Local artist grateful for Marion Iron

In response to Steve Mumm's disparaging remarks regarding Marion Iron ('Marion business not a good neighbor,” July 10), I have this to say:

Thank God for Marion Iron. As a local artist and ironworker, I make heavy use of every service Marion Iron provides. I shop the salvage yard side of the business at least once a week and purchase new steel from the fab shop almost as frequently.

Having a salvage yard in town does two great things for my business: it allows me to keep my prices for fine art affordable for the majority of our population and it provides me with shapes and objects I wouldn't otherwise encounter, thus allowing me to keep each of my pieces one-of-a-kind.

While many people of means may not have cause to shop directly at Marion Iron, many of them have at least one piece of locally salvaged steel in their home or garden. Anyone who has purchased fine art or metalwork from me in the last two years likely has a piece of Marion Iron in their possession. Also, anyone who dines at Zins, shops at Phelan's, patronizes the Art Cellar, or walks through the store at Brucemore has likely encountered steel procured from Marion Iron in the form of my metalwork.

As for his rat comment: there are no rats at Marion Iron, just hardworking, polite and helpful people.

Cara Briggs Farmer

Synergy Metalworks

Marion