Editorials

We have long pegged Shelby County as a tight-knit community, but we must admit each fall we are amazed at the number of festivals celebrated in our communities and at the number of people that show for each one.

In September and in to October area residents could spend every Saturday at a free event with their friends, family and neighbors and never have to leave the county.

From Simpsonville to Bagdad and Finchville to Southville, there is something for everyone, everywhere.

One year ago, as we all came back to work fresh off a three-day holiday weekend one of our community’s was in mourning.

A shooting in Martinsville, on the heels of the neighborhood’s annual Labor Day events, left many in shock and awe that such an event would happen as the day’s festivities had just wound down.

At that point it would have been easy for the residents to pack up their parade and get together. They could have used the shooting as a reason to give up on the long established Shelbyville neighborhood.

This week we see the final two local government entities have hearings to set the property tax rates for 2016, and what we’re seeing is very exciting.

All four entities refrained from raising taxes as we are finally seeing our local economy making a rebound.

This is the third straight year we’ve seen no increases, and even the second year in a row we have watched as one entity, Simpsonville City Commission, has lowered its tax rate due to its vast commercial growth.

This weekend 14 brilliant and dedicated chess experts and masters descended on Shelbyville for a tournament, and while it didn’t draw the crowds – and they likely wouldn’t want the noise – of a Collins or Shelby County high school football game we were glad to see a less noticeable sport rearing its head in our county.

While we are all for our usual competition of baseball, softball, basketball, football and the like, we were excited to hear that some are trying to provide new opportunities for our residents.