Dingus now wears new #039;cape#039; of responsibility
Published 12:00 am Sunday, September 21, 2003
Look, up in the sky! What is that? Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's Bill Dingus.
For a few moments on Friday, I started making the comparison between Dingus and the comic book hero, Superman.
And for good reason, the two share a number of similarities. In the pages of the comics and later on the silver screen and television, Superman did the impossible.
He was "faster than a speeding bullet."
He was "more powerful than a locomotive."
He was "able to leap tall buildings in a single bound."
Now, although Dingus probably cannot do any of those (he is mortal you know), he seems to be doing something more impressive.
Right here in Lawrence County, Dingus has begun bringing people together again. He's getting people talking again - about where the county is going, how we'll get there and what kinds of things are possible.
What started as a welcome and introduction session for new members of the Greater Lawrence County Area Chamber of Commerce, quickly turned into a Bill Dingus love fest.
"I've known Bill Dingus for years, and I'm proud he's leading us," one voice said.
"Congratulations, Bill, and I look forward to working with you," another said.
At the conclusion, Dingus lowered his head a bit, flashed a toothy smile and said, "Well, I didn't mean for that to be about me, but thank you."
But whether he realizes the impact, the steel-haired man is making an impact on the mood and self-esteem of this county.
Dingus, the former dean of Ohio University Southern, has his work cut out for him.
Animosity and differing opinions have created a number of ravines and gorges in the landscape of leadership in our county. Too often, one side of the county didn't want to work with another side.
Fortunately, as County Commissioner George Patterson is quick to point out, "Bill Dingus can mend fences. I fully trust the man."
And Patterson isn't the only one looking to Dingus for leadership and a catalyst for change.
"I look at what Bill did with Ohio University," Ironton Mayor Bob Cleary said. "He did wonderful things there."
For his part, Dingus brushes off the attention and focuses at the myriad of projects and other tasks facing him in the new position.
"I think our county stands at a really pivotal position," he said.
I agree. Thank goodness, he's wearing the cape.
Kevin Cooper is publisher of The Tribune. He can be reached at (740) 532-1445 ext. 12 or by e-mail to kevin.cooper@irontontribune.com.