As I was reading through the Speak Outs in today's paper (yes, we read them too), I noticed where a reader was concerned that the cemetery where members of her family are buried was looking a bit shabby.

She was upset because no one had mowed the grass in a while and the bushes had grown up and were covering some of the grave markers.

Right below her Speak Out, on the page, was a similar comment from someone complaining that an old vegetable stand on the north side of town, in the reader's opinion, "looks trashy" and needs to be taken down.

These comments reminded me of something that has been on my mind for a long time -- something I see every day as I make my way through Greencastle.

Driving into town from the north, one cannot help but notice some of the empty businesses and unkempt landscaped areas that, frankly, do tend to detract from the overall look of the city. And not to pick on the north side -- other areas could use some attention as well.

Before I say anything else, let me applaud those property owners who do take pride in their investments and understand how important they are to maintaining the city's image. Rest assured, they do not go unnoticed.

I realize Greencastle isn't the wealthiest city in the state, but a little bit of paint and a set of hedge trimmers, combined with a lot of elbow grease, would go a long way, folks.

Greencastle is a great community with a lot of wonderful people and, I think we would all agree, a lot of potential. We may be a small town in western Indiana, but we are very unique, in many respects.

With DePauw University in the heart of town, manufacturing plants with roots in other parts of the world, and a priceless store of covered bridges that attracts tourists from around the country -- not to mention the U.S. highway that pierces the heart of the city -- Greencastle is unarguably on display!

Let's make it as nice as we can and be proud to show it off by picking up the trash from the parking lots, straightening up the signs that hang crooked and trimming back those overgrown bushes, for goodness sake.

Additionally, it behooves the city to make sure it is doing its part to enforce the codes regarding properties. If the rules are in place, they need to be followed.

If we all do our part, we all stand to benefit.

"The first requisite of a good citizen in this republic of ours is that he shall be willing and able to pull his weight." -- Theodore Roosevelt