LETTERS: Marion is moving and shaking years ago
To the Editor:
I am writing in response to the letter to the editor from Bill Holdeman in the April 30 issue of the paper. He apparently doesn't reside in the same community as I, or hasn't bothered to look around. He claimed nothing has happened in Marion since they changed from a three-person commission to a five-person council.
Maybe Bill Holdeman hasn't noticed (or supported) the new businesses in town. He could look next door to find Good Happens or a couple doors down to find PLANTations. He could go east on Main and find TC's What Not Shop; Family Sports, Aunt Bee's Floral & Garden Center, and The Auto Tek. Or he could go west on Main and find Hair Corner; Down on the Corner and Quilting Quarters. He could go out to the business park and find Superior Wine & Liquor, Pit Stop 56 and Rick Miller Rentals; or he could go to the Industrial Park and find Cardie Oil Tire & Service Center (just to name a few — NOT ALL.) These are all "movers and shakers" willing to invest in Marion by opening new businesses.
Maybe Bill Holdeman hasn't noticed (or supported) the existing businesses in Marion who are growing and expanding, like the Co-op; Sher-Bowl Lanes, Wagon Wheel; John Deere; Seacat Hardware (who added Lumber) and Arlie's Body Shop, (again, just to name a few
Maybe Bill Holdeman hasn't noticed (or supported) the Bucks for Building program (Bill moved to discontinue the program at the Nov. 19, 2007, Marion City Council meeting; motion failed for lack of a second) and neighborhood revitalization that has attributed to 15 new homes built in the city limits of Marion and numerous renovations and additions, built by "movers and shakers" who call Marion HOME.
Maybe Bill Holdeman hasn't noticed (or supported) the new fine arts center/auditorium or the new gymnasium and indoor pool that the "movers and shakers" in USD 408 have worked so hard to get constructed.
Maybe Bill Holdeman hasn't noticed (or supported) the city's new fire truck, thermal imaging camera, trash truck, water plant upgrade, spec building, new police cars, new playground equipment, $250,000 grant for safe routes to school, and the $400,000 grant for new streets on North Cedar and Eisenhower. These things were accomplished thanks to the "movers and shakers" who are employed by the City of Marion.
Maybe Bill Holdeman has too high of expectations or maybe Bill Holdeman just can't remember? Either way, there are movers and shakers in Marion who are getting things done, despite negativity of this kind. Everything mentioned above has happened under the five-person council. Keep up the good work Marion! Keep "moving and shaking" in a positive direction.
Jami Williams
Marion
