Kirtland Chronicle 12-8-23

Serving Kirtland, Kirtland Hills and Waite Hill Since 2013

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Volume 10, No. 5

Friday, December 8, 2023

Country Club Hit with Class Action Suit Over Skeet Shooting LAND T

KIR Kirtland Councilman Haymer Joins Complaint

stanDarD Postage & Fees PaiD WiLLoughby, oh Permit 42

Kirtland Schools Update page 2

CHRONICLE

A Note from The Mayor page 3

City Council Holds Annual Organizational Meeting

By Sherri Gavanditti editor@karlovecmedia.com

A class-action lawsuit filed in Lake County Court of Common Pleas against the Kirtland Country Club on behalf of residents in Willoughby and Kirtland is also slated to be filed in federal court within the week, attorney Tim Misny said.

The federal suit will include “issues dealing with the 14th Amendment and a due process complaint,” the longtime personal injury lawyer said. “The residents in communities near (KCC’s skeet-shooting) range were denied due process by the Willoughby municipal government, and planning and zoning, and there were blatant obscene abuses that resulted in residents being denied due process.”

Misny expects up to a thousand people to join the suit, which was originally filed for Alane Econ; however, after word got out, others See Lawsuit • Page 10

LocaL PostaL customer ecrWss/eDDm

CHRONICLE ONICLE ND KIR TLA

page 8

The News You Need page 11

Classifieds page 11 ALAN KORNSPAN/KMG

The Kirtland Hornets after winning their 12th state championship, which tied a state record.

Hail the Champions!

Hornets Win Seventh State Championship, Tie OHSAA Record

By Alan Kornspan sports@karlovecmedia.com The 2023 Kirtland Hornets are Division VI State Champions!

Kirtland defeated Versailles, 32-15, Dec. 1 at the Tom Benson Stadium of the Pro Football Hall of

Fame in Canton.

This 2023 State Championship is Kirtland’s seventh, having previously won it in 2011, 2013, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2020 — and now 2023.

After the win, Coach Tiger LaVerde discussed his team’s gameplan going into the contest:

to focus on running the football effectively.

“On a wet cold December day, the team that runs the ball for more yards usually wins,” LaVerde said.

Additionally, he emphasized See Football • Page 6

Coffee with Council Coffee with Council is Saturday, Dec. 16 10-11 a.m., at Kirtland City Hall.

For more information, contact Joe Smolic at 440-487-8984 or JSmolic@ kirtlandohio.com

Maple Country Meats Expands Family Legacy

By Donna Robinson editor@karlovecmedia.com

Richard’s Maple Products in Chardon had expansion goals for a few years, but it was only recently they zoned in on Kirtland as a possible new location for their meat shop.

The city was already home to Richards Ohio Maple Equipment, a division of RMP opened in 2021 that sells the full line of Richard’s products — including maple syrup, candies, snacks, barbeque sauces, rubs, dressings, spices and more — in addition to maple syrup production equipment.

The meat shop, located inside the same building as the maple See Maple • Page 9

DONNA ROBINSON/KMG

Maple Country Meats partners/staff, Western Lake County Chamber of Commerce members and representatives from Ohio State Rep. David Joyce’s office pose at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the grand-opening of Maple Country Meats in Kirtland Nov. 21.

facebook.com/kirtlandchronicle @kirtlandchronicle

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Kirtland Chronicle

Kirtland Schools Update Hello Kirtland Community, for giving back and supporting our community.

The first half of the school year has swiftly Our students have participated in food drives, passed with so many great accomplishments. frequently volunteer and hosted a September From an academic standpoint, our state and 11th ceremony to honor our first responders.

