A community is like a ship. Even though we might live and work on different “decks,” we’re all a part of the same vessel.

When sharks circle the ship, we can’t say, “I don’t care. This doesn’t concern me” because it does concern all of us on the good ship Marion.

If the ship runs aground, we all have to work together to get it back in the water.

If an enemy attacks, we all have to fight back because if the enemy succeeds, everyone on the ship suffers.

We know city officials, the captains of our ship, are faced with the difficult task of determining what to cut to balance the 2011 budget. What’s bothersome to some of us is the apparent lack of concern for business and tourism promotion.

The Marion Chamber of Commerce is a private organization, requiring members to pay annual dues to belong. Should the city support a private entity with public money? Most of the time I would say “no.” However, this situation is different. The $10,000 the city had been giving to the chamber was for tourism and city promotion efforts.

As local retailers struggle to keep a positive bottom line, tourism is more important than ever. Tourists continue to support the local lakes with many coming to Marion to purchase goods and services.

Someone or some entity has to promote us — fly our flags so the world will know about us. At a time when local customers are losing jobs, wages are being cut, and local businesses aren’t getting the support they need to stay afloat, having tourists come to Marion has been a fresh wind in our sails after economic storms.

A comment was made at Monday’s council meeting that the chamber of commerce will probably disband next year without the full support of the city. There might be another opportunity for the chamber that has yet to present itself.

I believe that when a door closes, a window sometimes opens. And that window could very well be a convention and visitors bureau. The idea has been tossed around throughout the years. Maybe this is the right time to do it.

What do you think? What should this community do to promote itself?

This community ship needs to figure out a way to work together, no matter what.

Entrepreneurs continue to look at Marion as place they would like to set their anchors and come aboard.

All is not lost on rough waters as long as our leaders can keep our oars in the water and our sights on clear skies for smooth sailing.

— susan berg