This spring an old bridge was graffitized by some local students. Some people were up in arms over the situation, but I chose to see it from a different angle. Below is my letter to the editor posted in the Carroll County Comet July 2014:

Xenia Bridge: Vandalism versus Artwork

Let’s take a different perspective on the Xenia Bridge ‘vandalism’ episode. Why do we sometimes allow ourselves to get all up in arms over things like this?
No lives were hurt or lost, no trees were cut down, no fields were burned, no homes were broken into, no animals were stolen, and no one was stabbed, killed or robbed. All it was, was paint-artwork-on an old bridge that was probably rusty not that long ago. Who or what are we trying to protect; our kids and their future, an old bridge which has no life in it, or are we worried about what others might think if we don’t correct those kids? Was it truly malicious intent by the students, or are they like some the rest of us…looking for a way to make their mark on the world, to be noticed, to use their creative minds. Our kids are our best investment. They are tremendously talented. Some of these students are Class A art students and their work would make any parent proud!
Let’s choose some of our older buildings and walls around town and give our students a project—design and paint something unique and colorful on it that represents where they live and let them put their spin on it. Let them paint the town bright and colorful. Put their creative minds toward a good purpose and who knows, maybe our little towns will become a tourist attraction! “This town, this bridge, this wall was designed and painted by our kids, and that one was done by mine!”
by Jennifred Jones