ACT test scores continue to increase and are The renovation of our high school science higher than predemic scores. The district re- lab and stadium have provided our students ceived the highest rating of five stars on our with great opportunities as part of the Perstate report card which ranked us manent Improvement levy from number one of school districts in May of 2021. The renovated Lake County and in the top 9% of stadium opened in August that schools in the state. We are very includes a turf surface that has proud of the hard work of our stuprovided a great environment for dents and teachers! our students to use during the Vincent Eveland, Adriana Freschool day, and for our teams to itas and Tabitha Blankenship were use for practice and games. Our Commended National Merit Schol- By Chad VanArnhem, community frequently uses the ars. Generally, the top 2%-3% of Superintendent new track. For highlights of the PSAT scorers receive commendrenovated science lab and stadied student status. Adrian also had a um, scan the QR code. perfect ACT score. Tabitha will graduKirtland’s fall sports teams enate from Kent State University in the joyed their fair share of success this Spring of 2024 with a bachelors degree season. The Hornets’ boys’ soccer and participate in graduation the secteam won a Division III district chamond week of May at the Geauga campus. pionship and the girls’ cross country team Kirtland Elementary School was awarded ran its way to the regional meet with Ainsley the Gold award for the 2023 Ohio PBIS Show- Borthwick qualifying for the state championcase! KES is one of only 41 schools in Ohio to ships. The Hornets advanced to a Division III earn this award! Positive Behavioral Interven- district championship, and the football team tions and Supports (PBIS), is a broad range claimed its seventh state championship in of systematic and individualized strategies for school history to cap off the fall sports seaachieving important social and learning out- son. The Hornets made their 12 appearances comes in school communities. The key attri- in the state championship game in the past butes of PBIS include preventative activities, 13 years. The Kirtland community is very data-based decision making, and problem-solv- proud of the hard work and effort our coaching orientation. Essential requirements are: es and athletes put in this fall.

Community Connections, Clear Expectations, The Kirtland Local Schools look forward Consistency, and Supportive Structure. The to continued academic and extracurricular sucKES PBIS Team includes representatives cess in the second semester. We appreciate the from all stakeholder groups and meets regu- continued support of our amazing community. larly. Congratulations to KES! I want to wish you all a very happy holiday I am very proud of our students and staff season and go Hornets!

Friday, December 8, 2023

Friday, December 8, 2023

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Kirtland Chronicle

A Note from the Mayor How about them Hornets! Congratula- the coming months, council will be working tions to the Kirtland High School football with me and our department heads to work team for winning their seventh Ohio High through our 2024 city budget and discernSchool Football State Championship. I can- ing opportunities for improved service and not stress how proud I am of this team, the efficiency. We will be discussing how best to program and frankly, the entire community fund and prioritize the need for improving that supports these kids, year in city roads, equipment and buildand year out. We seemed to have ings, while balancing the personnel caught lightning in a bottle here needs of each city department. Our in Kirtland and while I can’t fully commitment to safety and efficienexplain the run of success, I won’t cy will continue to be the cornercomplain about it either. stone of how we serve our taxpayI want to thank the voters of ers.

Kirtland for electing me to serve a I want to thank the Garden second term as mayor of Kirtland. I Club of Kirtland for, once again, Mayor try not to make too many promises decorating Kirtland City Hall and Kevin Potter more than, I promise to continue to for handcrafting the swags we see work hard for our taxpayers and ensure that hanging on signs around town. Their efforts every dollar is spent efficiently and wisely. are not only appreciated but year in and year We continue to have the great responsibiliout, I marvel at their handiwork and committy of carefully examining every decision we make and to continue to look for new and ment to beautifying our city.

In addition to the great work by the garbetter ways to operate our city government. den club, I sincerely appreciate the decoCongratulations to the winners of Kirtrations and lights adorning city hall. Thank land’s ward council races, Julie Symonds you to the service department for their hard (Ward 1), Scott Haymer (Ward 2), Joe Smolic (Ward 3) and Sue Grazia (Ward 4). In addition work to make the building and grounds shine to the sitting at-large council persons, Matt for the holiday season. Also, a big thank you Schulz, Ron Fenstermaker and Eric Ziegler, to Dominic Farinacci for his donation of the the four ward council members also bring Christmas tree that stands beautifully in unique representation and are folks with front of city hall.

In closing, I hope that you all have a safe varying backgrounds and skills. We are fortunate to have these members of our commu- and happy holiday season. Merry Christmas nity who share in their commitment for the and Happy New Year! betterment of our city.

Led by council President Joe Smolic, in Mayor Potter

Students of the Month

karlovec

group

8389 Mayfield Road, Suite B5 Chesterland, Ohio 44026 Phone 440-729-7667 OFFICE HOURS FAX 440-729-8240 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. ads@karlovecmedia.com Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday editor@karlovecmedia.com Closed Wednesdays Jeffrey B. Karlovec, Publisher John D. Karlovec, Editor Cassandra C. Shofar, News Editor Clay Karlovec, Sales Representative Jamie A. Ward, Sports Editor Clinton Sestak, Sales Representative Ann Wishart, Staff Reporter Karen S. Kaplan, Graphic Design Brian Doering, Staff Reporter Regina Swinerton, Classifieds Amy Patterson, Staff Reporter Pamela J. Molnar, Production Supervisor Emma McGuire, Paginator

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Help Support the Kirtland Chronicle & Local Journalism

CHUCK BICKART/KIRTLAND KIWANIS

From left, “Students of the Month” Hazel Davis, of KES, Annabelle “Annie” Urban, of KMS, and Karli DiFranco, of KHS.

