Wind/solar issue lacking ‘educational component,’ says Mifflin Twp. resident

MANSFIELD — Jeff and Dorinda Strang waited patiently Thursday morning to speak to the Richland County Board of Commissioners.

The husband and wife of 50 years attended the 9:30 a.m. meeting to discuss large wind and solar projects once commissioners reached the end of their agenda.

What ensued was a 25-minute conversation between the Strangs and commissioners Cliff Mears and Darrell Banks. Commissioner Tony Vero was absent Thursday.

Much of the conversation stemmed from commissioners’ recent vote to declare portions of Richland County’s unincorporated areas as “restricted areas prohibiting construction of economically significant wind farms, large wind farms and large solar facilities.”

These restricted areas include 11 of the county’s 18 townships — Bloominggrove, Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson, Mifflin, Monroe, Perry, Plymouth, Sharon, Troy and Weller.

Jeff Strang said he recently attended a Mifflin Township trustees meeting to ask the three members about renewable energy and their decision to restrict large wind and solar projects.

He said he asked the trustees if their was a specific meeting or opportunity for input about renewable energy that he missed. He also asked why the trustees voted against these types of projects, but received no response.

“I offered them an educational component and they’re going to get back with me, supposedly,” Jeff Strang said.

He cited other Ohio counties — including Medina, Franklin, Adams, Clark, Trumbull, Morrow, Knox, Preble and Cuyahoga — which conducted educational meetings before making a decision to prohibit or allow alternative energy projects in their communities.

These meetings created a space for local leaders and residents to hear from experienced people regarding wind and solar, rather than just “hearsay,” Jeff Strang said.

“These nine counties have turned to colleges or universities or community colleges to help them have a public forum of discussion before they come up with a vote,” he said.

Decision was ‘knee-jerk reaction,’ says Jeff Strang

Jeff Strang said his goal in speaking to commissioners Thursday was to seek reconsideration or a recess on their recent vote to prohibit large wind and solar in 11 of the county’s 18 townships.

“I have a real strong feeling that was a knee-jerk reaction that they (townships) had,” he said. “At least that’s the way it was in Mifflin (Township).”

Mears said commissioners placed their trust in townships’ elected officials.

Banks added conversations regarding wind and solar have been on-going since 2021 and that it’s the duty of an elected official to educate themselves on these types of issues.

As far as an educational component, Mears said he feels that should be left to township trustees to decide.

Jeff Strang said public forums for discussion and education may not change anyone’s opinion, but he’s willing to live with that if it meant the opportunity was at least offered.

“That’s our due diligence. That’s what we should be doing,” he said.

His wife echoed similar sentiments.

“We’re all learning… but I guess to close the door and to ban or restrict the large solar fields and wind farms just seems like we’re not looking forward to the future and that we aren’t learning enough, quick enough to properly inform our residents,” Dorinda Strang said.

Commissioners stand firm with decision

A local coalition of residents and organizations — choosing the name Richland County Citizens for Property Rights and Job Development — plan to circulate petitions and seek enough signatures to put the wind/solar issue on the May 2026 primary election ballot.

The Strangs are part of the coalition.

The group must obtain 3,392 signatures from registered voters in the county. The petition will be available for signature at the Democratic Party booth at the Richland County Fair, which begins Sunday, and public places such as libraries.

Circulators will also begin taking the petitions door-to-door, organizers previously said.

“The window is so narrow (to collect signatures),” Jeff Strang said. “The leadership of an educational component in Richland County comes from you guys (commissioners).”

While admitting she and her husband are still actively educating themselves on wind and solar, Dorinda Strang said she looks to the commissioners to educate the county.

“I think what we did, letting every township make up their mind, that was fair,” Banks said.

Near the end of the conversation, Jeff Strang asked if the commissioners would take formal action to organize an educational component — offering his assistance to work with local universities to setup locations for public meetings.

Both Mears and Banks declined his offer.

“The bottom line is we (commissioners) followed the law and we, as far as I’m concerned, we’ve made a decision,” Banks said.

Community investment made this reporting happen. Independent, local news in Shelby and Northern Richland County is brought to you in part by the generous support of Phillips Tube Group, R.S. Hanline, ArcelorMittal, Lloyd Rebar, Hess Industries, and Shelby Printing.