One of the most important aspects of The Post-Searchlight, and any community newspaper, in fact, is the ability to provide a vehicle to exchange opinion. We offer the newspaper’s opinion through editorials, personal opinions through columns, and the community’s opinion via letters to the editor.

We always welcome letters to the editor and I value each person who takes the time to write down their thoughts and opinions. However, it has been a long time since I was as proud to publish a letter to the editor than the letter that appeared in Wednesday’s edition.

If you didn’t get a chance to see the letter, make sure to get a copy of the newspaper. But, here is a brief recap: Bainbridge is a pretty awesome place with top-notch people.

That is the opinion of Karen Pline, a tennis player from East Cobb, Ga., just outside Atlanta, who visited Bainbridge for the first time a couple of weeks ago to play in the Georgia State Tennis Championships. She came to the conclusion that Bainbridge is fantastic after spending a weekend here after admitting that she had no clue about our community before coming here.

I was involved in a small way with the state gymnastics championship that was held in Bainbridge back in April. Like the tennis tournament, that event brought competitors from all over the state of Georgia to our part of the state for the first time. And like the tennis tournament, the gymnastic event participants gave plenty of rave reviews to our city, our county, our volunteers, our organizers, and our hospitality. Some even said the location and event were the best they had ever seen.

Comments like these make me proud to call Bainbridge my home and it should make you proud, too.

As a relative newcomer to this area — we’ve been here five years and one month — I can honestly say that I can’t think of any place I would rather live, raise my kids, and operate a business.

Sure, we have some things that need working on, but, after living in four other cities in two other states during my professional career, we are much better off than many other places. Some folks who don’t believe that, simply don’t realize the alternatives to living in Decatur County.

Our geographic location is ideal, the climate is great, our school system is very solid, the business environment is growing, and, for the most part, our governing bodies are adept.

But, in addition to all those factors, the people are what makes this a special place.

Sometimes, I cringe when I hear people make disparaging, or less than flattering, comments about our community. Those who make those comments don’t realize the alternative. I know and many others know.

Thanks to the hard work of the tennis tournament organizers and congratulations to those who came in contact with the visitors and gave them a very positive experience.