Submitted The Kirtland Kiwanis “Students of the Month” for December 2023 are fifth-grader Hazel Davis, of Kirtland Elementary School, seventh-grader Annabelle “Annie” Urban, of Kirtland Middle School, and ninth-grader

Karli DiFranco, of Kirtland High School.

The Kiwanis sponsors the “Students of the Month.” The principal and staff chose one student from each school to be recognized.

Each student has their picture taken, receives a certificate and a T-shirt that says “Student of the Month.”

The Kirtland Chronicle and newspaper journalism are critically important and essential in protecting the vibrant community in which we live.

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Kirtland Chronicle

Friday, December 8, 2023

Friday, December 8, 2023

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Kirtland Chronicle

Before Becoming State Champs, Ohio’s Number 1 Dispatched Number 2

By Alan Kornspan sports@karlovecmedia.com On Nov. 24, the Kirtland Hornets made their 12th appearance in the OHSAA state semifinals in the past 13 years.

Traveling to Louisville High School as the number one-ranked team in Division VI, the Hornets took on the number two-ranked Garaway Pirates.

After dominating their opponents in the first half throughout the first four playoff games, the state semifinal provided a much different challenge for the Hornets as they were held scoreless in the first half.

However, in the second half, the Hornets were able to score two touchdowns and a field goal to defeat the Pirates, 17-0, and punch their ticket to the OHSAA state championship game.

Coach LaVerde, after the contest, said he knew going into this game that it was going to be tough to score.

“We’re thrilled (to move on to the state championship game). They were 14-0 and a very good football team,” LaVerde said. “We knew it was going to be a tough fight; 0-0 at half was about right.”

Added running back Rocco Alfieri, “We came out slow, but in the second half we dominated and got things going.”

Although Kirtland’s offense did not have a high-scoring first half, the Hornet defense dominated the line of scrimmage. In fact, its run defense didn;t give up any yards on the ground in the first half.

Jake LaVerde and Will Bates explained how important it was to have great defensive productivity throughout the state semifinal game.

ALAN KORNSPAN/KMG

Kirtland’s Jake LaVerde, the coach’s son, carried on the tradition through the air, a rarity, in the Hornets’ 17-0 win over Sugarcreek Garaway on the way to a state championship.

In particular, Jake LaVerde stressed how important it was for the secondary to play tight coverage against Garaway so that the defensive line could get a lot of pressure on the quarterback and not give him much time to throw.

“Our defense played great,” Jake LaVerde said. “We ran a lot of man because they were a spread team, so we just had to focus on stay-

ing on our guys and letting the defensive line get going. They were great today at getting a lot of sacks.”

Kirtland defensive lineman Will Bates attributed to his team’s dominating defense and the excellent gameplan developed by the coaching staff.

“Our coaches developed the greatest scheme you could think of,” he said. “At half-

time, the coaches just stayed calm and just figured out what was going to work — and it worked, and we executed well.

“Our defense didn’t give up a touchdown or even a field goal (the entire game).”

With the defense dominating, the Hornets were able to capitalize on a Garaway fumble early in the third quarter.

Coach Laverde emphasized the importance of winning the turnover battle in big games.

“Usually, when two good teams play, the team that makes the least amount of mistakes wins, and I don’t believe we turned it over, and that first turnover gave us a short field,” Coach LaVerde said. “That got our momentum going. Our guys were pumped up and they got a little deflated.”

After the fumble recovery, the Hornets scored on an Alfieri touchdown run. After an extra point by Nick Barisic, the Hornets led 7-0 with 8:55 left in the third quarter.

On the touchdown run, Alfieri explained that he tries to hit the hole hard and use his power to break free.

“I just go there and get downhill and try to get into the end zone on every play,” Alfieri said.

After his touchdown run, the Hornets added a 21-yard field goal by Barisic with 8:26 left to go.

Kirtland would make the final score after a touchdown run by Jake LaVerde with 6:03 left in the game.

With the victory, the Hornets moved to 14-1 on the season and returned to the State Championship Game for the 12th time in 13 years.

