Resident's Blog Peppered with Comments about Little League Lighting Issue

A decision hasn't been made on lighting at the North Canton Little League fields — but some residents have voiced their opinions on what ideas deserve to win. 

Twenty-two people spoke at North Canton's public hearing regarding proposed overhead lights, .

Then, Chuck Osborne put in his two cents in a Patch blog entitled North Canton Neighborhoods are Under Attack!

Osborne believes "The proposed expansion of the activities conducted by the North Canton Little League is an intrusion on the peace and serenity of a neighborhood that can start the decline of a neighborhood." (Read his full blog post here.) 

And just like the public hearing — comments for and against the overhead lights started coming in. 

"I don't live near the ball fields in question, but is it not enough that the residents who live near them put up with a huge amount of traffic every day for about six months? Why should they then be bothered at night by blinding lights. End the games at dark," said Geoff Elliott on the North Canton Facebook page. 

But, Todd Evans — a North Canton Little League coach — said the lights would be a small inconvenience for a program that is so important in children's lives. 

"It is hard for me to believe that there are individuals who do not understand what a nice complex we have and the important role that Little League plays in not only proving youngsters a chance to have fun in a team setting, but also learn the lessons from playing team sports," he said on this Patch story.

Do you think there should be lights on some of the diamonds for Little League play?

According to Osborne, the proposed lighting at the fields isn't the only thing that he believes will drive residents away from North Canton.

In his blog, Osborne writes about how he thinks the city is under attack — by meth house operations, single homes turned into rentals and foreclosures. 

"Foreclosures that linger in our neighborhoods, single-family homes that are turned into rentals and multiply up and down streets destroy neighborhoods and drive families out of their homes. This is how communities lose good solid law-abiding citizens," he wrote. 

Stacy Cline wrote on the North Canton Facebook page that Osbourne's blog is just a stunt to get some publicity. 

"We should all be thankful for the city in which we live ... great schools, great people, great kids, great sports and great opportunities. It's writings like this that just make me laugh. Mr. Osborne obviously is looking for the publicity by throwing 'meth houses, foreclosures and rentals' into an article about lighting a kids' ball field. No city is perfect, but we make the best of what we have and strive to be better. Pull the shades, light the fields, don't sweat the small stuff and GO VIKINGS!!!," she wrote. 

One commenter on the Facebook page, who rents in North Canton, argued that Osbourne's blog is short-sited.

"Sure, people deal drugs and an arsonist has attacked a home but these things don't happen with people who own homes? Homeowners don't drive other homeowners out of neighborhoods? Renting isn't a sin." said Thomas J Costello. " If you want to talk about the lights talk about the lights. Leave us good solid law-abiding renters out of it."

Do you think there is a correlation between renters, foreclosures and the lighting situation at the Little League fields? 

Do you think North Canton is under attack by housing issues?