ORIGINALLY WRITTEN DON RATZLAFF
In the past two weeks, we?ve had to report the resignation of two key
public leaders. First, Glen Suppes announced he would be leaving his
position as principal of Hillsboro High School to become
superintendent of schools in Lindsborg. Then, this week, Tom Faulkner
served notice he would be stepping down as CEO of Hillsboro Community
Medical Center June 30.
Both men are quality individuals who have filled their respective
roles with above-normal competence and grace. We would not pretend to
have intimate knowledge of what all high school students think about
their outgoing principal, but we have not heard any significant
complaints. How rare for someone in a position of authority over
teenagers to connect with them the way Suppes apparently has.
Faulkner, meanwhile, stepped into a tough spot and has made the best
of it. It?s not easy to gain the respect of employees when, as an
administrator, you have to deal with unkind and unwholesome budget
cuts that are far beyond your ability to control. Yet, to this point,
Faulkner seems to have held the HCMC ship together through some very
rough waters. No one was more disappointed than he was that, for the
good of his health, he needed to step aside before he was able to
guide the ship to a safe port. He would have been happier to sail on
for a while longer.
These two men are leaving Hillsboro for very different reasons, but
the bottom line for us is still the same: they leave a significant
void in their respective fields. We believe good people will be found
to succeed them, but that doesn?t eliminate the disappointment we feel
about their departure.
It?s been said many times that change is the only constant we can
expect in this day and age. Few things will remain as they are over
the long term. The decision to close Goertz Furniture after some 114
years of continuous operation should remind us that nothing lasts
forever, even in Hillsboro.
So we thank Glen and Tom for their positive contributions to our
community, and we wish them well in their future endeavors. We?ll miss
you both, but you?ve left your mark here
EDITORIAL: More changes ahead
