Letter to the Editor: Why is Mifflin Twp. wasting the I-71/U.S. 30 interchange?

It has come to my attention that there have been very significant offers to purchase property at the I-71/U.S. 30 intersection.

What a huge, irresponsible mistake to let an opportunity like that slip away in an area that very much needs revenue to improve the infrastructure.

Before Ontario, Ohio 13 and 97 had any business, the 71-30 intersection was booming with enterprise. There were four gas stations, three restaurants, and two hotels.

Now it has been vacant for almost 30 years — except for a fireworks store and a strip club that has been closed for over 10+ years.

It seems irresponsible to vote against any form of improvement to that area, one of the busiest interchanges in the community.

In the past, lack of updated infrastructure has been the excuse. Well, it seems lack of leadership and innovation to solve problems is the bigger excuse after 30+ years of no progress.

Personal opinion about a dispensary is a moot point over an elected responsibility to the township.

When the county election was held in November, better than half of Mifflin Township voted in favor of the issue. 

It’s time to step up and do the right thing that will increase property value and revenue for the township.

My property tax went up over $600 with the new school levy. New business that could lead to more improved infrastructure could lead to more taxes for schools and safety forces, while reducing the homeowner’s burden.

Sitting on top of a gold mine and making excuses not to dig is irresponsible and embarrassing.

Allowing an opportunity that someone is going to get somewhere despite opinion is irresponsible, too.

I can assure you that folks have been using cannabis in the Township long before we were here, and will continue to do so long after we’re gone. It is now a legal enterprise whether you agree with it or not.

The intersection is an embarrassment. The infrastructure of that intersection has always been an embarrassment, but does not need to be another excuse.

Problems are there to be solved, not to be ignored for 40 years.

I have driven all over the state and have seen many intersections revamped and improved. I have lived in the Township most of my life and as a teen worked at the L&K and Ramada Inn there back in the late 70’s.

The interchange itself is a mess because of my step grandfather, Roy “Mud” Gardner. He was a state senator back when the intersection was put in and conveniently designed to exit all 71 south traffic right in front of his Kayroy Restaurant and Motel on Crider Road.

Thus the reason that entire intersection is a disaster for improvement and development. 

“There’s a lot of unknowns here,” said trustee chair John Jaholnycky.

It’s time to elect some township leaders that don’t need a safe place from the unknown, some new leadership that’s not afraid of progress.

It’s time for some progressive leadership that’s not afraid of new things.

A dispensary could be the very thing to jump start the infrastructure to that deserted interchange with so much traffic moving daily up and down I-71.

I can assure you nothing in our country ever happened until someone had the courage to face the unknown.

Actually, this is not unknown. Marijuanna dispensaries have been booming in our country now for quite a while.

Many folks drive from our area to Michigan to get what they want.

It’s time for some new progressive leadership in Mifflin Twp, and time to  take advantage of one of the busiest intersections in Richland County that does not even have a place for a single traveler to use the restroom.

Brian Moore

Mifflin Township