Geauga County Maple Leaf 3-14-2024

Chardon to Keep G-TV Funded — For Now

Lelko Suggests Seeking Alternate Funding

By Amy PAtterson Amy@kArlovecmediA com

Chardon City Council unanimously approved a contract through December 2025 for local access provider Geauga-TV during a special meeting March 7.

Burton Resident Calls for End to Sewage Dumping

By Allison Wilson editor@kArlovecmediA.com

A sewage dump site on Butternut Road needs to be shut down, Burton resident Wes Hellegers said at the Feb. 28 Geauga County Board of Health meeting.

Hellegers first contacted Geauga Public Health Administrator Adam Litke and Environmental Health Director Dan Lark

on Feb. 22, and was subsequently invited to speak at the meeting. The dumping issue has been ongoing since 2006, Hellegers said, adding while he had contacted the board of health for help in previous years, his concerns were not addressed.

Hellegers alleged Gary Kaufman, of G. Kaufman’s Septic Tank Cleaning, has been dumping large amounts of sewage onto 22

acres of land on Butternut Road.

“It started out with one truck on 1.65 acres, with (former Health Commissioner Robert Weisdack). Weisdack approved it to go up to 6 acres. Then, (former Health Commissioner Tom Quade), before he was fired, he approved it up to 22 acres,” Hellegers said.

Though the property used to be a farm, it is now only used for

See Sewage • Page A6

Budget Comm. Scolds Cardinal for Holding Too Much Cash page A5

Family Gives Final Salute to 101-Year-Old Patriot page A10

Berkshire Shows Need for More Tax Dollars page A13

Opinion page A8-A9

Sports pages B1-B3

Obituaries pages A18-A19

Sheriff’s Sales & Legal Notices start on page B12

The vote came with a caveat that during the period covered by the contract, station manager Dave Jevnikar pursue avenues of funding outside of cable franchise fees.

In February, council discussed ending the forwarding of those fees, which are collected from cable television subscribers, to G-TV and repurposing those funds toward city projects.

The city’s contract with G-TV says the city will hold back $16,000 per year from its collected franchise fees for improvements to audiovisual equipment in Chardon City Hall. While the total fees collected vary based on the number of cable subscribers in the area, station manager

See G-TV • Page A4

Auburn Teachers Pack Board Meeting to Demand Back Wages

By Amy PAtterson Amy@kArlovecmediA com

In the dozen years since the Auburn Career Center teacher’s union sued for back wages, three employees have died.

Another is facing the same fate if the board refuses to pay out a $1.4 million settlement, a former teacher said.

Sue Lefler, who lives in Fair port and retired from ACC, said staff talks about the “Auburn fam ily” and that teachers continue to give their best to students at the career and technical school.

“Right now, we have a family member who has a rare blood disease and is probably going to

See Wages • Page A5

PATTERSON/KMG

Classifieds start on page B15

AMY

Sue Lefler, a former teacher at Auburn Career Center, addresses the ACC Board of Education during its March 5 meeting. Lefler joined other members of the teacher’s union in asking the board to pay out a $1.4 million settlement in a suit filed in 2011.

Bainbridge Considers Renewal Levy for Fire Department

By BriAn doering BriAn@kArlovecmediA.com

A five-year, 3.4-mill renewal fire and EMS levy may appear on the November ballot after Bainbridge Township Trustees discussed its need during their March 11 meeting.

Trustee Kristina O’Brien explained the challenges the Bainbridge Township Fire De partment will face at the end of 2024 while noting the township's tax budget.

“I’ve been talking to a lot of people about numbers because it’s factual. (Fire) Chief (Lou Ann Metz) has put a lot of information in front of us and she did a nice presentation for us,” O’Brien said. “We have to make the decision, get it out there and educate.”

Bainbridge residents previously rejected an additional 4.75-mill ambulance and EMS levy last May, which would have covered employee wages, benefits and training, the purchase and repair of ambulances and equipment, and other EMS-related operations for an estimated 10 years.

“The mistakes made at the last election were as much our fault as anybody else’s,” Trustee Jeff Markley said. “We chose to listen to advice where our gut maybe told us something different.”

Markley said Metz has already done her homework.

“She made the decision to go with a renewal levy for five years, giving the opportunity for the residents to approve the levy every five years,” Markley said.

Trustee Michael Bates expressed his con-

cerns about the levy number based on the history of levies in the community and what residents have said about new money.

“If we can’t get this passed in the fall, we are looking at a very dire situation,” Bates said.

If a levy does not pass, things would have to drastically change in the fire department, Fiscal Officer Janice Sugarman added.

“I would like to get something passed. I’m concerned that 3.4 (mills) might be too big of an ask to our residents,” she said. “I know that we need it. I know how hard they’re (the fire department) working on tightening their belts and making this

BRIAN DOERING/KMG

stretch as much as they can.”

The township can put $1 on and it would have people come out against it, Bates added.

“It’s a scary situation knowing what happens if it doesn’t,” he said. “Is there a sweet spot number from the community?”

The renewal would allow the fire department to take some time to evaluate deficiencies, Markley said.

“With that renewal, you have a five-year period to prove that the money you’re spending is serving the greatest good,” he said.

The trustees expect to vote on putting the levy on the November ballot at their next regular meeting March 25.

Community Meetings

Listed are public meetings and executive sessions in the county for the coming week, unless otherwise noted. To have a public meeting included in this section, fax information to 440285-2015 or email editor@geaugamapleleaf. com no later than Monday noon. These meeting notices are NOT legal notices.

Geauga County: March 18, 1:30 p.m., Family First Council, Ste. B168; March 19, 9:30 a.m., Board of County Commissioners; March 20, 6 p.m., Board of Mental Health & Recovery Services, 13244 Ravenna Road, Munson All county meetings are held at the Geauga County Administrative Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive (Ste. #), Claridon, unless otherwise noted. County commissioners meetings are held in Suite 350.

Aquilla Village: March 20, 7 p.m., Village Council. All meetings are held at Village Hall, 65 Turner Drive, unless otherwise noted.

Auburn Township: March 14, 7 p.m., Zoning Commission; March 18, 7:30 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings are held at the Administration Building, 11010 Washington St., unless otherwise indicated.

Bainbridge Township: March 21, 7 p.m., Board of Zoning Appeals. All meetings are held at Town Hall, 17826 Chillicothe Road, unless noted.

Burton Township: March 18, 7:30 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings are held at the Township Administration building, 14821 Rapids Road, unless otherwise noted.

Chardon City: March 14, 6:30 p.m., City Council. All meetings are held at Municipal Center, 111 Water St., unless otherwise noted.

Chardon Township: March 16, 10 a.m., Board of Trustees, special meeting to update employee handbook and other business; March 20, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings are held at Township Hall, 9949

Mentor Road, unless otherwise noted.

Chester Township: March 20, 7 p.m., Zoning Commission; March 21, 6:30 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings are held at the Township Hall, 12701 Chillicothe Road, unless otherwise noted.

Claridon Township: March 18, 6 p.m., Board of Trustees. All trustees meetings are held at Administrative Building, 13932 Mayfield Road, unless otherwise noted. All Zoning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals meetings are held at Town Hall, 13930 Mayfield Road.

Hambden Township: March 20, 6:30 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings are held at the Town Hall, 13887 GAR Highway, unless otherwise noted.

Huntsburg Township: March 19, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings held at the Town Hall, 16534 Mayfield Road.

Middlefield Village: March 14, 5:30 p.m. – Recreation, 6 p.m. – Finance & Ordinance, 6:30 p.m. – Safety Committee, 7 p.m. – Village Council. All meetings are at the Municipal Center, 14860 N. State Ave.

Montville Township: March 19, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings held at the Montville Community Center, 9755 Madison Road, unless noted.

Munson Township: March 18, 6 p.m., Board of Trustees, special meeting for ARPA funding. All meetings are held at Township Hall, 12210 Auburn Road, unless otherwise noted.

Newbury Township: March 20, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings held at the Town Hall, 14899 Auburn Road, unless noted.

Parkman Township: March 19, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings are held at the Community House, 16295 Main Market Road, unless otherwise noted.

Russell Township: March 20, 4 p.m., Citizens’ Park District; March 21, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings are held at Russell Town Hall, 14890 Chillicothe Road, unless otherwise noted.

South Russell Village: March 14, 8 a.m. –Building Committee, 9 a.m. – Safety Committee, 1 p.m. – Properties Committee, 7:30 p.m. – Planning Commission; March 19, 5:45 p.m., Architectural Board of Review. All meetings are held at Village Hall, 5205 Chillicothe Road, unless otherwise noted.

Thompson Township: March 20, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees. January through April all trustees meeting will be at Thompson Branch of Geauga County Public Library, 6645 Madison Road and May through December at Town Hall at 6741 Madison Road.

Troy Township: March 19, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings are held at Troy Community Center, 13950 Main Market Road, unless noted.

Berkshire BOE: March 21, 7 a.m., Berkshire Educational Foundation. All meetings held at BOE Auditorium, 14155 Claridon Troy Road, Burton, unless otherwise noted.

Chardon BOE: March 18, 6:30 p.m., regular meeting. All meetings held at Ira A. Canfield Building, 428 North St., Chardon, unless otherwise noted.

Kenston BOE: March 18, 7 p.m., regular meeting. All meetings held at Kenston High School Auburn Bainbridge Room, 9500 Bainbridge Road, Bainbridge, unless otherwise noted and will also be livestreamed.

West Geauga BOE: March 18, 7 p.m., regular meeting. All meetings are held at the BOE Community Room, 8615 Cedar Road, unless otherwise noted.

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From left, Bainbridge Township Trustees Michael Bates, Jeff Markley, Kristina O’Brien and Fiscal Officer Janice Sugarman discuss placing a five-year, 3.4-mill renewal levy on the November ballot for the township’s fire department while sharing concerns if the levy were not to pass during their meeting March 11.

here for almost 30 years and people have become accustomed to being able to sit down, in the comfort of their home, turn to channel 1020 or 1025 and watch the Maple Festival, watch their kids in a sporting event, watch the school concerts, see what's going on in council. It's become part of so many people's lives from my generation.”

Council member Heather Means said since the February meeting, during which council discussed ending payments to G-TV, 18 members of the public contacted council to argue in favor of keeping the station funded, including those who spoke during the meeting.

City staff reached out to cable provider Spectrum and determined, as of the end of 2023, there are 952 cable subscribers in Chardon, making up about 45% of the city’s households. The 18 people who reached out make up only 2% of the city’s subscriber base, she said.

Council member Dan Meleski said 2% is actually a fairly respectable amount of feedback in a short period of time. Pushing back on the idea the city’s portion of collected fees pays for programming viewed by those outside of city limits, Meleski said Chardon has put money into several projects, including the historic theater, that do the same.

“We do a lot of concerts on the square. Does anybody have stats as far as how many people are from the city and not from the city that show up for those? Show up for the national night out, show up for Fall Fest, right?” Meleski asked his colleagues. “Regardless of what we do, there's a portion — although the city has city limits and city taxpayers — there's a greater footprint of people that feel like they're part of Chardon city than (are) actually part of Chardon city.”

Additionally, the station is not funded by the city’s tax dollars, Meleski said.

“They do put out a lot of announcements, they cover a lot of different things, so I find that there's value to it,” he said. “I know it goes beyond what can be measured.”

Kyle Martin said while he is newest on council, he wants to listen to the residents.

Although the feedback he received was

Geauga-TV station manager Dave Jevnikar said his service is as popular as ever.

While the station is funded by fees collected from cable customers, G-TV offers streaming and on-demand video through its website, www.geaugatv.org.

In an interview March 8, the day after Chardon City Council unanimously approved extending its contract to pass cable fees to G-TV, Jevnikar expressed his gratitude for the city’s decision, as well as for the community’s support.

“We’re pleased and appreciative of the fact that the council has seen fit to renew our agreement,” he said. “We look forward to providing programming for the city and others the best we can with the funding we receive.”

In a memo provided to the city, Jevnikar said traditional cable TV viewers take in content passively — watching whatever is being broadcast at the time and perhaps changing channels to find an alternative. But, with live streaming and on-demand videos, G-TV’s website attracts active viewers.

“Active viewing, necessary on the internet, requires the viewer to seek out the content they want,” he told council. “Active viewing is simply much more powerful because of the steps it takes ‘to get there.’ For advertisers, this is a huge step forward in determining viewing habits. With traditional television and most cable television services, getting viewer numbers is much more difficult.”

In the memo, Jevnikar laid out his station’s reach.

“In the past year, there have been over 10,000 hits on the video on demand site, of which over 4,000 have been in the Chardon area,” Jevnikar wrote. “In addition to being an impressive number locally, the number of hits from outside the area shows the connection G-TV and Chardon have with the people outside the immediate area – expatriates and snowbirds. This is a great image for Chardon

unofficial, Martin said it was universally in favor of keeping G-TV funded through cable franchise fees.

"I just keep hearing, you know, the old MTV (slogan), 'I want my G-TV,'" he said. "They don't want it to disappear."

But council member Dave Lelko said while he was not in favor of cutting off payments, he wants Jevnikar to look into additional ways to fund the station, including becoming more like a traditional vendor that could be hired to cover events and run announcements.

“I do not want to cancel the contract right now. I'd like to give G-TV and Mr. Jevnikar an opportunity to look at how he operates, how he gets funded, other opportunities there might be and then we have a chance to look

and a real marketing connection opportunity.”

G-TV’s live-streamed channels reached 60,000 hits in four months, Jevnikar said — a figure which does not include livestreamed Chardon football games, which are produced by G-TV but underwritten by the Chardon Gridiron Club.

Another feather in G-TV’s cap is the Square Cam, which Jevnikar said was viewed by an “incredible” number of unique visitors in the past year — over 46,000.

The station faces challenges, he said, including trying to cover and produce events with a very small staff, some of whom are students or who work part-time with the station while being employed elsewhere.

In his memo, Jevnikar said PEG channels — public, educational and government — are, in general, operated either by a consortium of communities or directly by a government entity.

The Western Reserve Consortium, made up of Summit County communities including Aurora, Twinsburg and Macedonia, operates as a nonprofit funded by the fees from those communities like G-TV.

But, the Mentor Channel is operated as a department of the city, Jevnikar said, with all station operations managed and budgeted as any other city department would be.

“All PEG channels now embrace the internet to get their programming out to as many people as possible under the principle of ‘serving the greater good.’ Under that concept, the communities above in some instances support local programming from both the fees collected and (their city’s) general fund,” Jevnikar wrote in his memo to Chardon council. “G-TV has never sought general fund support.”

at that to see where we want to go,” he said.

In a phone interview March 8, Jevnikar said G-TV has already explored other funding options, adding the station was only able to cover Chardon High School’s football game because of the generous underwriting of the Gridiron Club.

“We were already looking into alternative funding sources and found that one to help us make it through the year,” he said. “Without that, we would not have been able to do what we did for Chardon football.”

Seven members of the community spoke in favor of keeping the station funded, including Hambden resident Terry Hegner, who said the senior population in the community is growing dramatically.

That population does not always have the ability to leave their homes and G-TV is often their only way to witness their kids, grandkids and great-grandkids participating in school and sports events, he said.

To take the station away would be very devastating for seniors, Hegner added.

“And if you know anything about our senior population in this community, you know that they all vote,” he said. “And that could be something of importance to everybody that's sitting here tonight.”

Bill Hofstetter, of Chardon, told council the value of the station is intangible and hard to quantify, but it cannot be replaced.

“If it goes away, I don't know what will take its place,” he said.

from Chardon City Council during a November 2022 meeting.

Budget Comm. Scolds Cardinal for Holding Too Much Cash

By Ann WishArt Ann@kArlovecmediA com

Geauga County Treasurer Chris Hitchcock questioned a huge budget carryover in the Cardinal Schools’ general fund during the Feb. 27 county budget commission meeting with the district’s administration.

“Something happened in ‘21-’22 where your estimated cash balance grew by $1.5 million,” said Hitchcock, who sits on the commission with county Prosecutor Jim Flaiz and Auditor Chuck Walder.

Cardinal Schools Treasurer Terry Armstrong responded promptly the district received a boon of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds during the COVID-19 pandemic.

That American Rescue Plan money is the primary reason for the actual carryover increasing about $1.6 million in 2020-2021 and more than $3.63 million in 2021-2022, he said.

During that time period, district expenses decreased partially because Cardinal closed its intermediate school, which was no longer needed due to falling enrollment, he said.

In addition, the Fair School Funding law established that the state is responsible for providing revenue for Cardinal Schools students attending non-public schools. Before the law, Cardinal received $3,300 from the state for each student, but had to reimburse the non-public school $6,000 per student from the district coffers.

The new law lowered district expenses, he said.

But the district’s high carryovers continued to draw budget commission fire. In a later conversation, Armstrong said Cardinal’s goal of general fund carryover is about 40%, which is considered best practice, but the numbers exceed that goal for now.

Armstrong, who has been in the treasurer’s position for only a few months, said the administration has been working to mitigate the large carryover. “Cardinal has spent a lot of ESSER money

Wages from page A1

die because she doesn't have the money to do the treatment,” Lefler told the ACC board during a standing-room-only meeting March 5. “She's not eligible for any other money at all and she's waiting for what she is supposed to be getting from Auburn.”

Superintendent Brian Bontempo told the assembled crowd, which included between 40 and 50 people lining the room in support of the union, the school had created a frequently asked questions document to address the Career and Technical Association’s concerns.

