Geauga County Maple Leaf 3-07-2024

Thursday, March 7, 2024

Chardon Celebrates Tappin’ Sunday

SUBMITTED

Skittles, a small mixed-breed dog, is recovering from about 70 wounds from a shotgun at a foster home.

Warden Seeks Owner of Dog Wounded by Shotgun

By Ann WishArt Ann@kArlovecmediA com

Skittles, a small, mixed-breed male dog, may be unique among the canines under the care of the Geauga County Dog Warden.

Besides floppy ears, a tan and white coat and a winning smile, Skittles is carrying around about 70 shotgun pellets all over his 25-pound body.

County Dog Warden Matt Granito said in a phone interview Feb. 29 he recently collected the dog from a residence near Shed and Mumford roads in Middlefield Township and took him to the VCA veterinarian clinic in Burton Village to have his multiple wounds examined.

An Amish woman told him she tried to catch the wounded dog about two weeks ago when she first saw it, but the dog wasn’t very trusting, Granito said.

She was concerned Skittles, who was named by Granito’s staff, had been injured in a fight with another animal.

See Dog • Page A3

ities on Chardon Square March 3. Newman, a Hambden Township resident, has been an active member in the community for several years. In the past, he served as a trustee for the Geauga County Maple Festival, from 1979 to 2018, and was the festival’s president in 1992, 1996 and 1997. He retired after volunteering for 40 years. Newman also is a published author. His latest book, “Murder at the Maple Festival,” was published in 2014 and is a historical rendition of the Maple Festival and Chardon, with a murder involved.

West Geauga Surrenders $2.35M to Budget Commission

By Amy PAtterson

And BriAn doering editor@kArlovecmediA com

The Geauga County Budget Commission ordered West Geauga Schools to suspend collection of a $2.35 million emergency levy Feb. 28.

The commission, comprising Geauga County Auditor Chuck Walder, Prosecutor Jim Flaiz and Treasurer Chris Hitchcock, said the money would be returned to voters.

In a March 1 email, West Geauga Schools Superintendent Rich Markwardt said the cut will come from one of two emergency levies the district has on the books. The levy in question passed in 2019 as a renewal of an emergency levy originally passed in 2005.

“The commission believed that West G's 2025 estimated positive fund balance of $29 million argues against the need for that 2019 levy renewal, believing instead that West G should engage in deficit

spending this year to avoid finishing the year in the black as is our historic practice,” he said.

Markwardt said the emergency levy was renewed in 2019 because the district’s five-year forecast projected deficit spending at that time.

However, two factors have significantly improved the district’s financial status — the 2020 absorption of Newbury Schools and this year’s property tax reappraisal, he said.

See Surrenders • Page A5

Chardon

Geauga

Planning GreenLights AxeThrowing Facility page A10

County to Update Opera House

By Amy PAtterson Amy@kArlovecmediA com

At their meeting Feb. 27, Geauga County Commissioners approved a plan to spend $72,000 on updates to the elevator in the Opera House, a building located at 211 Main Street in Chardon that houses the offices of the county treasurer, public defender and information technology.

Glen Vernick, director of the county maintenance department, said the money will cover controls and other parts to bring the elevator into working condition.

Commissioner Jim Dvorak agreed with the update, considering the county employees on the second floor of the building, and that the Adult Probation Department will be relocated to the third floor during construction on the county courthouse on Chardon Square.

“I think it's well-needed to get the elevator fixed up,” he said. “You know, we have a building, let's take care of it.”

Commissioner Tim Lennon said he has been vocal for a long time about moving out

of the Opera House entirely, even though there are employees in the building currently and the county must comply with disability law and provide a working elevator.

"You know my feelings on it, Glen. I truly believe this is throwing good money after bad,” he said. “I'll be long gone by the time, hopefully, a different set of commissioners makes the decision to vacate that opera house and get out of there. I don't think you conduct government out of a facility like that.”

Commissioners also discussed the county’s partial ownership of a juvenile detention home in Portage County.

Assistant County Administrator Linda Burhenne said the county has done its part in moving away from ownership of the building, but is waiting to hear back from Geauga County Juvenile/Probate Court Judge Tim Grendell.

“I had a conversation with Judge Grendell a couple of months ago and the ball is in his court,” she said. “I haven’t heard from him since. He has to write a letter to you guys to start that process.”

Lennon said in his last conversation with Grendell, the judge felt the county could pursue avenues other than being an “equity partner” in the facility, including placing juveniles on a per-bed basis in the Portage County facility or in other facilities.

Burhenne said Grendell was looking at other facilities that would charge less.

“The complicating factor is that you own a portion of that … Geauga/Portage facility,” she said. “So, there would have to be a determination of what would become of what portion of it you own.”

Burhenne reiterated Grendell has to initiate a move.

Lennon said the facility is no longer being used in the same way as in years past, especially as judges increasingly pursue alternatives to incarceration.

A change should be fast-tracked as the facility has been a frustration for commissioners for several years, he said.

Burhenne said she could reach back out to Grendell when he isn’t so busy.

"He's a little busy this week," Dvorak said.

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Last Saturday, Feb. 24, she was finally able to catch him and Granito picked him up Feb. 26 and determined the young dog had been shot.

The warden was unsure of the dog’s breeding, venturing he has some cow dog in his parentage, but estimated Skittles is about 2 years old.

“He’s got some buckshot coming out,” Granito said.

The pellets just under the skin can be removed but, from the X-rays, it is apparent there are many pellets scattered all through Skittles’ little torso.

“He’s in a foster home until he is out of the woods with his health issues,” Granito said, adding he is hoping someone will claim Skittles.

“If the owner doesn’t come forward, we will absolutely put him up for adoption,” he said.

Anyone who knows anything about Skittles can call the shelter at 440-286-8135.

Granito said the shelter also welcomes donations to help pay for Skittles’ vet bills.

Dog from page A1 SUBMITTED

Community Meetings

Geauga County: March 12, 7:30 a.m. – Geauga SWCD, Ste. 240, 7:30 a.m. – Planning Commission, Ste. A333-334, 7:30 a.m. – Investment Advisory Committee, Ste. B303, 9:30 a.m. – Board of County Commissioners. 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.

Auburn Township: March 12, 7 p.m., Board of Zoning Appeals; March 14, 7 p.m., Zoning Commission. All meetings are held at the Administration Building, 11010 Washington St., unless otherwise indicated.

Bainbridge Township: March 11, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings are held at Town Hall, 17826 Chillicothe Road, unless noted.

Burton Township: March 11, 7 p.m., Zoning Commission. All meetings are held at the Township Administration building, 14821 Rapids Road, unless otherwise noted.

Burton Village: March 11, 2 p.m., Board of Public Affairs; March 12, 7 p.m., Board of Public Affairs. All meetings are held at 14588 W. Park St., 2nd Floor, 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.

Chester Township: March 7, 6:30 p.m., Board of Trustees; March 11, 7 p.m., Board of Zoning Appeals. All meetings are held at the Township Hall, 12701 Chillicothe Road, unless otherwise noted.

Hambden Township: March 11, 6 p.m., Parks & Recreation Board. All meetings are held at the Town Hall, 13887 GAR Highway, unless otherwise noted.

Middlefield Township: March 11, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees. All trustees meetings are held at Township Office, 15228 Madison Road, unless otherwise noted.

Middlefield Village: March 12, 5:30 p.m. –Streets, Sidewalks & Utilities Committee, 5:30 p.m. – Economic Development Committee, 6 p.m. – Planning Commission; 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.

Munson Township: March 11, 6:15 p.m., Park

& Recreation Board; March 12, 6 p.m., Board of Trustees; March 13, 6 p.m., Zoning Commission. All meetings are held at Township Hall, 12210 Auburn Road, unless otherwise noted.

Russell Township: March 7, 2 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings are held at Russell Town Hall, 14890 Chillicothe Road, unless otherwise noted.

South Russell Village: March 11, 7 p.m., Village Council. All meetings are held at Village Hall, 5205 Chillicothe Road, unless otherwise noted.

Troy Township: March 7, 7 p.m., Zoning Commission. All meetings are held at Troy Community Center, 13950 Main Market Road, unless noted.

Berkshire BOE: March 11, 6 p.m., regular meeting; March 14, 7 a.m., Berkshire Educational Foundation. All meetings held at BOE Auditorium, 14155 Claridon Troy Road, Burton, unless otherwise noted.

Cardinal BOE: March 13, 6:30 p.m., regular meeting; March 27, 6:30 p.m., work session. All meetings held at BOE Office, 15982 E. High St., Middlefield, unless indicated.

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Pictured is an X-ray of Skittles’ torso, where pellets from a shotgun wound can be seen.

Chardon Schools Scolded in Tense Budget Hearing

By Amy PAtterson Amy@kArlovecmediA com

While all three members of the Geauga County Budget Commission ultimately approved Chardon Schools’ budget Feb. 27, the hearing was anything but smooth.

In his opening comments, Geauga County Auditor Chuck Walder — who sits on the commission with Prosecutor Jim Flaiz and Treasurer Chris Hitchcock — said the district is spending more on students than they receive in revenue and works with the lowest revenue per student in the county.

“Their total revenue per student is at $19,000 … and their expense is $22,000. So, it's significantly higher,” Walder said. “(I)f you're investing in capital or in long-term PI type things, you're going to increase the cost per student.”

After laying out the state of the district’s financial affairs, Walder pivoted to a document he called an “executive summary” the district had prepared.

“Summary is a generous word for it. It was, I don't know, 20 pages long, 25 pages long,” he said. “I guess there are some areas in that summary which actually, for me, raised more questions than gave answers to.”

Walder prefers to avoid making opinions out of statistics, he said, adding a person can paint budget numbers a lot of different ways.

“When talking about wages, you ranked Chardon as third from the bottom in wage, but there's only five school districts in the county,” he said as an example. “So, third from the bottom with the third from the top. It's basically the middle.”

The document included data Walder did not believe was entirely relevant, including a reference to budget events that occurred up to a decade ago, he said, also questioning the inclusion of revenue “lost” to a squabble over tax rates on a utility pipeline.

“You indicated that you had lost … $1.1 million in utility revenue in 2023. Was that due to a pipeline?” Walder asked Chardon Schools Treasurer Deb Armbruster, who was seated in the audience.

“Yeah, it was just the nonpayment,” Arm-

bruster replied. “We got it back in '24, which I also—“

“Right, so you didn't lose it, you just didn't get it in ’23,” Walder responded.

“Right, but we didn't have it,” Armbruster said.

“I understand that,” Walder said. “But, when you use a phrase like we lost that rev enue, I think it's important to say, but we re ceived it a year later. … But the takeaway that I read was, you know, this was punitive, or this was the anomaly that caused some catastroph ic loss. The reality is it just shifted a year.”

Flaiz shared complaints about the docu ment, as well, including not understanding why it was submitted.

“If this was supposed to make our jobs easier, it didn't. I felt like you just tried to paper me to death, to not — to hide the ball,” he said.

He also complained about the response after he expressed a “passing concern” at last year’s budget commission meeting with the district.

“I made a passing concern about your ex tremely high cash balances and I was ridiculed and attacked about it for several weeks,” he said. “But, looks like you actually followed my advice and you're starting to spend it down. So, I'll take that as an apology.”

Community Responds

last year, the district’s estimated cash balance as presented to the budget commission was roughly $29 million and the district has worked — on the budget commission’s recommendation — to reduce that balance.

