Here’s information that needs to be passed along. It comes from Lanier James, president of JAM Promotions of Memphis which staged the 20th annual O’Reilly Auto Parts National Indoor Kart Championship at the Batesville Civic Center November 26 and 27.

From all accounts, the event was a resounding success. In a letter to Mayor Jerry Autrey, James praised the BCC staff for “outstanding effort and cooperation.”

Alderman Bill Dugger said that he saw tags on vehicles from Louisiana, Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia when he visited the site during the competition.

BCC Director Roy Hyde said this is the third year the facility has hosted the National Kart Championship. “They’re looking forward to being back here next year,” Hyde said.

But the most telling comment came from the second statement in James’ letter.

“I would be remiss if I did not also mention our participants’ and spectators’ positive comments towards local businesses,” James stated.

That’s a fine compliment. We assume that we treat people with consideration when they visit our town, but it’s especially gratifying to have someone not from here take notice and be kind enough to acknowledge it in a letter to the mayor so he could share it with the rest of us.

That means at convenience stores, restaurants, hotels, motels and businesses all over Batesville — wherever our guests visited during their weekend competition November 26 and 27 — they found helpful, friendly people who made them feel welcome.

The value of the goodwill generated when people make others feel like they are appreciated is incalculable.

And what we also know is those same people who prompted compliments from the kart race visitors were not doing anything that they don’t do every day for anybody. We are fortunate to have courteous, neighborly people working in our businesses. We appreciate James’ acknowledgement of the good job they do.