In 12 questions, the FAQ weaves a legally dense tale showing ACC did, in fact, lose multiple appeals in the time since CATA’s case was originally filed in 2011.

In a trial court decision handed down Oct. 14, 2021, Lake County Court of Common Pleas Judge Patrick Condon ordered the school to pay $1,486,045 to multiple teachers. A list attached to the judgment shows 42 teachers waiting for payouts, with amounts owed ranging from a few hundred dollars to $80,000.

already. We are trying to do everything we can,” he said, adding he has budgeted all the funds.

The budget commission spent two days reviewing budgets with all five Geauga County school districts.

While going through the Cardinal budget, they queried the district’s bond taken out in 2018 to make building improvements.

Armstrong explained the district has refinanced the 15-year bond so it no longer encumbers all the district’s properties, which were held as collateral.

“We had no flexibility with our properties,” he said, adding the district had already decided to downsize buildings to cut expenses when the COVID-19 funds came in.

“(Refinancing) was really to get those properties out of the loan,” he said.

Flaiz noted the district has accumulated a lot of cash over the last several years and questioned the district’s need for holding so much in its coffers.

Armstrong replied “ESSER is going away — we need funds to operate.”

The district will be receiving even more income — about $400,000 a year — because of the recent property re-evaluation, Flaiz said.

“I was looking toward reducing your reve-

In its FAQ document, ACC says the court’s decision to award the money to the union members “amounts to payment for services not rendered,” as it says no teachers were denied a planning period.

However, CATA President Bob Hill said, the union’s contract specified the arrangement under which some teachers would forego that period to work directly with students.

The Ohio Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal of the case last March. The court denied the appeal without an opinion, ACC said, adding Chief Justice Kennedy and Justice DeWine dissented.

“While the board continues to disagree with the Oct. 14, 2021, judgment entry against the board, the board is now legally bound to follow this order to maintain the rule of law, which is a fundamental principle under which all persons, institutions and entities — including the board — are accountable to laws that are publicly promulgated, equally enforced and independently adjudicated,” ACC’s FAQ document said.

However, the board still had not paid the money directly to teachers when, in late November last year, the October 2021 ruling was “substantially altered” by Condon.

The initial judgment awarded the payout

nue by that amount, but I feel like you are in the warning stage,” he said. “I don’t like this. I don’t like the trend. Cutting expenses is a great thing, but you are still funneling money into an over-funded PI (permanent improvement) fund. And your general fund cash balance exploded.”

Flaiz said if the trend continues for another year, he will recommend the budget commission vote to take away some of the excess.

“I thought of doing it this year, but I don’t think it would be fair,” Flaiz said.

Walder said the PI fund seems to be out of control, but Armstrong said the district sold the intermediate school for $590,000 paid over two years and placed the revenue in the PI fund.

Flaiz also addressed concern over the amount of money the district is spending to educate each student.

“You have the highest expense per student and the highest revenue per student. You are almost getting into Newbury territory,” he said.

Newbury Schools was absorbed by West Geauga Schools several years ago because of a steadily declining student population.

Cardinal has about 750 students.

“We are a high poverty district. We get

to CATA “on behalf of and to be distributed to” each of the teachers on the list attached to the judgment. But the November 2023 order said the payout should be made “less governmental withholding and the stipulated amounts owed to STRS,” the state teachers retirement system.

“Compare the dictionary definition of the term ‘less’ as meaning either ‘minus’ or ‘to a lesser extent or degree’ with the dictionary definition of the term ‘plus’ as meaning either ‘increased by’ or ‘with the addition of,’” ACC’s document said.

On the fourth page of the document, in the final of 17 questions, ACC said they have once again appealed the amount owed to the

about $3,300 per student from the state (a year). We have pretty high property values, but lower income,” Armstrong responded.

In an email sent March 1, he said Cardinal is considered by the state to be a Type I district which is a Rural-High Student Poverty district, he said.

“While we have high property values per student (which is a driver in state funding), our community income levels are much lower-to-middle-income,” Armstrong said. “The most similar districts in Ohio get over $8,000 per student.”

Armstrong also shared the plan for the 2000 bond payments for middle school construction. The payments are shrinking as the bond comes to an end.

“Revenue from the taxpayer declines from a high of $738,111 in FY22 (fiscal year 2022) to $598,127 in FY23 to $515,494 in FY24 to $258,526 in FY25 with dropping it off entirely after FY25,” he wrote. “We worked with the auditor's office in setting the rate so that it aligns with upcoming payments and so that we pass that savings along to the taxpayer. Cardinal local schools has the lowest effective millage rate in Geauga County.”

The commission unanimously approved the Cardinal budget.

teachers, asking the court to now rule they owe only about $1.1 million — the original amount minus retirement contributions.

After the meeting, Hill said that is unfair because pensions are determined by the highest three years of a teacher’s salary.

The school is still trying to get out of paying what they owe by continuing to appeal the case, he said.

In her plea to the board, Lefler agreed.

“Twelve years is a long time for these people. We've had people that have lost houses and just all kinds of things over this particular lawsuit,” Lefler said in her comments to the board. "Isn't it time to stop?”

This graph shows the discrepancy in the Cardinal Schools’ budget carryover for the last two years. The extra cash is the result of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds from the American Rescue Plan Act.

commercial sewage dumping, he said, adding Kaufman is the only sewage hauler in the county permitted to dump somewhere other than a cesspool.

ation for as long as he has been protesting it. He claimed all approvals were verbal.

were countless emails to officials, ranging from the county to the state level, asking for the dumping to be stopped.

a place of concern for the surrounding com munity.

he said of the dump site. “This new one that went in, it’s called Butternut Acres, 50 kids go there. Now, there’s another school that’s (1,000 feet) from the dump site, Meadow Glen School, I think that’s the name of it.”

munity School and Kent State University –Geauga at 3,030 feet and Camp Burton at 3,030 feet, as well as an Amish settlement and a number of non-Amish communities.

year on this dump site,” Hellegers said, not ing he was concerned about the area’s wells. doubt it can be perfectly treated with hydrat ed lime, which should kill the odor,” he said. runoff into local wetlands, rivers and streams, which would eventually connect to and pol lute Lake Erie.

like to speak with GPH about the dumping, Hellegers said, there was a specific process they would like GPH to follow.

Amish neighbors.

come here tonight. Their procedure for expressing their opinion of the dumping in their backyard, you have Dan (Lark) approach them and say, ‘We’d like to hear your side of the story,’ then they can comment,” Hellegers explained, going on to say his neighbors would like either Lark or Litke to contact the presidents of the Amish schools.

Hellegers bid the department to shut the site down.

“It doesn’t belong there. It doesn’t meet any of the latest requirements for a dump site. It’s not a rural area, it’s packed with people. So that’s my plea, to please shut down the dump site to save a lot of kids' lives,” he said.

Board President Carolyn Brakey asked Hellegers how the area is zoned. Hellegers told her it is R5, a residential district.

“I did nothing for way too long,” Hellegers told the board. “When they put the new Amish school in there, that just ignited me, I said ‘You can’t be spreading this stuff to these little kids, they don’t get vaccinated,

they don’t get any protection or nothing.’”

Hellegers said he had tried and failed to obtain a number of documents regarding the dump site.

“I’ve never been able to get the test for pathogens on the soil. They’ve never given me the test for heavy metals. They’ve never given me (Environmental Protection Agency) sewage permits. I never got a (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Systems) permit, a memo of understanding between the EPA and the Geauga Health Department, I never got any of this,” he said.

Lark visited Hellegers’ property and

was shown around, Litke said. Hellegers described taking Lark to his Amish neighbors, as well, in order to show the splash fence Kaufman had installed.

“Kaufman put up a tacky, wooden splash fence in their backyard. Because so much feces spread all over their pasture,” Hellegers said.

Board member Dr. Mark Hendrickson questioned if the rest of the board would be able to visit the area.

Litke responded a few of them could, but not enough for a quorum.

Kaufman did not respond to a request for comment prior to press deadline.

Kenston Hires Firm to Conduct Search for Supt.

By BriAn doering BriAn@kArlovecmediA com

Kenston Schools Board of Education voted in favor of hiring a firm to help the district in its search for a new superintendent.

Board Vice-President Jennifer Troutman said during a March 6 special meeting the district was presented with two proposals, one from Finding Leaders and the other from the Education Service Center of the Western Reserve. The board decided to go with Finding Leaders.

“Finding Leaders is the company we hired two years ago to conduct our treasurer search,” Troutman said.

On Feb. 26, Superintendent Steve Sayers announced in a letter to district parents his decision to resign from the district July 31 af-

ter two years at the helm of Kenston Schools.

Sayers cited family reasons for his decision to resign and his notification to the school board came after much thought, reflection and prayer over the past two months.

Troutman noted Finding Leaders offered to conduct the search at no cost while the ESCWR gave the district a $5,000 quote, with costs for possible additional services.

“The board had a chance to look at the proposals and weighed the benefits and cons,” Troutman said.

Finding a new educational leader who shares the district’s vision and mission will be Finding Leaders’ top priority, Founder and Owner Paul Pendleton said in a letter to the school board March 5.

“Finding Leaders is a national network of experienced former and active superinten-

dents, treasurers, educators, board of education members, human resource personnel, management and public engagement specialists who provide a personalized search for superintendents, treasurers and other school administrators,” he said.

With more than 150 years of combined experience, the firm works side-by-side with the board while engaging staff, students and residents to find the right candidate for the institution, Pendleton added.

“Thank you for choosing Finding Leaders to conduct the search for your next superintendent of schools for the Kenston local schools,” he said. “In partnership with the Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio, Finding Leaders is ready to help you find the most qualified and best candidate for this leadership position.”

Chardon Projects $25.3M in Revenue for 2024

By Amy PAtterson Amy@kArlovecmediA.com

Department heads and Chardon City Council members met in city hall March 7 to review the city’s fiscal year 2024 budget book.

The city expects revenue for all funds in the 2024 budget to come in at about $25.3 million, with about $9.6 million going to the general fund, according to the budget Finance Director Mark Iacofano and city staff prepared.

“The overarching goals of all of our budgets have been to preserve our quality of services; to maintain our capital assets; pay down our outstanding debt; maintain the health, safety and welfare of our citizens; enhance their quality of life and to continue to create an environment for successful development,” City Manager Randy Sharpe said.

Some of the items considered in pro-

ducing the city’s budget projections include about a $200,000 impact from three development projects — Thistle Creek, Redwood Apartments and Maple Trace, according to the draft budget book presented to council.

Revenue from the developments would be transferred to the general fund to repay past subsidies for the expansion portion of the wastewater treatment plant debt service, the budget said.

Municipal income tax accounts for 71% of the city’s general fund revenue. For 2024, staff projected revenue at 93.5% of what was actually collected in 2023, which Iacofano told council was a way to budget conservatively.

Expenditures budgeted for 2024 are projected to total around $29.6 million, with $11 million spent from the general fund. The general fund has a reserve balance of 11%. One primary objective of the city is to continue improvements to streets and sidewalks.

Projects to repair state routes 44 and 6

in the city have been pushed back to 2025, Iacofano told council.

Chardon Municipal Court Judge Terri Stupica said personnel is the court’s biggest expense, but other recent expenditures include a little under $10,000 worth of equipment to allow remote connections from the courtroom.

“We recently installed an updated compatible video/audio system in the courtroom,” she told council. “If we connect with the common pleas court, with the jail, with the prison and with multiple different agencies.”

Overall, case numbers have dropped, Stupica said, adding the court is looking into the reasons why.

Stupica said Geauga County Prosecutor Jim Flaiz’s office would be taking over prosecution of cases, with the exception of Burton, Middlefield and South Russell, after an agreement was reached earlier this year. Because the city may lose its victim’s advocate in the deal, Stupica asked for another full-time posi-

tion to be added to her budget.

Police Chief Scott Niehus said 84% of his roughly $2.8 million budget is personnel costs. The department currently has the budget for 17 full-time employees, of which 15 are officers. One officer slot is empty, so Niehus said the department is working on initiating a hiring process.

The finance department pivoted to a new software system in creating this year’s budget, leading to grumbles from council members Andy Blackley and Dave Lelko. Both said the new layout was hard to follow and they missed extra input department heads added in previous budgets.

Deputy Finance Director Heidi Delaney said the city is in a transition phase with the new software.

“This is starting from scratch,” she said, adding the information both council members wished to see would be included in next year’s report.

Kenston Schools Reviews Wind Turbine Report

By BriAn doering BriAn@kArlovecmediA com

Kenston Schools Assistant Treasurer Matt Hosler addressed some confusion regarding the district’s wind turbine during a special Kenston Schools Board of Education meeting March 4.

“There was a lot of questions about the turbine, mainly with costs, production and the efficiency of it,” Hosler said, referring to input from residents during a recent school board meeting.

In August 2012, Kenston Schools unveiled a 213-foot wind turbine the district expected would produce approximately 1.3 million kilowatt hours per year — up to 70% of the high school’s annual electric consumption.

Chagrin Falls resident Dan Tutolo confronted the school board Jan. 8 on what he called a lack of transparency surrounding the wind turbine project.

He claimed to find no publicly available record of savings and cited board minutes from March 2023, when the board said they were unaware of cost savings from the turbine and the cost of upkeep was around $25,000 per year.

Hosler highlighted the turbine’s monthly kilowatt production in 2023 and noted a three-month period when the turbine was

not operating.

“The turbine was down for a period of time. In August, there was no production because partly through July, it broke and it was down halfway through September,” Hosler said.

When the turbine produces more, it offsets the costs we are being charged on our electric bill, Hosler explained.

“If it is producing more kilowatts, we are going to be paying for less because it is set up to send the kilowatts to be used directly by the high school building,” he said. “If the total amount you use for a month is 150,000 kilowatts and you don’t have a turbine, you are going to be billed for that much.”

From October to January, the district was billed a total of $47,419 and the turbine saved a total of $22,790, according to the presentation.

“When we calculate the approximate savings, you have to know the turbine production down to a specific date. The billing cycle doesn’t run just month to month. You have to get those specific dates to match the bill,” Hosler said. “Once we have that, we can find the rate that we are charged and apply it to turbine production.”

Treasurer Seth Cales mentioned Kenston is one of three schools in the state of Ohio with a turbine when reviewing the district’s annual costs for insurance and maintenance.

“This is something that will be ongoing, but we will continue to report on it and add (the report) to our website,” Cales said. “Matt

Senior News

Diabetes Self-Management Class

A free six-week self-management class that focuses on diabetes will be held April 1, 9, 15, 22, 29 and May 6, from 1-3:30 p.m. at the Geauga County Office Building, second floor, room B200, 12611 Ravenwood Drive in Chardon. Seniors 60 years of age and older will get support, find practical ways to deal with pain, fatigue and sugar control, discover

better nutrition and exercise choices, understand new treatment choices and learn better ways to communicate with doctors and family about one’s health.

To register for the free class, call Geauga County Department on Aging’s Melissa Wheeler at 440-279-2167. Space is limited. Class is sponsored by University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center.

www.GeaugaMapleLeaf.com

(Hosler) does a great job of putting all of the data together and will continue to update this on a monthly basis on our spreadsheets and we will put it out to the public so they can click on it and review it at any point.”

Hosler outlined the district's next steps including documenting all data and calculating all savings from a monthly to annual basis, continuously determining the initial project's total cost, ensuring the turbine spins at all times to maximize savings and being dili-

gent with the turbine regarding maintenance, repairs and tracking data.

Hosler promised to continue being transparent and collect data.

“We are going to keep looking into it. We want to look at some of the startup costs. We want to keep it (the turbine) spinning as much as we can and we know it generates savings,” he said. “You’ve got to be diligent with it to track it and find savings, so we will continue to do that.”

Hosler

Mr. President,The Border Crisis Is Not On Us, It’s On You

“On my first day in office I introduced a comprehensive plan to fix our immigration system, secure the border,… and so much more,” said President Joe Biden during his State of the Union address last night. It had taken him over thirty minutes to mention the number one issue that Americans are concerned about today.

Let me be clear. This policy-driven crisis continues because the Biden Administration is unwilling to publicly dissuade migrants from illegally crossing the border and enforce immigration laws already on the books.

President Biden went on to say he is “ready to fix it [the border crisis]”, insinuating Republicans are the ones standing in the way of securing our southern border.

across our southern border since January 2021. That is enough to wipe out the entire human population and doesn’t even account for all the illicit drugs that go undetected at our borders and later seep into our local communities.

As Chairman of the House Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee this Congress, my job to is make sure the Department of Homeland Security has enough resources to secure the border and enforce immigration law. We must be good stewards of taxpayer dollars and ensure we are not wasting money by supporting bad policies that harm our fellow Americans.

Instead of blaming Republicans, who have tried to secure the border for years, despite nearly unanimous Democratic opposition, the Administration should be honest with the American people and admit that this border crisis did not happen in a vacuum. If President Biden wants to list the actions that he has taken since his first day in office, Americans deserve a full accounting. Here’s what he left out.

Some of the very first acts of the Biden Administration were intended to systematically eliminate the border security policies of the Trump Administration. This includes eliminating a program that forces migrants to remain in Mexico while they wait for their immigration case to be heard and using Executive Orders to halt the construction of the border wall. The results of these unilateral actions were predictable – a dramatic and overwhelming surge of illegal immigration, with migrants being paroled into the country in large numbers.

