Thanks Scott. Normally I only fantasize about telling off a person that's being a jerk. Approaching a gaggle of them all at one time I figured that I'd probably choke and end up smelling backside as I puckered up and gave in. The few that apologized honestly looked as though they regretted their behaviors at the previous meeting. I think they succumbed to the 'pack mentality' and had laughed along with the bullies the time before.
Because it's such a small town, the remodeling hasn't gone unnoticed by most of the folks that live there. Most folks have been very supportive. It's unfortunate that many of the biggest jerks in small communities tend to run for office. Overall most of the people there are decent. Nebraska is full of folks that vote for conservatives in national elections but still vote for liberals locally. They don't seem to realize that the Dems are most likely to be the ones that want to control how they are allowed to live their lives and values.