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One band

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Written by Don Ratzlaff Wednesday, 17 October 2007 13:27

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...

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Vicious circle

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Written by Don Ratzlaff Wednesday, 03 October 2007 13:38

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...

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Editorial- Welcome home?

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Written by Don Ratzlaff Wednesday, 26 September 2007 08:12

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...

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Memory Maker

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Written by Don Ratzlaff Wednesday, 19 September 2007 10:28

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...

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Our day approaches

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Written by Don Ratzlaff Wednesday, 12 September 2007 11:05

Once again, the communities of Hillsboro and Marion will have an opportunity to put their best feet forward as thousands of guests come our way to take part in the Hillsboro Arts & Crafts Fair and Marion’s Art in the Park this Saturday.Once again, the communities of Hillsboro and Marion will have an opportunity to put their best feet forward as thousands of guests come our way to take part in the Hillsboro Arts & Crafts Fair and Marion’s Art in the Park this Saturday.

These two events require an amazing investment of energy—both by event organizers and the many volunteers who assist. No one gets rich personally from these events, but both communities are truly enriched for the effort—first, by the economic boost and public...

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