This time of year, we look back to what has happened so we can have a clear vision of the future.

The only problem with that is this community does not really have a clear vision of the future.

It is not up to the city officials to tell us what we want or what is feasible. It is up to us to tell them what we want to see.

Many may remember more than 10 years ago when there were visioning meetings headed by the City of Marion and Marion Chamber of Commerce members. There were 50 people at any given meeting with enthusiasm, optimism, and ideas.

For several years, there was a sense that this community was in control of its future, united in a cause.

During that time, the former Santa Fe Depot was renovated into the city library. A pasture was purchased by the city and developed into an industrial park. More development was completed at the city’s business park to accommodate more businesses. New businesses were opening on Main Street and others were expanding at the business park.

It was an optimistic time. It was a different economic time.

Now, here we are in 2010. Where is the community unity? Where are the leaders?

*****

I took a tour of the soon-to-be Marion youth center. Nearly gutted, that building is larger than I recalled when it was a service station and repair shop.

When my family and I lived in McPherson, there was a tutorial center in McPherson, available for all students after school. My daughter went there. When I picked her up shortly after 5 p.m., her homework was finished and she did constructive activities for 90 minutes instead of being planted in front of a television or video games. If she was stumped on an assignment, tutors helped her figure it out.

It served two purposes — it was a place for latchkey children to go after school and a place where students received helped with their homework.

I know conversations have begun with Marion schools about sharing the building for school-sponsored programs. Hopefully the youth center can be a place not only to entertain our youths but also to help them succeed with their schoolwork.

*****

There’s a feeling that this may be a very long winter. It has been a long time since we had the remnants of one snowstorm still on the ground when another blanket of snow covered it.

That’s the beauty of living in the Midwest — we appreciate the seasons.

Just think how wonderful spring will feel after a long, cold, wet winter.

— susan berg