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Friday, December 8, 2023

Kirtland Chronicle

To watch Tiger LaVerde’s press conference visit geaugamapleleaf.com

Football from page 1

that a key to Hornet success was the preparation and effort they put in throughout the year.

Coach LaVerde emphatically said there are no shortcuts in achieving competitive greatness.

“There’s just no shortcuts,” LaVerde said.

“Like I tell the kids, everybody wants to win, and there is over 100 teams in our division that all want to win the state championship.

“There are just no shortcuts; you have to outwork them, and that starts in middle school. And these kids, they grew up playing football and they got in the weight room and they don’t take a day off. They work really hard. You can’t do what we have done consistently by accident.

“It’s a lot of hours with your buddies getting in the weight room and participating in

all the seven-on-sevens.”

Kirtland senior Will Sayle felt the same: “I think every day, me and the guys, we just put in the work. I know that’s what everybody says, but that’s what we did.”

In addition to the hard work and effort the Kirtland Hornets put in year after year, day after day, Coach LaVerde said that he makes sure training is provided in a positive, fun environment.

“You play much better when you are just out there playing with the guys you love and having fun,” he said.

And that’s what the Hornets did in the championship game: they went out onto the field and competed with great effort and intensity and had fun.

Their effort and intensity showed on the field as the Hornets got on the scoreboard first when Gino Blasini recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown.

After Nick Barisic’s extra point, Kirtland led Versailles, 7-0, with 7:46 left in the first

ALAN KORNSPAN/KMG

An awaiting student body for the team’s 12th state title.

quarter. The Hornets then extended their lead to 13-0 on a short touchdown run by Will Beers with 3:07 left in the first quarter.

After Versailles scored to make the score 13-7, Beers changed the momentum of the game.

He returned the subsequent Versailles kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown to give Kirtland a 19-7 lead with 10:41 left in the second quarter.

With that, Beers set the record for the longest kickoff return for a touchdown in Division VI state championship game history.

Amazingly, after Kirtland went 10 years without a kickoff return for a touchdown, Beers had two kickoff returns for a touchdown in less than a month.

After halftime, Kirtland took a 25-7 lead

on a short touchdown run by Jake LaVerde with 4:23 left in the third quarter.

Kirtland then scored its final touchdown of the game when Sayle recovered a fumble in the end zone. After Nick Barisic’s extra point, Kirtland led 32-7 with 3:07 remaining.

With the victory, Kirtland completed its season at 15-1, and many players earned amazing postseason accolades.

Rocco Alfieri was named first team AllOhio and OHSAA Division VI Player of the Year.

Also named first team All-Ohio from Kirtland included Beers, Sayle, Blasini, Will Bates, Macguire Boyd.

Three players from Kirtland were named second team All-Ohio: Brady Burich, Aaron Fortuna and Jake LaVerde.

Thank you voters of Kirtland!

I’m proud to serve another four years as your mayor.

Paid for by the Committee to Elect Kevin Potter

Congratulations!

To the 7x state champion Kirtland high school football team.

Friday, December 8, 2023

Kirtland Chronicle

Kirtland Public Library The Kirtland Public Library is located at 9267 Chillicothe Road. Hours are Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday-Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information about any of these programs or to register, please call the library at 440-256-7323 or visit www.kirtland.lib.oh.us.

Holiday Hours: Library will be closed Dec. 2526 and Jan. 1, 2024. Happy New Year!

December Adult Club Programs

Knit & Crochet

Knit & Crochet Club is a drop-in event held the first Monday of each month, from 6-7 p.m., except September due to the holiday. It is open to anyone who enjoys knitting, crocheting or is interested in learning. Bring your own supplies.

Color Me Calm Club

Dec. 8 • 2:30 p.m.

Come relax and color with us at the library. We will supply the coloring pages, pencils and music. Feel free to bring your own supplies if you like. Just sign up and show up.

Registration requested.

No Pressure Book Discussion

Jan. 22 • 1:30 p.m.

No meeting until the New Year. Join us in the Community Room to talk about books.

Any books you’ve read recently that you want to recommend to others.

Cookbook Club

Dec. 12 • 6 p.m.

Join us for the Cookie Exchange for the first responders of Kirtland. Sign up on our website for more information.

Special Adult Programs

Ugly Sweater Holiday Craft

Dec. 18 • 4:30 p.m.

Wear an ugly sweater or festive holiday shirt, make an easy craft or two and enjoy hot cocoa and holiday cookies. Please register for this event, as space is limited.

