Letters to the Editor: published on Sept. 17

Citizen thanks diligent workers

Dear Editor,
On Monday, Sept. 8, our black Lab, Beau, decided to go for a run by himself. Before long, two of our city workers, J.B. and his co-worker, reported that they had seen him nearby. I drove around the neighbohood until I saw him, headed for home. I loaded him up and had just gotten back when the doorbell rang. There was J.B. with Beau's retrieving dummy, which he had dropped during his adventure. This is only one example of the beauty of small-town living, but it's typical of the friendly help of so many of Marion's citizens and especially of our town's hard-working employees.
Thank you!
Marian Green

Writer criticizes mayor

Dear Editor:
In my opinion, and in defense of Mayor Bobby Gerald, I was truly upset with the article I read (a recent Letter to the Editor) about the beautification of the City of Marion. I have to say that the city employees are doing an excellent job maintaining the public areas for the residents of the City of Marion. I see things like this, if one can keep your eyes focused on some really small issues, you will not see the larger issues that surround you. Anyone can hire enough people to cut grass and plant trees, Mr. Gerald, but not all people know how to be servants. You seek an apology from this critic because she may have made a mistake concerning a particular street and a few harsh statements that you did not like, but Mr. Gerald, which is the worst of the two evils? She made one mistake, while you are a mistake for the people of Marion. You sit as an elected servant for the people of the largest city in Marion County and the only response to this critic is "you owe me an apology." Mayor, please tell this critic about all the wonderful jobs that you have brought to Marion. Tell this critic about all the new businesses that you help bring in to the downtown area, and that unemployment is at an all time low in Marion and the surrounding area. Mr. Mayor, this critic was wrong for saying anything to you about beautification, because you and this council have got to be the best street sweepers around.
To the critic at Burger King, please cut the bushes in front of your store so we can make sure not to pass you by because the way that the town of Marion and Mullins have been run, we will all be seeking employment with you. An elected official is nothing more than a waiter or waitress at a restaurant -- both jobs are supposed to wait on the people who are paying the bill. Mr. Mayor, please tell us all that sweeping those downtown streets has created more business for the city.

Please inform your critic that those new bricks and street lamps have most definitely lowered the city taxes and brought in more revenue, so you and the town council can afford to give a raise to all city employees. Mr. Gerald, please keep up the great beautification of a soon-to-be ghost town. As a servant, Mr. Gerald, the correct response to your critic would have been to help her get things done in the areas she was speaking of ... when speaking of community service, don’t include that which you have been paid to do, please tell us all that which you have done for the community that did not cost them and improved their lives. I have been in and around the Marion and Mullins areas for a long time and I tell you that we have not seen much service from either town. Things are going to certainly change soon, this time it will be for the people who pays the bills.
Sincerely,
Dale Ard