Headed in the right direction
The powers-that-be for the City of Marion should be commended for progressive thinking. The commission is considering filling the economic developer position that has been vacant for awhile.
Representatives from the community met with the commission and agreed a city economic developer would be beneficial for Marion.
We need someone — a developer, a cheerleader for Marion — to go out and recruit prospective businesses.
This person may not be a current resident of the area. That could be a good thing. Someone new to the area could lend a different perspective than what we already see. And someone new to the area won't be prejudiced by old grudges and past history.
It won't be cheap. Progress never is. We'll have to pay good money for good results. That's OK. In the long run, it will be worth it.
It won't be quick. It will take some time to find the right person. Then it will take some time for that person to get results. Progress won't happen overnight. We can't be hasty. We can't demand instant results.
We'll have to be 100 percent supportive. We may have to "think outside the box." We might even have to give up some of our philosophies about "the way we've always done it."
That's OK. Change is good. It's positive. It's going in the right direction. We need to do it before it's too late.
This decision affects everyone in the city of Marion. All of us should be interested in the hiring of an economic developer. It affects the livelihood of the community.
If you care about nothing else that happens in Marion — at least let the city commission know your feelings about this decision.
Great idea. Progressive. And none too soon.
— DONNA BERNHARDT