December Youth Programs Principles of Art and Design

Dec. 9 • 3 p.m.

Artist Georgio Sabino III will speak to

kids grades 6-12 about the principles of art and design, and how they apply to all professions. Please register every adult and every child attending.

Make A Gift

Dec. 11 • 4 p.m.

Kids in grades K-5, come make two gifts for the upcoming holidays. You will create both gifts, wrap them and attach a gift label.

Please register.

Teen Holiday Treats

Dec. 12 • 3 p.m.

Kids in 6th grade and up, make and eat some seasonal treats, such as black olive and fresh mozzarella ball penguins. Take home the recipes so you can make them later for your friends and family. Please register.

A Morning With Bluey

Dec. 16 • 10:30 a.m.

You love Bluey and so do we. Hear a story about Bluey. Make a finger puppet. Wear a Bluey headband. Play Bluey I Spy and more.

Please register.

Noonday’s Eve Eve Party

Dec. 30 • 11:30 a.m.

This year New Year’s Eve falls on a day when the library is not open, so we will have our party the day before, which is the eve of New Year’s Eve. Families will play games and get crafty before the big countdown to 12 noon, complete with a balloon drop and bubbles. Please register.

Weekly Events

Lapsit

Tuesdays • 10 a.m.

Bounces, rhymes, one book, scarves and shakers, geared for families with children under the age of 3. No need to register. No Lapsit on Dec. 26.

Storytime

Wednesdays • 10 a.m.

Enjoy great books, rhymes, songs, and surprises with your child. This storytime is geared for families with children age 5 and under. No need to register. No Storytime on Dec. 27.

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Friday, December 8, 2023

Kirtland Chronicle

Kiwanis Korner

By Jim Porter Seven state football championships since 2011! Wow. This is Title Town Ohio. Older Ohio football fans think that phrase means Massillon. Many do not realize that those titles were decided by a vote of sports writers, not games. Finally, this year, Massillon won its first state title by winning a championship game. The Hornets seven titles all were earned on the field of play. Amazing!

Credit to coach Tiger LaVerde and his staff of assistant coaches who, year after year, lead a much-envied program of conditioning and training throughout the off-season and lead the team to victory after victory. Much credit is also earned by the student athletes and their families, who are the invaluable partners in this remarkable record.

No school, regardless of size, in Northeast Ohio comes close. So, let’s enjoy being Title Town.

Breakfast with Santa returned to Kirtland this year as Kiwanis held the event at the community center Dec. 2. The jolly old man, who sent Kiwanian Jerry Bartels as his standin, welcomed over 170 kids, parents and grandparents to a feast of pancakes, sausage, etc. and surely made a list of the requests by

the younger generation for his Christmas Eve visit. Clean your chimney and get the milk and cookies ready. The event was free, with donations to the Kirtland Kiwanis Foundation accepted.

Kiwanian Mary Sams, who is also president of the Kirtland Kiwanis Foundation, chaired the event. The foundation is a tax-deductible place to contribute to Kirtland community projects and scholarships and can be accessed through its website, kirtlandkiwanis.org.

Seniors were treated to the annual Senior Christmas Party Kiwanis held at the Community of Christ Church Dec. 7. The Ccurch served a delicious dinner and seniors received gifts from Santa, along with musical entertainment and great table conversation among old friends.

This year, long-time Kiwanis chair of the event, Tom Dice, reported the crowd of over 140 made it the most successful and largest gathering ever.

SUBMITTED

Willoughby Municipal Court Judge Marisa Cornachio swears in City of Kirtland Mayor Kevin Potter, surrounded by his family, to a second term in office during city council’s annual organizational meeting on Dec. 1.

City Council Holds Annual Organizational Meeting Staff Report Kirtland City Council held its organizational meeting Dec. 1.

In addition to Mayor Kevin Potter, Willoughby Municipal Court Judge Marisa Cornachio swore in newly-elected Ward 1 Councilmember Julie Symonds along with incumbent councilmembers Scott Haymer, Joe Smolic and Sue Grazia.

Symonds won the seat vacated by Councilmember Rich Lowery, defeating former Councilmember Don Webbe by a vote of 408271. Haymer defeated challenger Katarina Vesna Mijic-Barisic in the Ward 2 race, 474323; Smolic defeated challenger Carol Martz in the Ward 3 race, 526-331; and Grazia won an uncontested Ward 4 seat.

