Marjorie Haun Oral History Interview

Marjorie Haun, a freelance journalist and special education teacher in Old La Sal, Utah, discusses the benefits and challenges of rural living in San Juan County. She values the solitude, quiet, and openness, and the close-knit community where neighbors help each other out of necessity and friendship. However, she highlights challenges like the lack of local services (shopping, medical facilities), the significant travel required for daily life, and the impact of the internet as both a tool for remote work and a potential crutch for parenting. Haun expresses a desire for more economic diversity, advocating for a return to mining, extraction, and manufacturing, in addition to existing ranching and tourism, to provide well-paying jobs and affordable housing. She envisions a future where young families can afford to live, thrive, and contribute to the community's stability and growth, rather than the area becoming an exclusive "playground for the rich."