From: Ray Gibson
Columbus
Recently a cleverly-worded editorial from the Republic opened with a sentence like when out-of-town guests are asked what they think about Columbus the response is; usually something about Miller, or architecture or Cummins; the usual suspects.
The conclusion of the editorial was that vandalism is not “representative” of Columbus. This is a word of misdirection because it gives boosters of Columbus the ability to introduce several lines of discussion about what is representative of Columbus without ever coming to rest on vandalism.
Just as there is plenty of architecture in Columbus, there is also plenty of vandalism. There is a long record of vandalism against the schools, the churches, property owners, the Christmas lights at Mill Race Park, the Crump Theatre (although it is a waste of spray paint and graffiti on this useless, rotting hulk of a structure), and more examples that can be packed into a short commentary.
My own list of vandalism to my property is extensive: three batteries stolen from my car in the days before interior hood locks. Bolt cutters cut through the chain and padlock on the hood. My employer loaned me his car to make some calls. When I went out in the morning all the windows were broken out of the car.
A radio stolen from my car parked on the street in front of the house. Four tires slashed on my car parked in the alley next to my garage. The police told me not to make a report and just to notify my insurance company because there so many instances of that in the community.
My garage was broken into and several power tools were stolen that cost quite a bit of money. My insurance gave me a pittance based on the age of the tools. An officer came to the house and interviewed me. Later, when I called the department to follow up, the officer on the phone said there was no one by that name in the Columbus Police Department.
I understand that Columbus wants to display bright, new pennies to our out of town guests. The Cummins architecture, the school architecture, the fire department architecture, the church architecture are all very interesting. The Republic as a small town community booster publication wants to do its part.
The two areas where something can be done are the officials in charge and the voters, and it really is time for attention to be paid.