Although he did not respond to two emails requesting clarification of the attacks, the district’s 2023 hearing generated several letters to the editor, including one submitted to the Geauga Maple Leaf last March signed by former members of the Chardon Schools Board of Education, former teachers and members of the community.

“It would seem Mr. Flaiz does not remember it took Chardon Schools six tries to pass an operating levy between 2008 and 2013,” the letter said, in part. “The district was actually afraid it wouldn’t make payroll for the month of December 2013. Under the leadership of Supt. Hanlon, and the teamwork of staff, the schools are in good financial shape — the best in 45 years! And now they are being called out because they have too much

PROCLAMATION

NOTICE OF PRIMARY ELECTION

R.C. 3501.03, 3513.01

The Board of Elections of Geauga County, Ohio, issues this Proclamation and Notice of Election.

A PRIMARY ELECTION WILL BE HELD ON TUESDAY, THE 19th DAY OF MARCH 2024

at the usual place of holding elections in each and every precinct throughout said County or at such places as the Board may designate to nominate party candidates, to select members of controlling committees of political parties; and to vote on issues for the following entities:

CHARDON TOWNSHIP

BAINBRIDGE TOWNSHIP PRECINCT F (LOCAL LIQUOR OPTION)

BERKSHIRE LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

MADISON LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

KIRTLAND LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

The Polls for the Election will open at 6:30 o'clock A.M., and remain open until 7:30 o'clock P.M., of said day.

By Order of the Board of Elections, GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO

Chairman: Dennis M. Pavella

Director: Michelle D. Lane

The $5 million in reductions and expenses over the past year included shifting about $900,000 per year of inside millage from the district’s general fund to its permanent improvement fund for projects in the capital improvement plan.

The district also purchased property on Washington Street in Chardon fod about $1.675 million for business offices and a bus garage.

The district purchased interactive flat panels for its classrooms, an expense of around $900,000; spent $300,000 on Chromebooks for all students; initiated a retirement incentive payment for the next two fiscal years, costing $1.6 million; and eliminated all student and athletic fees, at a cost of around $560,000 per year.

Armbruster said those expenses brought the general fund estimated cash balance — which the budget commission approved Feb. 27 — down to about $17.6 million.

At the hearing, Armbruster said the district’s plans to spend down its cash balance include additional projects, like improvements to student parking and security vestibules at the high school. At a special board meeting Feb. 28, the school board unanimously approved the engagement of a construction manager at-risk to plan those upcoming projects.

But, the money was not spent fast enough for Flaiz, who noted the anniversary of the shooting at CHS in February 2012 in his comments.

“Today's the 12-year anniversary (of the shooting),” Flaiz said. “You’ve had that security vestibule for 12 years and you had $29 million and you didn't fix it? That's really disappointing to me. And that's putting it very nicely.”

While Walder, Flaiz and Hitchcock occasionally held dialogue with Armbruster and Superintendent Michael Hanlon during the hearing, tension ratcheted higher when members of the public were given the chance to address the commission.

One Chardon resident, Gabrielle Boose, has worked on levies and bond issues for the district in the past and has children in Chardon Schools.

Ravenwood Drive and referred to comments commission members made about the large increase in tax revenue from this year’s reappraisal not being something voters approved.

“I am struck by the stark disparity between the building I am in right now and the buildings my three children are in at Chardon local schools,” she said. “I don’t recall voting on whether to build this beautiful new building I stand in today. I also don’t recall you considering returning the tax revenue that was used to build this building, although I certainly would have voted in favor of that, given the choice. I take issue with the fact that you throw stones from this glass house.”

Boose said while working on multiple levy campaigns, she was told by many members of the public they felt the district needed to live within its means.

“I believe our board and administrators do just that. They stretch our dollars to give our kids the best possible education with what they have to work with,” she said. “After the failure of the most recent bond campaign, the district began the process of repairing schools that a state commission had said would be more cost-effective to replace than to repair. The buildings that house our children today were built before most of the jobs they will have even existed. However, the district is now tasked with making these buildings last at least another generation.”

Boose said the district’s plan to save money to address issues in buildings the state said should be torn down has been consistently communicated to the community, as well as the fact the district anticipates they may need to pass an operating levy in 2027 or 2028.

“In recent years, it has taken so long to get the community to see the need for additional funding for our schools, extreme cuts had to be made while waiting for the community to catch up. Instead of waiting for our children to suffer, the district has planned accordingly and budgeted realistically,” Boose said. “This is why I was so shocked to receive a letter from the county commissioners stating that my property taxes were increasing and that they were urging schools to forgo the increase in revenue the revaluation would provide. This smacks of trying to score political points on the backs of our children and it does not sit well with this parent, and I suspect most others feel the same way.”

Budget Commission Questions Kenston PI Fund

By BriAn doering BriAn@kArlovecmediA com

Kenston Schools Superintendent Steve Sayers, Treasurer Seth Cales and Board of Education President Tom Manning fielded several questions from the Geauga County Budget Commission about the district’s permanent improvement fund Feb. 27.

Geauga County Auditor Chuck Walder — who sits on the budget commission along with county Treasurer Chris Hitchcock and Prosecutor Jim Flaiz — asked Cales about a $1.2 million cash transfer from the general fund to the PI fund not being included in the district’s budget despite showing a $1.16 million increase in inside millage from property tax reappraisal.

“A PI levy failed and you need $1.2 million and some change in a PI fund,” Walder said. “Why isn’t there a transfer in the general fund of that increase in inside millage into the PI fund to basically satisfy what the taxpayers voted no on?”

Geauga County voters rejected an additional five-year, 1.35-mill permanent improvement levy last November that would have generated an estimated $1,265,000 per

Surrenders

from page A1

“The Newbury property taxes increased, by $5 million, West Geauga's annual revenue while reducing Newbury residents' taxes by 14 mills,” he said. “(T)he reappraisal of West Geauga property values by the Geauga County auditor … resulted in an average 33% increase in property taxes for West Geauga residents.”

The West Geauga Schools Board of Education earlier voted to suspend collection of $1 million of its allocated tax monies for one year to mitigate the rise in property values.

During the budget hearing, Walder commended the district for returning that $1 million to taxpayers and said he would move to cut the $2.35 million from a levy that would be “less severe and drastic” for the district, considering the district had engaged with the budget commission cooperatively.

Calling the situation a “perfect storm,” Walder said along with the fact the district sits at the 20-mill “floor,” under which tax revenue cannot be reduced, the jump in property values after the latest tax reappraisal was highest for residents in the West G district when compared with the four other districts in the county.

According to a map shown during the hearing, the average increase for residential properties was 34.5% in Chester Township, 33.6% in Russell Township and 30.1% in Newbury Township.

As a result of the reappraisal, the value of property in the West G district rose to $1.2 billion — an increase of $290 million, Walder said.

“It's just the way the math works. It's the way the valuation of the homes worked, it’s the way the market moved,” he said. “You don't manipulate the numbers, you let the numbers tell the story.”

year and would have cost homeowners $47 per year per $100,000 property valuation, according to the Geauga County Auditor’s Office.

Cales mentioned the district’s average transfer of $575,000 to the PI fund over the last several years and the plan to increase this to $1.2 million.

“13% of schools do not have a PI levy, so we will continue to have to do that transfer and that will likely increase over time,” Cales said.

He highlighted Kenston's ongoing deficit spending and efforts to manage expenses through building consolidation and incentive programs.

“What we are trying to communicate is the increase in inside millage does not take care of the overall problem,” Cales said “We are on a path and trajectory based on our fiveyear forecast.”

The forecast means nothing, Flaiz said.

“I have yet to see a five-year forecast that is accurate based upon past budget performance. Everybody has gloom and doom with their five-year forecasts. You are talking about reining in your expenses and your expenses have been flat the last three years,” he said.

Flaiz said the Ohio Supreme Court helped shape the responsibilities of a county budget commission through case law that gives them authority to determine whether a tax increase serves no other function than to increase the amount of an entity’s budget surplus.

He also expressed concern over the district’s use of emergency levies, which limits the use of funds.

“I think you’ve got to sit down with your board and figure out a way out of this,” he told district Treasurer Karen Pavlat. “You’ve got these two 10-year levies that you're in the middle of and you can only use them for emergency purposes.”

In an interview March 1, Pavlat said the move to take back the $2.3 million was unusual and a surprise.

“The board’s going to need to look at the impact of this reduction in cash and determine what modifications need to be made,” she said. “They haven't had time to digest this. I mean, we just had this (hearing) and they haven't had another (board) meeting since then.”

The district will lose about 7% of its cash budget, she said, but could not speak to further changes in district plans to construct new facilities.

However, Pavlat said the reduction of cash will affect next year’s budget more than this year’s, and the district is disappointed in the decision and never wants to take funds away from students.

Markwardt said the budget commission’s decision will result in a lowering of taxes for district residents, but may force the schools into a deficit spending mode.

“ The potential risk in this approach is the impact it may have related to facilities,” he said. “The commission acknowledged that West Geauga's facilities have significant needs. Whether or not the West Geauga board of education chooses to place a bond

“Yet, this budget cy cle, we are jumping up to $2 million. You just got a $1.16 mil lion windfall on inside millage revenue, so what are you all of a sudden spending $2 million on out of your general fund?”

ture, we know that $575,000 annual transfer is just not going to keep up with the buses, roofs, parking lots, heating, cooling, all those types of things. We’ve been band-aiding it, but moving forward, it’s just not going to work.”

Hitchcock asked if the school board formally approved the $1.2 million transfer. Cales said no.

Sayers said the district is making efforts to control expenses amidst necessary costs for capital projects and permanent improvements.

“We are trying to hold those operating expenses steady because we know we are going to incur some additional costs with capital projects and permanent improvement type of expenses,” Sayers said. “As we look to the fu-

“It would be to your advantage if it was because that would be an indication that that money has already been promised to go somewhere and the board has approved it,” Hitchcock said.

Flaiz said he looked forward to seeing if Kenston dumps over $1 million into permanent improvement next year, but raised caution regarding the district’s cash carryover.

“You have got to start thinking about what are we doing with these permanent improvement projects. Because that’s what’s driving your increases and your deficit,” Flaiz said. “Your expenses seem to be pretty flat, so if the board is making a decision of, ‘Hey, we’ve got to address these capital projects,’ that’s fine. But, that’s what is going to eat away at your cash carryover and if you eat away at it for a couple more years, you are going to get into a difficult situation.”

Viewpoint

Walder Praises West G in Letter to Editor

I am writing to applaud the West Geauga (Schools) Board of Education’s decision to help taxpayers in their district by voluntarily reducing collection of an emergency levy by $1 million, and its superintendent and treasurer’s leadership.

By mitigating the increase to inside millage due to the state-mandated sexennial reappraisal, West Geauga put its residents first. West Geauga is reportedly the only one of Ohio's approximately 600 school districts to take this action, despite this being an unprecedented time where many Ohio taxpayers face increased property taxes.

In addition, West Geauga has responsibly reinvented their educational model to de liver exceptional services to students while simultaneously improving their fiscal outlook when compared to a decade ago.

With this background, at West Geauga’s Feb. 28, 2024, budget hearing before the Geauga County Budget Commission, West Geauga’s representatives remained paradigms of public servants. They were thoroughly prepared and civilly advocated for their position throughout the hearing’s discussions and debates.

When the budget commission decided to suspend collection of one emergency levy for 2024/2025 to operate the district at a near revenue-neutral level, West Geauga’s representatives were professional and courteously accepted the decision despite their obvious disappointment.

