Brown wrote: “Ever so slowly, changes are coming to this once-thriving agricultural town made popular by its close proximity to President Bush's ranch.

“Some say new businesses may have opened regardless of the town's newfound popularity. But there's no discounting the importance of tourists curious about the president's 1,600-acre spread, located about seven miles from downtown.”

“Crawford has sat dormant here for so many years. It was never thought of, which was good. We enjoyed our small town,” said Franklin Abel, who owns a heating and air conditioning business. “But it's continually changing, and these things are good for Crawford.”

Brown noted: “Residents have changed a bit, too. They are more accustomed to the roadblocks and traffic when Bush's motorcade rolls through town, and many have become somewhat savvy in answering reporters' questions. They don't want too many changes, though.”

“This is still a small town, and we like that,” Abel said.

Publication date: 12/23/2002