Letter to the editor
Character is everything
To the Editor:
It is with a heavy heart that I find myself writing this letter. Although I grew up in this community (Florence) and attended the Marion/Florence schools, it has not been until this past year that I have actually been involved with the town and community.
While attending college and then starting my own family I moved away from this area. Due to a family business I have found myself in the midst of Florence again and I have been absolutely amazed at how negative the people in the community are, as well as how much they complain.
I ask all of you to stand back and look at our town. We have so much history and beautiful architecture, but we seem to have more empty buildings and warehouse-type buildings downtown than we do actual businesses. For those of you who have not been into Wilbur's Market for awhile — it would behoove you to take a second look.
Yes, we all know when he first opened the store he had some problems that have set his progress back. However, in the past several months he has improved the cleanliness and quality of the store. Due to circumstances beyond his control, everything is not as he would like it to be at this time, but he is trying hard to serve our needs.
He is at least trying to help our community by being here. I, too, have had some concerns with the store; however, I have personally expressed my concern to him instead of fueling the fire and spreading negative comments. The price we will all have to pay, if or when he closes will be unimaginable. We will then be forced to go out of town to buy even the smallest of items.
We have so much potential as a small community. Stop complaining and get to work making this an enjoyable, clean, and happy place to live. As a small community we should remember — rumors are like Hurricane Katrina — they will destroy our whole foundation.
I came across a sign the other day that sums up this letter: Thoughts become words, words become actions, actions become habits, habits become character, Character Is Everything.
Sara Neal
Florence
