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Newspaper should report all news


To the Editor:

After reading a recent e-mail from Jami Williams in which an e-mail from Laura Legg, manager of Hillsboro and Marion Ampride was forwarded, Legg's comments would lead one to believe the newspaper is only for reporting positive news. Maybe she's suggesting the editorial page should be eliminated, or all negative news reporting should be eliminated, or for that matter, maybe the whole newspaper should be eliminated.

Would that also suggest that cities such as Wichita, Newton, and McPherson should quit printing negative articles in their newspapers as well? I'm sure people haven't stopped moving to those cities.

Yes, we should try to look at the positives, but wouldn't that also apply to looking at the positive side of individuals? Gossiping about others can hurt a person's reputation, even though the person doing the gossiping might not personally know the individual. Recent comments about the former mayor of Lincolnville are a good example.

Perhaps therein lies the real problem — the uncontrollable urge to gossip and backstab. We should give the new mayor a chance before we set our tongues into action. Whether we realize it or not, the tongue can be a deadly weapon.

Some stores have tables for coffee drinkers to sit and visit. I'm sure positive talk isn't the only thing being discussed there. Do the business owners or managers ask their negative-speaking customers to quit talking or leave the store?

Some business owners in Marion look down on certain individuals. I was under the impression a business is in business to be available to all. In Marion that is not always the case. Maybe some of these businesses should change to a membership sort of business where they can pick and choose their clientele.

As for the truck parking situation, let's stop the bickering. Since Marion seems to have "Free Lots" available in the industrial park, how about utilizing that area temporarily for truck parking?

There is concern about the "riff-raff" that might be attracted if Marion had a truck stop. There are individuals who just don't want Marion to grow. They will never be pleased, no matter what business comes to town. Maybe they just feel threatened by what it might do to their own business. However, if you've got a great business already, it shouldn't make a difference.

For once, instead of thinking about "what's good for me," let's think about what's good for Marion and Marion County.

I've lived in Marion for three years. I lived in Hillsboro four years. I can honestly say of the two towns, Hillsboro has a lot more to offer in the character of its people. They are friendlier and more welcoming. Perhaps that has something to do with their genuine, striving Christian background. I don't see much of that in the actions of the so-called Christians in Marion. On the other hand, there are some genuinely kind and caring people in Marion, too.

In conclusion, I think Your Turn comments are a way to bring negatives into the open so those areas of disagreement can be worked on, possibly turning them to positives. Only someone who refuses to face reality would only see the negative side of "negative." Life was never meant to always be "everything rosy." Without the negative, how else would there be the potential for improvement?

Hopefully with a new mayor in Marion, we will see some positive changes. Mary Olson was my third and fourth grade teacher at Lincolnville Grade School. She has a genuinely kind heart. Hopefully, that will rub off on others in Marion. Maybe that genuine, caring, friendliness toward others will return to Marion. Wouldn't that be a positive?

Arlene Stika

Marion

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