Dear Editor:

I live in a very nice village. Thirty years ago I was a tour guide in Europe leading groups of motorcyclists through the Alps in seven countries. We would have lunches and dinners in idyllic mountain towns with walkable public squares full of giggling children and doting grandparents, ringed with flower boxes and natural spring water fountains and historic buildings from fairy tales. Often, we would speak wistfully of living in such a peaceful and scenic town and enjoying all it offe...