Potter defeated former Mayor Doug Davidson by nearly 30 points, 2,041 votes to 1,060, with Kathy Talty finishing a distant third with 255 votes.

Fenstermaker

Smolic

Councilmembers Matt Schulz and Eric Ziegler did not attend the organizational meeting.

Smolic unanimously was re-elected council president, for a term ending Nov. 30, 2024. Councilman At-Large Ron Fenstermaker unanimously was elected council president pro tempore, for a term ending Nov. 30, 2024.

Denise Roelle was renamed clerk of council, also in a unanimous vote. She has worked for the city since 1979.

Friday, December 8, 2023

Kirtland Chronicle

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Maple

from page 1 equipment store at 7955 Chardon Road, held a grand opening Nov. 21, with members of the Western Lake County Chamber of Commerce and Kirtland Mayor Kevin Potter in attendance.

“We have had a long history of retail. With that comes hearing what our customers are looking for,” said Jen Freeman, who is part owner of both RMP and the equipment store, along with her brother, Matt Barham and partner, Fred Ahrens. “Fred has a farming background and has a good relationship and working knowledge of the meat shops we wholesale to around the state of Ohio. Our Kirtland location has a staff of four.”

Freeman said prospective customers’ feedback had been extremely positive.

“They let us know we are filling a need for the area,” she said. “They enjoy the large variety in the shop. It’s a very unique old factory that has been re-proposed into retail. Maple Country Meats stands out from the rest of other similar businesses … there aren’t similar stores in the area. We didn’t want to compete with anyone, we wanted to fill a vacancy.”

Maple Country Meats has a variety of locally-sourced meat and dairy products from Saucy Sows, Rinehart Acres and Patterson Fruit Farm, as well as a large variety of jams, honey and snacks.

Short-term goals for the shop include advertising their presence, getting more involved in the Kirtland community and hosting outside events in the warmer months.

Long-term, the owners want to have a large butcher shop.

“With that, it will bring more jobs to the

DONNA ROBINSON/KMG

Richards Maple Products owner Jen Freeman shows some of the equipment they sell at their Richards Ohio Maple Equipment location in Kirtland.

area,” Freeman said. “Our ultimate vision is to be able to provide quality meats, local goods and a large variety, hire employees and pay a good wage. All of this while being rooted in where we came from. Maple Country Meats is a step in our growth.”

A Look Back

Freeman is a fourth-generation owner of RMP — her great-grandparents, Will and Rena Richards, having started the business in May of 1910 when they got married, she said.

“They began selling their maple syrup and blocks of Maple Sugar Farmgate, taking it by horse and wagon into markets,” she said. “Throughout their life, they traveled to different events to sell their delicious maple syrup from Northeast Ohio. In 1933, they had a stand at the Chicago World’s Fair selling maple syrup and maple candy.”

In 1936 and 1937, RMP had two stands

of their products featured at the Great Lakes Exposition in Cleveland.

“One had maple products for sale and the other was a pancake house serving Aunt Rena’s pancakes,” she said. “They had two griddles going at all times. Paul Richards — their son and second-generation owner — ran one of the griddles at the age of 13. At the end of the Great Lakes Exposition, Will and Rena purchased the two buildings from the exposition and moved into the center of Chardon, just a half a mile west of the square on (state) Route 6. They first built the sugarhouse on the property, which we still make maple syrup in today, and they then built the store.”

After serving in World War II, Paul came home, got married and started a family, eventually taking over the growing family business, Freeman said.

“He had six children. They grew up right there at the shop … helping out and learning,”

she said. “Paul and Clara Jean’s daughter, Debbie, and her husband, Dave, took the business to the next level. Adding all kinds of maple sauces, maple-coated nuts, maple dressing and other products. They patiently taught the next generation and paved the way.

“We are now into the fourth generation with myself, brother, Matt, and my partner, Fred, running Richards,” she added. “The maple product line has exploded, with 150 offerings of goods with maple as the core ingredient. So, what this means to us is a continuation of our maple legacy in the Kirtland area, while adapting to changing markets. We are grateful for our opportunities, excited to share our history with anyone willing to lend an ear and can’t wait to see where the future takes us in the community of Kirtland.”

For information about Maple Country Meats/Richard’s Maple Products, visit richardsmapleproducts.com or call 216-331-8503.

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Kirtland Chronicle

Friday, December 8, 2023

Lawsuit from page 1

wanted to join.