Throughout, West Geauga’s leaders have demonstrated by their actions that they are responsibly budgeting and managing the public money under their care, which was provided by taxpayers through property taxes.

As a taxpayer in the West Geauga school district, I commend West Geauga's treasurer, school board and superintendent for their careful, prudent and responsible handling of this difficult issue despite incredible external pressures from peer organizations and personnel.

This is truly what we should be teaching our children. I am proud and glad that I live in the West Geauga school district.

Thank you,

Chuck Walder Geauga County Auditor

issue for new facilities on the ballot this year, significant dollars will be needed for renovation of whatever current buildings remain in

service. By reducing the current fund balance, the amount of funds available for such renovations will be reduced.”

Sayers Cales

West G Board Member Requests Curriculum Review

By BriAn doering BriAn@kArlovecmediA com

West Geauga Schools Board of Education member Pam Claypool posed a question Feb. 26 about when the board will review the district’s curriculum after approving the West Geauga Middle School Program of Studies for the 2024-2025 school year.

School Assistant Superintendent Nancy Benincasa briefly explained the process for the program of studies, to which Claypool said the board’s responsibility is to approve the curriculum according to the Ohio Revised Code.

“I get the programs. I get what it is. At some point, I would think we would review

the curriculum. It’s part of our responsibility,” Claypool said. “Maybe we can discuss this at some point?”

In a follow-up interview Feb. 29, Benincasa said the program of studies is a representation of the curriculum.

“The program of studies lists the courses available to students,” Benincasa said. “Each course has a detailed curriculum, which is generated by our teaching staff based on the Ohio Learning Standards.”

School board President Christina Sherwood detailed the difficulties of reviewing the district’s curriculum.

“I don’t know exactly how that would go down, but I think the way you are envisioning

tween each grade level and each discipline within that grade level. I don’t know if there’s enough time in a board meeting to do that,” Sherwood said.

The curriculum is always open, Sherwood added.

“I just don’t know that that’s feasible,” Sherwood said.

Benincasa added reviewing the entire curriculum would be impossible.

Claypool

“We can go to the building at any point if I want to see what’s happening in sixth-grade English or science. There are those curriculum pieces that we can look at that are open,” she said. “They’re just not going to be packaged.”

Claypool suggested the board have a special meeting to review the curriculum, but Sherwood again expressed her doubts on

“I think there are manners in which to do it. The difficulty is to Ms. Sherwood’s point, the volume piece is extensive,” she said. “However, we are certainly able to talk you through the process. Our curriculum is transparent, so anybody that would want to look at our curriculum, we would do so. We can make it very clear about our processes. We are happy to talk to you about state standards, processes of review

League of Women Voters VP Urges Residents to Get Involved

By Ann WishArt Ann@kArlovecmediA com

At the end of 2019, League of Women Voters Geauga had 10 members.

Today, the membership has grown to 80 and the nonprofit organization continues to ramp up, making a difference in many facets of local government.

Rather than letting the league fade out entirely, current LWVG Vice President Meg Pauken and other like-minded Geaugans rounded up the troops.

“A group of us decided this organization was too important to lose,” she said during her LWVG presentation at the Geauga Economic Leadership breakfast March 1.

They have best been known over the last decade for publishing the league’s election guide and urging people to vote. But the group has gone online, providing a wealth of information for Geauga residents.

Anyone curious about what happens at government meetings, interested in running for office or just trying to figure out how to register to vote can find those answers at www.lwvgeauga.org.

The league, which welcomes men as members, goes back in Ohio about 70 years, Pauken said.

The national movement to form the LWVG arose from the 19th Amendment that gave women the right to vote and realization that many women of the day did not have the information they needed to exercise that right, she said.

After she outlined Geauga’s government of elected and appointed officials and urged listeners to get involved and vote, she posed the critical question.

“Why do we care?” she asked. “There are certain places where power is concentrated.”

an elected position, appoints the Geauga Park District Board of Commissioners.

Because elected officials and appointed boards decide how property tax dollars are spent, voters need to know if those people are qualified and if they are accomplishing things voters want done, Pauken said.

Because they legally can’t spend money without passing resolutions to do so in open public meetings, their actions can be followed by anyone attending their meetings, she said.

LWVG has an observation corps of volun-

Burton Man Killed in One-Car Crash

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The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigation a one-car crash that killed a Burton man on Georgia Road.

According to an OSHP news release, at approximately 7:45 p.m. March 2, the state patrol was notified of a serious injury crash involving one vehicle on Georgia Road between White Road and state Route 168.

Jay Emmer-Lovell, 33, of Burton, was traveling westbound on Georgia Road in a blue 2020 Ford Explorer. The vehicle traveled of the right side of the roadway,

struck a culvert overturning multiple times and caught fire after the crash.

Emmer-Lovell, the vehicle’s sole occupant, succumbed to his injuries sustained from the crash on scene.

The Geauga County Sheriff's Office, Burton Fire/EMS, Middlefield Fire/EMS, Middlefield Police Department provided assistance on scene.

It is unknown if alcohol or drugs were a factor in the crash, the release stated. Emmer-Lovell was not wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash.

lished, usually within two weeks, on the web site, she said.

“I also encourage you to subscribe to your local media,” Pauken said. “Our local papers do a very good job of keeping up with what is going on. They really do provide valuable information.”

Weekly publications usually provide news coverage of the meetings within a week, while the official minutes taken by the board secretary or fiscal officer are not available to the public until board members have read and approved them. That can take up to six weeks from the date of the meeting, Pauken said.

So, there are several options for gathering information, but the best way to know what is happening is to show up in person, she said.

“Attend public meetings when you can,” she advised, adding elected officials are usually available by phone or email.

“Reach out,” Pauken said. “There is always a contact form (online).”

Government boards have a list of people who are to be notified of meetings via email and will add a name when requested, she said.

“Show up, because by being there, you are telling your elected officials somebody

She also urged the audience to attend the candidate forums the league holds before elections.

“Our forum at the Bainbridge Library on Feb. 22 was really well attended. They asked great questions,” Pauken said. “In Geauga County, we tend to have multiple people running for office. (The forums) are really critical.”

The local league chapter has an “empty-chair policy” for these forums, something the national LWV does not require, she said.

“We made a rule for local races, just within our county. We will give people a platform, even if the opposition doesn’t come,” Pauken said.

Before the empty-chair policy was adopted, a candidate couldn’t speak at a forum if his or her opponent didn’t show up, she said.

Now, candidates know if they don’t participate, the audience will only hear from the candidate who gets up on the stage.

While the organization may support or reject an issue on the ballot, the league is careful to maintain its unbiased stance regarding candidates and to keep opinions out of the reports filed by observers.

“We are a non-partisan, grassroots nonprofit organization,” Pauken “We don’t wear a party hat.”

The highway patrol said the following groups providing assistance at the scene: Middlefield Fire Department, Middlefield Police Department, Cardinal Schools, ing & Transport Specialist, Walters Towing -

The incident remains under investigation,

Trustees Seek Appraisal of Property for Parking

By Ann WishArt Ann@kArlovecmediA com

In a split vote, Munson Township Trustees resolved to spend $1,700 on an appraisal of property at the southeast corner of the intersection of Mayfield and Bass Lake roads.

The 48.3 acres of unimproved land abuts the Munson Township Park behind Munson Elementary School on Bass Lake Road. The parcel is partially wooded and partially an overgrown field that includes at least one pond, according to the Geauga County Auditor’s Office website.

A dilapidated structure still stands on the property owned by NEROCO Ohio LLC, which acquired the parcel in 2006 for $755,500, according to the auditor’s office.

Trustee Jim McCaskey, who noted purchasing some of the property was a “long shot,” proposed the appraisal.

“It just gives us something to talk about. It could be a shot in the dark or a home run,” he said.

In a phone conversation March 2, he said he did not mean the township should buy the whole parcel. Six or 7 acres on the south side of the parcel, which is zoned for residential use, would suffice for the park’s needs and be a good investment, he said, adding the northern section of the parcel is zoned commercial.

Trustee Nate McDonald voted in favor of the appraisal and suggested if the property was purchased, part of it could provide additional parking spaces for the baseball, softball and soccer fields in the park.

“It would be great to have a parking lot that could accommodate everyone,” he said, adding trustees could use some of the township’s remaining American Rescue Plan Act funds of about $500,000 for the purchase if an agreement could be reached with the owner. As the parent of a child who plays baseball, McDonald said parking at the fields is a problem.

“It would be a strategic move. A lot of residents use that park. We’d like them to use it

more,” he said.

Resident Glen Kinter agreed.

“Parking, at times, is atrocious. We do need to look at extending that parking lot,” he said, adding the pavilion can’t be rented during ball season because of the lack of parking.

“I have been there when cars have been parking on Bass Lake Road,” he said.

Trustee Andy Bushman opposed the appraisal and said the problem with parking occurred in the past when soccer games coincided with baseball or softball games.

If the scheduling conflict is resolved, the 120 parking spaces are sufficient, he said.

The fields are leased by Chardon High School for Little League games throughout the season and non-league teams also play there, McCaskey said.

The fees paid for use of the fields are used only for maintenance of the facilities, Bushman said.

Earlier in the meeting, trustees voted unanimously to contract with Innovative

Landscaping LLC, of Chester Township, to handle ballfield maintenance for the five fields at Munson Township Park and near the Munson Township Community Building on Auburn Road.

Two quotes were received. The Innovative bid was $1,635 per field and P. Ianiro Lawn and Garden Landscaping, of Munson Township, bid $2,035. Both bids included dragging the fields during the off-season. The leagues take care of dragging the infields during the season, McCaskey said.

The bids did not include the softball fields, said township Road Superintendent Kirk Walker.

Trustees also voted unanimously to adopt a resolution prohibiting adult-use cannabis operations in the township. In November, Ohio voters approved legalizing production and sale of marijuana products McDonald said, adding he checked the election results and found Munson Township voters, specifically, turned Issue 2 down.

Kenston School Board Accepts Sayers Resignation

By BriAn doering BriAn@kArlovecmediA com

The Kenston Schools Board of Education shared kind words for Superintendent Steve Sayers after formally accepting his resignation March 4.

School board member Dennis Bergansky expressed his appreciation for Sayers and said the board understands the reason for his departure.

“I appreciate the two years that you have given us and want to thank you for giving us actual notice so we can actually find some-

one,” Bergansky said. “We have been lacking notice in the past.”

In a letter to district parents Feb. 26, Sayers cited family reasons for his decision to resign July 31 and his notification to the Kenston school board came after much thought, reflection and prayer over the past two months.

Sayers thanked the school board for the opportunity to be a part of the district for the past two years.

“It’s been a wonderful, wonderful experience and I am going to miss Kenston,” Sayers said. “As I mentioned to the board previously,

to our staff and community, I’m at a point in time in my life where I need to make family a priority. I appreciate the opportunity to serve.”

Sayers was named interim superintendent in 2022, replacing Nancy Santilli, who stepped down at the end of July that year to accept a position as assistant superintendent at the Educational Service Center of the Western Reserve.

After an extensive search, the Kenston school board officially appointed Sayers as permanent superintendent for the district with a two-year contract at a salary of

$162,500 through July 31, 2025.

Board vice-president Jennifer Troutman mentioned the board valued Sayers’ leadership and the significant experience he provided to navigate tough times.

