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Back to the drawing board

The resignation of Marion Economic Development director Jami Williams leaves the city of Marion at a crossroads.

We could waste time trying to figure out who is to blame for her exodus. We could waste time trying to decide if she was overpaid or the best thing since sliced bread.

But it would be just that — a waste of time.

So, where do we go from here?

Williams' resignation is but a hiccup in the forward momentum Marion has experienced in 2007. If we're going to keep moving forward, we'll have to take a good, hard look at Marion and figure out how to proceed.

This is a good time for the city council to re-evaluate its definition of economic development.

What is Marion looking for? What does it want to be when it grows up?

Will it become a retirement community? A retail center? A manufacturing hub? A bedroom community? A ghost town?

In any event, the city council needs to go back to the drawing board, pull out the initial plan they had a few years ago, and reread it. They then should collectively decide first, if Marion even needs an economic development director. If the answer is yes, then figure out what the job description includes and what kind of qualifications they will be looking for in an applicant. Last but not least, they should consider the benefits of hiring someone from out of the area.

Marion needs some fresh ideas. An economic developer with a new perspective and without any preconceived notions might provide the nudge Marion needs to get going.

If we should be lucky enough to find such a person, the council will have to remember to be supportive, open to new ideas, willing to think outside the box for development ideas, and willing to invest in those ideas.

Since we elected those city council members, they need to hear from us. We need to let them know what we think about economic development and how we'd like to see our city grow. Keep your negative comments to yourselves, they are nonproductive. However, if you have some positive comments and ideas, share them with council members. Hopefully, they'll be able to use that information when they go back to the drawing board.

— DONNA BERNHARDT

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