LETTERS

TO THE EDITOR

Wildcats forever

To the editor:

I have been listening to and viewing the dialogue among Marion County citizens in the discussion of the Florence Wildcat mascot.

Being a Wildcat for all of my high school years, I appreciate the opportunity to share my feelings about this issue.

Out of respect for all, I understand the many comments coming from various contributors. However, most speak from their personal perspective, and it’s difficult to rationalize another person’s point of view if one hasn’t lived it.

It’s like saying to someone who has lost a child, “I know how you feel.” You don’t until you experience that trauma for yourself.

I have memories of being a cheerleader during my years at Florence High School during the 1960s, cheering the Wildcats on to victory on the basketball court and on the football field. And victorious they were!

I read comments made by a former Florence mayor in the Feb. 12 edition of the Record in horror. When “officials” took charge in 1971 after the school was closed on state orders, they took all the hard-earned school trophies and cabinets and pitched them in a Dumpster. It made me shudder!

David Colburn’s guest editorial Jan. 15 expressed it all. It was encouraging to see that others see the big picture and really get it.

Thank you, David, for your excellence in expressing your views and our views so profoundly.

Florence has mostly gone Marion’s direction. Let’s move the way of Florence this time.

It means so much to those of us in the community and beyond. We have given up nearly everything. To steal our Wildcat identity is like driving the last nail in the coffin.

Thank you for your continued consideration.

Micki Siebert
Cedar Point