“What I take away from what you’ve taught us for the last two years is that we will always have challenges as a district, but we always have to work together,” Troutman said. “At the end of the day, solutions will be found, agreements will be reached and we will all continue to work together for the best interests of the students and the stakeholders in this district.”

Geauga Mother Takes the Stand in Grendell Hearing

By nick evAns WWW ohiocAPitAljournAl com

Stacy Hartman took the stand Monday in the Ohio Board of Professional Conduct case against Judge Timothy Grendell. In the midst of a custody dispute, the Geauga County Juvenile and Probate court judge put Hartman’s two boys in juvenile detention after they refused visitation with their father, Grant Glasier.

The incident drew national attention and has taken up a large part of the disciplinary proceedings against Grendell. Hartman declined to be recorded or photographed on the witness stand.

Hartman on the stand

Ohio Disciplinary Counsel Joseph Caligiuri first asked Hartman about the circumstances prior to the incident that put her children in custody. She and Glasier had three children together, but Hartman described their nine-year marriage as “rocky,” and alleged there had had been abuse.

In early 2017, before the case was referred to Grendell’s court, the police responded to an incident at Glasier’s home while their sons Carson and Conner were visiting. Hartman recalled her oldest, Carson, crying hard over the phone saying, “his dad had slammed him against the wall again.” Later, Board chair Peggy Schmitz pressed her explain what she meant by “again.”

“I was aware of one other time that Carson was slammed up against the wall,” she said.

When Hartman arrived at Glasier’s home after the phone call, she described his knuckles as bloody, but police didn’t wind up pressing charges. In the following months, the boys’ guardian ad litem moved to suspend Glasier’s visitation, and the Domestic Relations court granted that request.

Over the next three years, Hartman said, her children regularly participated in reunification counseling at her urging, even if they were resistant. As she explained it, the kids were frustrated because Glasier “wouldn’t admit to any wrongdoing whatsoever.”

The case was eventually transferred to the Juvenile Court, and in the initial hearings, Hartman described Grendell as firm, but fair. She also noted he didn’t seem up to speed when he first heard the case. For instance, he asked Hartman and Glasier whose visitations had been suspended.

But that demeanor took a turn in May of 2020. The judge converted Glasier’s motion for custody — which Glasier was prepared to dismiss — into one enforcing visitation. Grendell did this mid-hearing, without prior notice or an opportunity for the parties to present evidence.

“I was shocked,” Hartman explained, “I didn’t know what was going on.”

The judge’s order was for Glasier to have his two sons for the full weekend unsupervised. Grendell has pushed back on the question of supervision arguing he ordered his constable to supervise for an hour and then allowed the constable to drop in at random.

“He was very forceful,” Hartman said of Grendell. “He was very one-sided.”

Juvenile detention

Two days later, when the court-ordered visitation was set to begin, Hartman brought her boys to the Sheriff’s office for drop off.

She explained the boys were reluctant and didn’t want to pack for the weekend, so she packed for them. On the stand she repeatedly described encouraging them to go with their father.

But importantly, she insisted she never “ordered” them to do so.

Under Ohio law, a child is “unruly” if they do not “submit to the reasonable control” of a parent by being “wayward or habitually disobedient.” Refusing court-ordered visitation, doesn’t quite get them there — a point Grendell’s own disciplinary filings seem to acknowledge.

“The boys were not placed in custody because they allegedly refused to go with their father during his court-ordered parenting time; but rather, for their alleged ongoing disobedience of their mother,” Grendell’s answer to the disciplinary complaint states.

After the boys refused to go with their father, the constable called Hartman on speakerphone, telling her she needed to tell the boys to go, and warning they could be placed in juvenile hall. “I was frantic,” Hartman described, but she encouraged them to go. Because they refused, the constable took them into custody and they spent the weekend in juvenile hall.

“I was a mess,” Hartman said, “I was trying to figure out what I could do to help my kids.”

She was angry when she learned that the court had also placed restrictions on the boys’ communication, only allowing them to call their father.

“Even a criminal is permitted a phone call,” Hartman said.

Ahead of the drop off, Hartman explained, Grendell had never mentioned anything about potential unruly charges. After the boys were taken, she added, no one explained Hartman herself was the “victim” of those charges.

Eventually Grendell transferred the case back to Domestic Relations. The disciplinary counsel noted that move came just days before a news story about the case was set to air. After the transfer, the parties reached a settlement relatively quickly. The kids would have to respond in a timely fashion when their dad requested visitation, but whether they went was still up to the kids.

Another notable element that transfer brought to light was the absence of witnesses. When the case returned to Domestic Relations court, witnesses testified under oath about the status of the case. During the entirety of his time overseeing the case, Grendell heard sworn testimony from no one.

From the stand, Hartman argued Grendell had done “irreversible damage” to her son.

Her oldest, Carson, “became very depressed. He started cutting himself. He started failing out of school. He started being mean to his brother.” She said her younger son Conner had grown quiet and the incident “destroyed” his relationship with Carson.

She described how Carson moved out at 18 and after trying to live on his own, dropped out of school and moved to Florida to stay with Glasier. A few months later Carson died in a motorcycle accident in Pennsylvania.

Cross examination

After the disciplinary counsel finished its questions, Grendell’s attorney, Kimberly Riley, did her best to poke holes in Hartman’s testimony.

She asked if Hartman was aware that the constable had offered to stay the full weekend with Glasier and the boys. “No, no one ever told me that,” Hartman explained. Riley also asked why Hartman resisted signing a diversion contract over financial concerns when the therapist agreed to accept a payment plan.

“I didn’t trust the court at that point,” Hartman said, adding “they were giving so much pressure” to put the kids in the diversion program.

“Ultimately, I didn’t think my boys were guilty of anything,” Hartman said.

A few weeks after their stay in juvenile detention, some family friends organized a prayer vigil at the courthouse. After Riley noted Hartman’s phone number was on the flier, she asked if Hartman had paid to have it posted on the Geuaga Maple Leaf’s Facebook page. “No that’s not correct,” Hartman said. Then Riley suggested someone else paid for its placement.

“I’ve never heard of any kind of money exchanged,” Hartman insisted.

In a statement, editor John Karlovec confirmed, “Hartman did not pay the Maple Leaf to post her flyer to its Facebook page.”

As for the failure of reunification counseling prior to the juvenile hall incident, Hartman insisted she regularly encouraged the kids to participate. Riley pressed her on whether there were consequences for refusing. Hartman said yes — she didn’t let them have friends over and took away movies and video games.

She added that her sons liked to build forts with old stage set materials, so she took that away; her daughter with Glasier had recently gotten Snapchat and Hartman canceled her account.

GRAHAM STOKES/OCJ

The Gavel outside the Supreme Court of the State of Ohio, September 20, 2023, at 65 S. Front Street, Columbus, Ohio.

Russell Breaks Ground on Community Building

By Allison Wilson editor@kArlovecmediA com

Under clear and sunny skies, a number of township officials and employees gathered in the parking lot of the Russell Township Administrative Building March 1 to celebrate a significant groundbreaking for a long-awaited community building.

Current plans for the project were on display in the township’s garage as the groundbreaking ceremony began with a few words from Trustee Matt Rambo.

“We’re here today because we’re breaking ground on our new community building,” he said. “It’s something I think, and that we believe, the community is going to get a lot of use out of for events. We’re gonna use it for our meetings.”

The building will be about 2,500 square feet and will fit 50 people, Rambo said.

“We’re really looking forward to getting started and having it done by the end of the summer, early fall,” he said.

The soon-to-be-built community building project has been fraught with controversy from its earliest stages. Funds were originally set aside for a storage facility, which the township had discussed building for several years prior.

However, due to inflation from the COVID-19 pandemic, the lowest cost estimates for that project came to over $700,000.

Under pressure from the Geauga County Budget Commission, Russell Township Trustees were informed they must use the funds or lose them.

They decided to put the set-aside funds toward a community room, sparking division

change or found the project lacking in transparency, while others expressed approval for the plans and said they thought the new building could be an asset.

Fiscal Officer Karen Walder expressed her gratitude for the turnout last Friday.

for another 100 years. This new community meeting space will permit activities not available at the historic town hall.”

Walder also introduced two members of the county budget commission, Chuck Walder and Chris Hitchcock, who were acting

portunity to build in the township and excitement about the final product.

“I look forward to working with the township on this project and (I) look forward to building you guys a great place for your community,” Fauskey said.

Commissioners Question Travel Expenses for Grendell Case

By Amy PAtterson Amy@kArlovecmediA com

Geauga County commissioners Ralph Spidalieri and Tim Lennon questioned travel expenses for three employees of Geauga County Auditor Chuck Walder at their meeting March 5.

Walder requested approval for up to $2,300 in expenses to include travel, hotel and meal expenses for himself and his employees Kate Jacobs and Pam McMahan, who have been subpoenaed to testify in a disci-

plinary hearing for Geauga County Juvenile Probate Court Judge Tim Grendell.

Spidalieri questioned whether the three employees could use the county’s pool car to travel.

“We need to look at these expenses (before we) approve them,” he said. “I’m not comfortable just putting x-number of dollars aside to commit to this. Would you guys agree?”

Instead, the commissioners should wait and reimburse a final tally of expenses, he said.

Water Billing Programs to Assist Residents

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The Ohio Department of Development and Geauga County Job and Family Services will help income-eligible Ohioans with water and wastewater assistance.

The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) provides eligible Ohio residents assistance paying water and wastewater bills who are threatened with disconnection or in a past-due status.

Households also may receive assistance with a current bill. The program is available until March 31, 2024.

Geauga County residents should contact Geauga County Job and Family Services to apply for the program. A phone interview is required.

Applicants will need to provide copies of the following along with completing the interview:

• Copies of their most recent water/ wastewater bills;

• A list of all household members and proof of income for the last 30 days or 12 months for each member; and

• Proof of United States citizenship or legal residency for all household members.

Households must be at or below 175% of the Federal Poverty Level to quality for assistance.

For more information about the LIHWAP contact Geauga County Job and Family Services at 440-285-9141.

Additional information may also be obtained by visiting www.energyhelp.ohio. gov or by calling (800) 282-0880.

“When you’re seeing hotel and food and all of this — how does this exactly work?” Spidalieri asked. “If they’re going to Columbus, it’s a two-and-a-half, three-hour ride.”

Geauga County Budget and Finance Manager Adrian Gorton said depending on when they are scheduled to testify, some may need to be in the hearing room first thing in the morning.

Walder’s employees had been subpoenaed in the case, which was brought by the state Supreme Court’s Office of Disciplinary Counsel in November 2022.

“They’re traveling technically for county business,” Gorton said.

Lennon questioned whether their travel for the trial is related to their jobs with the county.

He expressed frustration with what he said has been “five, six, seven years” of arguments and legal cases involving the judge.

“I can’t keep it straight between the auditor and the juvenile probate court,” he said.

Gorton said by law, the encumbrance needs to be set up in order to pay the expenses, but commissioners would approve the final expenditures.

Commissioner Jim Dvorak said others in the county, including Sheriff Scott Hildenbrand, as well as other law enforcement officers, have also been asked to testify in the case.

Spidalieri said if it’s required by law, he would make the motion to approve.

Lennon asked Gorton for a summary of total costs incurred by the county over the past several years involving the court and its multiple legal battles.

“I’d like to see a total running dollar amount. The outside legal costs, travel expenses,” he said. “I don’t know if you can pull that all together.”

Gorton said the county has previous running totals to build on costs related to disputes with and about Grendell, and he could work on updating that list to present to commissioners.

