Eco fiasco

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water ....

After almost a year of planning and development, after months of recruiting Marion, Hillsboro, and Peabody into the fold, Tuesday was to be the day Marion County Community Economic Development Corporation was to take off with a new nine-member board leading the way.

Instead of being sworn in, just five prospective members swore off joining the board, at least temporarily.

Marion and Hillsboro didn’t bother to submit nominees, and after a clandestine 20-minute confab among county commission and Peabody nominees, all five agreed they wanted more time to think about it.

That’s probably smart, given this summer’s less-than-encouraging track record of bowing this way and that way to demands of cities to secure their participation, and in at least one case, less-than-asked-for long-term financial commitments.

We need economic development. We need for something to succeed. We’ll gladly support any achievements this corporation can muster, save for the one it’s thus far proven adept at: disarray and uncertainty. So far, the jury is still out.

-- david colburn