CHESTERLAND NEWS VOLUME 50 No. 4
Wednesday, June 28, 2017
lebrating Ce
Yea r s
Your Community Newspaper Since 1967
Bada Bing Grendell Invites Russell Trustees Bob Named To Discuss Township Park District Business Person of The Year Officials Skeptical Of Judge’s Motives
BY GWEN COOPER
NEWS@CHESTERLANDNEWS.COM
BY JOHN KARLOVEC NEWS@CHESTERLANDNEWS.COM
Bob Piecenski is eager to serve. As the owner of Bada Bing Pizza, he has an unwavering commitment and dedication to his customers and community. He donates daily a percentage of sales to help churches, schools, sports teams, marching band, booster clubs, 4-H, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, after prom and the Chesterland Chamber of Commerce raise money. He also currently serves as president of the chamber of commerce, is a member of the Rotary Club of Chesterland and an honorar y member of the Italian Women’s Club at Honey Hill Peddler. Piecenski’s success and conscientious efforts not only have earned him the appreciation of his patrons, but also the respect and admiration of the entire community for the positive impact his business has had in Chester. And for that, Piecenski received the 2017 Business Person of the Year award from the Chesterland See Bada Bing w Page 5
In the latest saga over control of Russell Township parks, Geauga County Probate Court Judge Tim Grendell has extended an invitation to township trustees to meet with him to discuss Russell’s probate court-appointed park district.
Formed in 1984, the Russell Township Park District was created under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 1545, which allows for the creation of a legal entity, separate and apart from the township, whose board members are appointed by — and answerable to — the county probate court judge. Trustee Gary Gabram, who also served as a township trustee in 1984, was a signatory to the original petition creating the 1545 park district.
Last summer, trustees initiated action to establish a townshipcontrolled park district under ORC Chapter 511, which did not become state law until 10 years after the township’s 1545 park district was formed. Appointed by township trustees, the ad hoc Russell Township Park Committee, consisting of Erik Gerard, Betsy Rader and Roy Podojil, held its organizational See Park District w Page 9
Town Crier See Page 2
Bernacki is OAESA Award Recipient See Page 4
WGRC Offers Programs for Kids in Summer and Fall See Page 7
Obituaries
Play Ball!
See Page 8
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. SUBMITTED
Chester Township Park District Commissioners Clay Lawrence (left), Joe Weiss (second from left) and Ruth Philbrick (right) present a check for $5,000 to West Geauga Schools representative Jim Russo to help renovate the ball fields at Lindsey Elementary School. The park district applied for and received the funds from Cleveland Indians Charities. This project is part of a joint venture between the Chester Township Park District and West Geauga Schools to improve the ball fields and playground area at the school. “The Chester Township Park District, with this project and other future projects, plans to continue to serve the community as it has in the past,” said Lawrence, park board chairman. “We will continue to seek grant money from whatever source we can in order to save the taxpayers as much as possible while maintaining our commitment to provide safe and useful areas for our youth and adults alike.”
Coffee Connoisseur Brewing Up New Business BY CASSANDRA SHOFAR NEWS@CHESTERLANDNEWS.COM
CASSANDRA SHOFAR/KMG
Tom Nemeth, owner of Fig Leaf Coffee Company in Chester Township, stands in front of his new store at 12628 Chillicothe Road, Suite G.
The mysterious alchemy of coffee-roasting is a fascinating experience that has fueled a new adventure for Tom Nemeth, who recently opened Fig Leaf Coffee Company in Chester Township. The name harkens back to fond memories of Nemeth’s Italian grandmother making coffee in her old percolator.
“Coffee has always been a part of my life as far back as I can remember. It was always part of breakfast — super-dark roast coffee and toast and butter,” Nemeth recalled. “Along with those items, we had figs during the summer and fall. It was part of our Italian heritage and a much loved part of my childhood.” About six years ago, Nemeth See Fig Leaf w Page 3
July 12 July 26 Aug. 9 Aug. 23 Sept. 6 Sept. 20
Oct. 4 Oct. 18 Nov. 1 Nov. 15 Nov. 29 Dec. 13
Concert In The Park July 12, 7-9 p.m. The first concert of the 34th summer concert series features the Lenny Russo Band performing at the gazebo in Chester Township Parkside Park. Free popcorn will be provided along with pop and water at nominal prices. Presented by the West Geauga Kiwanis Club with support of local organizations and businesses. Visit www.wgkiwanis.org to view the summer concert schedule or call Dave Grenier, 440-729-4848, with any questions. In event of rain, concert will be moved to Mayfield United Methodist Church, 7747 Mayfield Road, Chester Township.
facebook.com/chesterlandnews @chesterlandnews