Planning Green-Lights Axe-Throwing Facility

By Allison Wilson editor@kArlovecmediA com

After addressing the possible safety hazards of allowing a recreational axe-throwing facility near a brewery, the Chardon Planning Commission approved a conditional use request for the property at 217 Cherry Ave. during its Feb. 27 meeting.

A name was not listed for the business. When contacted, Community Development Administrator Steve Yaney was unable to provide one, but said the proposed facility would feature six lanes across a 1,900-square-foot space.

“These have become more popular around the area and (they) have not had really any issues in the surrounding communities that have them,” he said.

The facility sits in close proximity to Eleventhree Brewing, a craft brewery at 211 Cherry Ave. Commission Chair Andrew Blackley asked owner Joseph Igoe how he might handle inebriated customers coming in or alcohol on the premises.

“They are responsible at the brewery,” Igoe said, noting the owners don’t allow customers to leave with open cans of alcohol.

With his own background in bartending and bar security, he said he felt confident in his abilities to handle any overspill.

The process customers have to go through when they come in will also minimize the risk of individuals handling an axe while drunk, he said.

“I am able to qualify people before they come in, but you do have to sign a waiver when you come in stating that you are not unable to throw axes,” Igoe said. “On the waiver, it also says if there is any horseplay or I feel that you are being unsafe in any manner,

you’ll be asked to leave the premises.”

Most lanes will be booked ahead of time, making intoxicated walk-ins even less likely.

Igoe said he will also provide guests an axe-throwing crash course before they are able to use their lane.

Commission Vice-Chair Mary Jo Stark questioned if parking would be an issue, with Eleventhree already drawing a large crowd.

Yaney said parking disagreements would have to be handled between tenants.

The commission voted to approve the conditional use request.

Geauga Centenarian Paints Picture of Past

By Allison Wilson editor@kArlovecmediA com

On Nov. 30, 2023, Montville Township resident Carolyn Karnosh was thrown a birth day celebration like no other — a parade was held in her honor, with fire trucks from multi ple townships attending.

Karnosh’s granddaughter, Melissa Dunn, recalled the celebrity-like way her grand mother was received — cars honked their horns for her and she blew kisses to people who came out to celebrate a milestone few will ever achieve.

She turned 100.

Though she has lived in Geauga for the past 57 years, Karnosh was born and raised in East Cleveland. The city of her youth, which was incorporated only 12 years before Karnosh was born, was strikingly different to the one many would know today, and was much more rural, she said.

“I was born in East Cleveland on Taylor Road,” she said. “My grandpa had a farm there and my mom had me there.”

Karnosh recalled her grandfather owning horses, which she and her best friend would ride, as well as cows and chickens. The old est of three daughters, all born on holidays — Thanksgiving, New Year’s and Christmas – Karnosh and her sisters’ unique birthdays even got a mention in the now-defunct Cleve land Press.

The differences go farther than East Cleveland’s urban growth – in the 1920s the city’s population was over 27,000 people, according to Case Western Reserve University.

As of the 2020 census, the population is now closer to 14,000.

Karnosh recalled a man from NASA lived down the road, and invited her to see the stars in an observatory opened on Taylor Road in 1920. Now, that observatory sits abandoned.

Some aspects of Karnosh’s childhood may be more familiar to modern-day youth, she said, recalling how outbreaks of chickenpox were handled.

“If you got chickenpox, a great big red sign went on the front door,” she said, adding neighbors would see the sign and refuse to go anywhere near it.

Other aspects of her childhood reflect the changing times. Both Karnosh and her great-granddaughter babysat when they were young. While Karnosh was paid 50 cents per day, her great-granddaughter was paid $8 per hour.

Education has changed in the past century as well, with Karnosh recalling early memories made at Mayfair Elementary School,

sisters that ran in the Cleveland Press, a newspaper that closed in 1982.

when a teacher hit her with a book after she left class without permission to find a bathroom.

“I had to go real bad, and I’m not going to go in front of all those kids,” she said, explaining the teacher wouldn’t let her leave. “So, I got up and went to the bathroom. She came in and she had a book in her hand, and she hit me on the back of my head with the book!”

While many today are unable to fathom the idea of growing up without modern amenities, Karnosh said there’s nothing now she wishes she’d had as a child.

“I had a good childhood,” she said.

Following her graduation from Shaw High School, Karnosh worked a number of jobs. When World War II hit, she found employment in a factory manufacturing B12 airplanes.

On Aug. 13, 1949, she married her husband, Bill. The two met while at a church dance — the girls were given pins to put on the boys, and Bill was the boy Karnosh picked.

Dunn remembered her grandparents working on crafts together, with Bill woodworking

and Karnosh doing fabric arts.

Her love of crafts has stayed with Karnosh, her granddaughter said, includ ing making dish scrub bers, which she keeps in her purse and hands out to strangers.

“We’d always go places and Grandma would give them to the cashiers, or the bankers,” she said.

Her grandmother recalled the time she asked a man in a store what color his kitchen was, so that she could give him a matching scrubber.

A lifelong lover of ani mals, Karnosh kept a number of birds follow ing her move to Montville. These included turkeys, geese and peacocks, whose feathers in her golden years. “I enjoy my days,” she said.

GPH Wrangles ‘Over 8,000 Page’ Public Records Request

By Allison Wilson editor@kArlovecmediA com

A recent public records request was so lengthy, Geauga Public Health had to actually close its doors Feb. 16 in order to delegate enough resources to handle it, Health Administrator Adam Litke said Feb. 28.

The records request, submitted Jan. 24 by an anonymous source, asked for all correspondence between GPH and the City of Chardon regarding GPH providing public health services for the city dating back to 2010.

It also asked for all meeting minutes where such topics were discussed or voted on, all fees and fines charged to any proper-

ty or business owner in Chardon within that time frame, as well as a copy of any current or previous contracts between GPH and the city for health services provided to the city.

Although the individual did not indicate the purpose behind their request, GPH and Geauga County Commissioners have been engaged in a dispute over whether GPH is

considered a regular or combined general health district. In January, commissioners gave the county prosecutor the go-ahead to request an opinion from Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost on the matter.

Fulfilling the public records request proved to be a tall order, Litke said during the Geauga County Board of Health’s regular meeting last Wednesday.

The documents have now been submitted to the department’s legal team for review, he said.

“More or less, any time the word Chardon was mentioned, we had to pull it out and that was from 2010 until 2024, and to read through all of the minutes was — God bless the team over there because that’s what we spent … almost the entire day (doing),” Litke said.

Though GPH closed, phones were still answered and help was provided if there was an emergency, he added.

“Unfortunately, I don’t think it would have been (finished) in a timely manner if I did it myself because, I mean, I’m not going to get through that many minutes anytime soon,” Litke said.

Board President Carolyn Brakey asked if the old minutes were digitized. Litke responded they are now.

He also rebuked the notion the department could have saved time by searching digital documents for keywords.

“We didn’t know if Chardon is spelled wrong or if it’s abbreviated,” he said, adding if an address was listed, they wouldn’t know without checking if the address was based out of Chardon.

“Or, if it’s not a searchable document, you don’t always know that until you try it and then it comes up as such,” he said.

The portion of the request detailing financial records totaled over 8,000 pages, said Bryan Kostura, GPH’s attorney, noting another issue the department encountered in fulfilling the request.

“Unfortunately, a lot of the documents that were initially pulled, they all say Chardon (in the) address at the top,” he said. “So, we have to go through to make sure that they’re responsive, because as people were going through, they saw ‘Chardon’ and they would just put it aside.”

As GPH was previously headquartered in Chardon, a Chardon address would be listed on many documents regardless of if it had to do with the city.

“We’re talking lots. Hundreds of pages right now of addresses that say Chardon,” Kostura said

He speculated that, without the large group effort, fulfilling this request could have taken months.

Interactive Map Tracks Parkman Wells

In other business, Litke provided the health board an update on an interactive map of wells in Parkman Township intended to track the information gathered during the testing and replacement of wells following contamination from an Ohio Department of Transportation salt dome.

“You have the salt dome being the light blue turquoise dot, a new well is in green, a yellow is a low chloride level and a red is a letter, so they didn’t want a new well or didn’t respond,” Litke explained.

He demonstrated how a user could click on a house and view the information associated with it.

Kenston Rightsizing Plan to Run Through July

By BriAn doering BriAn@kArlovecmediA com

Kenston Schools Superintendent Steve Sayers provided another update for the district’s rightsizing plan during a special Kenston Schools Board of Education meeting March 4.

Sayers explained the building consolidation process would essentially begin at the end of the school year and run through the end of July.

“The timeline for the physical move has not been finalized yet, but it is in the process of being formulated. This is really a block of time that we are looking at,” Sayers said. “We are still working through the details.”

Under the superintendent’s recommendation, school board members passed a resolution to restructure school buildings and address future planning needs Oct. 16.

The proposed plans would take the district from four to three school buildings through consolidation, with Kenston Intermediate School closing and those fourth- and fifth-grade students shifting to Kenston Middle School, while eighth-grade students shift to Kenston High School.

Sayers detailed four key components to the moving plan.

“The four key things that have to happen are packing up materials, moving the eighthgrade out of the middle school so all the

Request from page 12

While one might assume there would be a hot spot of contaminated wells closest to the dome, slowly petering off into uncontaminated wells, Litke found that wasn’t the case.

“As you can see, these were kind of hit and miss. There’s a number of yellow ones between the green ones that were no issues,” he said. “That could be well depth, it could be casing depth, water flow, could be luck.”

Board member Dr. Ashley Jones clarified the chloride levels displayed are from before the digging of the new wells.

“Can we specify that?” she asked. “Because if I were to look at this and have no context, if I pulled this up I would say, ‘Why do the green ones have a chloride level that’s really high, but they’re green?’”

The board agreed the map would be

cleaning and work can happen in the middle school, making our internal moves and making sure that’s done,” Sayers said. “The last step is moving our eighth-grade materials to the high school and our fourth and fifth-grade materials over to the middle school.”

Sayers also noted teachers were notified about building assignments and transfers for the next school year.

“Late last week, our teachers who are moving into new assignments for next year were notified. We are fortunate to be able to work our way through this process in large part due to the severance incentive (plan) with no reductions in force or layoffs, which is obviously a very good thing,” Sayers said.

Plans are being developed to update and change physical spaces at KMS, which include the installation of art room sinks, walls in the flight deck area, technology in classrooms and updates to restrooms, Sayers explained.

“We all realize that building was built as a high school and now will have fourth- and fifth-graders in that building, so there are adjustments that we’ll need to make,” he said. “We have been getting quotes and trying to establish timelines for when that work will be done. That is all in process and running according to schedule.”

Room locations and bell schedules for KMS and KHS are currently being established and student schedules are in the pro-

changed to reflect that.

Litke said the wells were tested after drilling as well, so a before and after can be provided.

“The reason we had the original ones on there was to show how high some of them were,” Litke said. “Because there are some in the 1500s.”

According to the Ohio Watershed Network, water will begin to taste salty at a secondary maximum contaminant level of 250 mg/L.

The map is currently not available to the public, but will be made available once updated with the requested information.

Litke said in a follow-up interview the map will likely be posted on GPH’s Facebook page.

cess of being developed for the 2024-2025 school year, Sayers said.

“We have a really good start on that and now that the teaching assignments have been determined for next year, we should be able to finalize all of the room locations here within the next couple of weeks,” he said.

