*Note: This is reader-submitted. Opinions and letters to the editor can be sent to news@crawfordcountynow.com
Last week we marked the anniversary of the Continental Congress signing the Declaration of Independence. Following this, the 13 colonies engaged in a war with England to establish the principles outlined in the founding document.
On July 6th, 2025, Crawford County’s resolution banning industrial solar farms became law, marking 249 years since July 4th, 1776. And just as 249 years ago we must now fight a “war” against Industrial Solar Developers to save our community.
Just as the Declaration of Independence marked the beginning of our fight for freedom, our current battle symbolizes a modern-day struggle to preserve the rights and values that define our community. Crawford County’s ban on industrial solar farms is more than a policy; it’s a stand for the agricultural legacy and harmony that generations have worked tirelessly to uphold. This resolution is a testament to the conviction of our leadership and the shared vision of those who call this land home.
At the heart of this issue is the principle of self-determination—the ability of Crawford County to decide its future without external interference. By challenging the commissioners’ decision, Solar Developers seeks to undermine the democratic processes that protect our community’s interests.
We must amplify our voices, clearly and confidently, to remind all observers that Crawford County’s decisions are not for sale and that our heritage cannot be commodified.
We must advocate for transparency, ensuring every individual in our community understands the long-term consequences of these industrial solar farms.
This is not just about saying “no” to Solar Developers; it’s about saying “yes” to integrity, stewardship, and the collective wisdom of our people.
Let us not underestimate the resolve that has carried this county through centuries of challenges and change. Our story is woven from the resilience of those who tilled these fields before us and the hope of those yet to plant their first seed. As stewards of Crawford County, it falls to us to shape a future that honors both our inheritance and our obligation to those who will follow.
So when you hear Industrial Solar’s “adds” or “infomercial” on the local radio station, or when they speak at your local school board meeting, remember what they are really selling, “21st Century Snake Oil”. They will take our treasure, (money and land), leaving behind a useless product that destroys large tracks of irreplaceable farmland, then move on to fleece the next county.
John H, Volk
2850 Caldwell Rd.
Bucyrus, Ohio 44820