Off the record

Eggs galore means
fun for all

It was a wonderful Easter egg hunt Saturday morning. The park was full of excitement as children with their families nearby talked with the Easter Bunny and hunted for eggs filled with candy, quarters, and presidential dollars.

Parents and grandparents expressed their appreciation that this event was not discontinued just because the organization that had done it before had disbanded.

Local groups have expressed an interest in doing this next year; so the tradition will definitely continue one way or the other. If all else fails, the Record will sponsor it again.

*****

After our readers saw my editorial this past week about the possibility of the historic county health department building being abandoned, I received numerous phone calls from people who were disappointed that the county would consider such an option.

I believe if the county was to move forward with such plans there would be even more of a public outcry. I realized that I wasn’t the only who was tired of watching this community lose businesses and buildings.

We know it is costly to repair and maintain the 100-year-old limestone building on Main Street but it will be more costly to this community and county if the county does nothing.

*****

City residents have had a few weeks of a once-a-week trash service and it appears the town has not suffered because of it.

People were concerned about more trash being strewn around the town with the reduction of trash service but I do not believe that has happened.

We all had neighbors who set trash out days before the scheduled pickup day when there was twice-a-week pickup. Unfortunately, that hasn’t changed either but I don’t think there is noticeably more trash in the streets because of it.

Marion was the only city in Marion County that provided twice-a-week trash service. I hope the change helps the city’s budget and frees up more time for city workers to do other projects.

*****

And speaking of budgets and saving money, wouldn’t it be a great idea for our legislators to follow the example of many businesses and cut some of the perks they receive? Being a public servant can be a thankless job — working long hours and being available at the public’s beck and call — but I’m not sure in these trying economic times it is necessary for them to receive pensions, health insurance, and other perks after they retire from office or are not re-elected.

The same goes for public school teachers and administrators.

What other profession in the world can be guaranteed regardless of performance? It’s crazy. So many times when school districts don’t know what to do with an employee who performs poorly, they find another job for him or her within the district or, crazier yet, promote them to a more responsible position.

A permanent position after only two years doesn’t make sense either. No job should be a “forever” job. Job performance evaluations should be conducted just as any other position paid with public funds is scrutinized. If not performing, the person should be let go and another person hired who can do the job.

Educating our children is one of the most important jobs a person can perform. Those jobs should be the more closely scrutinized.

— susan berg