Sayers discussed the pick-up and drop-off procedures for students and mentioned the district is addressing some transportation issues.

“One of the things we are hoping to do is to implement this plan with the least amount of disruption,” Sayers said, adding the process should be very similar to what they are

currently doing.

“The volume of traffic will increase, so we might have to make some adjustments for that. That is in the process of being worked on and planned for the start of the upcoming school year,” he said. “But, in many ways, we are looking at a few tweaks, not major changes with our pick-up and drop-off, which is a good thing.”

The district wants to be in the position where teachers are able to come into their classrooms, work and prepare for the opening of school as of Aug. 1, Sayers said.

“We are, of course, making sure we do this in a timely fashion,” he said.

Changes to Zoning Map

By Allison Wilson editor@kArlovecmediA.com

Changes to the City of Chardon’s zoning code advanced Feb. 27 after the Chardon Planning Commission voted in favor of a zoning map amendment.

The proposed changes to Part 11 of the city’s zoning code were first introduced at the Jan. 23 meeting. The code has not been updated in 14 years, said Community Development Administrator Steve Yaney.

“City of Chardon is proposing a zoning map amendment. As you will recall, at the last meeting, we had approved the changes to the zoning code,” commission Chair Andrew Blackley said, noting this meant the map now had to change.

Per the amendment, C-1 Restricted Business District and RC Rural Conservation District will both be eliminated. Anything currently zoned as C-1 will be reclassified as C-3 Traditional Commercial District, and RC will be reclassified to S Special District.

Changes will also be made to the zoning

of the Chardon Park Estates and the properties that border it on South Hambden Street. All properties zoned R-4 High Density Residence District within this area will be changed to the newly-created R-3CPE Chardon Park Estates Residential District.

Yaney noted the map is being proposed a month after the text amendment was sent to city council for approval in case any changes were made as part of that process.

He also explained what the proposed map does not do.

“It does not reclassify anything to a high density or multi-family residence district. It does not reclassify any residentially-zoned property to commercial or industrial. And it does not reclassify any commercial or industrial property to a residential zoning district,” he said.

A public hearing regarding both the text amendment and map will be held in council chambers at 111 Water Street at 6:20 p.m. March 14. Both the text amendment and zoning map can be found on the city’s website, www.chardon.cc.

Six Candidates in Primary for Commissioners Races

There are two Geauga County commissioner seats up for grabs in the November general election — one commencing Jan. 2, 2025, and the other, Jan. 3, 2025.

Candidates Walter “Skip” Claypool and Carolyn Brakey are competing in the March 19 primary election to win a spot on the November ballot for the latter seat, which currently belongs to Commissioner Tim Lennon, who chose not to re-run in November.

Candidate Nancy McArthur is challenging Commissioner Ralph Spidalieri in the March 19 primary for his expiring seat.

Bonnie Cavanaugh and Garrett Westhoven, both democrats, are also on the primary ballot as write-ins seeking enough votes to be certified to run as democratic candidates in the November general election for the commissioners’ seats.

The Geauga County Maple Leaf sent election questionnaires to all six candidates. Below are their responses.

Q:Why are you running for Geauga County Commissioner?

Brakey: I’m running to defend freedoms, protect paychecks and defeat dysfunction.

Defend freedoms: Government should safeguard life, liberty and property. I will support law enforcement and stop bureaucrats who try to restrict our freedoms.

Protect paychecks: Government exists to serve the people. In this time of record inflation, I will decrease taxes so residents can keep more of their hard-earned dollars.

Defeat dysfunction: FBI raids, corruption charges and lawsuits have hindered progress, with some officials not even on speaking terms. Geauga needs problem-solvers, not problem-makers.

Cavanaugh: Running for Geauga County commissioner is an opportunity to give back to the community that I raised my family in and to keep the county a place that attracts other families to do the same. I love our parks with our changing seasons and the local activities, such as the pancake breakfasts, the Apple Butter Festival and our Great Geauga County Fair. We are blessed with a hospital close by and fabulous first responders to provide us care when we need it, but both need the county's financial support to maintain the infrastructures and equipment. Geauga's future depends on its decision-makers.

Claypool: I am running for Geauga County commissioner to be an advocate for the citizens of Geauga County. County commissioners make up the general administrative body for county government. We perform those duties, which are specifically authorized by the General Assembly and no more. Duties include county government taxing, budgeting, appropriating and purchasing authority. And, we hold title to county property. When I was a commissioner, we paid off the longterm debt and never raised taxes. I want to keep the office running conservatively reducing wasteful spending and keeping taxes low.

McArthur: Geauga County residents deserve a full-time commissioner. Over the past 12 years, my opponent has missed so many meetings, somewhere critical votes took place. In addition to the commissioner's job (paying $87,000 plus benefits and pension), he has another public sector job in Portage County (making about $120k,000) and he

owns several retail stores. It's impossible for him to do the commissioner's job as he is overextended. I will put Geauga first by attending the weekly meetings and other board and committee appointments. It's time for a change. Voters have nothing to lose by hiring me.

Spidalieri: I am running for re-election to continue to serve the residents of this county. County commissioner takes a candidate with multi skills and experience to understand resident concerns, farmers’ concerns and business needs. With an increase in crime rates throughout our country and drugs at an all time high, my experience as a 30-plusyear law enforcement officer brings strong value to work with our first responders and our sheriff to keep our county safe. Elections should be treated like a job resume and interview when voting. Who is best for the job and humbly I am your candidate. Thank you.

Westhoven: I'm running to bring transparency and accountability to Geauga County. We desperately need to improve communication between county offices to avoid continual lawyers’ fees that never would have been necessary if we had properly planned in the first place.

Q:What professional experience do you have that is relevant to the office you seek?

Brakey: I am a business attorney with a background in mechanical engineering. My husband and I own and operate several businesses in the county related to energy, including Brakey Energy, which my father-inlaw started in 1999 to serve manufacturers in Middlefield.

I am also the current president of the Geauga County Board of Health where my accomplishments have included ending school mask mandates in the county. In that role, I was also instrumental in cutting regulations and bureaucracy, increasing freedom and delivering significant savings to taxpayers.

Cavanaugh: I have served Geauga/Lake counties as a board member of the Educational Service Center for 10 years, as legal services clerk for the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court for more than eight years and as an area cccountant for a large corporation, balancing the budgets for 13 facilities. I also attended OSBA annual conferences and law updates with Cuyahoga Bar Association, and trained with the state agencies.

Claypool: I was a business executive, county commissioner and township trustee. In each of these roles, I was responsible for managing millions of dollars and demonstrated an ability to deliver services effectively. I have managed many teams and personnel. I have experience as a board member on multiple county boards. In my private and public sector experience, I have negotiated contracts, managed budgets and implemented deliverables. I have had to deal with difficult personnel issues and have always done so in a professional and fair manner.

Spidalieri: Owner of Great Lakes Outdoor Supply for over 25 years, I understand what small business struggles and growth mean. I understand finance and what budgets and relationships are.

Campaign Website: www.carolynbrakey.com

Current Occupation/Employer:

General Counsel, Brakey Energy and Principal, Brakey Law

Education:

J.D, Case Western Reserve University School of Law; B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Grove City College; Jo Ann Davidson Ohio Leadership Institute

Over 30 years in law enforcement, presently the chief deputy for the Portage County Sheriff’s Office, experience is invaluable to assist our county to remain safe and I support our law enforcement to provide funding and tools to keep this county safe.

McArthur: As a 12-year Chardon City Council member and former mayor, I helped identify about $500,000 in annual savings, helped create jobs and spearheaded two projects that took over 10 years to achieve — a community building on (Chardon) Square (the Heritage House) and completion of the Maple Highlands Trail bike path through the city, which connects the county trail. I have experience in finance, auditing, human resources, management and economic development. I have a proven track record of showing up for public service and getting results. I will do the same for Geauga County and I'm ready to go to work.

Westhoven: As a web software engineer, I am deeply involved in cutting-edge technology. We need more technology savvy people in government to keep our county moving forward. We need someone who understands the technological needs of our residents to ensure everyone in our county has access to high speed internet and to leverage technology to ensure government transparency.

Q:What are specific goals you have to serve the citizens of Geauga County?

Brakey: I will make the board of county commissioners more transparent. Meetings should be streamed and recorded for greater accessibility, meeting minutes should be posted online promptly and social media should be used for notifying residents.

I also want better communication and less conflict within our county government. I am proud of being able to advance conservative solutions on the BOH while maintaining positive working relationships with a diverse group of stakeholders. I plan to bring the same professional, conservative leadership to the BOCC that I have brought to the BOH.

Cavanaugh: My goals to serve Geauga County citizens would include attending the County Commissioner Association trainings to stay up-to-date on best practices; work cooperatively with the other commissioners; and respond to departmental requests and the public inquiries in a timely manner. I want to make sure that the services that the taxpayers paid for are available and improved.

Claypool: My goals are to provide active oversight on spending of money, delivering services and ensuring the various govern-

Campaign Website: www.skipclaypool.com

Current Occupation/Employer: Retired

Education: BS Computer Science/Math

ment offices have the resources they need while performing in a responsible manner. Moreover, outside of direct duties, as defined in the Ohio Revised Code, I am noticing external activities that will negatively impact Geauga. The Senate Select Committee on Fair Housing, the health department agreement and the NOACA climate change initiative are just three examples. Each of these negatively impact Geauga's sovereignty. A goal is to mitigate the negative impacts of these.

McArthur: I will request that the commissioners live stream and record the weekly meetings (as Chardon City Council does) to make the commissioners' actions and communications more accessible and transparent to the public. I will look at ways to provide better cost-effective services, keep our taxes as low as possible and offer tax relief where it can be achieved and return funds to the taxpayers that are unnecessarily held by the county. I will build and maintain positive professional working relationships, and collaborate with other community stakeholders, businesses and elected officials.

Spidalieri: Safety, economy, quality of life and preserving the natural beauty of Geauga and the resources it has to offer.

Westhoven: I would like to make all county meetings available via YouTube/Teams/ Zoom so residents who cannot take time to come to county offices for several hours on a Thursday morning can participate and view local government. I also want to ensure that high quality broadband is available to every resident in the county.

Q:What

do you consider to be the major issues affecting the residents and/or businesses of Geauga County and how would you address them?

Brakey: Speaking with thousands of Geaugans over the past year, the concern I hear the most is rising property taxes. Many of our residents are struggling to make ends meet with the cost of everything going up. I will be fiscally conservative with taxpayer dollars and work to keep your paychecks in your pocket.

Another major issue I’m hearing is dysfunction in county government. Many of our elected leaders aren’t even talking with each other, let alone collaborating to solve Geauga’s problems. I will professionally work with other officials to advance conservative solutions, not contrarian conflict.

Cavanaugh: The issues in Geauga County I consider major are the water quality that See Commissoiners • Page A16

Carolyn Brakey Age: 42

Walter “Skip” Claypool

Commissoners

from page A15

shut down the surgeries at Geauga hospital for three weeks; auto accidents resulting in serious injuries; drugs passing through Geauga; limited transportation options; and the lack of assistance to the elderly. Salaries need increased to attract, hire and retain qualified individuals, so the jobs get done instead of placing residents on a waiting list. Our local doctors' offices are in need of more doctors to replace the ones retiring - offer relocation assistance to help them move here. I'll be open to all suggestions.

