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Spirit of cooperation

We're all in this together." "Team spirit." "No man (or, in this case, town) is an island."

We've all heard them before — those quotable quotes about joint efforts and cooperation to achieve a common goal.

Without cooperation, buildings wouldn't be built, inventions wouldn't be invented, and babies wouldn't be born.

Simple to follow, right? Not always.

Community leaders and state officials are discussing the most feasible and cost-efficient way to supply water to Marion, Hillsboro, and Peabody.

Options include a new wholesale water district with a treatment plant being located near Marion Reservoir, Hillsboro water plant, or Marion water plant; or Marion could purchase water from Hillsboro (like Peabody); or Marion and Hillsboro may continue as before with million dollar improvements to meet EPA guidelines.

It's a complicated issue and the average person cannot determine the best choice for this project. That's what city personnel and elected officials are supposed to do.

Change is tough. Our elected officials hear many opinions from more vocal constituents, usually ones with a strong opinion one way or the other.

The best-use of tax dollars for a long-term solution should be considered. Each side should be willing to give a little.

Joint collaboration could lead to other successes.

Businesses within the county could form a cooperative to order materials and merchandise, tax-supported entities could collaborate in providing the best possible services using cost-efficient methods, and promotion of agritourism could bring additional sales tax dollars to government entities and profits to businesses.

Instead of waiting for the other shoe to fall, goals could be set and successes achieved. At the least, the county would have a better chance of survival.

Everyone should embrace the idea of working together instead of finding excuses not to. Maybe a joint effort for a water plant idea isn't the most feasible and best decision to be made. Eventually the communities of Marion and Hillsboro will be faced with other difficult decisions that may require cooperation related to health care, schools, development, and maybe even government.

Old rivalries, past experiences, and cultural differences need to be set aside. Sometimes sacrifices have to be made in the name of survival.

Let's hope the spirit of cooperation among the communities will be included in upcoming decision-making processes.

— SUSAN BERG

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