Cheers and jeers
With the Star-Journal now daily posting water updates to our Web site, things have been a tad more hectic around here. In fact, we've (almost) temporarily turned into a daily paper.
Thinking back to my days at a daily in Idaho, I remembered one feature that our editorial page editor wrote once a week. It was his "Cheers and Jeers" column, containing little snippets of praiseworthy — or "boo-worthy" — items that happened around town.
Today, I'm stealing the idea of one Marty Trillhaase and writing a "Cheers and Jeers" editorial of my own. I doubt he'll mind the imitation.
CHEERS to every Hillsboro resident who has refrained from watering their lawns, washing their cars, and filling their inflatable pools with city water.
Not watering your lawn smack-dab in the middle of a Kansas summer isn't an easy order, but the community has pulled together and most have willingly complied with the request.
Of course, for those of you with your own wells
CHEERS to the truck drivers who have been taking the same routes — back and forth to the District 4 water tower, back and forth to McPherson — around the clock for the last two weeks.
You're probably sick to death of the trip, but we're grateful for your efforts that allow us to keep living normal lives. Living in a town where showers and clothes-washing has to be curtailed is a scary, smelly thought.
JEERS to the outdoor enthusiasts who have ignored warnings posted out at the Reservoir. Many knew about the dangers but went jetskiing or wading in the water anyway. With the influx of media coverage the past couple weeks, there's no pleading ignorance. Don't panic, but do be sensible and stay safe.
CHEERS to the Main Street businesses who have patiently endured the construction. All have been greatly inconvenienced, but most have remained patient, optimistic that the final product will be worth the wait.
Thanks also go to the customers who have kept coming out, even when it means navigating the back rooms of your favorite businesses when you enter through the back door after searching for a reasonable parking place.
Now for those businesses on the north side of Grand and the west side of Main, guess what: Your turn's coming. Probably next week, in fact.
JEERS for the move that put a curb instead of a driveway in front of Jost Welding. The plans for the Main Street project have been in the works for months now — surely someone realized that a curb shouldn't go in front of 118 S. South Main. Growing businesses are vital to downtown Hillsboro, and the city should do all it can to accommodate them.
Good thing that the city has pledged to allow the curb to be torn out and a driveway to be put in. And a good thing, too, that a similar mistake won't happen at Lowell Foth's repair shop — another Hillsboro business that relies on a driveway as a vital part of its business.
— JENNIFER WILSON
