I have to give it to you, you're sticking to your preconceived notions. However, that's not a good trait with the preponderance of evidence against your notion. Maybe you're not from a smaller community to be able to understand how much control someone can actually have. Whether it is the local law enforcement, a coach, or a minister, history is full of examples where smaller communities have been kowtowed to those in positions of authority. To me, it's even easier as the smaller community doesn't have the numbers to support each other to fight against the oppressor. There's a reason there are so so many 80s films where the out of town tough guy comes in to rescue the local community.