What has happened to my little town?

Editorials can praise or criticize, wax philosophic or poke fun, dream or reminisce. At the core, readers can always find a relentless pursuit of truth, justice and a better life for residents of the Wiregrass.

However, some recent events have left us virtually speechless. In one issue of the Dothan Eagle — Sept. 1 — two stories remind us that, no matter how bucolic a community may seem, questionable things may be taking place behind closed doors.

Reader J.R. Burdeshaw, who recently moved back to Dothan, summed it up nicely in a Sept. 6 letter to the editor:

“What has happened to my little town?”

We read about a man in a neighboring town who was arrested for painting on the breasts of underage females. We read about the arrest of a former Girl Scout leader who allegedly fleeced the girls of more than $2,000 in money collected from the sale of cookies.

Such matters have left us scrambling for words that might put things in perspective. These things should not happen.

Perhaps what is instructive about these events is that they show us that we should strive for the best, but be surprised by nothing.

What has happened to our little town?
Time, Mr. Burdeshaw. Time.