Independence Dam State Park

Kevin Whaley recently posted a story about "One Tank Trips" and asked for suggestions of nearby attractions that hadn't been covered in his post or the article he referenced from FortWayneHompage.net. I immediately thought of one of my favorite spots across the border in Ohio, Independence Dam State Park. I got it into my head on Friday to take the family up to the Toledo Zoo this weekend, perhaps that seed was planted when I read Kevin's post. And Independence Dam IS on the way. . . I discovered this gem quite by acccident about 20 years back. Back in my single days, I used to spend many of my days off exploring neighboring counties just to see what I could find. That's how I came across Independence Dam.

The park runs along a seven-mile stretch of the Maumee River just east of Defiance, Ohio. It's unique in that it's a rather narrow park, maybe a quarter-mile at it's very widest, that is squeezed between the Maumee River on one side and the old Wabash & Erie Canal and the former US 24 (Now Ohio 424) on the other.



There is one entrance, and cars may traverse the park for only a short way in, perhaps a mile and a half. Beyond that, it's pedal power or hoofing it. By car, you can make it past the dam (pictured below), several pavilion areas and to a playground that's a favorite stop for my kids. I've never ventured far beyond that point thus far; but the explorer in me yearns to return and bike or hike the remainder of the park at some point in the future.



Right at the very entrance to the park is Lock #13 of the old canal. The dam itself was built to provide slack water for the canal, and was named for the nearby canal town of Independence. The existing dam on the Maumee River was completed in 1924. This cement dam replaced the original wooden dam which was built in the 1800s for the canal system. At the time of the rebuilding of the structure, several organizations expressed support for a park between the old canal bed and the river and the Ohio Department of Public Works purchased private lands to create the park. The bustling burg of Independence once rivaled Defiance in size, but died along with the canals in the mid 1800's.

From the flip side of the sign, I learned that this canal was on the trunk line of both the Miami & Erie and Wabash & Erie canals. The two canals joined together at a point some 15 miles southwest of this location. Clicking either of these sign pictures will bring the text up to an easily readable size.

This shot is of the canal, at the site of Lock #13, facing towards Toledo.

This shot, from the same location, faces towards Fort Wayne.

Here are a couple of shots of the Maumee River from the park. I'm not sure that the pictures do it justice, but it's simply amazing how wide the Maumee is here, a mere 50 miles or so from it's birth here in Fort Wayne.


I encourage you to experience this park for yourself! From Fort Wayne, travel east on US 24 to just past Defiance, Ohio. You'll need to exit at State Route 281, which is clearly marked "Independence Dam". 281 will take you to State Route 424 in less than one mile, and 424 east takes you to the park entrance in just under two miles. Expect about a one hour drive and, pack a picnic lunch, your cross-trainers or bicycles, and fishing tackle if you're so inclined. Oh! And if you have little ones, look for this area at the end of the drivable part of the park. . .

Paul Helmke on DC vs Heller

Paul Helmke: The Fight for Sensible Gun Laws Continues

Norman Goldman (filling in for Ed Schultz today) interviewed Paul Helmke this afternoon. He asked Helmke if he still considered himself a Republican after this turn of events. Helmke replied, "Well. . .sorta".

Souder sides with big oil AGAIN

Rep. Souder Sides With Big Oil Against Working Families Struggling With Gas Prices

Votes Show Souder Out of Touch With Needs of Hoosiers

(Washington, DC June 27) - As gas prices soar and families struggle to make ends meet, Rep. Souder (R-IN) last night voted against legislation to lower gas prices and end profiteering by Big Oil barons and energy speculators.

“It’s almost unfathomable that at a time when his constituents are having to choose between putting gas in their cars or food on their tables that Rep. Souder would block common-sense legislation that would provide tangible relief and lead the way to a cleaner, more secure energy future,” said Caren Benjamin, deputy executive director of Americans United for Change, the progressive issue-advocacy group behind this summer’s Bush Legacy Tour www.bushlegacytour.com.

“This is just another – particularly egregious – example of how some members of Congress are putting loyalty to their corporate sponsors and to President Bush’s conservative corporate-driven agenda above the needs of the people they were elected to represent,” Benjamin added.

