Whoa! Time to cool off
Letter writers have become hostile in recent editions of the Marion County Record, and that's a shame.
We have space for letters to the editor and room for reason, but not for personal attack or vitriolic language.
Let's study the record of what's happened:
1. The mayor didn't take over the library checking account or control of the city library. The city commission didn't recommend "micromanagement" of the library board. What was considered is using the voucher system and fewer checking accounts. The library board would be just as powerful as it is today, and not have to keep track of a checking account.
2. Nothing has happened. There only were suggestions for more economy by doing away with extra checking accounts and bookkeeping labor. The voucher system could work well at less expense. But, nothing was done. It was just being considered when the letters were written.
3. There have been too many personal attacks and vicious remarks. Two of the letters were personal in nature. It's time to stop such insulting accusations. Such action is causing division in the community and creating unnecessary wounds which are hard to heal.
Instead of worrying about whether or not any city commissioners washed dishes at a fund raiser, or donated, or were "out to get" a person being paid for keeping books, let's be reasonable — it's time to quit such accusations and get along with the business at hand, celebrating a new and vastly improved library that was accomplished by great cooperative effort, not by any one individual, group, or organization.
This is not the time for rancor. It's a time for celebrating the remarkable accomplishment of a dilapidated former depot being transformed into a city library second to none.
It's time to quit defending personal turf and to work together for the group.
It's time to stop being nasty, to stop writing bitter letters and get on with the spirit of cooperation — working together for the benefit of the community.
— BILL MEYER