“We were contacted by so many people throughout the community with their tales of woe that we dismissed Alane Econ’s case and filed a class action suit, and her case will be absorbed under the class action suit,” Misny said. “Alane Econ is the mother of a special needs son who has been terribly affected by the constant weekend gunshots.”

When she complained to the KCC, the Kirtland Country Club said, “Not our problem,” Misny said, adding this was the same answer KCC gave others who complained, which have included military veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Misny said the KCC told the wife of an athome hospice patient on life support to take her husband somewhere else during the 10 hours of weekend shooting.

From the parking lot of the KCC at 2 p.m.

Nov. 5, more than three dozen shots could be heard in five minutes.

There were about a dozen cars in the lot while across the street, in the Kirtland Tudors subdivision, Mary Kay Haba and her husband, Charles, were doing yard work.

“It’s annoying,” Mary Kay said.

Charles added he respects the fact the golf club has to make money in their off-season, but hopes they are willing to work with the community.

The Habas said they knew the skeet shooting was going on when they purchased their home, where there are several vacant lots and homes still for sale.

With anger and disdain, Misny expressed his frustration with the country club’s “lack of caring and concern and utter disrespect for veterans and special needs residents of Willoughby

SHERRY GAVANDITTI/KMG

Sandy and Kevin Donovan, two of the hundreds of complainants in a class action lawsuit filed against Kirtland Country Club on the border of Willoughby and Kirtland, attended a November press conference where attorney Tim Misny gave details of the lawsuit.

and Kirtland,” living within earshot of the range.

He said a homeowner four miles away said he hears the shots “clear as a bell,” and residents of Willoughby and Kirtland — including aforementioned veterans, as well as parents, grandparents, caregivers, business owners and political figures — have spoken out and held protests near the KCC. Many were featured on a video Misny prepared in his case to close the range and gain reparations for the damage it has allegedly caused those living nearby.

Misny called KCC “despicable” for not considering the pleas and complaints from families during a press conference Nov. 2, when he announced the initial class-action suit.

During a follow-up interview Nov. 17, he vowed KCC would be held accountable for the “pain and suffering” the shooting range has caused in federal court.

He said the continued gunshots are un-

healthy; residents are losing sleep, feeling constant angst, experiencing PTSD and some say their children and grandchildren are afraid to visit on weekends due to gunshots exploding, heard clearly in their yards and inside their homes.

“They’re afraid of getting hit by a stray bullet,” he said.

The KCC has not offered to work out any type of compromise with the city or residents recently, said Kirtland Mayor Kevin Potter.

“The city is always willing to engage in any discussion that pursues an amicable resolution,” he added.

Kirtland Ward 2 Councilman Scott Haymer, who owns a home within hearing distance of the gunfire, joined the lawsuit.

He said the gunshots should not be tolerated based on a decibel scoring system, which the City of Willoughby’s permit approval was originally contingent on.

“At my house, we couldn’t stand the noise anymore,” he said.

He bricked up his chimney because the sound traveled down through it over the television, Haymer said, adding he has lived in his home for over 18 years.

“We’re not the people who moved next to the country club to complain, we were here first,” he said, adding his ailing wife is recovering from chemotherapy.

“She wants to rest at the house, but it’s brutal,” Haymer said. “Club members who shoot say it’s within their rights and club members who don’t shoot distance themselves from the problem because it’s not them shooting. We don’t hate the country club and the last thing we want is for the club to turn into residential housing, but if the shooting range is the savior of the coun-

try club, they should be doing it 12 months a year. The reason they don’t is because they don’t want to disturb their golfers.”

Haymer stressed nearby school children are taught how to respond during active live shooter drills during the week, then can be traumatized by gunfire on the weekends.

“That’s OK? They’re just supposed to tolerate it?” he said.

Misny added, “The city and the state failed miserably to afford due process to citizens in the fact that they didn’t do their homework and allowed themselves to be bamboozled,” referring to original sound tests performed in 2015 by HZW Environmental Consultants, of Mentor and Akron, which said, in essence, the decibels or noise levels of the shots fired at the range did not exceed unhealthy levels.

HZW did not return calls for a comment.

“We recently uncovered some audio tapes that people didn’t think existed of meetings when country club people came in and they promised what they were going to do and they lied repeatedly about every aspect of this,” Misny said. “We have them cold … and they should not have the benefit of the conditional use permit (granted in 2015). It should have been rescinded.”

Misny said new tests being performed by a different company will show the decibel levels to be unhealthy in many ways.

