The Emporia Gazette

Posted on December 6 at 11:18 p.m.

The community of Emporia should be proud to have such a man as Arnie Graham and the Reeble family in it. They have establlished a lot of excellent programs in this community such as the Reeble's Day Care program at Flint Hills Technical College for single mothers who are struggling and trying to attend school, and the Reeble's Scholarship program for specific programs at the Flint Hills Technical College. He is a current trustee on the Jones Foundation board, and Jones Trust board who we all know contnue to contribute to the Health, Welfare, and Education of family's in 3 counties. Mr. Graham has been in this community longer than my 25 years. He has always taken excellent care of his employees, many have proved that through longivity. His stores have always been well maintained, clean, and well stocked. In today's society many changes occur on a yearly basis, the unexpected, and uncertainly of new ownership always upsets people. Instead of looking at the selling of the Reeble's Corporation as something bad, think of this as a positive thing for Mr. Graham and his family, as well as the community of Emporia. From what I have read so far from Mr.Graham's interview he did not make this decision lightly, and I am sure has also lost many nights sleep. Look to the future and give Bob's Super Stores a chance to offer things to our community we might not otherwise have a chance at. The Reeble and Graham family's have served this community well over the years through their friendship, and financial contributions back to Emporia. They have left their legacy to continue on. Rather than criticizing we should all be patting him on the back and saying "Thank you" for a job well done. My entire family wish you, Arnie and your family the very best in the years to come. It's time to set back and enjoy things for a change.

On Changing Hands