Malarkey: Busier than usual, now what?
This past week was busier than usual for the Ol' Editor, Friend Wife, and the super loyal and dedicated staff of the Hoch Pub. Co. newspapers.
Seven issues "went to bed" that week. Two Marion County Records, two Peabody Gazette-Bulletins, two Hillsboro Star-Journals, and an issue of the World War II publication, Checkerboard.
Also, we held the annual Christmas On Us drawing on Saturday. There were newspapers being hatched at strange times, but folks were eager to get them. For that, and their loyal support over the years, we are thankful.
Holiday shopping was considered "good" all across Marion County. We'd like to think this newspaper's editorial policy of reminding folk of the benefits of shopping at home had been a message that people responded to.
Your OE tries to set an example. Being a long-time car nut, he can't wait long before getting a fix by trading for another new one. This December it was another American-made vehicle purchased at a Marion County dealership.
Our request for information about why some people continue to oppose a regional landfill drew attention from both sides.
A man and his camera delivered photos to the newspaper office. They proved interesting.
One thing all the photos had in common was that they were at locations where red SLAM signs flourished.
One was of an unauthorized trash dump within the town's city limits. Another was of a pile of dead deer carcasses near the city limits. And there was one of the sewage lagoons, with no lining, which flow into Mud Creek.
Also, there were pictures of anhydrous ammonia tanks parked in town, and the now-closed tree dump on South Third right alongside the river. There was one of a huge manure pile, near the site of the proposed landfill. More private dumps, and nasty spots were depicted. It could go on and on, even including cattle feed lots that run into a stream and cropland where surplus chemicals were used. And, how about oil/gas production? Would we give up that income because crude gets on the ground?
One wonders why anybody with such environmental violations in view, alongside the little red signs, would be opposed to a well-operated landfill in full compliance to strict government regulations. Read a response in this week's issue.
As we enter this new year, your OE is sorry to report that what Pogo said remains true. "We have met the enemy and he is us."
— BILL MEYER