President Biden clearly communicated to the world on day one of his presidency that our borders are wide-open. Drug cartels and other bad actors received the message and have taken advantage generating billions of dollars smuggling both drugs and migrants across the porous border. This Administration’s policies have overwhelmed our brave Border Patrol agents and CBP officers on the frontlines, diverting them from their primary missions and making Americans and them less safe.

The numbers don’t lie. Since President Biden took office, there have been over 8.3 million illegal crossings nationwide, including 1.7 million known “gotaways” who evaded Border Patrol. These astonishing numbers don’t even include the presumed millions of migrants who successfully avoided being detected.

Furthermore, over 54,366 pounds of fentanyl have been interdicted coming

Last year, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas took a different approach as he sat in front of my Subcommittee and requested a budget on behalf of President Biden that was full of gimmicks designed to mask the true cost of protecting the Homeland.

This proposal included funding that cut border security spending by 10 percent, reduced detention beds by 26 percent, and excluded any funding for the wall or other physical barriers at a time when we are seeing record high illegal immigration.

Instead, the Administration’s proposal included a $4.7 billion dollar slush fund to simply “manage” the unchecked surge of illegal migrants coming across our border after the fact, further facilitating their failed policies.

Despite this approach from the White House, the Fiscal Year 2024 House Appropriations Homeland Security bill I authored provides funding to build the wall, hire additional Border Patrol agents, bolster border technology, and force the Biden Administration to finally address the border security crisis. In September, this bill passed the House of Representatives with bipartisan support.

Contrary to his newfound “tough talk” on the border, President Biden’s actions again spoke louder than his words. The Biden Administration publicly threatened to veto my bill.

With the stroke of a pen, President Biden could reverse his disastrous executive orders that facilitated this border crisis in the first place, or meaningfully work with House Republicans to pass a strong border security bill. Instead, as he faces an election, he comes to Congress with more words and misplaced blame. So no, Mr. President, the border crisis is not on us, it’s on you.

Congressman Dave Joyce represents the Fourteenth Congressional District of Ohio and serves as the Chairman of the House Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee.

Primary 2024: Candidates Respond

Campaign Season

Campaigning is sweet and sour. I love meeting people across Geauga, from Bainbridge to Chardon to Middlefield, Chesterland, Thompson and all places in between.

We have a diverse county that includes a large Amish community and I have supporters across the county. I put the Claypool signs out myself and I spent a lot of driving time.

My heart is warmed by all my supporters who wrote letters to the editors. Unfortunately, there are those who are misguided and simply want to spew hate. It is clear to the readers where you come from.

I want to correct the record on a couple of issues. First, an elected person or someone who sits on a board, has one vote. The Mental Health board has 14 members, and the Township Trustees has 3. Obviously, any action taken is by the majority. In response to the slander aimed at me, actions taken by the boards were based on a clear case and it is a matter of public record. Enough said.

Let’s talk about voting. My opponent and her husband want to divert away from a point I made about voting records. The claims about my voting record are wrong, but immaterial. It is an irrefutable fact I have voted for over 30 years as a Republican. That is a lifetime to me.

What is important is recent voting patterns. The 2008 primary was a turning point and makes a statement about a person’s values. Kennedy and Obama are not the same type D. My opponent voted for either Hillary or Obama and that is meaningful to Republican voters. She did not vote again at all until 2022 when she voted R (fact). That doesn’t make her a bad person, it simply provides a data point for Republican voters. I voted 10 times as an R in the same period (fact).

We are in a Republican primary and our voting patterns make a statement to Republicans about our beliefs and values. I believe a person should be proven before we turn over the keys to the castle.

Values lead to actions. I have limited space, so let me direct you to my website and a video that is the March 15 meeting of the Health Board in which the Lake agreement was voted on. There are many red flags I can point to: lack of transparency, lack of respect for citizens and a vote on an agreement the board appeared to not read.

I am labeled a contrarian for asking questions. I ask you shouldn’t we ask questions to hold bureaucracy accountable? I was trained in my corporate life to ask questions. I was asked hard questions by my superiors. That is responsible behavior.

Endorsements by elected officials come with strings and expectations. Who will look out for citizens if questions aren’t asked?

Geauga County has a clear choice March 19. One of us is a proven conservative with a proven record. I ask for your vote.

Walter “Skip” Claypool Chester Township

Falsehoods and Flapjacks

With the March 19 primary election rapidly approaching, I am writing in response to several letters sent last week repeating false and misleading claims from my opponent. Sadly, this has been part of a broader effort to distract voters from important issues in this race for Geauga County Commissioner.

Throughout this campaign, Skip Claypool has made many silly accusations, even running a paid advertisement attacking pancakes and the people who love them. Perhaps you read Skip’s maple-flavored manifesto: “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH… Political candidates should not be about pancake breakfasts.”

I never imagined my closing campaign remarks would be in response to anti-pancake propaganda, yet here we are. Despite his criticism, I promise to never waffle when it comes to Geauga’s pancake breakfasts.

In all seriousness, you can’t represent people if you don’t take the time to meet and listen to them. Across numerous pancake breakfasts (and other local events), it continues to be my joy to connect with residents, hear about the issues that concern them and see Geauga’s communities come together.

We can chuckle and move on from these unserious attacks from an unserious campaign, but not all my opponent’s words and actions can be similarly laughed off. Over the past two months, Geauga Public Health (GPH) and its dedicated staff have been subject to unprecedented harassment, impacting the department’s ability to function effectively.

I commend the professionalism and class of the Board of Health and GPH in the face of this onslaught. As the President of the Board, I am proud to stand with them, but regret knowing that this abuse stems from a dishonorable attempt to undermine my commissioner candidacy.

My opponent has initiated about a dozen resource-intensive public records requests to the department over the past few months. Bizarrely, this includes asking multiple times for the same document, which is publicly available on GPH’s website. GPH also received an anonymous public records request so broad the department had to shut down for an entire day just to fulfill elements of it.

When he’s not fighting against flapjacks, my opponent continues his scorched-earth attacks against GPH. This vitriol was echoed in last week’s letters to the editor, including baseless claims about Lake County’s influence and unfounded criticisms about GPH’s administrative role in the State of Ohio’s unfunded Operation & Maintenance (O&M) septic inspection mandate.

On that first point, Geauga County retains its local presence, services and sovereignty in its public health department. Although

U.S. Congressman David P. Joyce (OH-14)

Candidates

from page A8

Geauga and Lake counties have an employee-sharing arrangement to cut bureaucratic waste (which is saving Geauga County well over a half million dollars per year), neither county’s employees or health board has any policy discretion over the other.

Regarding Ohio’s O&M septic inspection mandate, it is a state requirement that GPH must implement. If GPH does not, the State of Ohio will intervene and have a neighboring health department run the program. Ironically, that would result in the very loss of sovereignty that critics have falsely attributed as already being lost to Lake.

The Board of Health proactively eliminated GPH’s For Sale of Property (FSOP) septic inspection program, which was not compliant with looming Ohio O&M program mandates. In doing so, the Board has minimized the incoming burden of the state-mandated O&M program to the best of its ability.

Setting aside the deceitful attacks, Geauga Republicans have a clear choice ahead. Should we elect a constant contrarian railing against pancake breakfasts? Or should we elect a conservative professional with a proven track record of accomplishments and joyful engagement with the community?

On March 19, I request your vote to be Geauga’s next Republican nominee for County Commissioner. I will defend our freedoms and protect our paychecks, and I will never shy away from listening to your concerns over a stack of pancakes.

Carolyn Brakey Russell Township

Ralph

Spidalieri States the Truth

It has been troubling to watch the material that candidates have been mailing to voters this primary season. I received multiple campaign literature pieces from County Commissioner candidates, including ones from my opponent, who used the Ohio Republican Party’s name and branding to look like an official endorsement, when in reality, the party did not endorse them. The party only allows for candidates to use their postage indicia which helps them save on postage costs, not take that and falsely claim an endorsement in the process. False claims have been made about me by my opponent that I would like to address directly with you to set the record straight.

My opponent claims I raised taxes. The sales tax was raised by the State of Ohio in 2013 by 0.25%, not the Board of County Commissioners.

My opponent claims I miss meetings. Since my reelection, my attendance record has been over 90% at regularly scheduled meetings. (This includes the time I was out for major surgery in 2022)

My opponent claims my law enforcement position is not good for Geauga County. I ask you this question: Is safety a top priority for you and your family? Who can better understand what makes our county safer and work with our first responders to ensure that Geauga remains a safe place to live and work than someone who has 30+ years of experience in law enforcement?

My opponent claims that being a small business owner is not good for Geauga County. Really? Who better to understand

See Responses • Page A10

Letters to the Editor

Help Protect Democracy

Please sign the petition to place the Citizens Not Politicians constitutional amendment on the November ballot. The proposed amendment is designed to end gerrymandering in Ohio.

Many of you have signed previous petitions to fix the problem of non-representative voting districts, but those petitions have failed because they did not remove career politicians from the redistricting commissions. This amendment proposes that elected political candidates, party leaders and lobbyists may not serve on these commissions. Instead, a commission of 15 bipartisan and unaffiliated citizens, who are not politi-

Responses from page 9

the challenges that small business owners face than someone who has been a small business owner for 25+ years? I understand the needs that businesses have, and use that experience to develop programs to assist in areas that are needed the most. In addition, I understand the importance of our businesses thriving as so many residents depend on jobs for their livelihood.

My opponent is making statements of FBI raids as if I was the target of the raid. The truth is a search warrant was served in the Water Resources department with an in-

cians, will determine future voting districts.

We need to support this amendment to restore the Ohio House and Senate, and U.S. House to be more representative of the actual political divide in Ohio.

You will see volunteers with Fair Districts Ohio in the community in the next few months asking you to sign this petition so we can get it on the ballot so we can vote on it on Nov. 5. Look for our volunteers in public spaces in front of the Chardon, Bainbridge and West Geauga libraries on Sunday afternoons, 1-4 p.m., for the next three months starting on March 17.

Help protect Democracy and sign the petition now!

Anita Marlowe

Middlefield

vestigation involving an employee receiving a personal loan from a vendor that resulted in a misdemeanor charge that was a local charge, not federal. Once again stretching the truth and trying to create negative dialogue to create doubts in this race.

If my opponent is going lie during election season, what do you think they would do if they were elected to office? Over the past 12 years as your Commissioner, I have never failed Geauga County and will continue to fight for you for the next 4 years. I thank you for your trust and support.

Respectfully,

Ralph Spidalieri Munson Township

Family Gives Final Salute to 101-Year-Old Patriot

By rose nemunAitis editor@kArlovecmediA com

It is no secret John Sudyk loved his fami ly, faith and country.

Most Geauga Countians never got a chance to meet the lively, articulate centenarian, proud veteran and member of the “Great est Generation” who died on Jan. 18 at age 101.

Sudyk is one of more than 16 million men and women who served in World War II amid the deadliest and most destructive war in his tory.

According to United States Department of Veterans Affairs statistics, 119,550 of that number were alive in 2023.

Memorial services were held inside a packed Huntsburg Congregational Church and Sudyk was laid to rest at nearby Huntsburg Cemetery.

Born April 23, 1922, in Hinkley, his family moved to Cleveland’s Tremont area and then to Cleveland’s Fulton area during his youngest years.

Longevity also touched Sudyk’s personal life. He was married for 75 years to his wife, Helen “Billie” Sudyk, who died at 98 on Nov. 21, 2021, leaving behind two children — son John “Jack” Jr., of Swanville, Minn., and daughter Cindy Hopkins, of Chardon.

The American Legion honored Sudyk, who served in the U.S. Army’s 187th Field Artillery Battalion in WWII from D-Day to the end of the war.

It is a part of his life that meant a lot to him and although many WWII veterans fell silent, Sudyk chose to speak.

History Lessons

In his later years, Sudyk recounted the experiences of WWII veterans in an audio narrative preserving his words in the Library of Congress’s “Serving: Our Voices in Veterans History Project Summary” in the John R. Sudyk Collection.

“My dad shared his heroic stories of the Omaha Beach, Battle of the Bulge, liberating Paris and a concentration camp,” said Hopkins.

On Sept. 18, 2001, at age 79 years old, days after the nation was engulfed in shock from the 911 terrorist attacks, interviewers from the Library of Congress talked to Sudyk at his Huntsburg home about his WWII experiences.

Sudyk recalled how he began his military training at Fort Bragg, N.C., and then went to the cold climate of Mount Mansfield, Vt. In October of 1943, he was shipped to England with other young soldiers aboard a 13-day zigzag voyage across the Atlantic.

Near the shores of Omaha Beach, the landing area in Northern France used by allied forces during WWII, they would become part of the infamous D-Day invasion.

“We were watching at sea what was happening at Omaha Beach,” Sudyk said during the interview. “I had my shoes unbuckled in case I got hit,” ready to take to the ocean.

His artillery battalion weren’t the first to land on the beach, but helped spearhead the subsequent thrust of the American Army

through France and Belgium and into Germany, witnessing the horrors of the Hurtgen Forest and the Battle of the Bulge.

“That night, we had an air raid probably a mile offshore,” Sudyk said.

They had to bring stretchers out to take casualties back to England and dug trenches to be ready to bury their fellow American soldiers in the violent aftermath.

“German tanks were coming in front of us, it was a suicide mission,” Sudyk said, recalling having no place to hide.

He paused.

”We were fortunate to liberate Paris,” Sudyk said. “They wanted to kiss you and give you drinks of wine. We’d give them chocolate bars and cigarettes. But, what they really liked from our K-rations and really elated to get were little pieces of toilet paper.”

He greatly admired seeing how the French kept American battlefield sites from WWI immaculate, as his voice brightened recalling the view — “crosses on the right with velvety green grass. Little girls set flowers on the gravesites.”

His battalion continued crossing the Rhine River, witnessing the concentration camps.

He took another couple seconds to recompose.

“What gets you is the true smell of death,” Sudyk recalled.

Family Memories

“I always wanted to make him proud of me,” Jack Sudyk said.

He described his dad as humorous, intelligent, having integrity, thrifty, an artist, hard-working, courageous, cautious, giving attention to detail, fun loving, helpful and a mentor, and illuminated his dad’s bravery and valor with an example.

At the end of WWII, Sudyk was assigned to guard a gate between the American territory and the Russian territory.

Three German nurses came up to the

gate from the Russian side and begged and pleaded to be let in on the American side after being convinced the Russians would kill them.

“My dad was under orders to not let anyone in,” Jack Sudyk said. “If he did, he could be court marshaled and sent to jail ruining his spotless military career.”

So, Sudyk sent them away and they hid in the nearby forest.

“My dad struggled with this decision and decided to do the right thing,” he said. “So, come dark, he called them over and let them through the gate and they escaped into the American side never to be seen again. He saved their lives and their children’s lives, and all the other lives they would save with their nursing abilities. His answer was that lives matter.”

Jack Sudyk called his dad a true Christian, adding he taught his children to always do the right thing.

“All his life, he watched very carefully everything he ate, being very healthy, thus living to 101,” he said. “At about 99, he finally started eating everything he wanted to.”

Sudyk also enjoyed watching The Ohio

State University football games and westerns on television.

“He was a true member of the greatest generation,” hs son said.

In the 90s, he loved to visit Lake Erie, his family, King Kone for ice cream, go for rides in the car and enjoy music at the Chardon summer concerts. He also loved making Pysanka Easter eggs and woodcarving.

“My dad was active all his life,” Hopkins said, adding he always stressed the importance of kindness.

She said it was great to have his love and support all those years with these values. “My dad thanked God that he made it alive from the wars, so he attended Huntsburg Congregational Church (faithfully for decades) where he married my mom,” she said.

Sudyk’s own words live on in his recordings.

“I was proud to serve my country,” he said. “I often wonder what would have happened if we lost the war. If Germany or Japan won, what would happen to this nation. I hope the youngsters of today really would see what those people did to give them the freedoms we have today.”

SUBMITTED

Huntsburg Township’s John and Helen Sudyk were married for more than 75 years. INSET: Pictured, from left, is son John “Jack” Sudyk, John Sudyk and daughter Cindy Hopkins at John Sudyk’s 100th birthday celebration. The John Sudyk family, then living in Huntsburg Township, in earlier years.

Russell Township

Trustees Discuss Repaving Dines Road

By Allison Wilson editor@kArlovecmediA com

Russell Township Trustees wrestled with funding to repave and widen Dines Road this year at the March 7 trustees meeting.

“Dines Road as it sits with widening, accepting the (Ohio Public Works Commission) funds, is just over one million dollars. We’re sitting on a budget of $800,000,” said Road Superintendent Gene Layne.

The local cost from the Geauga County Engineer's Office is about $750,000, said engineer Timothy Woodcock.

“What we are showing right now is an estimated project cost of $1.1 million. There is an approved grant of $100,000 and an approved loan of $250,000,” he said.

Trustee Kristina Port clarified one of the grants required the road to be widened, which Woodcock confirmed.

Port asked Layne if, from a safety perspective, he thinks the current 18-foot width or proposed 20-foot width would be better.

“Absolutely 20,” Layne answered. “That most vulnerable part of the road is the edge, so the narrower you have it, you’ve got garbage trucks or school buses, they eventually start breaking that edge off.”

He added passing on the narrow road posed a safety issue, especially where two large vehicles were concerned.

“It’s tight,” he said.

