Bicentennial
effort needs
big boost

2008 is a special year in Columbus County as we celebrate our bicentennial, but efforts to mark this momentous occasion have been slow to get off the ground.

The county marked its centennial in 1908 with a dance at the courthouse. Let’s hope we can do a little better this time for the bicentennial.

We’ve come a long way since 1808. James Madison was president, there were only 17 states, Napoleon was wreaking havoc in Europe, there were no railroads, or few roads for that matter, and Edison’s light bulb was still more than 70 years in the future.

It’s true that you can’t know where you’re going unless you know where you’ve been. That’s why history is not only interesting, it’s important.

The county commissioners have appointed a committee to lead bicentennial efforts, but the committee has been provided with only $600 to file for non-profit status and pay for postage and stationary. There have also been accusations that some committee members are disinterested and appointed for political purposes only.

We hope that’s not true, but nonetheless, there is still time to give the bicentennial celebration its due.
Lessons can be learned from efforts underway in Haywood County in the mountains, which was formed the same time as Columbus.

Haywood’s commissioners have provided thousands in funding for a written history and website, which people around the world can view. That’s not happening in Columbus County. Haywood is having some type of celebration in each month of the year. Columbus is waiting until November and December. Planning for the bicentennial in Haywood County has been underway since 2006.

Make no mistake about it, a bicentennial is a huge milestone. Columbus County is one of the country’s earliest counties, formed only 32 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Perhaps the term “celebration” is inappropriate for some people. In tight times, it’s hard to justify spending large amounts of money for a big birthday party.

But this should be more than a celebration. It should be a time to study, honor and appreciate the people, families, businesses and events that have brought us to where we are today.

History must be updated, published and yes, even celebrated, periodically. But this is no small task. There’s been a lot of water under the bridge since 1808.

In the coming year, The News Reporter will publish some of Columbus County’s history. Pieces of it, as readers will see, are downright remarkable and wonderful.

What a shame for both past and future generations if we let this grand opportunity pass.