The news that Tabor College has found its next president is good for the institution and those of us who see the profound importance the college plays in the economic, cultural, educational and spiritual health of the Hillsboro community.
We are familiar with the search committee’s selection, Jules Glanzer, from past associations. His professional career has taken new directions during the ensuing years. We have confidence in the judgment of the search committee to know how he has been shaped and now equipped for the presidency. But from past connection, we know the president-elect to be a man of rock-solid character and a compassionate heart. We look forward to his service in our community and beyond. —DR
The bands from Marion and Hillsboro high schools proved Friday night that their respective communities can indeed make harmonious music together. Orchestrated by directors Adam Johnson of MHS and Gregg Walker of HHS, the two bands performed during the halftime of the Marion-Hillsboro football game.
The symbolism was striking, particularly in the context of a high-tension matchup between the schools’ respective football teams.
At some levels, Marion and Hillsboro may always be in competition with each other. It’s natural to want your hometown to be the best it can be, and even to be better than the community down the road. But even so, those natural inclinations don’t have to keep us butting heads. We can determine to pick up our instruments, stand side by side with players from the neighboring town and contribute our talents to the common goal of a unified, harmonious future.
A unified band sounds richer and fuller than either one does on its own. —DR
A recent renewed call for merging the Marion and Hillsboro hospitals is a topic worth pursuing. But it also highlights the larger issue facing Marion County: We need more people. Right now, we have too few to pay for some of the major projects we feel would benefit us in the long run.
It’s a vicious circle. We want new and progressive projects so more people are enticed to make their home in Marion County. But the tax revenue required to pay for these public project requires a higher tax rate. At some point that makes Marion County a less inviting destination for potential residents and homeowners, and may even encourage the departure of the ones who already live here.
We work at a variety of levels to bring in new jobs that, in theory, will attract new people. But potential employers hesitate to locate here because we have a shortage of available workers.
How do we begin to turn that circle in a positive direction? In a perfect world, the answer would be clear and attainable. Right now, though, we see through the glass darkly. At times we’re not sure what the right questions are, much less the right answers. But they lie somewhere beyond provincial self-interest. —DR
What is the purpose of a high school homecoming week? From the word itself, one might assume it would have something do with people “coming home” to a particular place of origin—as in alumni returning as honored guests to the old alma mater in order to reconnect with former classmates and embellish a few memories. And yet very few (if any) homecoming events are actually planned with alumni in mind. Sure, “the public” is invited to a downtown parade and pep rally, to observe the coronation of a queen and king and to cheer the home team to gridiron victory. But we are observers only. In truth “homecoming” is actually all about current students who are already “home.”
This sounds like a complaint, but it really isn’t intended to be. Current students seem to have a blast planning and participating in these annual rituals. It would be a shame to spoil it with the involvement of the rapidly aging hordes. Maybe we simply need to change the name of the tradition to better fit reality. We think students would just as soon invite alumni to be “homestaying.” After all, we felt that way when we were their age. —DR
Planning and preparation can carry you a long way in life, but only so far. That lesson was relearned Saturday when Mother Nature played havoc with the craft fairs in Hillsboro and Marion by serving up a unexpected dose of wet and cool weather. This kind of interruption surprised us after so many occurrences of decent-to-great weather over nearly four decades of the Hillsboro event. But the odds catch up with everyone, sooner or later.
The testament to the popularity of the fairs is the large number of committed buyers who came anyway and made significant purchases. Some local food vendors were caught ill-prepared for the weather switch, but on the other hand, several local stores and eating places enjoyed above-normal business.
So the 2007 fairs will be memorable, for better or worse. The stories and anecdotes it will bring to mind over the years to come will only add to the legacy of an enduring endeavor. And we will make our plans once again for the 2008 events, none the worse for the wear. —DR
