Remember the real issue in Marion ward vote

You may have seen some blue and white yard signs around Marion recently with the words, 'Ward Voting, YES, Reaching Higher.” These signs were distributed around Marion in support of the important ward voting issue that will be on the upcoming Nov. 8, general election ballot.

For the past year, citizens of Marion repeatedly have asked the Marion City Council about changing the voting for ward council seats from at-large voting to voting only by residences from the respective wards.

In August, a number of Marion citizens gathered 575 signatures on a petition in 14 days requesting that this issue be placed on the Nov. 8 ballot. After receiving this petition, the council voted 7-0 to place this issue on the ballot for a public vote.

Getting the issue on the ballot was Step 1. Step 2 is to continue to discuss, educate and publish to continue to garner the 'yes” votes. Part of doing so traditionally is done by using yard signs. A few dollars were invested by Marion citizens in favor of this issue and signs were purchased and placed throughout the city.

Since this occurred, Marion City Manager Lon Pluckhahn stated at the Oct. 6 council meeting that the city was sending out letters regarding these signs because of a concern of trademark infringement and that the usage of the words 'Reaching Higher” on the signs gave a false impression that this issue was being supported by the city, which is not the case. In fact, he said, the city cannot legally support or oppose such an issue.

The citizens who invested in these signs at no time meant to give any impression that the city of Marion was endorsing this issue. In support of the mayor's encouragement for citizens of Marion to 'Reach Higher!” those words were used in the spirit of making Marion's government better.

The city, citing a 'common law” trademark, has informed the group which purchased the signs that the words 'Reaching Higher” need to be covered up. Those who had the ward signs printed do not agree the city's claim for common law trade mark, but in the spirit of cooperation you now will see the signs with tape over those words.

Please remember the real issue is for ward resident voting only. Please vote yes for ward resident voting on Nov. 8.

' Charles Knudsen is 64, retired and has lived in Marion since 1963. His grandparents farmed just north of Marion, in the Vaughn Drive area. Charles is active with the Boy Scouts of America as well as First Presbyterian Church of Marion and has one son.