THE EDITORIAL from July 15, “Life in Peyton Place”, was not signed. That means, of course, that the Rome News-Tribune has stated its position. Though broad and vague in purpose, the editorial is admittedly a newsy negative one.

It is my opinion that there are plenty of Greater Romans who don’t care for soap operas and have drama enough in Rome. There are some who love Cave Spring, knowing it is just like everywhere else. Everyone would like to live in Mayberry, but most of the people in Cave Spring know that is a fantasy. I suspect the majority in Rome do, too. How do the mainly sexual escapades of “Peyton Place” apply?

There are those who expect the truth from their only newspaper. I have nearly always been a “newcomer” to Cave Spring, since 1954, but it is interesting to be called that by the writer of this article. It hasn’t been that long since the Rome News-Tribune published that I was accused of finding the Log Cabin. Just who are the “oldtimers” and who are the “newcomers” mentioned? Are the newcomers the people from Rome who have moved here, and when did they move? I know they are not the only ones who stand about and clack their teeth for “rights,” don’t show for actual work and can’t get past perceived personal injustices to reach for a common goal.

The brassy people in Cave Spring, old and new, are not afraid to be American and speak their opinions. It will understandably create rebuttals. At least we have a voice that may be heard in this small place, though not so small that rumors don’t fly, or actions become misconstrued. Fortunately, the leadership here is allowed a voice, whether it is vote or veto. The two can and have worked together very well to solve problems. There’s no hiding in the crowd here. You have to own up to your actions and your words, no matter how right you think you are, or how wrong you happen to be. There’s tolerance here for changing views, too, since we all know there are two sides to everything.

Picking on Cave Spring is easier, and more anonymously negative, than printing writers’ names. An apology to Cave Spring and other readers would exercise free speech, as well, if you wanted to print something positive.