An effort is being made by community leaders to improve the appearance of Marion. The intent of this project is not to embarrass or discredit any property owner but merely to assist him or her in cleaning up their property.

We know how it is — people get busy, people get sick, or sometimes people just don’t think it is that big of a deal.

As most of the candidates for Marion City Council said in last week’s newspaper, Marion is at a crossroads. If we don’t do some proactive things soon, we are apt to lose even more than we already have — businesses, residents, and maybe even visitors.

What do you see when you come into our town? Would you be willing to invest in this community based on its appearance?

There are numerous abandoned and dilapidated houses. There is a city ordinance in place to raze these properties.

Let’s use it.

We’ve heard people say, “If a community isn’t moving forward, it’s moving backward.”

“The status quo is no longer acceptable.”

“Doing nothing is worse than doing something that fails.”

Get the picture?

It’s time, folks.

Let’s be a town of action. When a workday is planned to help property owners clean up their properties, sign up to help.

— susan berg