Annexations Big 1974 Marion Story
Marion may have overreached in its last effort, but 1974 was still a big year in annexations pushing the city limits outward.
About 125 residents in an area westward from Interstate 57 to and including the Boswell Addition voted 30 to 5 on July 23 to be annexed into the city.
A 4.5 acre subdivision in which 10 homes will be built in Moore Park west of the Marion limits was annexed into the city on September 23.
Residents in a 440 acre area in the northwest voted 4 to 2 for annexation of the land on October 1. The area included the city’s landfill, Marion Drive-In Theater and four other businesses.
The city council on November 18 moved to push the city’s limits from the present site at the S and S Machinery Co. on New Illinois 13 westward 1.7 miles to Illinois 148.
That would have taken in the terminal and service facilities in 40 acres of the Williamson County Airport. Marion’s move sparked protests, including a meeting of officials from eight other towns who passed a resolution of protest; formal objections were filed in circuit court by the Airport Authority, Herrin and Williamson County.
Judge William Lewis on December 19 continued for 30 days hearing Marion’s petition for an annexation referendum after Mayor Robert Butler said the petition will be amended to take in less than a 10 acre strip along the highways. The objectors said law prohibits annexation of more than 10 acres without the owner’s permission.
A civic center for live theater, ballet, school productions, movies for children on weekends and for conventions became a reality during 1974 with the city purchasing and remodeling the closed Orpheum Theater.
Federal agencies moved too slowly and too quickly for two Marion projects during the year.
The council on June 24 took steps to get a $2.25 million Environmental Protection Agency grant for a new sewer plant which would stop pollution of Crab Orchard Creek by the city.
Despite a 38th priority rating in the state, the city had still not received the grant at year’s end.
The council on October 29 applied for a $556,200 grant from the Economic Development Administration, thinking the application would take about 16 months to process and give the city time to accumulate $370,800 for development of a 50 acre industrial park.
EDA speeded action and the council on December 9 had to withdraw its application for the grant because it had not accrued its matching funds.
A strike and near strike made news in Marion during the year.
An independent truckers strike nationwide caused more than 100 large rigs to pile up at the Skelly Truck Plaza after a blockade started February 4.
Eighteen city employees on August 6 applied for federal food stamps to dramatize what they considered low wages during negotiations for a new city contract with the International Hod Carriers Union. Only three returned filled out applications and none were eligible.
A wage agreement was reached on a two year contract giving lower paid employees a 10 percent increase and higher paid employees a 7 percent raise.
The council approved free Saturday parking and ordered 52 new meters on the Public Square and Market Street to give 30 minutes free parking.
Dedication of a $1.1 million improvement project at Marion Memorial Hospital was held July 13 on completion of the work paid for with a $595,000 bond issue, a $221,500 Hill-Burton Act grant and money on hand.
Offices, kitchen and dining room areas were enlarged and three patient wings and a surgery wing on the third floor were built.
Two brutal murders were news events of 1974 in Marion.
The body of 13 year old Frances Buckner of Creal Springs was found June 5. She had been raped and strangled on June 1. John William Bilyew, 21, was arrested and charged June 6 with rape, murder and the concealment of a homicide. His trial is pending.
Dr. Donald R. Ripley was shot seven times with a .45 caliber weapon in his office on December 4. Investigators are still searching for the motive and a suspect.
(Article by O.R. Wiley of the Southern Illinoisan, December 29, 1974)