The Martin community and school system are undergoing a renaissance of sorts. Only a few years ago they were just about left for dead, but they have rebounded nicely, at least in the all-important world of public relations.

Perhaps the most stunning achievement is the forward-looking implementation of solar panels for school buildings. That environmentally friendly project, shepherded by Superintendent Dr. David Harnish, also has included a new football field, renovated gymnasium and other infrastructure improvements.

And don’t forget the promise of saving the taxpayers money in energy costs.

Going hand in hand with these developments is the sudden success of an athletic program that had some observers wondering a few years ago if Martin would have to give up 11-man football. The Clippers went through a miserable 56-game losing streak and the only publicity they were getting was the pesky question about whether they would break the state record for futility.

But this past fall Martin returned to the post-season playoffs for the first time in 11 years and came within one point of defeating a Holton team that made it all the way to the state semifinals.

Now comes the boys’ and girls’ basketball teams. The boys are off to a 5-0 start and the girls are 3-0, raising more than a few eyebrows.

Outside of the athletic arena, the community suffered through many years of having an eyesore right smack dab in the middle of downtown with the old abandoned former Boysen food market. But finally a Dollar General moved in to replace it to provide the community with a local store that sells food and other essential items. And the downtown blight has been eliminated.

So the schools and community pulled themselves up by their bootstraps and turned things around.

From where I sit, there are many who deserve a lot of credit, but my vote for making the biggest difference goes to Dr. Harnish, a man who apparently has a vision of leadership and “the way things ought to be.”

COVER PHOTO: Dr. David Harnish (left) and high school student Austin Marsman talk about the successful bond project to implement a solar system for all school buildings in the Martin district.