Willoughby Mayor Robert Fiala, Willoughby City Council members and the Building and Zoning Department would not return multiple calls for a comment.

Willoughby Law Director Mike Lucas said, “No comment.”

Mark Petzing, general manager and chief operating officer at KCC, also did not return multiple calls for a comment.

Friday, December 8, 2023

The News You Need Kirtland City Council held two meetings in November: a 30-minute meeting on Nov. 8 and a nearly 29-minute meeting Nov. 20.

Economic development consultant Eddy Eckhart attended the Nov. 20 meeting. He told council members the historic town center remains his focus, although he continues to examine the balance of commercial development throughout downtown based on things the community has expressed, especially over the past year.

He said there have been some discussions between an established restauranteur and a local property owner about leasing space in the historic downtown. Also, he said he is continuing to work with Mayor Kevin Potter on “defining what the process looks like for different opportunities and fostering those here in the community.”

The third part, explained Eckhart, is looking at infrastructure solutions. This involves planning and “bigger picture things” like extending water/sewer down to state routes 6 and 306. It also involves pursuing grant opportunities for things like the wastewater plants.

Eckhart told council he and Potter have been discussing putting together a business fair in the spring of 2024 to meet with local businesses and discuss their needs. It would be held at the community center.

The Nov. 20 meeting also marked Councilman Rich Lowery’s final meeting on council.

“Rich was gracious enough the step up over the last couple years and fill in the spot when it needed to be filled in, and he’s done exactly what he did his first time around,” Potter said. “He’s been a great voice of reason, a tremendous person for me to bounce ideas, thoughts and questions off of, so Rich, thanks for all you’ve done for this community, this city government and I know you’re not going away in the community.”

Lowery thanked the community for allowing him to occupy his council seat for the last six years. He also thanked the city administration.

“You have a very, very powerful team.

Stay with it, keep focused and please continue what we’re doing because it’s right. What we’re doing is right, continue to focus on it,” he said.

Finally, he thanked Potter and noted city voters spoke about his abilities and what he needs to do and will do going forward.

“Keep the train moving forward,” said Lowery.

Finally, he thanked the majority of council and appreciated the teamwork and camaraderie, and ability to work through problems.

“It’s been my honor and pleasure working with the majority of you.”

Department Reports

• Fire Chief Anthony Hutton reported there were 128 calls in October.

Hutton asked council to accept two grants. The first is a $20,000 grant from the State Board of Budget Management for premium pay for firefighters and paramedics during the COVID pandemic. The second grant is for $60,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act and the Ohio Emergency Management Agency for firefighter retention pay during the pandemic.

Council voted unanimously to accept the grants.

• Police Chief Brian McCallister reported an uptick in deer versus car accident. He

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said Kirtland has a healthy deer population and hunters were helping to mitigate the numbers.

McCallister noted the city recently was awarded AAA’s prestigious Platinum Community Traffic Safety Award for its safety efforts.

With the passage of State Issue 2, McCallister said law enforcement was waiting to see what additional law might be passed.

He said marijuana is still a drug that impairs people.

“The enforcement side of it, I don’t know what this means for law enforcement right now, but I think this is going to be part of a bigger conversation that we have to have as law enforcement and be able to come up with some strategies to still be able to take the proper enforcement actions when people are abusing it rather than using it responsibly,” the chief said.

• Service Director Joe Fornaro asked residents to keep leaves out of ditches to avoid flooding problems. He also encouraged residents to check their car tires as winter approaches.

The first snowfall of the season: Nov. 1.

• City Engineer Doug Courtney reported Blueberry Hill and Fox Hill paving is completed. Crestwood Drive concrete repairs and asphalting were completed.

Phase 2 of the Old Town sewer project will be advertised on Dec. 8, Courtney said, with a bid opening scheduled for Jan. 17, 2024. Contracts are expected to be awarded in March 2024 and construction of Phase 2 is expected to take six months.

The Ohio Department of Transportation is expected to begin the state Route 306 bridge replacement project in March 2024, with a completion date in late October 2024.

Traffic on Route 306 will be one-way southbound, with northbound traffic detoured onto state Route 615 east and north to I-90.

The Rockwood area storm water basin construction project is complete, Courtney said, adding costs look like they will come in under the contract amount.

• Kirtland Community and Senior Center Coordinator Teresa Szary said approximately 75 volunteers participated in the annual community fall service day, helping to clean 24 yards of veterans and seniors around the city.

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Kirtland Chronicle

Friday, December 8, 2023