Note:  The Iconoclast View is a place on the Icon where we post opinion pieces. The following email came to us recently - unsoliciated from the Icon owner's brother, Rudi Steiner.

It fits in the opinion category and may help to explain what the Icon is and is not. We offer it here for viewers' enjoyment.

That thing you did about temporarily getting rid of the comments section was a good idea.

As a Bluffton outsider I enjoyed the spirited debate about who has the right to decide what to do with broken unidentifiable tombstones in the Shannon Cemetery. I tried to figure out who was doing the debating but many of the debaters didn’t have names.

I don’t remember any family of Ohioborn’s living in Bluffton when I was growing up so I figured out they all must be outsiders like me who don’t want to admit to having real names or a hometown.

I don’t think you ever intended the Icon Comments Section to be a sounding board for public opinion… it just sort of just happened.

From its inception the Icon has been a source for local news and a way for Bluffton residents to get immediate information.

For logistical and other reasons it shouldn’t necessarily be a sounding board for public commentary, since there’s a plenty of other places around town where that can happen, like restaurants, coffee shops, church gatherings, sidelines of football games and public meetings.

Because of the Icon, Bluffton residents no longer have to chase after fire trucks and ambulances to find out where they went.

They don’t have to drive around wasting gas hunting for good deals at garages sales. You can print an Icon map for that.

Because of the Icon, they know about what time they should head for cover when a storm is predicted or if they need get out their snow shovel or row boat and how soon they should begin filling sand bags when there’s a heavy dew or the Riley is rising.

Readers no longer have to wait until Thursday to find out about the latest bank robbery or if any unwanted wildlife broke into their favorite bar. They get all kind of good stuff within minutes after something important or exciting happens.

For all of us out of town folks, we’re able to keep in touch with the current changes in Bluffton. Bluffton College grew up and became Bluffton University, the Bluffton Hospital seems to keep growing and adding services.

I like the new fire truck. It has lots of bright lights and a really loud siren, I saw it on an Icon vIdeo of last year's “Blaze of Lights” parade.

Although no longer there, I still stop at the old stop light at the intersection of College and Main when I come to town. I guess it hard for me break old habits and get use to the physical changes around town.

I can’t buy a new pair of shoes or some underwear in Bluffton, but thanks to the Stratton Brothers I can still buy a Chevy, Ford, Buick or pick-up truck and if I wanted an Audi they could probably get me one.

I do read the Ads and Menus so I know what’s good at The Mustard Seed or Jeanne’s Kitchen, maybe I’ll try that new place next time I come to town. I still miss Al Ingalls Pine Restaurant. I wish the Dough Hook made the Swank Brothers' ring bologna, liverwurst and pan haus. I really miss that good stuff.

The Obit’s are sometimes are a reality check for me, especially when there’s one about a former classmate… but I guess that’s change too.

Those of us who are outsider’s like seeing pictures of Bluffton people we recognize who about our same age because we can see how much younger we look compared to them. Keep those class pictures coming, it keeps us younger.

I have often told you it’s your web site Fred and you are “Where Bluffton gets its news.” Chuck Hilty refers you as “the Bluffton Gossiper.” He says: “Fred can write what he wants without the approval of anyone, and if he pisses somebody off… so what!” 

You’re sort of the Fox News of Bluffton. You can slant the news any way you want. You don’t have to give disgruntled readers their money back… because the Icon’s free… unless you’re buying a cup of Icon at the Common Ground, there you have to pay for it.

If some think the Icon is a “gossip rag” they have should have read The Oakville News, your first attempt at reporting neighborhood news. It made Alice DeVier blush.

I still have a copy.

Rudi Steiner
Homewood, Illinois