Fiscal Officer Pro-Tem Jennifer Dorka, standing in for Karen Walder, listed Walder’s suggestions. These included borrowing more from the OPWC loan, which is zero interest, or do part of the project this year and part next year.

Splitting up the project would forfeit the OPWC grant, Layne said.

“There are options available, but most options forfeit that grant,” he said, going on to suggest the 18-foot width could be paved as it is.

“I’m not opposed to that, but a wider road is a safer road,” he said.

Port agreed the 20-foot width would be better.

Layne asked how feasible it was for the township to apply for more money. Woodcock said it was unlikely the state would approve more money.

Trustee Jim Mueller asked if it would be possible to borrow money out of next year’s budget, something he claimed the township has done before.

Layne and Woodcock didn’t believe it feasible this close to bid.

“If you were going to do 20 feet just between (state Route) 306 and Caves (Road) this year, do you know how much that would be there?” Trustee Matt Rambo asked.

Woodcock said splitting the project in such a way could cut the cost in half. Layne added it would also forfeit both grants due to the changing project limits.

Rambo questioned how dangerous the road is at its current width.

“From what I’ve gathered, since 2013, there have been at least seven crashes from County Line (Road) to 306,” Woodcock said, adding the data was adjusted to exclude a spike in crashes caused by the detour during construction on County Line Road.

Dines Road sees around 350 cars per day, Woodcock said, adding with that low volume of traffic going through, the crash rate is above the county average.

At least one reported collision was two fire trucks sideswiping each other, he said.

While the trustees were in favor of paving the full length of the road 20 feet wide, the question of how to pay still remained.

“However this shifts, now would be the time to essentially decide what the paving program is for the year,” Woodcock said. “If we all come back to this room in six weeks and this plan doesn’t come together, and there’s a different set of roads that now are wanting paving, we’re out of time.”

The timeline is already tight with the Dines Road repaving. A bid package put together now would mean construction starting in July or August, Layne and Woodcock said.

A decision the week of the meeting would land a late April bid date.

Trustees took no action on repaving Dines Road.

New Classrooms’ Cost, Revenue Explained

By Ann WishArt Ann@kArlovecmediA com

Construction of a lease-to-purchase, eightroom modular building to house Berkshire Early Childhood Program classes should not require a levy, said Berkshire Schools Superintendent John Stoddard.

Between saving $27,000 to $37,000 per child annually to educate young students with special needs and taking in similar students from other districts, Stoddard estimated the district could cover most of the costs of the $2.3 million structure.

Using the facility for before- and after-school childcare would yield additional funds for the project, he added.

During the school day, the building would be used for students in both preschool and early childhood programs, some of which have special education needs, he said.

Stoddard walked visitors through the numbers during a special Berkshire Schools Board of Education meeting Feb. 26, emphasizing the need to keep students from the district closer to home.

Currently, the district pays through the Educational Service Center of the Western Reserve to have students with special needs educated at other facilities, he said.

The cost of the modular structure would be about $1.5 million, he said, listing other construction requirements such as concrete work, plumbing, site improvement, the contractor costs, contents and contingency that add up to about an additional $800,000.

Stoddard said the annual cost to outsource 33 preschool and kindergarten students with

special needs adds up to more than $1 million, which would be saved through the program.

The cost of the new building spread out over 10 years would be $289,868 per year, he said. Teacher and aide costs would be under $700,000 per year, he said.

Adding those together, the cost of building and operating the BECP would be about $981,270 annually for the first 10 years. After that, the primary cost for the program would be $691,402 a year, Stoddard said.

Additional revenue for services to non-Berkshire students could be $184,000 for seven students in preschool, $52,200 for 10 students in the early childhood program, 10 summer students would yield $16,800 and the before- and after-school childcare program could yield almost $70,000 per year for 20 students at $5 an hour, Stoddard said.

The Geauga Family YMCA provides the last service for $8 an hour, he said.

If all the open program slots were filled, total yield could be $771,600 per year, Stoddard estimated, providing additional revenue to the district of about $332,600.

The superintendent said he is confident of his estimates because surrounding school districts lack the space and/or staff to provide for their own preschool and kindergarten students with special needs.

Don Rice, director of the Bessie Benner Metzenbaum Center in Chester Township, said six rooms at their facility are currently being used by the ESCWR for preschool and other students and four classrooms are being

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This slide from Berkshire Schools Superintendent John Stoddard’s presentation Feb. 26 at a special board of education meeting shows the cost of buying and installing an eight-classroom modular unit for the Berkshire Early Learning Program. Stoddard proposed paying for the structure by taking students with specials needs from other districts because there is a shortage of such facilities in Geauga County.

used by the Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio for a school-age program for students with special needs. Metzenbaum as a school for children with

special needs closed in 2011, he said. “We don’t have eight rooms. We’d be hard-pressed to come up with even one classroom,” Rice said.

Berkshire Shows Need for Additional Tax Dollars

By Ann WishArt Ann@kArlovecmediA com

The Geauga County Budget Commission unanimously approved Berkshire Schools’ budget Feb. 28 after Treasurer Beth McCaffrey convinced commission members that even with more than $1 million additional tax dollars in the coffers, the district is beginning to spend more than it receives.

As the meeting between Berkshire administrators and commission heated up, commission member Geauga County Auditor Chuck Walder addressed the recent property reappraisal by the state that boosted the district’s revenue line.

“The anomaly affected everyone’s millage,” he said.

Residential property values increased an average of 29.5%, Walder said, adding those properties in the large Berkshire district increased an average of 30.8%.

The school district stretches from Troy Township north through the Burton area to Thompson Township.

School districts across Geauga received more than $10 million in new property tax dollars, but only West Geauga Schools gave any back, Walder said.

The county gave back $2.25 million of the $2.5 million, or 87%, of what it received because of the reappraisal, Walder said, adding the townships and municipalities gave back 65% of their reappraisal gains while the schools gave back 9%.

Geauga County Treasurer Chris Hitchcock, also a commission member, asked

Berkshire Superintendent John Stoddard about mitigating some of the district’s additional tax dollars and noted the district has a $3.8 million cash balance.

“John, I hope your board (of education) had a very lengthy conversation about giving back. Any effort would have been appreciated,” he said. “I wish you had given back something. It’s the taxpayers who support the school, not inflation.”

Walder said assessed property values in the Berkshire district are more than half a billion dollars, partly because it is such a large district.

He noted Berkshire is the only district to see enrollment increase and is spending just over $16,500 to educate each student, which is slightly more than the district receives per student in revenue.

“That’s very healthy,” he said.

New construction numbers rose 3.4%, he noted.

Such improvements would usually increase the valuation of the property, however, McCaffrey countered the new school building accounts for about $15.7 million of that percentage and no tax dollars will be coming from the tax-exempt public structure but are included in the tax abstract of total property value.

When Geauga County Prosecutor Jim Flaiz, who also serves on the budget commission, asked what the district is planning to do with the additional funds, McCaffrey referred to her five-year forecast.

“We are deficit spending,” she said. “We try real hard not to deficit spend, but the fore-

cast is what we live by. It puts the board (of education) and the superintendent on notice.”

McCaffrey said she is estimating for next fiscal year, the district will have $21.2 million expenditures with revenue of $21.4 million.

When she puts together the forecast twice a year, she told the commission she analyzes the birth rate in the district to help predict the district’s expenses for the foreseeable future.

While doing her research this January, she discovered seven preschool children with special needs are enrolling at Berkshire and there are eight more expected in the next year.

“Our expenditures are going to change. We will be deficit spending,” she said.

The district is responsible for educating children with special needs, but is currently paying the Educational Service Center of the Western Reserve about $35,000 per child per year to ensure their placement at schools with the necessary facilities, McCaffrey said.

Flaiz commented the district is well funded thanks to the 1% income tax approved by voters in 2008.

“I thought the budget submission was very good,” he said.

The income tax is an anomaly for a school district, but it keeps the district where it needs to be fiscally, he said.

“You do a good job on your budget,” Flaiz said. “Your numbers are tight.”

Ashtabula Man Charged in Cardinal Bus Crash

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Byron M. Currence, 23, of Ashtabula, was cited for his involvement in the Cardinal Schools bus accident March 1 in Middlefield Township.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol accident report shows Currence was charged for failure to assure clear distance when a school bus was stopped to collect students on state Route 87 east of state Route 528 at about 7:41 a.m.

A black Nissan Frontier pickup was stopped behind the bus when a 2021 Isu-

zu flatbed truck driven by Currence hit the pickup in the rear.

The collision forced the pickup into the rear of the bus, then off the road to the right and into the ditch where it rolled over, according to the report.

The flatbed then struck the rear of the bus, which sustained minor damage.

No students were injured and their families picked them up, Cardinal Schools Superintendent Jack Cunningham said.

The drivers of the trucks were transported to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.

Newbury Township

Contracts for Athletic Fields Leases Up in the Air

By Allison Wilson

editor@kArlovecmediA com

Newbury Township Trustees were undecided about allowing the West Geauga Travel Soccer League and Geauga Knights Baseball Youth League to use their fields during their meeting March 6.

“I contacted Luke Short and Bill Bryan about the fields,” said Trustee Bill Skomrock. “Bill Bryan, who is the West Geauga travel league soccer guy, is interested in coming back to the field.”

In an email March 11, he explained how the agreement between the township and leagues usually works.

“Newbury Township leases the old Newbury (Schools) property from the West (Geauga) Schools for $100 a year. We are in a verbal agreement with WG travel soccer league, not to be confused with the West G school team, and the Geauga Knights Baseball Youth League,” he said. “The trustees have hired private counsel to draft up a lease and hold harmless agreements for these groups.”

The board has allocated around $8,000 toward the reseeding of the soccer fields, Skomrock said at the meeting.

He raised the idea of the board allocating

money once again to Bryan and Short for the fields’ maintenance. He also proposed allocating $2,000 for the baseball fields.

“I’m not exactly sure what we want to ask for, a time frame they’re gonna lease the field for, a commitment, and I think if we’re putting that kind of money into it, it should be probably the remainder of the lease that we have with West Geauga,” he said of the potential continuation.

Skomrock said he wasn’t sure what West G should pay per year as part of the lease. He proposed allowing maintenance in lieu of pay.

“The term would be let’s say approximately four years until the end of the term. And I don’t know what we would want to charge per year for that,” he said, asking the other trustees their thoughts. “Or, can we lease them, or in lieu of them paying us money, mowing and that kind of thing. One or the other. Whether they maintain them, or they pay us to maintain them.”

Trustee Greg Tropf asked if the West Geauga teams were willing to maintain the field.

Skomrock said he wouldn’t agree to anything until the board makes a decision since plans are still being discussed.

In other news, township officials discussed moving the township payroll to a third party company, Paychex.

Fiscal Officer Bev Sustar said she began looking at options for payroll companies before last winter.

“I narrowed it down to getting prices from Paychex,” she said, adding the fire department also uses the company and is happy with them.

“I got a summary of monthly charges and they gave us an annual figure,” Sustar said. “The first year would be $7,423 and the annual cost thereafter would be $6,448.”

Other services Paychex would provide include tasks associated with bringing new employees on board and posting job listings online, she said.

“We would have the option of converting to their time clocks. They would be paying our federal and state taxes on our behalf, so we wouldn’t have to do end-of-the-year W2s or 1099s,” she said.

Sustar said they could also help with reporting Social Security at the end of the year and with IRS data reporting, projects that have been a problem in past years.

“The IRS and Social Security both require electronic reporting if you have more than 10

employees,” Sustar said. “You have to sign up for their portal, you have to provide credentials. I struggled with that for two years.”

She has consistently had issues accessing the portal for electronic reporting to the IRS, at one point having to file paper forms because her credentials were not accepted. Social Security has caused similar problems, she said.

“I signed up for their (Social Security’s) portal in 2022 and when I went to report electronically, they told me I didn’t have any ‘active activities,’” she said. “I could sign on, but I couldn’t do anything.”

Skomrock asked how the company would handle it if there was a mistake with someone’s pay. Sustar did not have that information on hand. Skomrock also asked how accessible aspects of the system would be for employees without a smartphone or computer.

“Would there be a paper W2 sent in addition to (the digital one)?” he said.

“I think you have to go online for your W2,” Sustar replied, adding employees could use a work computer if necessary.

As the township will have a new fiscal officer starting April 1, discussion of the company was temporarily tabled.

Secret Ghost Army Member to Receive Posthumous Honor

By BriAn doering BriAn@kArlovecmediA.com

The nation’s capital is set to honor a secret World War II unit called the Ghost Army, as well as one of its members — Marion “Pat” Pastoric, of Chester Township — with the Congressional Gold Medal March 21.

In a March 11 interview, Pamela Pastoric, 69, expressed her excitement at attending the event and representing her late father, who passed away in 2003.

“I have been waiting for this for 10 years,” Pamela said.

Pat was born Dec. 8, 1921, in Columbus. He was one of three sons to parents born in what is now Croatia, according to the Ghost Army Legacy Project website.

By 1930, the family moved to Cleveland and Pat’s father worked in an auto factory. Pat graduated from East Tech High School in Cleveland in 1940 and upon graduation, he was awarded a George Bellows full fouryear scholarship to the Columbus College of Art where he took a course in camouflage for his Industrial Design Major.

603rd Engineer Camouflage Battalion and served in Europe during the war.

Pat would create watercolors at some of his stateside stations before going overseas, as well as in England and Europe. He also kept a sketchbook while in Europe and car ried his Kodak camera throughout the war.

The 23rd Headquarters Special Troops staged more than 20 deception operations — often dangerously close to the front — in France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany, said the GALP in a Jan. 22 press release. This “traveling road show of deception” of only 1,100 troops that ap peared to be more than 20,000 is credited with saving an estimated 30,000 American lives, U.S. Army analyst Mark Kronman said in the press release.

Unfortunately, his education was disrupted by the war after completing only two years.

Pat registered for the draft Feb. 15 and enlisted in the army Sept. 22, 1942, under the occupation category of "semi-skilled machine shop and related occupations."

Pat worked for five months at the Warner and Swasey Company, a leading manufacturer of machine tools and instruments. Like many art students, he was assigned to the

“Rarely, if ever, has there been a group of such a few men which had so great an influ ence on the outcome of a major military campaign,” he said.

After more than

50 years of keeping it top secret, the existence of the Ghost Army was declassified in 1996 when the public first learned of the creative, daring techniques they employed to fool and distract the enemy about the strength and location of American troops, according to the GALP.

The army’s techniques included the use of inflatable tanks, sound effects, radio trick ery and impersonation.

“What made the Ghost Army special was not just their extraordinary courage, but their creativity,” New Hampshire State Rep. Annie Kuster said in the release. “Their sto ry reminds us that listening to unconvention

Hambone Creates Happy Home in Hambden

By rose nemunAitis editor@kArlovecmedi

If happiness is a warm burger, homemade specialty pizza or an irresistibly fresh salad, then The Hambone is the place to go.

Situated in the heart of Hambden Town ship, the restaurant — which opened its doors at 13960 Rock Creek Road last July — contin ues to gain traction in Geauga County.

“The Hambone has brought a new atmo sphere to the intersection of (state routes) 6 and 166,” said Jacob Smith, a friend of owner Nick Raischel. “He has brought years of own ing and operating restaurants from across the country to Hambden. Simply put, it's great food with a menu that welcomes any one's taste.”

The restaurateur’s vision became a reali ty when Raischel took over the property that was the former Hambden Country Inn in July of 2022, spending the next year putting an extensive amount of time and energy into renovations.

“They have done a tremendous job,” Hambden Township Trustee Dave Johnson said.

The building has been newly designed into an inviting open atmosphere with deco rative sports influences, a hand-painted wall mural, attractive lighting, plenty of seating and more.

As an homage to its former life, Raischel picked the name The Hambone, which people used to call the old bar/restaurant for years.

“We are a family-friendly restaurant here

Ghost Army

from page 14

in person along with the families of many other Ghost Army veterans.

The celebration will culminate a nearly 20-year effort by members and volunteers of the GALP to raise awareness and win recognition for the little-known army units who played a unique but unheralded part in the allied victory of World War II.

“It’s been a long, but ultimately, rewarding effort to bring attention and much overdue recognition to the Ghost Army,” GALP President Rick Beyer said in the press release. “The story of the Ghost Army is one of courage, creativity, reliance and honor, and I am proud to have been a part of this effort, along with so many others, to earn the credit and gratitude from the country these soldiers served to protect.”

During his time in the Ghost Army, Pat became good friends with William Marsalko and Bernie Bluestein, both 603rd members from Cleveland. After returning to Cleveland, both Pat and Bernie studied at the Cleveland School of Art, now the Cleveland Institute of Art. Pat majored in graphic design/industrial design and both men graduated in 1947, according to the GALP.

The day after graduation, Pat married Evelyn Leskovec, with Marsalko serving as best man.

Pat and Evelyn became the parents of five children: Gregory, Thomas, Pamela, James and Raymond. The children all knew Marsalko as “Uncle Billy.”

In the early 1950s, Pat changed his and his family's last name from Pastorcich to Pastoric, eliminating two letters to make the name easier to spell and say, according to the

while attending high school.

“Restaurants have always been my thing,” he said. “I knew I wanted my own restaurant one day, so I moved to Atlanta to

GALP, which added Pat’s hobbies included photography, poetry and art.

He continued to make art throughout his life, sketching, working in pastels and watercolors, painting portraits and signs, and doing some freelance work, especially after retirement.