Claypool: The county is in good financial shape. However, the new courthouse is a very large and complicated project that could easily get out of control, budgetarily. I would like to keep that project on track and within the established budget goals. Moreover, there have been large property tax increases which are impacting all of our residences. I want to do a complete budget audit to try and reduce the negative impacts of any tax increases. There is not enough space to say all I would on this topic.

McArthur: A county commissioner's first duty is to have a fiscally responsible budget that provides residents and businesses in Geauga with quality public services at the lowest possible cost. Over the past several years, there have been expensive and avoidable lawsuits, a scandal involving embezzlement at the (Geauga County) Water Resources Department, a lack of professionalism and mutual respect, and infighting with other county elected officials. This has all come at an extremely high price to the taxpayers. I am a fiscal hawk, a professional and a good negotiator. I'll be working for you, not for the government.

Spidalieri: There are many challenges affecting business in our county. Since COVID times, there continues to be a lack of workforce and that has created a high level of competition for workforce, causing salaries to increase, placing burdens on owners and in turn, to the end user of those products and services. Our government continues to tax and place professional fees for more regulation, which also raises costs and challenges

for business owners. We need to continue to work with our business community and support local businesses as they truly are the ones producing jobs for our residents.

Westhoven: The first major issue facing the county is property tax increases. Because of a lack of foresight in our state capital property taxes are significantly increasing. We can offset this by lowering our sales taxes and by working with various county departments to only collect as much as is needed, even if they are legally obligated to collect more. The second major issue is communication. We can’t be pennywise and pound foolish. Our lack of communication has forced our commissioners to have outside counsel on retainer because its more than our county prosecutor’s office can handle.

Q:Whatrole does/should the Board of County Commissioners play in the budget appropriations process, both with respect to departments under its hiring authority and other county offices such as the courts?

Brakey: When reviewing annual budget submissions, the BOCC has a statutory duty to ensure that each department has demonstrated need. Regular dialogue with departments ensures the Commissioners better understand needs, as opposed to an annual dump of information at budget time which could cloud and corrupt the process.

Other elected offices have specific statutory remedies should the BOCC fail to provide ample resources to allow them to perform their statutory requirements. This is another reason why it is vital that the BOCC work with all county officials while guarding taxpayer money.

Cavanaugh: The role(s) of the board of the county commissioners is to be the taxing, budgeting and purchasing authority for which the county departments under its hire must seek approval as afforded by Ohio and federal laws, and to communicate those departmental budgets and expenditures to its taxpayers.

Claypool: By law, the commissioners have budget oversight responsibilities. Working with county departments the commissioners review and approve various budgets. As a commissioner, I often questioned budget anomalies. There is a downside to questioning because some folks don't like being questioned. I am a believer in zero-based budgeting — having people and departments justify each budget item to ensure they are needed and within reason. Variances year over year and actual to budget should be explained.

Spidalieri: We have a process in place that works very well. We hold public work sessions with all of our departments and hiring authorities, including our courts. A complete review of their next annual budget is reviewed and requests by departments are made for new projects and expenditures. The requests are then reviewed by all three commissioners and make a file permanent appropriation at our December meeting.

McArthur: Similar to the annual budget process that took place when I was on Chardon City Council, county department heads present their annual budgets to the commissioners to demonstrate their needs and anticipated costs for the upcoming year. It's a necessary and essential part of the check and balance in government finance. Other county

Campaign Website: https://www.votemcarthur.com

Current Occupation/Employer: Pension Administrator/Serco-N.A.

Education:

Bachelors of Arts - Communication; Cleveland State University

offices and department heads are independent and the BOCC has no jurisdiction over their budgets. In addition, most of the county courts and judges present their annual budgets to the BOCC, but the BOCC has no legal authority over their budgets.

Westhoven: As the approvers of the county budget, the county commissioners should play an oversight role in every departments’ budget. We need to ensure that our citizens’ taxes are being appropriately spent in a manner that delivers to the needs of Geauga County residents, and that we collect only what is necessary and is spent in a meaningful way.

Q:Asa Geauga County Commissioner, how would you identify and evaluate candidates for appointment to county boards such as the board of mental health or alternates to agencies like NOACA?

Brakey: As with any other business the BOCC conducts, the appointment process should be transparent. I attended the meeting last year when the commissioners made mental health board appointments and was surprised by the lack of discussion regarding the candidates, who were not present at the meeting.

The process for appointment to the BOH is far more transparent and evaluative. Candidates give a presentation to the Health District Advisory Council, whose members can ask the candidates questions. HDAC then openly discusses why they believe a given candidate should be selected before voting.

Cavanaugh: As commissioner, I would prepare a list of expected qualifications, review the applications, participate in an interview and select the most qualified.

Claypool: Each of the county boards is unique and it is often difficult to find qualified volunteers to serve. I support the long-standing practice of posting openings, reviewing resumes and backgrounds, interviewing and appointing people. Sometimes, the candidates that submit their names are not qualified, so it is necessary to work to find the right people through networking and other means. Some positions have specific requirements, such as those on mental health and we have to work with others to get appointments. e.g.; Ohio State Mental Health. Alternates are a personal choice.

McArthur: Commissioner appointments to board and committees are extremely important. I worked in human resources and recruiting, and resumes can be good tools to evaluate a person's experience and credentials, but interviewing potential candidates is also very insightful. I believe the commissioners could do better outreach in the Geauga community to identify potential board members by net-

Current Occupation/Employer: Geauga County Commissioner

working with local businesses, the Geauga Growth Partnership, chambers of commerce and nonprofit groups. Solely placing ads and taking a passive stance may not attract the most qualified and professional people.

Spidalieri: Unfortunately, getting volunteers is always challenging. We try our best to advertise for the positions through our county website and also through various media outlets. We try to select from the applicants who have the strongest interest and experience to serve on the various boards, and a decision is made in formal session and through a resolution to place them on the boards.

Westhoven: Candidates for county boards should submit a resume and at least be familiar with the field that the board is working in. For instance, if we are filling a spot on the board of mental health we need to fill that position with someone with at least basic working knowledge of mental health practices, and not a conspiracy theorist who opposes recommendations of trained medical professionals.

Q:What role does/should the Board of County Commissioners have over the management of county departments? Describe your management style? What role should commissioners have over the day-to-day operations of county departments?

Brakey: I believe in supporting my team when needed without micromanaging their daily activities. I think it is important to build a team you can trust that understands your mission and vision.

Like many boards of directors, the BOCC should provide vision for the county, make high-level decisions and be a budget watchdog. The BOCC should not be involved in the day-to-day operations, but rather should hire skilled and competent people to lead the departments and then be largely deferential to directors’ decision-making in managing their departments all while evaluating their performance.

Cavanaugh: Commissioners should have knowledge of the day-to-day operations, keep open communication with each department head and attend all board meetings, including the special meetings to stay apprised of anything that may require additional attention.

Claypool: Outside of the commissioners’ office, the commissioners do not provide direct daily oversight. We hire the right people and monitor their performance, providing corrective guidance when necessary. I am not a micromanager unless issues arise. The commissioners’ office is comprised of three individuals with equal authority. So,

Nancy McArthur Age: 66

Ralph Spidalieri Age: 54

Election

from page A16

management is more complex than in the private sector. Any guidance or actions require agreement of at least two commissioners. The public should be comforted by that and the fact that all business is conducted in open meetings.

McArthur: There are eight county departments under the BOCC: Aging, Building, Community and Economic Development, Dog Warden, Emergency Services, Job and Family Services, Maintenance and Water Resources. The county commissioners don't manage other county departments; other county elected officials manage their own offices and staff. The commissioners have a fairly narrow function, like the board of a corporation, with the county administrator serving as a CEO and running the daily operations. My management style can be best described as inspirational — a visionary approach to leading a team to reach goals.

Spidalieri: We have some of the most dedicated and budget-conscious directors of the various boards in our county. I regularly meet with our directors to discuss progress and areas that they may need assistance with. I will regularly report back to our staff if there are any concerns or special projects needing commissioner attention and I will prepare a plan to meet the goals and expectations of that department.

Westhoven: Commissioners should have an oversite roll in the management of county departments. County departments should be able to function without commissioners directly involving themselves in day-to-day operations. If, however, a department is not meeting the needs of our citizens, then commissioners should take a more active role in that department in order to “right the ship” and deliver to our citizens. My management style is to be more hands off and give people the autonomy to effectively do their job and get more involved if that job is not being done well.

Q:Howwould you work with state and federal officials to ensure Geauga County receives its share of state and federal funds, including grants?

Brakey: I have cultivated strong relationships with elected officials on the state and federal levels. Congressman Dave Joyce has endorsed me in this race. I consider both state representatives who serve Geauga to be friends.

Working professionally and collaboratively with these officials and others is the best way to ensure Geauga receives its share of state and federal funds.

Cavanaugh: I would first identify whether the county sought, is compliant and eligible for additional funds. Then, through communication with staff and through public record requests, I'd seek evidence that a correction may be warranted to be sure Geauga has obtained its fair share.

Claypool: First, the county is funded primarily by property tax, levies and sales tax. External grants are generally provided on a special needs basis. e.g.; combating opiates. Funding requests are submitted and approved based on merit. Grants are tricky and

we need to be careful because they most often come with strings attached, which means the state or federal government can dictate how they are used. And there are often longterm issues. When working with urban organizations, such as NOACA, we get the short shrift because they are the big dog and control the process and the outcomes.

McArthur: Our legislators at both the state and federal level are great resources for local government officials to know about available funds, no or low cost loans for projects and grants for which Geauga County may be eligible. I have good relationships with our elected officials in Columbus and in DC; it's important to maintain regular and good communication with their staff and their field representatives so they know what our needs are and how they can assist Geauga County. If elected, I also plan to be involved with the Ohio County Commissioner Association and attend their annual conferences.

Spidalieri: I work monthly to review grants and various programs that are offered both by the state and federal government. I am always cautious to review the restrictions and requirements thoroughly to assure there are no long-term strings attached that take Geauga County out of a control position and placed it in a difficult situation to comply with the requirements.

Westhoven: I would work with state and federal officials to clearly articulate the needs of Geauga County and its citizens to ensure we get what we need, whether that be funding to support local farmers or ensuring we have proper broadband infrastructure to keep our county businesses competitive for years to come.

Q:What

analysis would you undertake to determine whether Geauga County or any county department should accept or reject grant dollars?

Brakey: In attending BOCC meetings over the past year, I have observed a profound reluctance to accept grant dollars. While the BOCC needs to be cautious about any strings that may be attached to funds, we should not be unreasonably fearful.

I want to see Geauga County claw back as much of our tax dollars from the state and federal governments as we can. I will utilize my legal expertise to weigh the benefits of accepting a grant with any risks associated, including the loss of Geauga’s sovereignty.

Cavanaugh: I believe that if the county or one of its departments becomes eligible for grant money, then it will be used and reported properly. I do not support joining forces with those outside the county for grants that won't benefit our residents. County policy should require notice to be provided when interest is made.

Claypool: Generally, the departments manage the process of applying for and accepting grants. They know their needs, what grants are available, which ones are good and not and how to apply. The commissioners’ office has little involvement other than asking questions to ensure our county departments are assessing both the short- and long-term needs and outcomes. The grant process is a murky governmental process and not a good way to obtain necessary funding. By design, the state for federal government take our tax

Bonnie Cavanaugh Age: 66

Campaign Website: www.facebook.com/profile. php?id=61556657140474

Current Occupation/Employer: None

Education:

Bachelor of Arts, Cleveland State University - Associate Degree of Business in Paralegal Studies - CCC

dollars and give it back because they want control.