In lock-step with President Bush and presumptive Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), Rep. Souder voted against the “Use It or Lose It” bill, which would compel the oil industry to start drilling on the 68 million acres which they are currently warehousing or be barred from obtaining any more federal drilling leases until they demonstrate that they are diligently developing those lands.

Unbelievably, Rep. Souder also refused to support legislation to curb oil speculation and keep wheelers and dealers from getting rich off the backs of ordinary working people.

“Clearly, Rep. Souder is out of touch with the needs of the people of Indiana,” Benjamin said. “He must be held accountable.”

Uncle Jay Explains: Oil Prices

How bubbly will those oil prices get, anyway? Pretty soon a bottle of oil will cost even more than a bottle of water! It’s affecting the news in many different ways, but Uncle Jay has explanations for everything. A few even make sense:

Maplecrest Extension passes 6-1

$55 Million Dollar Project to proceed next year:


The Allen County Council today overwhelmingly approved the $55 million Maplecrest extension from Lake Avenue south to Adams Center Road. County Commisioner nelson Peters said "we worked hard to sell the project" and presentations by a variety of county officials and other supports swayed Council members who previously said they were leaning against the project.

The 6-1 vote in favor of a $25 million construction bond should allow work on the 1.5-mile extension by next year. The project, which is of great importance to businesses and residents of southeast Fort Wayne and New Haven,is expected to improve transportation and public safety and promote economic development, especially in southeast Allen County. But because the cost had doubled since 2002, some Council members had questioned whether the benefits were worth the expense.

Maplecrest Extension Hearing

An important reminder from ourdems.org -


This Tuesday, June 24th, is the public hearing for the Maplecrest Road Extension. It is imperative that supporters for this project turn out en masse. Click the screen capture below for a full list of reasons why this project should move forward and be approved:


Tuesday, June 24 at 9:00 a.m. in the City-County Building, room 200

Why it is important:

* Public safety access to the Nelson Road industrial corridor and to River Haven.
* Provides a route over the railroad and river and closes two deadly railroad crossing.
* Opens the Nelson Road area for redevelopment and industrial growth and provides greater potential for positive growth in the area of Adams Center Road and S.R. 930.
* Provides better access for the employees of businesses that are often caught between two rails with trains blocking their access.
* Provides improvements for storm water drainage.
* North River Road floods when we experience a significant amount of rain, closing off access down an already dangerous and winding road.
* Provides faster travel times to Georgetown, downtown Fort Wayne, New Haven and southern Fort Wayne. This reduces fuel use and emissions.

Residents and business owners are strongly encouraged to attend the public hearing and speak and express their concerns and support of this project in front of the Allen County Council. Supporters of this project must "pack the room" to help this project happen.

Many business owners, residents and elected officials (both local and state) will be in attendance to continue to promote the significance of this project. Please plan to attend.

Even more reasons to visit Coney Island

. . .as if you needed them!

A local asshat, err. . .disturbed caucasion youth, recently posted a diatribe against a local hero who works in a management capacity at one of Fort Wayne's most famous landmarks. Here are the videos in question:





I think I'll drop by and thank this dude in person. I already patronize Coney Island several times a month despite it's proximity to Steve Shine's "Liar's Club". Now I have a reason to drop by more often. . .It's good to know that I won't have to worry about running into Angry White Trash during my visits.

Long-Thompson & Oxley stop in Fort Wayne

Long-Thompson introduces Dennie Oxley as her running mate:




Jill Long-Thompson met with a small crowd near Fort Wayne International Airport this afternoon to introduce Dennie Oxley as her choice for Lieutenant Governor. A short meet and greet took place before Rep. Win Moses took the podium to introduce Long-Thompson, who then in turn, introduced Oxley. Both candidates spoke for several minutes about their vision for the state of Indiana.

Long Thompson:

"Dennie;s legislative career demonstrates that he is an effective leader and a champion of working people. His experience in the legislature, in the classroom, and in the business world will be put to good use. He's exactly the kind of Lieutenant Governor we need to help bring new prosperity and opportunity to communities across Indiana."