“We moved to Chesterland in 1959. We had a great street on Cherry Lane with all of us kids growing up together with the other families,” Pamela recalled. “Dad would wander up to the plaza for ‘snacks’ and chat with people at the store, and we wondered if he got lost.”

She knew absolutely nothing about her father’s involvement in the Ghost Army, just that he was in camouflage, she said.

“Dad had only said that he was in a camouflage unit, but not a whole lot more. Probably due to the secrecy,” Pamela said.

She described her father as a nice man who loved his family, all his grandchildren and people.

“He was the sweetest guy and you would never know anything. He’s the kind of guy who’d sit there in a chair watching TV, eat his vanilla cookies and milk,” she said. “He was just a regular guy.”

Pamela also noted father played Santa Claus for family, friends, neighbors and at the Chesterland Plaza.

“As he got older and the beard started growing and changing color, he eventually began playing Santa Claus. He did that for as many years as he could,” she said. “That was just fun.”

Pat passed away Dec. 31, 2003, in Cleveland and is buried at Western Reserve Memorial Gardens in Chester.

“The Ghost Army was this secret thing. It saved lives and helped the course of the war,” Pamela said. “I don’t even know if they realized how big of a deal they were at the time.”

Bar & Grill in Painesville Township.

The Hambone marks his second restaurant and latest venture, offering a diverse menu that includes homemade specialty pizzas, specialty calzones, jumbo wings, wraps, fish n’ chips, ribs, stuffed breadsticks, grilled ribeye steaks, fresh salads, huge nachos, deep fried pickles and gourmet burgers on a brioche bun from Hambden’s award-winning

Daily specials and Lenten Friday fish fry options include North Pacific cod, beer bat-

The Hambone also offers a wide variety of beverages, including roughly 30 different bourbon selections, neatly displayed behind the bar in their artistically-lighted shelving.

“The restaurant has a great atmosphere and the staff is impressive and friendly,” Smith said. “It is my family's and my friend's favorite place to sit down, relax and enjoy the newly-designed restaurant.”

Gearing up for the spring and summer months, The Hambone will also offer al fresco dining as weather permits in their new-

“We are planning to do a lot more live music this summer,” Raischel said.

The Hambone is open seven days a

The kitchen is open Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday 12-8 p.m.

Notes of Gratitude

Thank You Chardon Community Care

By tAnyA grinBerg

My husband of more than 50 years was a patient in the Chardon Community Care nursing home for almost two years.

After he had a serious stroke, he went through hospital, was admitted to intensive rehab, then regular rehab. He even came home for about half a year. After he fell and went to hospital again, he was admitted to Menorah Park rehab and later moved to a room as a long-care patient.

As much as I would prefer Menorah Park (only three miles from home), I was forced to move my husband to a much farther location (18 miles, 30 minute drive one way).

Since I was in the nursing home every day, I could see how much staff works. If they were short a nurse, the director of nursing or her second in command would work their shift. During breakfast or lunch time, office workers would come to help aides to service food while still warm.

When Oleg was still able to sit in a wheelchair, aides got him dressed and helped into it; therapists worked tirelessly with him; the dietician was forever changing his food orders according to Oleg's declining health.

The care in the Chardon facility was much more personal, nurses and aides would come to his room and check on him regularly. Everyone knew his name and talked to him, trying to get his mood up.

For our 50th wedding anniversary on March 10, 2023, the kitchen staff let us use the dining room and we had a lovely celebration. Whoever was working this day came to congratulate us.

In the time Oleg was in the facility, he

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did not have a single bed sore. It happened much later when his body could not fight anymore and there always was a fresh wound treatment on the wound.

In his last days on this Earth, everyone would come to me and offer support, explaining what to expect, advising me what I need to do.

The most moving was the offer to move Oleg's body to the funeral home limo with full military pomp. Even though Oleg was a military officer, he served in the country no longer existing. Somebody brought an American flag I suggested and everyone — from the office, nurses, aides, patients who could move — lined up to say goodbye to Oleg.

I can write and write about these terrific people. THANK YOU to all of them.

Photo taken on March 10, 2023, on Oleg and Tanya’s 50th wedding anniversary day.

O’Brien: ‘Kudos’ to Walder on Re-Eval Response

By Amy PAtterson Amy@kArlovecmediA.com

The Geauga County Budget Commission deserves kudos for its work to reduce the im pact of this year’s tax reappraisal, state Sen. Sandra O’Brien said in an interview March 5. O’Brien was joined by Senate President Matt Huffman on a tour of her district and the pair sat down for a short interview at Beans Coffee House in Chardon, where they discussed the impact of a historic rise in property values as one-third of the state’s 88 counties came up for reevaluation this year.

"This has affected every county that has a reevaluation,” O’Brien said. “For me, that's all my counties — Geauga, Ashtabula, Trumbull. Lucky us.”

O’Brien said she was placed on a joint committee between the Ohio House and Senate by Huffman because she is the only Republican state senator who has been a county auditor.

But, by the time the committee grappled with the size of the reappraisal problem, it

was too late to get out in front of it, she said.

“The tax commissioner was getting ready to do the rates, it was just too late,” she said.

Most of the ideas being tossed around are Bandaids that won’t fix the problem, she said, adding the issue is difficult to explain because local property taxes are not simple.

Instead of a Bandaid solution, O’Brien said she proposed a constitutional fix, but details are still being worked out.

“People are trying to fix it for the next year's counties … so my counties are getting the raw end here because they won't get out of this for another three years,” she said. “Everything could change and that's not fair to us.”

Huffman said one issue is the state’s real estate tax system.

County auditors have complained to him they feel as if the Ohio Department of Taxation sets a number and tells them they must produce that much money in local taxes, he said.

“We need to sort of take apart the whole real estate tax system,” he said. “It's like this giant robot and we don't really know what's making it go inside. We take all the pieces and parts and go, 'Well, how did that get in there?'"

While schools have taken funding hits, Huffman said in working on the Fair School Funding Plan, the statehouse increased spending on public schools even though the number of students in public schools has fallen over the past 20 years.

He asked FSFP backers, former state reps. Bob Cupp (R-Lima) and John Patterson (D-Jefferson) if schools were spending money according to the plan, he said.

“Their answer is … no, they may not be giving the math teacher an increase in sala-

ry or hiring additional tutors. They spend it however they want. So it's not, in fact, a plan, it's just more money,” Huffman said.

Monumental problems like the property tax system and the funding of schools accumulated over several years, Huffman said, adding solving them requires good legislators like O’Brien, as well as the governor’s initiative.

Whatever fixes are proposed in either issue, Huffman said somewhere out there, there's going to be a whole group of people who are going to get less as a result, whether it’s those receiving tax dollars or those paying.

“I got the EdChoice scholarship program in the 2013 budget, but only because (former Ohio Governor) John Kasich said let's do this and everybody was behind it," he said. "So, I think we take the findings that come out of this, (from the) people who know what they're talking about and then Governor (Mike) DeWine needs to do that, or the next governor who's coming in because this is not solvable in (terms of), 'Well, let's get a little bit this year and next year, we'll see what happens.'"

Barristers Weigh in on Upcoming Contested Judicial Races

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In a reversal of roles, members of the Geauga County Bar Association have weighed in regarding candidates for the upcoming contested judicial race in the March 19 primary election.

The Geauga County Bar Association recently conducted a poll of its members regarding candidates for the upcoming contested judicial elections for Ohio Supreme Court, the 11th District Court of Appeals and the Geauga County Court of Common Pleas.

One hundred forty-eight ballots were issued to members of the bar and 59 responses were returned by the deadline, Krystal Thompson, executive secretary of the GCBA, reported. The response represented 40 percent of the bar association.

Respondents were asked to base their evaluation and responses to individual candidate’s fitness for the office sought, including such qualities as the candidate’s honesty, ability, temperament, industry, impartiality and professional competence.

Biographical information provided by each candidate was provided to bar association members.

The poll results are not to be interpreted as an endorsement of any candidate by the bar but are solely a compilation of the responses of the voting members of the Geauga County Bar Association, Thompson said.

11th District Court of Appeals

There are two seats on the 11th District Court of Appeals, whose jurisdiction consists of Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake, Portage and Trumbull counties.

Incumbent John Eklund faces Shelley Pratt, of Hubbard, for a full six-year term commencing Feb. 9, 2025.

Eklund, 68, has served on the court of appeals since 2021, when he was appointed by Gov. Mike DeWine to fill a vacant seat. He was elected to serve a full term in 2022.

Prior to that, Eklund was state senator for Ohio’s 18th District from 2011 to 2020, and was a partner at Cleveland-based Calfee, Halter & Griswold LLP, from 1980 to 2021.

Pratt, 50, boasts nearly 20 years of legal

GEAUGA COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION POLL

March 19, 2024 Primary Election

Ohio Supreme Court Justice (Unexpired term ending 12/31/2026)

Judge of the Court of Appeals (11th District, Full 6 Year Term Commencing 2/9/2025)

Judge of the Court of Appeals (11th District, Full 6 Year Term Commencing 2/10/2025)

Respondents are requested to base their evaluation and responses to the individual candidate’s fitness for the office sought, including such qualities as the candidate’s honesty, ability, temperament, industry, impartiality and professional competence.

experience. She was an assistant prosecutor in Ashtabula County for 17 years. In 2022, she left to become an assistant prosecutor in Columbiana County, where she currently is employed.

Eklund received 39 “Highly Recommended” responses and 13 “Recommended” compared to one “Highly Recommended” response for Pratt and six “Recommended.”

Four respondents said Eklund was “Not Recommended” and three members had “No Opinion.” Six responses said Pratt was “Not Recommended” and 44 respondents had “No

Opinion” on her fitness for office.

Scott Lynch, of Huntsburg Township, and Colleen Mary O’Toole are vying for an open seat on the appellate court after incumbent Mary Jane Trapp decided to run for Geauga County Common Pleas Court judge. The seat is a full six-year term commending Feb. 10, 2025.

O’Toole, 63, of Ashtabula, has run for the court four times, twice defeating Democratic opponents in November 2004 and 2012, but twice losing in Republican primaries — 2010 and 2018. She currently is the Ashtabula County Prosecuting Attorney.

Lynch, a Chardon lawyer, previously served on Euclid City Council. He currently is the law director for Aquilla Village.

Lynch received four “Highly Recommended” responses and eight “Recommended” compared to 12 “Highly Recommended” response for O’Toole and one “Recommended.”

Twenty-one respondents said Lynch was “Not Recommended” and 26 had “No Opinion.” Thirty-two responses said O’Toole was “Not Recommended” and four respondents had “No Opinion” on her fitness for office.

Huffman

O’Brien

Berkshire Schools

Pre-K, Special Needs Modular Unit Contract OK’d

By Ann WishArt

Ann@kArlovecmediA com

Berkshire Schools Board of Education voted unanimously March 11 to enter into a contract with Boxx Modular Inc. to lease and install an eight-classroom structure on the district’s campus northeast of the school.

It was the final step the board and administration took to accommodate a growing number of preschool and kindergarten students, many of whom have special needs, Superintendent John Stoddard said.

The $2.3 million project will allow Berkshire to educate these students rather than place them in facilities outside the district.

At the Feb. 26 meeting, the board gave Stoddard the authority to negotiate a 10-year lease-to-purchase contract with Boxx Modular, headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. Bids were not necessary because the district is working through Sourcewell Purchasing Cooperative and the agreement is for a fixture

Family First Council

March 18, 1:30 p.m.

Geauga Family First Council meets the third Monday of the month at the Geauga County Office Building, Suite A334, 12611 Ravenwood Drive in Chardon. Meetings are open to the public.

and equipment, according to the contract.

Financing for the project would be arranged at a later date, the contract said.

No one in the audience questioned the need for the classrooms. Details were presented at a special meeting Feb. 26, however, at a town hall meeting after Monday’s board meeting, residents asked questions about the project.

During the question-and-answer session, Stoddard said the district already has enough students with disabilities to justify the additional classrooms. He previously said these students would have opportunities to mingle with other students their own age and the modular unit would be ready for use in the fall.

Residents also expressed interest in why the district did not choose to cut or eliminate the permanent improvement levy on the November ballot to “give back” some of the “windfall” revenue realized from the recent property reappraisal that raised taxes.

“We absolutely need this money,” said

Treasurer Beth McCaffrey. “If we did not, the (Geauga County) Budget Commission would have taken out of our budget.”

The PI levy first approved in 1984 is needed for upkeep and maintenance of the facilities, she said.

Although the all-grade school is new, there is still preventive maintenance needed.

“We do have the lowest effective property taxes. The district had no control over the (re-evaluation),” McCaffrey said, adding because the voters approved an earned income tax in 2007, the district has not had to ask for an operating levy.

“The state has plenty of money to fund public schools,” she said. “They haven’t done it. Taxpayer dollars are given to private schools, which have no financial accountability.”

At the beginning of the public session, Stoddard explained to the audience of about 24 Berkshire wants to help students decide on a career or college pathway by providing them with a variety of learning options in their first 12 years in school.

The public school system was incorporated in 1892 primarily to educate the majority

of students to work on manufacturing lines and in factories, he said.

“The world of work doesn’t look the same today,” Stoddard said.

The freelance economy is estimated at $1.4 trillion and those people are continuously educating themselves.

“The amount of knowledge gained in four years of college lasts about five years,” Stoddard said. “If you are not continually learning, you are left behind.”

He also talked about teaching students how to work with artificial intelligence for success, calling it augmented intelligence.

“AI runs your life now,” Stoddard said, adding educators need to figure out how to combine authentic intelligence (human brain power) with AI to create augmented intelligence.

“We want a plan and a purpose for our kids – interest to passion to purpose,” he said, describing that as the pipeline with the district’s project-based learning leading down that pipeline.

“What we want is for our students to leave us with a plan, working toward their purpose,” Stoddard said.

Health & Wellness Veterans Commission Looks To Assist More in Geauga

For more information, please contact Tim Kehres, Geauga Family First Council coordinator, at 440-285-1201.

FA Twelve Step Meetings

Wednesdays, 6:45-8:15 p.m.

Obsessed with food, weight, dieting or body image? Join every Wednesday for a Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous meeting at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 11519 Wilson Mills Road, Chardon. Meetings are open all. There are no dues, fees or weigh-ins.

Bloodmobile

American Red Cross blood supply has fall-

Judges

from page 16

Ohio Supreme Court

Two candidates are seeking to fill an unexpired six-year term ending Dec. 31, 2026, on the Supreme Court of Ohio. They are Lisa Forbes and Terri Jamison.

Democratic Judge Lisa Forbes, of Cleveland, sits on the bench of the 8th District Court of Appeals. A former litigator and partner at the Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease law firm until 2020, she ran for her current position in 2020. According to various media outlets, Forbes received a degree from Cornell University, moved to Washington, D.C., and then attended Case Western Reserve University to earn a law degree.

According to the Columbus Dispatch, Democratic Judge Terri Jamison, of Welch, W. Va., started her career as an underground coal miner, but moved to Columbus after a layoff. She then worked for businesses while taking classes at Columbus State Community

en to critically low levels and now faces an emergency blood shortage.

Make a donation appointment by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-733-2767.

March 18, Geauga West Library, 13455 Chillicothe Road, Chester Township, 12-6 p.m.

March 24, St. Helen’s Church, 12060 Kinsman Road, Newbury Township, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

March 28, Chardon United Methodist Church, 515 North St., Chardon, 12–6 p.m.

March 29, Middlefield Library, 16167 East High St., Middlefield, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Help for Mental Illness

NAMI Geauga offers mental health support groups and classes for families and persons affected by mental illness. There is no charge to participants. All offerings are 100% peer led and meet in person or on Zoom.

Check out NAMI’s calendar online for the latest listings: www.namigeauga.org.

College and then Franklin University, receiving a degree in business.

Jamison received her law degree from Capital University Law School and started her own firm. Jamison has been in her current position since 2012, and ran for Ohio Supreme Court in 2022, but lost to Justice Patrick Fischer, according to the Columbus Dispatch.

If elected to the Ohio Supreme Court, Jamison would be the third Black woman justice to serve.

The Ohio Democratic Party has endorsed Forbes over Jamison for the primary, according to the Columbus Dispatch.

In the Geauga County Bar Association survey, 22 respondents rated Forbes “Highly Recommended” while 11 members gave Jamison the same rating.

Forbes also received 11 “Recommended” responses, four “Not Recommended” and 22 “No Opinion.”

Jamison was “Recommended” by nine respondents and “Not Recommended” by seven. Thirty-two members had “No Opinion” about her.

By BriAn doering BriAn@kArlovecmediA com

The Geauga County Veterans Service Commission aims to better aid the mental health and wellbeing of veterans who are unable to travel to hospitals themselves.

“As a veteran myself, it's wonderful to give back to my brothers and sisters and to be able to ensure that they get everything that they rightfully deserve,” said GCVSC Director Michelle Pemberton during an interview Feb. 29.

The veterans service commission, formerly known as Soldiers and Sailors Relief Commission, was established May 19, 1886, for the purpose of as sisting honorably discharged veterans and their dependents who have been met with unexpected hardship resulting from illness, injury or have become destitute due to lack of employment, Pemberton said.

new building and the Cleveland Vet Center moved into a new location, so we just needed to update all the information.”

Pemberton said the request allows a clinically licensed social worker to provide mental health therapy for veterans in Geauga County.

