Letters: Readers say Newark Earthworks more important than Moundbuilders golf

Newark Earthworks should not be hidden

I am from Newark and frequently visit the Great Circle but never saw the Octagon until I was in my 50’s. It took my breath away. Then it made me angry. How could such a significant place be kept away from us all? Why?

Hundreds of people come to each of only four open houses allowed at Octagon Mound. They are led by expert archaeologists and professors explaining this wonder of the world. I have heard out of town visitors wonder why a golf course was built on this once sacred place and why access is limited. It is NOT ‘always open to the public.’

There are amazing UNESCO sites on this globe. Unfortunately, some sites are off limits because of terrorist regimes, geological dangers or other world strife. The Octagon is inaccessible because of a country club. The Octagon mounds are not better off as a private club because I believe maintaining the Octagon was never about preservation, it involved a certain amount of greed. The largest group of geometric earthen enclosures in the world should be infinitely more important than a par 3.

This is the time to open our Ohio wonders to the world. The significant designation as a World Heritage Site is imminent. Increased business and increased real estate values will result and the sites will be beautifully maintained by the State of Ohio, the Ohio History Connection and the National Park Service. Please appreciate these sites!

Janis Row, Newark

World Heritage more important than golf

Thom McManus writes about ‘don’t complete the ‘sale’ (of the Newark Earthworks), citing a variety of points.

One that he cites, that the site is open to everyone, deliberately misleads the public about a critical point: yes, it is, one day per year!

I would also ask Mr. McManus if he would like it if someone opened a golf course over his ancestor’s graves?

Why not, it’s better use of all of that land?

So, it makes more sense to him to keep this as the playground of the rich and powerful, vs. open to the public every day? World Heritage sites do draw tourists. We have a unique asset here, if we can pry it away from the golfers.

Pete Myer, Thornville

Are we headed for a chip glut?

The Economist in their 7/16/22 article "When the chips are way down" reports that several of the largest global chip makers expect reduced demand and that "the share prices of the world's chip makers have slumped by about a third this year." Massive scheduled chip production raises "global capacity by roughly 40%" and "late 2022 could see a production glut."

I can't keep track of all the federal, state and local tax incentives, abatements and exemptions. And what is the life expectancy of these factories? Are we ever going to see benefits to compensate for the permanent loss of agricultural land affecting food production, impact on water consumption, pollution, schools, etc.?

Jurgen Pape, Granville

Thanks to runners, volunteers in Granville

On behalf of Tom Waggonsellor and myself, we would like to thank all of the athletes who have run the RUNOHIO/RunGranville Bryn Du Summer Cross Country races over the years. The races would not be possible without our volunteers over the nineteenth years: Bruce Cramer, Rennie Bare, Candi Moore, Steve Mershon and Jeff O’Brien. Also, thanks go out to Jim Weaver and Mike Weaver for cutting the race course. Special thanks to Kurt Snyder and the Newark Advocate/Granville Sentinel for their excellent pictures and coverage of the events.

Anyone who would like to help continue the event please let me know (runohio@ee.net) and I will help you next year.

Matt McGowan, Granville

This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Letters: Newark Earthworks more important than Moundbuilders golf