So far there are no particular surprises in what we have been told. Marshall is woefully short of meaningful signage – a fact that had been brought out in a report from several years ago done by the state – and that branding will be an important – not to mention, difficult – part of the upcoming process.

It isn't new, but what is new, at least, is that people within the city, both from government and from the private sector, appear to be listening.

Hooray!

This is a good thing all by itself and if it took $40,000 of tax money to get people to listen, then we'll count it as money well spent.

Of course, this is only the beginning of the process. Now Destination Development is asking for comments from citizens to help with the branding issue. Then a preliminary report will follow and, from what we have been told, a final report will be forthcoming by the end of February.

That isn't long, but we hope that the attention of our citizenry and officials does not falter over the next three months and that they are still listening to what is being said. No sleeping should be allowed.