“This is a tremendous effort between our partnership with the VA and our office to allow veterans access to mental health where they might not be able to get it,” Pemberton said. “They can do virtual appointments via phone or laptop for whatever they have accessible.”

“Ohio is a unique state that provides such comprehensive support and service to its veterans,” she said. “Each of the 88 counties in Ohio has a board of five veterans appointed as commissioners who administer the program for their respective county.”

On Feb. 27, Pemberton appeared before Geauga County Commissioners Ralphs Spidalieri, Jim Dvorak and Tim Lennon to request a revocable license to use property granted to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for counseling services at the Cleveland Vet Center.

“We have a partnership with the Cleveland Vet Center which is under the auspices of the department of veterans affairs,” Pemberton explained. “We've moved into a

Geauga County does not have a veterans’ outpatient clinic like Lake, Trumbull and Portage counties do, so Geauga veterans have to drive outside of the county, Pemberton added.

“It is very difficult for some of our veterans to get out of Geauga County. Our office does everything we can to provide transportation to those medical facilities,” she said. “Whatever we can do at our office to partner with other agencies to make these accessible, we will do that. We will try every which way we can to provide these benefits and anything else available to them.”

Pemberton said the veterans commission has partnered with veterans outreach and the vet center to offer in-house counseling since 2015.

“A lot of our veterans were having issues with obtaining actual in-person appointments,” she said. “We have made it very accessible to our veterans who come in. We have treated over 300 veterans for mental health.”

Pemberton praised county commissioners’ efforts to help veterans.

“Anytime that we need some assistance or if we need additional funding to help our veterans or provide a different program to the veterans or their family members, they go above and beyond,” she said.

Pemberton

Anna Marie Ibold

Anna “Anne” Ma

rie Ibold, aged 64, passed away peace fully surrounded by her loving family on March 6, 2024, after a valiant battle with cancer.

Born on Oct. 15, 1959, in Garfield Heights to Frederick Antho ny and Elizabeth Anne (nee Spencer) Adam ic, Anne was one of eight siblings raised in the Chardon area. She graduated from Chardon High School in 1978, setting the stage for a life filled with love, dedication and service.

On April 4, 1987, Anne married the love of her life, Dennis J. Ibold. They shared both personal and professional lives, working side by side at Ibold & O’Brien, with Anne serving as a legal assistant while Dennis practiced law. In addition to their legal endeavors, she worked with Dennis in his subdivision development business.

A devout parishioner of St. Helen Parish in Newbury Township, Anne found solace and strength in her faith.

She had a passion for gardening, creating stunning potted arrangements that reflected her vibrant spirit alongside her enjoyment of walks in the park. Anne also enjoyed indulging in crime shows, and she was an early aficionado of wine and cheese boards long before they became a trend.

However, her most cherished role was that of a mother and grandmother. She poured her heart and soul into her family, and they were her greatest pride and joy.

Anne is survived by her beloved husband, Dennis J. Ibold; children, Bradley Adamic, Rachel Kapis, Jessica Kapis, Dennis “DJ” Ibold; and her cherished grandchildren, Ayanna Kapis, Natalia Kapis, Stella Root, Chloe Adamic, Landon Adamic, Harper Adamic, Cayly Ibold and Noah Ibold.

She is also survived by her siblings, Paul G. (Margee) Adamic, Anthony (Kathleen) Adamic, James M. (Teresa) Adamic, Frederick A. Jr. (Karin) Adamic, Mary F. (Mark) Mekota and Peggy (Jim) Hayes; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Anne was preceded in death by her parents; and sister, RoseMarie Cribben.

The family received friends March 10, 2024, at Burr Funeral Home, 116 South St., Chardon.

Visitation and a Mass of Christian Burial also were held at St. Helen Catholic Church, 12060 Kinsman Road, Newbury, on March 11, 2024.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Anne’s memory to The American Cancer Society at https:/donate.cancer.org; or the Hospice of the Western Reserve at www.hospicewr.org

Arrangements are entrusted to Burr Funeral Home and Cremation Service. For more information and to offer condolences online, please visit www.burrservice.com

Anne’s legacy of love, kindness, and resilience will continue to inspire all who were fortunate enough to know her. She will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by her family, friends and all whose lives she touched. May she rest in eternal peace.

Obituaries

Clark Madison Adams

Clark Madison Adams, a lifelong res ident of Huntsburg Township, passed away March 4, 2024.

Clark was born Feb. 1, 1936, to Paul A and Dorothy Fish Adams.

Clark’s career of service started on the family farm. After graduating from Berkshire High School, he then served his country in the U.S. Army. home to Ohio, he brought with him his wife, Bertha Aragon Adams, and his daugh ter, Bertie.

Marjorie E. Cook

He served his community in many ways, as a road superintendent, a Geauga County Sheriff’s Office deputy and then Chief of Police of Middlefield.

After his retirement as Chief of Police, he drove trucks for JR Stanley Milk Cartage from 1987 to 1996. He then hauled cheese for John Rothenbuhler for Middlefield Cheese for 13 years.

Clark also served for many years as a Huntsburg Township Trustee and was an active member of the American Legion.

Once in real retirement, he enjoyed volunteering at Light House United Methodist Church, where he was a member. He served as chair of the advisory council and as a trustee. He enjoyed preparing food for their fundraisers and was the grounds keeper.

He also enjoyed coaching youth football and spending time with his family, and doing work on the farm where he was born.

Clark was preceded in death by his parents, Paul A. Adams and Dorothy Fish Adams; wife, Bertha Aragon Adams; and son Ernest James Adams.

Also preceding him in death are his brothers Ernest Adams, Paul Adams and Harold Adams; and sister, Phyllis (Tom) Dick.

He leaves to cherish his memory his brother Bob (Kathy) Adams; children, Bertie (Bill) Fields, John (Dona) Adams and Patty (Jerry) Shega; grandchildren, Andrea (Chris) Hall, Clark (Chelsea) Adams, Johnny (Victoria) Adams, Blair Ford, Nick Shega, Allie (David) Fehn; great-grandchildren, Mason, Faith, Grace and Warren Adams; and many in-laws, nephews, nieces and great-nephews and great-nieces.

Funeral services were held at Lighthouse United Methodist Church, 14780 Mayfield Road, East Claridon, on March 9, 2024, followed by burial at East Claridon Cemetery and a repast back at church.

The family suggests donations be made to Light House United Methodist Church in Clark’s name; or to Hospice of the Western Reserve, (hospicewr.org).

The family extends special thanks to his hospice team, Ramel Patterson HNA and Leanne Grubbs RN.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Burr Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Chardon.

Condolences and memories may be shared online at www.burrservice.com

Marjorie E. Cook (nee Haskins), age 90, of Chagrin Falls, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on March 2, 2024.

Beloved wife of the late Alan H. Cook. Dear mother of Janice Swanson (Doug), Curtis Cook (Deborah) and Jennifer Forbush (Carl). Loving grandmother of Kirsten Davis, (Waylon), Ryan Forbush (Sydney), Bryce Cook, Kaitlyn Cook, and Aaron Forbush. Loving great-grandmother of Kennedy Davis and Easton Davis. Dear sister of Robert Haskins (Jan), the late Mildred MacRitchie (Jack, deceased) and the late Elinor Harris (Herb, deceased); sister-in-law of Nancy Hughes. Devoted aunt and greataunt to many nieces and nephews. Treasured cousin and friend to many.

Kenneth G. Safko

Kenneth G. Safko, age 85, passed away peacefully on March 9, 2024, surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Bainbridge Township, the daughter of Leslie and Hazel Haskins, Marge graduated from Bainbridge (Kenston) High School in 1951. She went on to pursue a degree in Elementary Education, graduating cum laude from Baldwin Wallace College in 1955. She was a member of Phi Mu Sorority.

Upon graduation, she married Alan Cook, and settled in Parma. They moved to Chagrin Falls in 1959 where they raised their family.

Marge was a devoted first- and second-grade teacher in the Parma and West Geauga school districts.

She was a faithful member of The Federated Church for over 50 years, teaching Sunday School, with membership in Women’s Fellowship, and the Tapestry Sewing group.

Throughout her career and retirement, she served her community selflessly. Marge volunteered for the Red Cross, was a member of The Geauga County Retired Teachers Association and Ohio Retired Teachers Association. She was an active member of the Bainbridge Historical Society, serving as Membership Chair.

She was especially proud of her Haskins family heritage. She helped countless friends, neighbors and relatives with transportation to various events/meetings whenever possible.

Marge spent the last five years as a resident of Anna Maria of Aurora, where she received loving care and kindness. The family would like to thank all those who cared for her as well as The Gardens of Western Reserve Hospice.

A Memorial Service for Marge and Alan will take place on Saturday, June 1, 2024, at 11 a.m., at The Federated Church, 76 Bell St., Chagrin Falls.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Bainbridge Township Historical Society.

Please sign the funeral home Tribute Wall at: murphyfamilyfuneralhome.com

Born on October 25, 1938, to Joseph and Amelia “Mollie” (nee Karlovec) Safko, in Chardon, Kenneth led a life defined by ded ication, love and service.

Kenneth was a proud 1958 graduate of Chardon High School. In 1960, he exchanged vows with the love of his life, Shirley Daniels, at Pilgrim Christian Church in Chardon, marking the beginning of a beautiful journey together.

A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Kenneth served his country with honor and distinction. Following his military service, he embarked on a career with the Ohio State Highway Patrol, where he dedicated himself to ensuring the safety and well-being of his community. His commitment and integrity left an indelible mark on all who knew him.

Kenneth possessed a passion for golf that brought him immense joy. Whether he was watching the sport on television or teeing off with his sons at MetroWest Golf Club during family trips to Florida, the game brought him closer to his loved ones and provided cherished moments of camaraderie and laughter.

A devoted family man, Kenneth treasured every moment spent with his sons, creating lasting memories that will be cherished for generations to come.

In addition to his love for golf, Kenneth was known for his strong work ethic. He enjoyed working on home projects, especially his yard.

His dedication to his home and family was evident in everything he did, and his presence brought warmth and love to those around him.

Kenneth will be deeply missed by his beloved wife, Shirley; his adoring sons, Tom (Cindy) Safko, Joseph Safko and Russ (Paula) Safko; and grandchildren, Sarah Safko and Shane Safko.

He is also survived by his sister Pris Romano; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and siblings Gladys, Phyllis, Paul, Virginia and Patricia.

A private family service was held at Middlefield Cemetery to honor Kenneth's memory, with a celebration of his life to be held at a later date.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Burr Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Chardon. Memories and condolences may be shared online at www.burrservice.com, as we honor the life of a remarkable man who touched the hearts of all who knew him.

Obituaries

Jay Charles Emmer-Lovell

Jay Charles Em

mer-Lovell, 33, of Bur ton Township, was wel comed home to heaven on Saturday, March 2, 2024.

He was born on March 16, 1990, to Dr. Richard A. Lovell and Dr. Mary Jo Emmer-Lovell.

Jay was a dedicated, loyal and loving son, brother, uncle and friend to everyone who knew him.

He will be greatly missed by his loving parents; siblings, Robert (Jennifer) Emmer-Lovell, Dr. Caldwell (Yennhi) Emmer-Lovell and AJ (Gary) Rojas; niece, Ava Emmer-Lovell; nephew, Wyatt Emmer-Lovell; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Jay was a man of many talents. He enjoyed bowling, golf and the outdoors. He was a fan of Cleveland baseball and football.

Jay was also an avid participant in military reenactments. You might have seen him

driving around in his Willys Military Jeep.

He was a people person, and he loved meeting people and learning about their lives. If you met him once, you made a friend for life. He was a fun, kind and loving goofball. Jay was a legend to his friends.

In the last weeks of his life, Jay was a devoted caregiver to his parents, providing them with round the clock care. Jay was proud of his family and friends, and he deeply loved the people in his life.

A private gathering of friends and family will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society: https://www.lls.org/ways-to-give

Arrangements have been entrusted to Best Funeral Home, 15809 Madison Road, Middlefield, 440-632-0818. Online condolences may be sent at www.bestfunerals.com. Your memories of Jay would be welcomed via email at ccemmerlovell@gmail.com

Geauga Park District

For more information and registration, contact the park district at 440-286-9516 or visit www.geaugaparkdistrict.org.

Skydancing For Love

March 21, 7-8:30 p.m.

Take a behind-the-bushes look at the courtship antics of the American Woodcock,

a goofy, pop-eyed, Pinocchio-beaked bird the size and shape of a football. Meet at the Rookery’s Great Blue Heron Lodge in Munson Township.

Skydance: Flight of the Woodcock is timed on the calendar for optimum odds of witnessing the courtship display that makes the bird special and memorable.

Schools

Reverse Job Fair

March 21, 12:30-2:30 p.m.

Auburn Career Center is partnering with Ohio Means Jobs Geauga and Lake counties for a reverse job fair at Auburn Career Center, 8140 Auburn Road, Concord Township. First- and second-year students will set up tables and employers can discuss their opportunities. For more information, contact Andrew Kelner at 440-358-8018 or visit www.auburncc.org.

Academic Awards Available

The Awards Committee for the First Congregational Church of Claridon announces the availability of awards for the 2023-24 academic year. The purpose of the award is to encourage people to further their education through a traditional col-

lege, trade school or the equivalent. Application forms are available through the guidance offices of Chardon, Berkshire and Cardinal schools or through Claridon Congregational Church.

Applications are due no later than April 8 through email at: claridonchurchsecretary@gmail.com

PGP Offers Scholarships

Protect Geauga Parks is offering its 2024 Bob McCullough Memorial Conservation Scholarships to assist Geauga County high school seniors interested in pursuing careers that promote conservation.

Three scholarships of $1,000 each will be awarded. Applications are due by April 1. Visit ProtectGeaugaParks.us for application information.

Summer Camp Options You May Not Know About

metrocreAtive

Summer camp season will be here before parents know it. While children anxiously await the last day of school, adults know that it can be challenging to keep kids occupied and mentally stimulated when they aren’t in the classroom. Families turn to summer camp to provide children with activities to occupy their time when school is not in session.

Camps catering to a variety of interests are open to youngsters, so there’s likely one out there to excite every child. Summer camp gives kids a chance to spread their wings and enjoy new adventures. When seeking camps, families can consider interests, proximity, cost, and other variables.

Day Camp

Day camps are a popular choice. Day camps tend to be general recreation camps that offer an array of activities. Campers are dropped off (or bussed) in the morning, and arrive home early evening.

These camps are readily accessible and run by various organizations. Some camps enable you to pay by the week, rather than committing to an entire season.

Sleep-Away Camp

Like the name implies, sleep-away camp hosts campers overnight, typically for several weeks. This may be children’s first extended time away from home, and there’s bound to be a few nerves that spring up. Round-theclock activities and chances to bond with their peers can help kids overcome fears of being away from home.

Academic Camp

Academic camps focus their attention on various subjects, putting like-minded children together.

Academic summer programs ensure children’s brains stay active, helping students avoid that dreaded “summer slide.” Some of these camps mimic a school day so they are familiar to kids. Academic focus may vary

from general academia to specific subjects like STEM to astronomy to the arts.

Scout Camp

Boys and girls participating in scouting programs often have the option to attend summer camp. During camp kids will have an opportunity to earn badges and advance their rank.

Many scout districts have relationships with a specific scout campsite where troops from all over live and advance together for a week or so during the summer.

Fitness and Sports Camps

Fitness-minded campers or those who play particular sports can investigate camps that focus on fitness and sports performance. These may be more rigorous than other types of camps since they involve lots of physical activity. Wilderness preparation camp is another type of camp that may fit into this category. It will highlight survival training and help mold active hikers and campers.

Summer camp options abound. It’s only a matter of identifying a path for children and then seeking a camp that offers the desired program.

Legal Notices

Sheriff’s Sale of Real Estate

General Code, Sec. 11661

Revised Code, Sec. 2329.26

Case No. 22-F-000253

The State of Ohio, County of Geauga, ss: US BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NO IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR LSF9 MASTER PARTICIPATION TRUST, Plaintiff vs. QURAN DEJARNETTE, AKA QURAN ABDULLAH-DEJARNETTE, ET AL., Defendants

In pursuance of an Order of Sale in the above entitled action, I will offer for sale at public auction, at https://geauga.sheriffsaleauction.ohio.gov/, on Thursday, the 28th day of March, 2024, at 10:00 o’clock A.M., and if the parcel does not receive a sufficient bid, it shall be offered for sale, without regard to the minimum bid requirement, at the same time of day and at the same place of the first sale, on Thursday, the 11th day of April, 2024 the following described real estate, situated in the County of Geauga and State of Ohio, and in the Township of Bainbridge to wit:

A copy of the complete legal description can be found in the Geauga County Recorder’s Office, 231 Main Street, Suite 1-C, Chardon, Ohio 44024.

Said Premises Located at: 16798 KENT STREET, BAINBRIDGE TOWNSHIP, OH.

Permanent Parcel Number: 02-029180, 02-029190, 02-029200, 02-029300, 02029400, 02-029500, 02-029600

DEPOSIT: Pursuant to O.R.C. 2329.211, the required deposit for this offering shall be $5,000.00. Said deposit shall be paid by WIRE TRANSFER of ACH DEBIT TRANSFER with https://geauga.sheriffsaleauction. ohio.gov.

The purchaser shall be responsible for those costs, allowances, and taxes that the proceeds of the sale are insufficient to cover. Said Premises appraised at ($30,000.00) and cannot be sold for less than two-thirds of that amount ($20,000.00). Please note: The appraisals are based on an exterior appraisal of property only, unless otherwise noted.