Oxley:

"Jill is a proven leader with executive experience - and I'm honored to partner with her to fight for better opportunities for all Hoosier families. Together we will work to grow our economy, protect good-paying jobs, lower health care costs for working famiies, strengthen our schools and overhaul the entire tax structure to make Indiana more competitive."

Oxley was first elected to the Indiana House of Representatives in 1998, and represents portions of eight southern Indiana counties as well as serving as Majority Whip for the House Democratic Caucus.

UPDATE: Video of the event

Jill Long-Thompson "whistle stop" in Fort Wayne

Jill Long-Thompson will be in Fort Wayne tomorrow as part of a whirlwind two-day tour around the state to announce her choice of State Representative Dennie Oxley for lieutenant-governor. She will appear at Mercury Air Center, right in front of Fort Wayne International Airport, for a press conference at 3:45 PM. The address for Mercury is 4021 Air Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46809.

Montagano responds to Souder

Click image for a larger picture

Notes on the IN Dem's State Convention

From: ACDP Vice-Chair Deb Morrone:

Have I MENTIONED that it is a GREAT YEAR to be a DEMOCRAT? (It is Always a great year to be a Democrat in fact)

I am very pleased to announce that Allen County has filled our allotment of delegates to the Indiana State Democratic Convention--AND we currently have a waiting list. Allen County will be sending 110 (our max allotment) of the 220 total Third Congressional District delegates to the convention!

This will be an exciting event--we have a great mix of first time and experienced delegates. Allen Co. also has several outstanding candidates running for many of the National Delegate slots. We have people running in the District Delegate Race, in the At Large Delegate race, in the Party Leader Elected Official Race, etc. We wish them ALL well.

The convention is the evening of Friday, June 20 and Saturday, June 21 at the Indianapolis Downtown Marriott. An agenda has now been posted online at www.indems.org. It is very informative-try to take a look at it prior to the conference.

For those of you with National Delegate aspirations, there is a link to very informative site detailing what to expect, etc. If you are elected, you will get many more details from the Party.

Delegates: PLEASE be sure to attend the next breakfast meeting on June 14. We will have all up to date information for you there. Also, we have had many inquiries about car pools to the event. Just after the breakfast meeting we will provide you and opportunity to get together with other delegates and explore sharing transportation. Whether you plan to go down on Friday OR Saturday, you should be able to find someone willing to share a ride! (Remember, parking is in excess of $25 and gas may be Over the $4.00 mark...this may be a great idea for many!!)

If you plan to stay over on Friday at the Marriot, remember to mention the convention to get the reduced rate. (A link to the Marriott is also on the INDEMS.ORG site) Some convention-goers have had great success with the travel websites and have been able to find 4-star downtown hotels at a much lower rate)

The Third District Caucus begins at 9:00 am on Saturday!

If you have additional questions--or even want to try your luck on the delegate waiting list, please let us know. Email us at information@allencountydemocrats.org.

New Look for the DNC

The rather bland old DNC website has been updated - it's obvious that the designer of Barack's site has had a hand in this wonderful update. Click the screenshot below to go there:

Save the Maumee

"Save Maumee Grassroots Organization was formed to create awareness about the conditions of the Three Rivers in Fort Wayne, IN, while facilitating ecosystem restoration projects to help the entire Great Lakes Watershed. Ultimately, we are trying to repair and improve the the St. Joe, St. Mary, and Maumee Rivers to help reverse years of pollution. Revitalizing the St. Joe/Maumee Watershed will protect and restore the environment, while improving the economic, aesthetic and recreational value. We are organizing projects that place a high priority on monitoring, developing and restoring rivers with a positive environmental impact."

Please click on the above screenshot to learn more about this organization.

Local Treasures

A little over a week ago, Kevin Whaley ,published a post about Foster Park, the suspension bridge to be precise. I've enjoyed that site since I was a teenager a long long time ago, and have enjoyed sharing it with my kids as well. Today we made the trip there once more:

Samantha and Sabrina on the north end of the bridge

The bridge, looking north from the park side
A side view from a park trail

*Note to our out-of-town readers: Our rivers aren't actually dirty. They've always looked the way that they appear today; it's the local soil that colors them so muddily.

Views of the St.Mary's River from the bridge
One of many huge old sycamore trees along the riverbank

Just one of the many treasures to be found in our fair city. . .