CHESTERLAND NEWS VOLUME 50 No. 1
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
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Your Community Newspaper Since 1967
Officials Get Lost in Starry Skies at BOE Meeting
Chesterland News Celebrates 50th Anniversary Special Section Inside This Week’s Edition
BY JENNIFER TURKOC EDITOR@GEAUGAMAPLELEAF.COM
West Geauga Schools officials took a mini field trip April 24 — to the high school gymnasium. Why, you might ask? Well, oddly enough, to gaze up at the night sky. Mike Sustin, science teacher at the high school, led the way into the inflatable planetarium called Skylab the district recently acquired. “It was funded by the Lake/ Geauga Educational Assist-ance Foundation, all of the PTO’s (parent teacher organizations) and the Kiwanis Club,” Sustin said to West Geauga Schools Board of Education members, the administration as well as the audience. The planetarium is a domeshaped structure that mimics the night sky. With “stars” projected all around the interior of the dome, you feel as though you are standing in a darkened field. An invaluable educational tool, “Skylab can project the sky in ancient Rome, Egypt, ancient See BOE w Page 8
Chester Township Memorial Day Observance Ceremony SUBMITTED
The mangled blue 2003 Mazda Protégé on the right was a result of a distracted driving crash that occurred in Chester Township in February. Geauga Unibody Collision Repair Center, of Chester Township, donated the car to be used for a mock crash demonstration at West Geauga High School prior to prom last weekend.
Geauga Unibody Campaigns Against Distracted Driving BY CASSANDRA SHOFAR CASSANDRA@GEAUGAMAPLELEAF.COM
If it isn’t the crushed and mangled cars entering his body shop day in and day out, it’s witnessing parents who have lost a teenager due to distracted driving that has fueled John Beclay’s mission to put a stop to it. The owner of Geauga Unibody Collision Repair Center in Chester Township is determined to make more people aware of the dangers of distracted driving —
“This is a huge issue. Traffic crashes are the number one killer of teens. Teens have a reaction time of a 70-year-old while distracted driving because they don’t have the experience.” – John Beclay especially teenagers. “This is a huge issue. Traffic crashes are the number one killer of teens. Teens have a reaction time of a 70-year-old while dis-
tracted driving because they don’t have the experience,” said Beclay. “Unfortunately, we’ve seen the See Driving w Page 4
Russell Residents, Officials Mull Over Modroo Options BY GWEN COOPER EDITOR@GEAUGAMAPLELEAF.COM
About 40 residents attended a morning April 29 meeting with Rich Cochran of the Western Reserve Land Conservancy to discuss planning for the Modroo Farm property. With part of the property now owned by the Russell Township Park District, planning can now begin. Envisioned is a comprehensive trail system woven throughout the entire property, a farm stand, as well as periodic farm markets, community gardens, vineyards, orchards, lay areas, a dog-run and the use of the historic barn and
KMG FILE PHOTO
Modroo Farm was the topic at an April 29 meeting between Russell Township Park District and the Western Reserve Land Conservancy.
farmhouse, possibly as a bed and breakfast. The barn could house events or rescue animals, Cochran said.
“When we were working with the Russell Township Park Board to acquire and preserve 53 acres of the farm last year the message
from the public was loud and clear to save the farm, all of the farm,” he said. “We continued to be extremely concerned about 17 acres remaining, including the farmhouse, the barn and the farmstead.” Cochran explained that the WRLC is working with Modroo family to gain control over the remaining 17 acres to preserve it and the iconic 1871 barn and farmhouse. He said 16 homes could have been built on the 53-acre section, and another five could be built on the 17-acre section, however community input and involvement will be needed to secure it. See Modroo w Page 9
Monday, May 29, 10 a.m. Chester Twp. Cemetery, SR #306
Town Crier Starts on Page 2
State Budget Not Perfect, but Balanced, According to State Lawmakers Page 3
Classifieds Start on Page 10
Publication Schedule As of May 2016, the Chesterland News switched to publishing every other week. Karlovec Media Group reserves the right to change, cancel or add publication dates at any time. May 31 June 14 June 28 July 12 July 26 Aug. 9 Aug. 23 Sept. 6
Sept. 20 Oct. 4 Oct. 18 Nov. 1 Nov. 15 Nov. 29 Dec. 13
Early Deadline For May 31 Edition Due To Memorial Day Observance Wednesday, May 24 by Noon
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