Send a letter, ask a question
Marion voters will have the opportunity to vote on two important issues in April. First, the current form of city government, a commission, will be changed to a four-member and one mayor city council. We will vote for four people to fill those seats.
Secondly, Marion and Florence voters will be voting on a school bond issue for a new auditorium, gymnasium, and indoor swimming pool.
In the weeks to come, the pages of the Marion County Record will be filled with information about both topics.
This week we feature city council candidates in a question-and-answer article. Each of the 13 candidates were sent the same questionnaire. Each responded and those answers are published elsewhere in this issue.
Drawings of the proposed auditorium, gymnasium, and pool can be found on page 8, along with some financial information about the bond issue.
In the weeks to come, we'll be running a series of questions and answers about the bond issue. If you have questions, send them to us, we'll get the answers, and publish them in the newspaper.
It's fabulous that 13 individuals stepped up to the challenge to run for city council.
It's not the newspaper's policy to endorse candidates, and we won't start now. Each candidate seems to be equally qualified for the position. So, we just wish each of them the best of luck and promise to provide fair and unbiased coverage of the race and subsequent election.
While the newspaper doesn't endorse candidates, it does get behind issues and projects that seem to be good for the community.
That's the case with the school bond issue. We think the building project would provide a giant boost for our schools and community. Yes, we are wholeheartedly in favor of the project. But, that doesn't mean we will not publish other views.
Whether you are for or against the school bond issue, letters to the editor are welcome. They will be printed (as long as they follow the letters policy) and everyone has the same right to express their opinions.
We've already said we support the project. You know how we stand. Now, let us know what you think.
— DONNA BERNHARDT
