I would like to thank Ted Graham for his editorial concerning the new cellular tower alongside Route 23. Township zoning boards have learned that it is useless to zone against the placement of these towers. Utility companies have the upper hand to place these towers wherever landowners agree.
Some time ago the Claridon Zoning board tried to establish a safe placement pattern for the safety of aviation. The Marion Municipal airport is always concerned with the safe arrival and departure of aircraft. The last thing that should be placed in their path would be one of these towers. Needless to say the zoning efforts were futile.
The tower at Routes 95 and 23 could be a safety hazard especially for low-level flights of medical helicopters. Often, these choppers respond to accidents along route 23. I believe that within the past few years there was a major traffic accident at the on ramp where the new tower has been placed.
During the earlier stages of construction prior to the erection of the tower I thought that ODOT was finally going to install lighting at the interchange. For years, I have talked about the lack of lighting at our interchanges with Route 23. A short travel into Wyandot County brings you into reality as to the proper use of lighting along our busy Route 23.
The new four-lane US 30 stretching across Wyandot and Crawford Counties is something to behold. The interchange of Routes 23 and 30 south of Upper Sandusky is an introduction in this area of the most modern construction techniques. Ironically, at this time there is not a cellular tower to be found around this new construction.
When will Marion County see this type of modernization? Since we are still far off in a by pass of Routes 309 and 95 will we one day catch up with our neighbors?
In the meantime, winter continues. At our bird feeder we find more Cardinals, Blue Jays, Juncos, Brown headed cow birds, Chipping sparrows, Song sparrows and other common species. A Rufous-sided Towhee was spotted several times and has to be our most unusual bird this season.
I was observing the crumbling condition of the Marion county Courthouse recently and now wonder if there will ever be funds available to restore it. Years ago, the interior was terribly reconstructed making two floors out of one. This was a needed move for more space but at the same time obliterated that building from its original interior beauty.
I have been in most of the county courthouses in central Ohio in the past two years and marvel at how they have improved the original contruction and added space to this.
Gary Barnhart who passed away recently was a grand historian of Marion County. I hope he committed much of his knowledge to tape or the written page. Most of us fail to record our knowledge of history and then it is lost forever. Years ago when I conducted a series of history programs on radio, everyone learned bits of history never before known. I managed to tape some of these programs so I do have a permanent record. I have also recorded on tape almost two hours of history for the Marion County Historical Society.
