they relished. Sean revealed that the station’s presence would bring an estimated 300 trucks daily, using a small two-lane dirt road that isn’t up to the task.
One of the most contentious points is how BNSF acquired the land. “We found out they bought it from BLM [Bureau of Land Management],” Sean said, expressing disbelief that a government body tasked with protecting such land sold it off. Precisely how much was paid remains unclear, but the general sentiment is that it was far less than what a regular buyer would have had to shell out.
Feeling Voiceless in the Process
Despite receiving notice, Sean and his neighbors feel voiceless in the entire process. A public town hall meeting was held in Morristown, not Wittmann, making it difficult for Wittmann residents to attend. “At the zoning hearing… They didn’t really care what we had to say,” Sean lamented. Bureaucratic red tape and what seemed like predetermined decisions rendered community objections meaningless. “It’s all corrupt anyway,” he concluded, reflecting a deep mistrust in the process.
Moreover, the zoning hearing felt more like an obligatory formality than an actual platform for discussion. Per Sean’s account, the committee members appeared indifferent to their concerns, rather rushing through the process to approve the project.
The Inevitable Impact
The future looks grim for Sean and his neighbors. They foresee their serene desert nights disrupted by constant industrial activity. “You can’t sleep with trains and forklifts all night,” Sean said. The described transformation from untouched land to an “8-foot tall barbed wire fence” lined facility evokes an image of isolation—turning their beautiful home into a “backward prison.”
Rather than succumb to bitterness, Sean exhibits a pragmatic approach. He’s already contemplating renting out his property to BNSF workers once the project comes to completion—people who “have no life” and won’t mind the proximity to work.
A Lost Battle?
Despite their melancholy, the residents are not oblivious to the larger perspectives driving such projects. The state’s structure must grow, and companies like Amazon, looking at setting up warehouses nearby, are part of that vision. Still, the imbalance in priorities between landowners and corporate entities is evident. “It’s all about money,” Sean concluded, highlighting the inequities in zoning permissions and developmental rights.