TERMS OF SALE: The FULL purchase price shall be paid to the Sheriff within thirty (30) days from the date of confirmation of sale, and on failure to do so, the purchaser may be held in contempt of court, the court may forfeit the sale and/or deposit, or the court may issue any other order it sees fit.

SCOTT A. HILDENBRAND, Sheriff Geauga County, Ohio

Robert R. Hoose, attorney Feb29Mar7-14, 2024

Sheriff’s Sale of Real Estate General Code, Sec. 11661

Revised Code, Sec. 2329.26

Case No. 23-F-000391

The State of Ohio, County of Geauga, ss: BAYVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC, Plaintiff vs. LAURA A. HOEHN, ET AL., Defendants

In pursuance of an Order of Sale in the above entitled action, I will offer for sale at public auction, at https://geauga.sheriffsaleauction.ohio.gov/, on Thursday, the 28th day of March, 2024, at 10:00 o’clock A.M., the following described real estate, situated in the County of Geauga and State of Ohio, and in the Township of Bainbridge to wit: A copy of the complete legal description can be found in the Geauga County Recorder’s Office, 231 Main Street, Suite 1-C, Chardon, Ohio 44024.

Said Premises Located at: 7286 AURORA ROAD, BAINBRIDGE TOWNSHIP, OH.

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY

Permanent Parcel Number: 02-065100, 02-066500

DEPOSIT: Pursuant to O.R.C. 2329.211, the required deposit for this offering shall be $10,000.00. Said deposit shall be paid by WIRE TRANSFER of ACH DEBIT TRANSFER with https://geauga.sheriffsaleauction. ohio.gov.

The purchaser shall be responsible for those costs, allowances, and taxes that the proceeds of the sale are insufficient to cover. Said Premises appraised at ($600,000.00) and cannot be sold for less than two-thirds of that amount ($400,000.00). Please note: The appraisals are based on an exterior appraisal of property only, unless otherwise noted.

TERMS OF SALE: The FULL purchase price shall be paid to the Sheriff within thirty (30) days from the date of confirmation of sale, and on failure to do so, the purchaser may be held in contempt of court, the court may forfeit the sale and/or deposit, or the court may issue any other order it sees fit.

SCOTT A. HILDENBRAND, Sheriff Geauga County, Ohio Chris Manolis, attorney

Feb29Mar7-14, 2024

Legal Notices are also posted to www.geaugamapleleaf.com and www.publicnoticesohio.com

LEGAL NOTICE

IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO

23-F-000402—Harvey R. Miller, et al. vs. H.P. McIntosh, His Heirs, Devises and Assigns, et al.

H.P. McIntosh, His Heirs, Devises and Assigns, whose last known address is 2323 Coventry Road, Cleveland Heights, OH 44112, otherwise whose address is unknown, will take notice that on July 5, 2023, the undersigned, Harvey R. Miller and Lydia R. Miller, filed a complaint in the Court of Common Pleas, 100 Short Court Street, Suite 300, Chardon, OH 44024, of Geauga County, Ohio, alleging that Plaintiffs are the record title owners of real property as evidenced by a Deed recorded on August 5, 2008, in Volume 1847, Page 2017 of the Official Records of Geauga County; that the previously described real property acquired by Plaintiffs includes a strip of real property, consisting of approximately 0.4631 acres, as further described as follows:

Situated in the Township of Burton, County of Geauga; and State of Ohio, and known as being part of Original Lot No. 97, and further being known as all of a parcel of land conveyed to The Chagrin Falls and Eastern Electric Railroad Company by deed recorded in Volume 111, Page 596 of Geauga County Deed Records, further bounded and described as follows;

Beginning at a 5/8 inch iron pin found at the Southwesterly corner of land conveyed to Matthew M. and Katheryn Kurtz (PPN 04-062960) by deed recorded in Volume 2000, Page 1843 of Geauga County Deed Records, also being on the Northerly line of parcel two of lands conveyed to Harvey R. and Lydia R. Miller (PPN 32-029900)

by deed recorded in Volume 1847, Page 2017 of Geauga County Deed Records, said pin being at the shared corner of Lot Nos. 97 and 98 (Burton Township) also being on the Northerly line of Section 10 (Troy Township), said pin lying North 86° 46’ 12” West, along the Southerly line of land so conveyed to Matthew M. and Katheryn Kurtz, a distance of 347.95 feet from a monument box with a 1 inch iron pin found at the intersection of the centerline of Jug Street, 60 feet wide, and the shared line between Lot 98 (Burton Twp) and Section 10 (Troy Twp);

COURSE I: Thence North 86° 46’ 12” West, along said Northerly line of land so conveyed to Harvey R. and Lydia R. Miller, and along the Northerly line of land conveyed to John H. Jr. and Edna D. Mullet and Nelson L. and Nancy J. Yoder (PPN 32057600) by deed recorded in Volume 2134, Page 1691 of Geauga County Deed Records, also being the shared line between Lot 97 (Burton Twp) and Section 10 (Troy Twp), a distance of 806.92 feet to a 5/8 inch iron pin found (I.D. Kasie) at the Southeasterly corner of land conveyed to Robert D. and Erma J. Yoder (PPN 04- 150982) of Geauga County Deed Records;

COURSE II: Thence North 3° 05’ 14” East, along the Easterly line of land so conveyed to Robert D. and Erma J. Yoder, a distance of 25.00 feet to a point at the Southwesterly Corner of parcel one of lands conveyed to Harvey R. and Lydia R. Miller (PPN 04066800) by deed recorded in Volume 1847, Page 2017 of Geauga County Deed Records (witness a 1 inch iron pipe found 1.49 feet South and 0.39 feet East);

COURSE III: Thence South 86° 46’ 12” East, along the Southerly line of said parcel one of lands so conveyed to Harvey R. and Lydia R. Miller, a distance of 806.92 feet to a point on the Westerly line of land so conveyed to Matthew M. and Katheryn Kurtz, also being the shared line between Lot Nos. 97 and 98 (Burton Township (witness a 1 inch iron pipe found 1.17 feet South and 0.30 feet West);

COURSE IV: Thence South 3° 04’ 39’’ West, along said Westerly line of land so conveyed to Matthew M. and Katheryn Kurtz, also being said shared line between Lot Nos. 97 and 98, a distance of 25.00 feet to the Principal Place of Beginning and containing 0.4631 acres of land as surveyed, calculated and described, on January 27, 2023 by Rudy E. Schwartz, P.S. 7193 be the same more or less but subject to all other legal highways and easements of record. Bearings used herein refer to an assumed meridian and are intended to indicate angles only. All 5/8 inch by 30 inch iron pins set are I.D. Schwartz 7193.

Plaintiffs further say that the Miller Property Strip which is the subject of this action, was not and has not otherwise been conveyed or transferred by the Defendants, H.P. McIntosh, his heirs, devises or assigns; that as a result, the Miller

Property Strip remains titled in the name of H.P. McIntosh; and that the existence of the name “H.P. McIntosh” upon the records of the County Recorder as being the last known owner of record of the Miller Property Strip constitutes a cloud upon the title of the Plaintiffs.

Plaintiffs pray that (1) The Court determine and adjudge that Defendants’ claims in and to the said real property be quieted against all Defendants and be held void and for naught; (2) The Court confirm valid title in the names of Plaintiffs to and for the said real property; (3) The Court order copies of its Judgment Entry quiet title to the subject real property to be certified to the Recorder of Geauga County for transfer of ownership upon the County tax rolls, and for recording in the deed books;

(4) The Court order that all Defendants be required to set up their claims, liens or other interest in and to the subject property, or be barred therefrom; (5) The Court order the Defendant heirs, devises and assigns of said Defendant H.P. McIntosh be barred from asserting any past, present or future interest in the subject real property, and that said Defendants’ interests, if any, in and to the subject real property be extinguished and forever discharged, and

(6) The Court award such other legal and equitable relief to which the Plaintiffs may be entitled.

The defendant named above is required to answer on or before the 11th day of April, 2024.

HARVEY R. MILLER AND LYDIA R. MILLER

By Joseph H. Weiss, Jr., 8228 Mayfield Road, Suite 6B, Chesterland, OH 44026; joe@joejrlaw.com; Phone: (440) 7297278 and Robert S. Ohly, PO Box 1236, Middlefield, OH 44062; bohly@westernreservetitle.com; Phone: (440) 6329090; Attorneys for Plaintiffs. Feb8-15-22-29 Mar7-14, 2024

ISSUE # 1

NOTICE OF ELECTION

On Tax Levy in Excess of the Ten Mill Limitation

Revised Code Sections 3501.11(G), 5705.19, 5705.25

Notice is hereby given that in pursuance of a Resolution of the Berkshire Local School District, Ohio, passed on the 11th day of December, 2023, there will be submitted to a vote of the people at the Primary Election to be held at the regular places of voting on Tuesday, the 19th day of March, 2024 the question of levying a tax, in excess of the ten-mill limitation:

A renewal of a tax for the benefit of Berkshire Local School District for the purpose of remodeling, renovating and otherwise improving school buildings, furnishings and equipping school buildings and equipping and otherwise improving school sites that the county auditor estimates will collect $414,000 annually, at a rate not exceeding 2.5 mills for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $28 for each $100,000 of the county auditor’s appraised value, for 5 years, commencing in 2024, first due in calendar year 2025.

The polls for the election will be open 6:30 a.m. and remain open until 7:30 p.m. on election day.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS, OF GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO.

Dennis M. Pavella, Chair

Michelle D. Lane, Director Mar7-14, 2024

ISSUE # 2

NOTICE OF ELECTION

On Local Option Question(s)

Notice is hereby given that pursuant to a petition, resolution, ordinance, or judgement entry filed with the Board of Elections of Geauga County, Ohio on the 5th day of December, 2023, there will be submitted to a vote of the electors of said precinct, at the Primary Election to be held at the regular places of voting therein, on the 19th day of March, 2024, in the precinct designated as follows:

PRECINCT BAINBRIDGE TOWNSHIP

PRECINCT F

On the questions designated as follows:

Shall the sale of wine and mixed beverages be permitted for sale on Sunday by Mei-

jer Stores Limited Partnership dba Meijer

Store an applicant for a D6 liquor permit who is engaged in the business of operating family-owned grocery & home goods superstores at Parcel No. 02-421515, North of Intersection of SR 43 and Service Road, Bainbridge, Twp., Aurora, OH 44202 in this precinct?

The polls for the election will be open 6:30 a.m. and remain open until 7:30 p.m. on election day.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS, OF GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO.

Dennis M. Pavella, Chair

Michelle D. Lane, Director Mar7-14, 2024

ISSUE # 3

NOTICE OF ELECTION

On Tax Levy in Excess of the Ten Mill Limitation

Revised Code Sections 3501.11(G), 5705.19, 5705.25 Notice is hereby given that in pursuance of a Resolution of the Chardon Township, Ohio, passed on the 17th day of December, 2023, there will be submitted to a vote of the people at the Primary Election to be held at the regular places of voting on Tuesday, the 19th day of March, 2024 the question of levying a tax, in excess of the ten-mill limitation:

An additional tax for the benefit of Chardon Township for the purpose of general construction, reconstruction, resurfacing and repair of streets, roads, and bridges that the county auditor estimates will collect $682,000 annually, at a rate not exceeding 3 mills for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $105 for each $100,000 of the county auditor’s appraised value, for 5 years, commencing in 2024, first due in calendar year 2025.

The polls for the election will be open 6:30 a.m. and remain open until 7:30 p.m. on election day.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS, OF GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO.

Dennis M. Pavella, Chair

Michelle D. Lane, Director Mar7-14, 2024

LEGAL NOTICE IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO

23-F-000612 - THE FARMERS NATIONAL BANK OF CANFIELD, successor by merger to GEAUGA SAVINGS BANK, Plaintiff vs. ESTATE OF FRANKLIN

LEE SMITH, JR., DECEASED, et al., Defendants Estate of Franklin Lee Smith, Jr., Deceased, Unknown Executor or Administrator of the Estate of Franklin Lee Smith, Jr., Deceased, and Unknown Heirs, Devisees and Legatees of the Estate of Franklin Lee Smith, Jr., Deceased, whose addresses are unknown and who cannot be served within the State of Ohio, will take notice that Plaintiff filed an Amended Complaint in Mortgage Foreclosure in the Court of Common Pleas of Geauga County, Ohio, 100 Short Court Street, Suite 300, Chardon, OH 44024 on February 27, 2024 in Case No.

23-F-000612, against Estate of Franklin Lee Smith, Jr., Deceased, et al., Defendants, alleging that on or about March 19, 2019, Plaintiff extended a loan to Franklin Lee Smith, Jr.; that pursuant thereto Franklin Lee Smith, Jr. executed and delivered a certain Note in the amount of $100,300; that Plaintiff is the holder of the Note, upon which there is due and owing $82,072.34, plus interest and other costs and expenses; that to secure payment of the Note, Franklin Lee Smith, Jr. granted a Mortgage, and thereby conditionally conveyed the real property described therein, and known as and located at 12349 Clay Street, Huntsburg, Ohio 44046, Parcel No. 16-042900; that the Mortgage was properly recorded; that the Mortgage is the first and best lien against the subject real estate, after the lien of Defendant Geauga County Treasurer for real estate taxes; that the Note secured by the Mortgage is in default for lack of payment, the conditions of the Mortgage have been broken, Plaintiff is the holder of the Mortgage and is entitled to have the Mortgage foreclosed; that Defendant Geauga County Treasurer holds a claim on the subject real estate for real estate taxes; that

Defendants Estate of Franklin Lee Smith, Jr., Deceased, Unknown Executor or Administrator of the Estate of Franklin Lee Smith, Jr., Deceased, Unknown Heirs, Devisees and Legatees of the Estate of Franklin Lee Smith, Jr., Deceased, may have or claim to have interests in the subject real estate. The Complaint demands that the Defendants be required to appear and set forth whatever interests they may have in and to the subject real property or be forever barred from asserting the same; that Plaintiff obtain judgment in foreclosure; that the subject premises be appraised and sold in this action, and the proceeds applied to the satisfaction of Plaintiff’s Mortgage in its proper priority; and that the Court grant such other and further relief.

Defendants Estate of Franklin Lee Smith, Jr., Deceased, Unknown Executor or Administrator of the Estate of Franklin Lee Smith, Jr., Deceased, and Unknown Heirs, Devisees and Legatees of the Estate of Franklin Lee Smith, Jr., Deceased are further notified that they are required to answer said Complaint within twenty-eight (28) days of the last publication of this notice and set forth whatever interest they may have in and to the above-described real estate or be forever barred from asserting the same.

By Jerry M. Bryan (0055266), Joseph N. Spano (0098381), Henderson, Covington, Messenger, Newman, & Thomas Co., L.P.A., 6 Federal Plaza Central, Suite 1300 Youngstown, Ohio 44503-1473; Telephone: (330) 744-1148; Facsimile: (330) 744-3807; jbryan@hendersoncovington.com; jspano@hendersoncovington.com; Attorneys for Plaintiff Mar7-14-21, 2024

LEGAL NOTICE IN THE ISABELLA COUNTY 76TH DISTRICT COURT STATE OF MICHIGAN

300 N. Main Street Mt. Pleasant, Michigan 48858

SERVICE BY PUBLICATION/ POSTING

AND NOTICE OF ACTION

Case No. 2023-2245-GC – Landmark Machinery, LLC, a Michigan Limited Liability Company vs. DC Tree & Landscape Design LLC, an Ohio Limited Liability Company; Chuck’s Garage, et al.

To Daniel Cochran, whose last known address is 10787 Auburn Road, Chardon, OH 44024, otherwise whose address is unknown; DC Tree & Landscape Design LLC, an Ohio Limited Liability Company, Attention Daniel Cochran, resident agent, 10787 Auburn Road, Chardon, OH 44024, otherwise whose address is unknown. You are being sued in this court by the plaintiff for the monies due to Landmark Machinery, LLC for no less than $5,734.99. You must file your answer or take other action permitted by law in this court at the court address above on or before 28 days from the last date of publication. If you fail to do so, a default judgment may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the complaint filed in this case. If you require special accommodations to use the

court because of a disability or if you require a foreign language interpreter to help you fully participate in court proceedings, please contact the court immediately to make arrangements.

By Sara K. MacWilliams (P67805); Paige Serra (P84568); Doerr MacWilliams Howard, PLLC, 838 West Long Lake Road, Suite 211, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48302; (248) 432-1586. sara@dmhlawyers.com; paige@dmhlawyers.com. Attorneys for Plaintiff.

Mar7-14-21, 2024

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON APPLICATION PROPOSING TO AMEND THE CLARIDON TOWNSHIP ZONING RESOLUTION

O.R.C. 519.12(C)

Notice is hereby given that the Claridon Township Zoning Commission will conduct a public hearing on an application, which is an amendment, identified as number ZA24-1, to the Claridon Township Zoning Resolution at the Claridon Town Hall at 7:00 p.m. on March 25, 2024.

The addresses of all properties to be rezoned or redistricted by the proposed amendment and the names of owners of these properties, as they appear on the county auditor’s current tax list are: PPN 12-090313 - V/L Mayfield Road – McCaskey Properties LLC.

The present zoning classification of property named in the proposed amendment is RESIDENTIAL.

