When officials at Wayne National Forest’s Ironton ranger station found out colleagues north of here were working on a new water filtration system for streams, they did something about it.

Monday, August 07, 2000

When officials at Wayne National Forest’s Ironton ranger station found out colleagues north of here were working on a new water filtration system for streams, they did something about it.

They asked, why not here?

Pine Creek’s yellow, acid-laden waters flow through the district, making a filter that removes metallic contaminants a good idea. Their colleagues agreed and are now testing one out.

We wish them luck, but we also want to call attention to what happened in this situation.

Many times, such as when changes are needed to laws, we sit back and say this or that should happen. We tell our friends, maybe, but we do nothing about it.

Other times, like when we complain that few jobs are available, we simply cry that we need more.

Assessing the situation is necessary. Calling others to arms over an issue is a great need in our society. But going a step further, asking "Why not here?" is what gets things done.

That simple question forces us to think. It lets us realize that there are no good excuses why we could not be doing something differently, better.

There is no reason why we have to wait to accomplish what is needed.

Sometimes, you just have to ask.