Editorial

I’ve heard a lot of talk about how the area is growing, people moving into the Seymour Community. Most tell me it’s wonderful. A few of what one would call “old timers” have also commented they are enjoying the benefits that growth brings like 24 hour food and refreshment, medicine, gas and even a helping hand in the middle of the night if necessary. Some “old timers’ aren’t as excited with the development. They think back to the days when all there was in Seymour was a flashing light at Hwy. 411 and Chapman Hwy. Or even before when the railroad ran between Knoxville and Sevierville, stopping in Seymour. “Those were the good ole days” they’d say to me. Then with their next breath they complain about the single lane gravel roads to endure just to get home. I heard how the wear and tear on their vehicles caused countless mechanical problems. Or how difficult at times it was to get a loaf of bread or quart of milk. But they miss their solitude from the good ole days. Except do they really. Today they are able to meet every morning at their favorite place rain or shine. The roads have been upgraded to top quality standards. There are local stores to fulfill one’s needs 24 hours a day. One can travel across town or across the state in relative safety. It appears that the “ole timers” have got a point, but so does growth and progress. The simple fact of the matter is we all want to improve and progress. Think not? Consider what happens if a notice from school is sent stating the class size is going to double, book distribution will be cut in half and there will be no more school lunches served, all will have to brown bag it. Most would be up in arms complaining that we are talking away the knowledge from the future generation. So we want our kids to learn and improve. To have a better life then our parents had or even better than the lives we lead. Well, in order for the children to do so, they will have to improve upon what the forefathers have placed here before us. Aren’t you living in a better home than your parents or grandparents live in? Driving a better vehicle? Things need to change. As a matter of fact, the only thing constant is change. But those of you that have been with the Seymour Herald from the beginning remember me stating that before. Even we have had to change. It’s all been for the best, according to all the letters, phone calls and comments we hear daily. Not only the look of the newspaper itself, but also the content, the methods we use to gather the news and the way in which we disseminate it. One of the greatest ways is through the Internet. I can’t believe how successful our site has been. It’s an established fact that the most popular site people first surf to in a community is their local newspaper. That’s were all the information is. Whether you are a local or from out of town visiting, you would go to the local newspaper web site to find out what’s going on and where. From there, they jump off to other sites of interest via links. If you haven’t seen out site, check it out at www.seymourherald.com. Let me know what you think.