Visitors come to our fair community year-round — many stay at the lakes and come to town to buy supplies and to eat out.

What is their first impression of our community? Do they see neat yards and a pristine downtown?

What do they see when they drive past our county courthouse? Our courthouse is one of the more historic ones in the area. The stone structure fits Marion’s heritage with downtown buildings and the historic Elgin Hotel Bed and Breakfast. The only thing missing is landscaping.

We know county employees can only do with the time and money available to them. However, as a community, we should have more pride in this public yard.

Central Park is a prime example of cooperation between the city and the community. Numerous volunteers see to it that the park has fresh plantings every spring. City funds pay a worker to keep the park facilities and other city properties manicured and in working order.

There have been efforts by the county to primp the courthouse grounds but it is not an ongoing effort.

A simple landscaping plan could be implemented and I’m sure there are volunteers — including me — in the community and around the county who would be willing to plant and help maintain the grounds. County workers could continue to mow and water but we could maintain flowerbeds and rock gardens.

Anyone interested in helping with the courthouse grounds can let me know. We’ll form a committee, talk to the commission, and get the ball rolling.

— susan berg