The proposed zoning classification of property named in the proposed amendment is COMMERCIAL.

The application proposing to amend the zoning resolution will be available for examination at the Claridon Administration Building from 9:00 a.m to 12:00 p.m. on March 18, 2024 and March 25, 2024.

After the conclusion of the public hearing the matter will be submitted to the board of township trustees for its action.

Chris Alusheff II, Secretary

Mar14, 2024

LEGAL NOTICE

2023 FINANCIAL REPORT

Geauga Public Health

The 2023 Annual Financial Report of Geauga Public Health is available for viewing at the office, 12611 Ravenwood Dr., Suite 300, Chardon, Ohio and was filed through the Auditor of State Hinkle System. Arrangements to view said report may be made by calling 440.350.2330.

Mar14, 2024

LEGAL NOTICE

The Asphalt Resurfacing of Various Roads Hambden Township, Geauga County, Ohio Bids will be received by the Hambden Township Board of Trustees digitally via Bid Express® or in a sealed envelope at the Geauga County Engineer’s Office, 12665 Merritt Road, Chardon, Ohio 44024 by 10:00AM local time

on March 29, 2024 and read publicly thereafter at the above address.

The bid shall be let upon a unit price basis. The estimated cost for this project is $450,000.00. Proposal, plans, and specifications may be obtained from the following website: https:// www.bidexpress.com/. Bidders and subcontractors can view and download information free of charge. All digital Bidders must register with Bid Express® (allow time for processing). Submission of a digital bid requires payment to Bid Express® of $40.00 per bid or a monthly subscription of $50.00 for unlimited bidding. Paper bid documents are also available free of charge at the Geauga County Engineer’s Office, 12665 Merritt Road, Chardon, Ohio 44024.

Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Chapter 153, the bid must be accompanied by an original sealed document (uploaded for digital bids) in the form of a bond for the full amount of the bid (100%). Otherwise, each bid must be accompanied by a certified check, cashier’s check, or letter of credit in the amount of ten percent (10%) of the total bid amount pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Chapter 1305. All digital Bidders must submit original documents within three (3) business days of the bid opening.

Bids may be held by the Hambden Township Board of Trustees for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days from the date of opening, for the purpose of reviewing the bids and investigating the qualifications of Bidders, prior to awarding the contract. The Hambden Township Board of Trustees reserves the right to reject any and all bids, to waive any informalities or irregularities in the bids received, and to accept any bid or bids which are deemed most favorable to the Board at the time and under conditions stipulated, all in accord with the applicable provisions of laws of the State of Ohio governing the conduct of the Hambden Township Board of Trustees. This legal notice is posted at the following website: https://www.geaugacountyengineer. org/projects-bids/legal-notices/.

BY THE ORDER OF THE HAMBDEN TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Mike Romans, Fiscal Officer Mar14, 2024

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS SINGLE-STREAM RECYCLING DROP-OFF SERVICES

The Geauga-Trumbull Solid Waste Management District (SWMD) will be accepting sealed bids until:

TIME FOR RECEIVING BIDS: Until 2:00 PM, Monday, April 22, 2024

TIME FOR OPENING BIDS: 2:10 pm, Monday, April 22, 2024

Location: Geauga-Trumbull SWMD Offices, 5138 Enterprise Dr., Warren, OH 44481

Work: HAULING AND PROCESSING SERVICES FOR SINGLE-STREAM AND INSTITUTIONAL PAPER RECYCLING SITES WITHIN

GEAUGA AND TRUMBULL COUNTIES IN 8 CUBIC YARD FRONT-LOAD CONTAINER(S)

PROVIDED BY THE BIDDER.

A copy of the specifications along with proposal pages may be obtained at the Geauga-Trumbull Solid Waste Management District offices at 5138 Enterprise Dr., Warren, OH 44481 or on

the district website at www.gottagogreen.org. There shall be a Pre-bid meeting at the Geauga-Trumbull SWMD offices on Monday, March 25, 2024 at 10:00 AM.

FAILURE TO OBTAIN PROPOSAL FROM THE GEAUGA-TRUMBULL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT MAY RESULT IN BID REJECTION/S DUE TO NON-COMPLIANCE WITH FEE REQUIREMENTS AND OFFICIAL ADDENDUM NOTIFICATION/S.

For all bids in excess of $50,000.00, a certified check or cashier’s check representing FIVE percent (5%) of the proposal, drawn on a solvent bank, and payable to the Geauga-Trumbull Solid Waste Management District, or a bid bond in the sum of FIVE percent (5%) of the proposal in lieu thereof must accompany each and every proposal as a guarantee that if the bid is accepted, a contract will be entered into with the Geauga-Trumbull SWMD Board of Directors, in the manner provided by law.

A performance bond in the amount of 100% of the contract price will be required at the time the bidder enters into the contract. However, if the item bid is available for immediate delivery and specified as such in the bid, a performance bond will not then be required.

Bids of Corporations not chartered in Ohio MUST be accompanied by proper certifications that such Corporation is authorized to do business in Ohio.

Attention of the Bidder is directed to the requirements that each proposal must be accompanied by a non collusion affidavit, properly executed by the Bidder. Further, the successful Bidder will be required to execute an affidavit required by Sec. 5719.042 of the Ohio Revised Code. No payment shall be made on any Contract for which no such affidavit has been submitted.

The Geauga-Trumbull SWMD Board of Directors reserves the right to reject any or all bids and to waive informalities. In addition, the Geauga-Trumbull SWMD Board of Directors reserves the right to participate in state contracts which the Department of Administrative Services, Office of State Purchasing has entered into for the purchase of supplies, services, equipment and certain materials pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 125.04. No bids may be withdrawn for at least sixty (60) days after the opening thereof.

Each bidder must ensure that all employees and applicants for employment are not discriminated against because of race, color, sex or national origin.

GEAUGA-TRUMBULL SOLID WASTE

MANAGEMENT DISTRICT

Jennifer Jones, Director Mar14-21, 2024

LEGAL NOTICE

2023 FINANCIAL REPORT

PARKMAN TOWNSHIP

GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO

Notice is hereby given that the 2023 Annual Financial Report for Parkman Township is completed and available for public inspection at the Fiscal Office at 16295 Main Market Road. Please call (440) 548-2904 for an appointment.

Denise Villers, Fiscal Officer Mar14, 2024

Geauga County Sheriff’s Report

The following is a sampling of the calls handled by the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office March 1 to March 7, 2024.

BOMB THREAT

March 7

2:22 p.m., South Street, Chardon. Someone dropped off a letter in (bank) drive through. Unknown description of car or driver. They are looking at the cameras. Head of security would like a call back on the incident.

CITIZEN ASSIST

March 7

6:50 p.m., Butternut Road, Burton. Would like sergeant to call. Very upset he had to read about the gun incident in the Maple Leaf. Gets texts about everything else and why not this. Wants to talk about a sergeant. I spoke with the caller and assistance was provided.

FRAUD

March 5

4:14 p.m., Widgeon Drive, Auburn. Someone online is threatening to post nudes of

the complainant. Phone call only. Complainant met an individual on SnapChat and sent them pictures of himself. Individual now demanding $500 from the complainant. Complainant did not pay the person anything. Complainant will block the individual on SnapChat. Complainant was advised about sending pictures to people they do not know.

INFO REPORT

March 1

11:28 a.m., All of Geauga County. Amish taxi driver continues to drive erratically throughout the county. He lives in Chardon. Silver Chevy Tahoe with a police spot light on the driver door. He has been stopped three or four times in the last few weeks but he needs stopped again. He generally travels 100 mph with a bunch of Amish kids in the cars, weaving in and out of traffic, and swerving recklessly. The caller is also an Amish Taxi driver. He advised he was not comfortable with careless activity and went into business for himself.

SUSPICIOUS

March 7

10:38 a.m., Chardon Road and Calico Lane, Chardon. Refrigerator in someone's yard with door on it. Caller concerned a child could crawl in and get stuck inside of it. Located suspicious fridge at Chardon Road.inside. Unable to enter the fridge due to the shelving. No one home at the residence to talk to about the fridge. Checked OK. Cleared.

THEFT

March 1

1:04 p.m., Newcomb Road, Middlefield. Would like to report a theft from Tuesday. Dry skin ointment stolen $2.29. Female driving a gray Honda HRV, elderly

female. It is on video of her stealing it. Complainant did not have report of the vehicle. Advised complainant to contact dispatch if female returns.

March 6

7:13 p.m., Seco Boulevard, Burton. Caller was making a sale of a dirt bike when the buyer took off with it. Blue Ford. Truck had three people in and one rider on the dirt bike. Dirt bike was blue and white with black numbers and says "Sugar Bear." Dirt bike has not come back. Was for sale for $1,000. Dirt bike just pulled back up. Dirt bike is in the driveway. Rider just started the bike again. Rider left in unknown direction. Caller can hear the dirt bike but does not see it.

Following is a list of real estate transfers for the week of March 4, 2024, provided as a public service by the Geauga County Auditor’s Office. Transfers may involve the sale of land only.

AUBURN TOWNSHIP

Michael and Shannon Svoboda, 19090 Sanctuary Drive, to Dusttin S. Lichon, $675,000. (2.00 acres)

Richard C., Jeffrey R. and James H. Woolf, 9783 South Blvd., to Richard C. Woolf, $90,000. (0.36 acres)

Marion Dresel Nelson, 16970 Auburn Road, to Michael and Gabrielle Fried, $1,575,000. (6.12 acres)

BAINBRIDGE TOWNSHIP

Ronald S. and Barbara Walczak, 8390 Bainbrook Drive, to Molly and Justin Volk, $582,000. (0.51 acres)

Joseph and Kelly S. Barter, 17568 Gates Landing Drive, to Emily E. Zito Desimone and Corleone V. Desimone, $800,000. (0.25 acres)

Kenneth C. and Donna B. Simonitis, 16585 Wren Road (Unit 4B), to August Palladino, $273,000. (0.00 acres)

Eugene S. Construction LLC, Bedford Street (s/l 432-436), to David Scott Kuhre, $300,000. (0.30 acres)

Thomas Christopher Burg, Woodmere Drive (part s/l 6E and 7E), to Scott R. Maddern, $360,000. (0.34 acres)

Lamt Warehouse LLC, 18235 Haskins Road, to Frankie T. Jr. and Marvina Reed, $549,000. (7.58 acres)

Real Estate Transfers

Jackson Henry Pemberton, 8745 Beacon Hill Drive, to Beacon Hill Place LLC, $310,000. (1.56 acres)

BURTON TOWNSHIP

Steven B. (TOD) and Rebecca L. Tompkins (TOD), 12675 Burton Heights Blvd., to Stefan A. and Kayla C. Tompkins, $250,000. (1.38 acres)

BURTON VILLAGE

Margaret A. Burdyshaw, 14733 Shannon Court (Bldg. 7 Unit B), to Michelle C. Thomas, $215,000. (0.00 acres)

CHARDON CITY

Paul E. IV and Beth Kiebler, 305 Greenway Drive, to Lynette Sue Skidmore (trustee), $464,000. (0.00 acres)

CHARDON TOWNSHIP

Matthew R. Pfeiffer, 9062 Mountain View Drive, to Roger A. and Darlene K. Derubeis, $330,000. (1.06 acres)

Roger A. and Darlene K. Derubeis, 8791 Auburn Road, to David J. Dombrosky and Ashley Marie Markusic, $505,000. (4.30 acres)

Grandview Unlimited LLC, 9980 Chardon Road, to Zachary and Darcy Tizzano, $415,000. (2.00 acres)

CHESTER TOWNSHIP

Michael Stark, 12906 Cherry Lane, to Robert and Melissa Ann Morgenroth, $225,000. (1.00 acres)

Kobella Properties LLC, 11630 Chill-

icothe Road, to 11630 Chillicothe LLC, $1,320,000. (6.05 acres)

Travis T. Lemmings and Rachel Lentz, 7276 Greenfield Trail, to Joseph and Angelina Cervo, $387,500. (1.16 acres)

CLARIDON TOWNSHIP

Kimberly A. Wallace, 11528 Aquilla Road, to Robert and Kacey Bures, $530,000. (22.15 acres)

HAMBDEN TOWNSHIP

Daniel Michael Moreland and Kristen Noelle Fitch, 13235 GAR Highway, to Daniel Michael Moreland, $164,000. (3.09 acres)

HUNTSBURG TOWNSHIP

Southwind Property Solutions LLC, 16281 Mayfield Road, to Frank Mangano, $260,900. (3.14 acres)

MIDDLEFIELD VILLAGE

Middlefield Parkway, 15248 Timber Ridge, to NVR Inc., $64,600. (0.21 acres)

MONTVILLE TOWNSHIP

U.S. Bank Trust National Association, 17780 Leggett Road, to Andrea Kneler, $253,000. (7.80 acres)

MUNSON TOWNSHIP

Nancy Sloat, Mulberry Road, to David and Maria Kucmanic, $36,000. (1.89 acres)

NEWBURY TOWNSHIP

Joseph Holden Gibbons, Owens Road (s/l

48-50), Lake View Drive and Bricker Street, to Michael F. and Vicky L. Zbozien, $14,500. (0.81 acres)

PARKMAN TOWNSHIP

Larry A. and Martha Wengerd, 16875 Madison Road, to James O. and Cindy J. Miller, $215,000. (3.79 acres)

Larry A. and Martha Wengerd, Farley Road, to James O. and Cindy J. Miller, $215,000. (3.44 acres)

THOMPSON TOWNSHIP

Michael Pengov, Dewey Road, to Cannonade Investment Group LLC, $48,000. (5.37 acres)

TROY TOWNSHIP

Joseph J. and Betty J. Yoder, Mumford Road, to James J. and Bertha E. Yoder, $119,000. (33.71 acres)

Joseph J. and Barbara A. Lanckiewicz (co-trustees), Main Market Road, to RJJ Properties LLC, $12,000. (0.47 acres)

AUTOS & PARTS

Tires: Kumho Majesty Solus, low profile, 225/40 R18, set of 4; $200. Bridgestone Blizzak, snow tires, 195/65 R15, w/steel rims, set of 4; $40. H.F. transmission jack; $25. 440-725-6978.

FOR RENT

4BR Ranch, Chesterland. References. 1st, last, and security deposit; $1,250/month. 440-247-5597.

Office Space in Chardon: second floor, Main Street, approx. 535 square feet. $600/month, includes HVAC and water. Call 440-285-2247.

Warehouse or storage building, Washington St, Auburn. 32X56 with 12X12 overhead door, concrete floor, electric, parking. $790 per month. 12 month lease. 440552-0228.

FOR SALE

Firewood: Seasoned Hardwood. Average length 17”. Free delivery within 10 miles of Chardon. 4’x8’x17” $120. Fresh cut firewood discounted now. 440-687-5404. 50’s, 60’s vinyl albums, antique stoneware, crocks, humidor pipe holder, upholstered chair, sofa, vintage tv. 440-729-1082.

Taking orders for Maple Syrup! Will fill your quart jars for $9/each. Call 440-632-9651.

Classifieds

Solid Cherry Corner Desk: like new, 78” tall, 48” depth, 64” wide, paid $2,250, asking $1,480/OBO. Antique French round marble table w/4 chairs, $1,600/OBO. 440-338-3563.

2017 Kubota Riding Mower: T2080 20-HP 42” deck, well maintained, maintenance by Kubota every year, immaculate condition; $2,000/OBO. 440-668-4773. Meyers Snow Plow: with lights and wire harness, $700. Snow Tires: Four(4), like new, with heavy duty aluminum Chevy rims, P245/75R16, $400. 440622-9201.

John Deere Lawn Tractor: Model 314, 14-HP, hydraulic 3-blade 46” cutting deck, w/snow plow and trailer; $1,200. 440-564-1172.

PETS & ANIMALS

For Sale: Miniature Poodle Puppies: a variety of colors, had shots and dewormer, 1-year health guarantee; $400/each. 440-313-3542.

Sammy needs an indoor home! Large, handsome, black & white 6-yr old cat. Very sweet. Loves being petted & brushed. Neutered, vaccinated. Rebecca 440321-2485.

MISCELLANEOUS

Marijuana causes poor concentration at work. Dangerous in many jobs. Test your employees!

REAL ESTATE

$79.9k .34 acre lot, a part of sought-after Lake Lucerne. Gas, Electric, Sanitary Sewer, Well Water all available. Listed on Zillow. 440-596-2608.

SERVICES

Offering special discounts for interior and exterior painting and staining. 20+ years experience. Professional and insured. Call Dan 440-342-4552.

Albert’s complete tree service, land clearing, firewood, excavation and sewer work. 440-687-5404.

Experienced Caregiver will do elder care in your home. Certified with references. 440-313-1804.

Newbury Cares, Inc. (a non-profit domestic corporation) serving Newbury township residents. Look here for additional info to come.

Joe Eicher doing roofing, siding, remodeling, cleanout houses, we do most anything. Call between 8a-4p, 440-813-4272. No answer, leave message.

WANTED TO BUY

4-wheelers, 3-wheelers, dirt bikes, mini-bikes, go-carts, golf carts, gators, farm tractors/equipment, trailers, riding mowers, snowplows. Paying cash. 440-413-3119. Buying all Stanley Bailey planes and machinist tools. Call Karl at 440-812-3392.

Old fishing tackle wanted: fishing lures (wood or plastic), mouse to bear traps, wooden duck decoys. Call Lee 440-313-8331.