Attitude is everything
By JAMI WILLIAMS
Marion economic development director
It's hard to believe that spring is already here. We experienced our first real "winter" in several years, with snow actually staying on the ground for more than a few hours or days. Now we are anxiously awaiting some much needed rain, so we can enjoy the green new life of spring.
Marion-Florence USD 408 has begun construction on the long-awaited improvements to facilities. The auditorium at the MMS/MHS campus is underway and we can witness the progress on a regular basis. The pool is officially gone and construction should start soon on the gymnasium/pool project.
Construction workers in Marion will mean additional business for retail stores in town. Plus, the local contractors whose bids were accepted will boost our local economy by keeping that money in Marion. It will be exciting to watch these projects progress over the next several months.
Businesses in Marion also are showing great sales potential for 2007. Sales are up and so is our sales tax revenue. People are starting to regain pride in our community and are making necessary improvements to their homes and businesses. Several new businesses were opened in 2006 and they are excited about their potential for 2007. Existing businesses are excited about the growth they have seen and their possibilities for expansion. We also will continue to see a spurt of new businesses opening in Marion.
Our Bucks for Building program is in place for another year. Businesses are excited about participating and people are excited about the concept. We just approved two new applicants and have one more in the works. All of this means new housing in Marion, which will ultimately increase our overall tax base.
So, where do we go from here? We are improving our schools, economic climate, and housing. So what's next? How about improving the overall attitude of our community? After all attitudes are everything. Instead of seeing the bare trees and brown grass, let's look for the daffodils and new buds sprouting up all over town.
While construction can cause a lot of inconvenience and mess during the process, you should focus on the end result and anxiously anticipate watching the progress. While a business closing is always unfortunate, it also can be seen as an opportunity for something new; a place for a new business to start with less overhead.
While some people see the "Your Turn" section of the Marion County Record as an opportunity to express negative comments about the town we all call "home," others see it as an opportunity to give credit (anonymously) where credit is due.
Do you see the glass as half full or half empty? Do you see Marion as a thriving community with new life or a dying community soon to become a ghost town? Attitude is everything and only YOU can control how yours is perceived by others.
This reminds me of the parable of the little old man sitting outside the gates of a city and a young man came to the gates and asked the old man what his town was like.
The little old man asked him what the town from which he came was like, and the young man said it was horrible!
He said the streets were dirty, the businesses and houses were run down (or painted the wrong color), everyone was full of gossip and lies, people cheated, stole, took pleasure in others' misery and were very unfriendly. He didn't find a single person he could trust. The wise old man said, "Then you will find this town exactly the same way."
Thirty minutes later, another young man, came to the gates of the same city and asked the same old man what this town was like.
Once again, the wise old man asked the young man what the town from which he came was like.
The young man said his old town was the most wonderful town he had ever seen. The people were friendly and kind; they were honest and trustworthy; the businesses were courteous and helpful. He said that he was going to miss the many friends he had made in his old hometown.
The wise old man said "Then you will find this town exactly the same way." And
Attitude is everything! How do you describe Marion to others?
