Union County newbies — whether you hail from a different South Carolina county or a far off land of tall corn and blizzards the likes of which many of you only have seen on your television screens — have nothing to fear.

Union and Union County are great!

Even with all the corruption brought to light in the past several weeks, why not look at all the positives?

Union County has a lot to be proud of. It has a high school football team headed for the state playoffs, a high school marching band that placed the highest at the state championships it has since 2005, a proactive and cooperating legislative delegation and now a new clerk of court and supervisor dedicated to turn the county around and put us back on the right track.

That’s only a few of the good things that have happened since the first part of October when this newbie stepped foot in Union County.

Too often people dwell on the bad news coming out of their communities and that only mires down those around them. After all, it’s hard not to with so much of it happening.

But while it’s important to tell those stories and learn about that side of the news, it’s also important to support and encourage the types of activities that better and enrich the lives of people. And what better time than the holidays to start changing the feeling — the attitude — in Union County?

Like many hometowns, those new to the county will find a small town atmosphere with big ideas and hopes. A county with tradition and pride and a community that has faith and hope. Now is the best time to have those attributes and to use them to better the community.

Union County is a great place to be. The people are warm and welcoming, greeting a new person every chance they get. They always offer a smile and “Hello,” willing to help out if needed. You all also are the type of people who enjoy living where you live and only want to see your communities succeed.

If that feeling could be bottled and sold, Union County would corner the market.

So, let’s all come together as a community. Turn out for the playoff game on Friday night, be sure to tell a marching band member congrats on their success this year, stop by and tell our new clerk of court and supervisor you appreciate their work and dedication — just pay it forward whenever you get a chance to whoever you see.

Even in a recession and state of disarray, people prevail because of their will to not only make their own lives better but those of the people around them and Union County is no different.

Together we can make the future great but separated it will be a tough go. Even though some people might have only been here for a month or so, it’s easy to see the people of Union County want to have to wear sunglasses because they banded together for the brightest possible future.

Let’s rally the troops and become one to fix any existing problems in the county — in our communities — and then find ways to make the future Union County deserves a reality.