Provincialism prevails in county
The provincialism which prevails in Marion County has both positive and negative connotations.
The product of a family which has lived here for generations looks down its collective noses at "newcomers" who shall ever remain that, until they have offspring who will be known as the product of a "Johnny come lately" couple.
Yet, the town is immediately ready to tell of their long time neighbors' shortcomings, if there have been problems in the family, and other dirt that may or may not be true.
On the other hand, a newcomer to town is welcomed with open arms as a "great guy" and given all the committee assignments, especially the tough ones. He enjoys the popularity, the welcome arms actually being "at arm's length," until he clashes with one of the old guard, then be socially shunned and made to realize he's only a newcomer.
Some of us who've lived here for more than 50 years will always be newcomers. "Bill Meyer, the former editor, where'd he come from? That's right, he's from El Dorado." Joan Meyer, his wife of more than 50 years "is the daughter of Ollie and Mercil Wight, went to school in the old stone building on the hill where she picked up the nickname of Shang. And their son, Eric, is one of us too, even though he lives 600 miles away."
What's this got to do with the subject at hand, sexualbattery?
Two men were accused of that misdemeanor crime lately, one at Marion and one at Florence. The latter also is/was a police officer.
Some say sexual battery is the "tip of the iceberg" while others point out that it merely is a "misunderstanding," akin to spitting on the sidewalk.
At Florence there is considerable controversy over how the city council handled the situation, both for and against. That's mainly because of family associations, former city decisions, and public elections.
Sheriff Lee Becker and the court system are being criticized, though they handled the situation according to legal procedure.
The charges were only misdemeanors, but can produce life-long results which may or may not be justified.
Provincial attitudes need to make way for cool-headed logic and common sense.
Fire must be extinguished but smoke can be blown away.
— BILL MEYER
