Here we go again with the accessory building issue.

I got on my soapbox a few months ago when the city adopted a resolution that allowed even larger than before garages and accessory buildings to be constructed. And now, here I am again.

This time, though, I want to commend Marion City Council for sticking to their guns and although it has not formally denied the structure, it appeared the majority were not in favor of it Monday evening.

No offense is intended to Nick Nickelson and the planning commission. If the resolution for accessory buildings is that convoluted, perhaps it should be clarified. I certainly mean no disrespect to Mr. Reynolds who wants to build a garage close to his garden. No one can blame him for his efforts.

I still am not convinced large accessory buildings should be allowed in town in the first place. Variances have been allowed for some with large lots to build garages larger than most homes. That is fine for the individual who builds it and uses it for that purpose. Further down the road, 20-30 years, things could be different. The house could be gone and here is this great big garage on a lot. What purpose will it serve other than being someone’s storage, which is not the intent of residential areas.

Residential areas are for houses and the amenities that come with homes — a two-car garage and maybe a tool shed for the mower and rake. That’s it. No 1,000 square foot garage/storage/barn structure.

Marion is similar to many other communities this size where there are varying sizes of lots and older homes removed, leaving extra large lots that aren’t quite big enough for two homes but could accommodate a home and a really big garage.

The fascination with garages and outbuildings are interesting to me. This day and age, people own a lot of toys. Most families have at least two vehicles, maybe a “special” vehicle for “special” occasions, and then additional toys — motorcycles, jet skis, and the like.

Maybe I have this backward. Maybe we should allow large accessory buildings for toy storage. Actually, I would not have a problem with that.

What I do have a problem with is when that family with the toys moves on and the next owner buys the property with the really big garage, and works on everyone’s vehicles.

Hearing the revving of a motor at 10 p.m. nightly does not thrill me. Oops. I just showed my age again.

*****

Postage rates are set to increase. With the advent of e-mail and texting, people just aren’t sending as many cards and letters as they used to.

The real stickler in this whole thing is it appears the U.S. Postal Service is rewarding companies that create and send massive mailings that we are quick to discard but are socking it to businesses, like this newspaper, which is sending a requested product.

It doesn’t make sense, does it? But then again when I researched this issue, it was difficult to find out exactly what changes were going to be. So, here we are again — at the mercy of the postal service without any recourse other than paying the higher rate.

And speaking of government entities, when legislators talk about stimulus funds, we wished they would consider stimulating the business community. A nice little dividend for businesses such as a property tax abatement or a break on postage would be well-received and utilized.

Oh, yeah. They did something like that and it didn’t work very well. Maybe this time they should consider grassroots businesses, such as the ones lining our main streets and highways.

We’d be willing to bet those businesses wouldn’t squander it and then ask for more in a few months.

— susan berg