McArthur: Federal and state grants should be pursued to offset costs in infrastructure, safety, economic development, environmental safety, health and human services, and transportation. Geauga County is a large tax donor to both the federal and state government. As long as there are no long-term negative consequences or commitments, any grant funds we can bring back to our county should be pursued. The devil is always in the details, so potential grants need to be scrutinized before acceptance. If the pros outweigh the cons, we should take advantage of available grant money.

Spidalieri: As stated above, the grants have to make sense and have none or very few strings attached that always keeps Geauga County and its residents first.

Westhoven: To determine whether Geauga County should accept or reject grant dollars, we should verify that the grant would both be helpful in the short term to our residents and not cause a long-term financial burden for the county.

Q:Asa Geauga County Commissioner would you support requiring county departments to submit financial information and data to the OhioCheckbook.com initiative?

Brakey: I am not familiar with the OhioCheckbook.com initiative other than what I gleaned by reviewing the website. However, I welcome any actions that lead to more transparent government, provided that there is not an undue burden on local taxpayers.

Garrett Westhoven Age: 41

Campaign Website: www.garrettwesthoven.com

Current Occupation/Employer: Senior Web Software Engineer/ Dealer Tire

Education:

BS Mathematics - University of Notre Dame

Cavanaugh: I would support the decision to join other counties submitting financial information through OhioCheckbook, so long as it was cost effective and a benefit to Geauga County. The state legislature is the only branch of government that I believe could require it.

Claypool: Yes. Ohio Checkbooks is a good initiative because it enhances government transparency. I believe all departments are reported via the auditor today. Unfortunately, while the work is done to submit records, few citizens are aware or use the system. I fully support OhioCheckbook.

McArthur: This is a great program offered by the state treasurer's office. The City of Chardon was one of the first in our county to adopt when I was a city council member. I believe in transparency and building trust in government, especially where it involves taxpayer dollars. I would most definitely support this initiative for departments under the Geauga BOCC.

Spidalieri: We have looked at this multiple times over the years. I believe it makes our financial information very transparent and will also save hours of public information requests that our staff completes now.

Westhoven: Yes, I do support requiring county departments to submit financial information to OhioCheckbook.com. Transparency is the best disinfectant, and to prevent embezzlement, corruption and other financial crimes, we need to keep our county budget as transparent as possible.

Primary 2024: Letters to the Editor

What’s Happening In Geauga?

What is the responsibility and purpose of a county commissioner. It’s time we seriously research the purpose, responsibilities and the background of all candidates running for office. What is their voting history? What are their qualifications? What are their accomplishments? How long have they lived in Geauga County? DO they listen to the needs of the people or are they only a new name in an existence of an old GOP establishment that is leaning toward a liberal agenda?

I have lived in Chesterland for 77 years. I have seen many changes; some are good and some not so good. The expansion of our federal government has trickled down to our local levels. Yes, there is corruption in Geauga County, too. In my opinion, our conservative Republican party is disintegrating into pieces that follow the money, raise our taxes at the bequest of state reevaluations, add service charges for our septic tanks, and through NOACA have electr ic car service stations in Middlefield and Chesterland.

And who do you think will eventually be footing the bill? Us, yes, us and our children.

Tell me why we need service stations in the farm country where farm equipment, trucks and horse and buggies are primary transportation, and why are the taxes increasing exponentially. This is only the beginning.

If we want to maintain our rural environment and values, we must work together to make it happen. We must choose our representatives carefully and thoughtfully. They work for us.

Our commissioners are the executive and administrative body of our county. They oversee the finances for our county: purchases, taxes, capital improvement, etc.

So, after careful consideration, I encourage you to support Walter (Skip) Claypool for reelection.

Carol Smith Chester Township

Claypool: Courage, Conviction, Optimism = Leadership

I am writing to give my strong endorsement to Skip Claypool for Geauga County Commissioner. Skip exhibits many characteristics of good leadership, but in my opinion, chief among them being courage, conviction and optimism.

Skip has the courage to ask difficult questions, to challenge the status quo, when necessary, to serve his community during challenging times. Skip is genuine and has the conviction to stand by his beliefs rather than changing like a chameleon depending upon the audience. I have never known anyone to work more diligently, tirelessly and with as much love for his community than Skip — both as an elected official and as a regular, everyday Geauga County resident.

Skip also has a clear-sighted optimism. Not a naïve sort of optimism, but the type of optimism that sees a challenge, embraces inner strength, and fully believes that with hard work, commitment, passion and spirit we can together tackle any challenges that come our way if we’re only willing to try. He is the antitheses to complacency and apathy.

If you may be someone frustrated with

the state of the world, the nation and the county, but find that you lack the courage, conviction and optimism to do anything about it, Skip has plenty of all three qualities to represent you, and all of us, and to be our voice.

Be warned though . . . these qualities are contagious. The longer I’ve known Skip, the more courageous, optimistic and full of conviction I have become. If Skip can have that type of positive impact on just one person, imagine what good he can do for our county.

Lisa Luoma Munson Township

Brakey Dedicated To Geauga

I am writing to express my family's support for Carolyn Brakey for Geauga County Commissioner in the upcoming March 19 election.

We met Carolyn and her family several years ago when they became involved in our small group bible study. We have been amazed at her hard work and dedication to Geauga County, and her unwavering walk of faith.

Her courage and action while on the Geauga County Board of Health had a direct impact on our family, as our oldest son was enrolled in kindergarten in a district that was mandating masks. She was able to accomplish something that we, as individuals, felt helpless to change. And, in doing so, empowered us to educate ourselves on our rights as parents and citizens of this great county.

We will be voting Carolyn Brakey for Geauga County Commissioner and encourage all our friends and family to do the same.

Jameson & Anne Sprosty

Newbury Township

Brakey Brings Order to Chaos

Only a few years ago, Carolyn Brakey arrived on the political scene as a mom fighting for the rights of local families — and, fortunately for Geauga County, she is here to stay!

As President for Geauga Public Health (GPH), Carolyn has led the charge for conservative reforms for an organization that had serious problems prior to her arrival.

Before 2020, Carolyn was a mom focused on her family, not on politics. But overreaching COVID policies hurt Geauga families too often for too long. That’s why Carolyn won a seat on the Board of Health and authored Ohio’s first COVID guidance that recommended against forced masking in schools and quarantining healthy people. Carolyn’s guidance set off a chain reaction across Ohio, ending Covid madness once and for all.

Other than GPH board members and staff, I doubt anyone in Geauga County has attended more Board of Health meetings in the last three years than myself. During that time, I have witnessed how Carolyn professionally collaborates with other board members, staff and residents — bringing order to the previous chaos that once dominated the department. Under Carolyn’s leadership, GPH has transformed from one of the worst run — and most overreaching — departments in our county to its best and most aligned with Geauga values.

Carolyn isn’t just running for commissioner for the fun of it, running against someone else or because others have asked her to run. Carolyn Brakey is running for Commis-

sioner to continue ser ving the people of Geauga. For the past year, she has been attending commissioner meetings and educating herself on the inner workings of Geauga County government. I can’t wait to see Carolyn bring the same conservative, liberty-minded solutions to the Board of Commissioners that she brought to the Board of Health.

I invite you to join me and vote for Carolyn Brakey for Geauga County Commissioner on March 19.

Vickie List

Claridon Township

Supporting Skip for County Commissioner

The County Commissioner position requires a candidate who can put their boots on the ground and do the work on day one.

A Commissioner who has sound judgement, proven successful administrative skills, an investigative mind and never loses focus on supporting Geauga County residents.

Formerly as Commissioner, he visited the White House and sought out contacts and support of the Department of Agriculture to benefit Geauga farmers.

Skip Claypool is sharp as a tack, making sound decisions on current issues while adhering to long-term goals. He can discern the necessary from the ‘nice to do,’ finding solutions with strong due diligence on the county budget. He can keep Geauga in control of its services and not sell them out to other jurisdictions.

The Geauga County Health Department has been placed in the control of Lake County. How did that happen? Employees have been transferred to the higher-salary schedule of Lake County. Imagine, if Geauga chooses to contract those employees back, literally lease them from Lake County, it will cost more.

Skip has administrative experience in government and the private sector, and he knows that once you abdicate your authority, it is hard to get it back. This is not a sound decision for the citizens of Geauga.

Skip is not a grandstander; he works to solve problems and address issues. Let’s give the reins to Walter “Skip” Claypool who has the tools to get the job done.

Bill Winans

Newbury Township

Claypool, Spidalieri

On March 19

I’m voting for Walter “Skip” Claypool and Ralph Spidalieri for Geauga County Commissioner. These gentlemen have both demonstrated their integrity and competence.

Claypool and Spidalieri have had direct experience making excellent decisions about the many weighty matters facing Geauga County.

NOACA continues its attempts to expand its overreach into Geauga County. It vitally important to have Commissioners who push back on urbanization and socialistic regional governance. We need Commissioners who understand NOACA and how the move toward regional government is the leading edge of socialistic UN Agenda 2021/2030.

NOACA’s overreach is seen by attempting to gain control over our air and water (and lives) with their woke “Climate Action Plan.”

Claypool is the foremost expert on all things NOACA. He studied Geauga’s gasoline

taxes (tens of millions of dollars) showing these get sent to Cleveland and Cuyahoga County. This is where NOACA gets its resources, subsequently used against us. Consider NOACA-loved eCheck.

We already have one Commissioner, defeated as a Democrat, then enticed into running as a Republican by our very own GOP “Chair.” That same Chair’s ignorance regarding NOACA makes for more regionalization. She, in my opinion, is influenced by the Democrat in GOP sheep’s clothing. That Democrat received thousands of dollars from virtually every labor union in Cuyahoga County. Why, because of his love affair with regionalism’s destructive socialistic effects on our beautiful, peaceful rural lifestyle.

Preventing NOACA from any further gains in Geauga County is imperative to maintain our wonderful God-given rural lifestyle.

Can we have a Commissioner who voted for Obama and only recently became a Republican?

Or who actively recruits Democrats to run as Republicans? No!

Vote for Claypool and Spidalieri, tried and true Republicans.

James R. MacNeal

Troy Township

Brakey Brings

Fresh Conservative Leadership

Carolyn Brakey has my support for Geauga County Commissioner in the March 19 Republican primary election.

Carolyn has demonstrated exceptional leadership as President of the Board of Geauga Public Health, saving money and defending freedoms for Geauga residents.

Carolyn’s work eliminating the For Sale of Property (FSOP) septic inspection program showcases her commitment to effective principled governance. By ending this costly program, in advance of the looming state-mandated Operation and Management program requirements, Carolyn demonstrated resident-minded decision-making, while transitioning toward more proactive solutions for clean water.

Carolyn Brakey’s foresight and dedication to innovative policies exemplify the kind of leadership Geauga County needs. She will bring fresh conservative leadership to Geauga County as our Commissioner — and that is why Carolyn Brakey has my vote!

Cassie Plott

Montville Township

Vote for Claypool

I support Walter “Skip” Claypool for Geauga County Commissioner. Skip has a proven record that he supports the citizens of Geauga County.

Skip has served as a Trustee for Chester Township, a member of the Geauga County Planning Board, and he also served four years as Geauga County Commissioner.

Skip has also worked to preserve Geauga zoning, housing and land use from NOACA.

Skip Claypool has integrity, knowledge and experience to maintain our county as a rural county. Please vote for Walter “Skip” Claypool on March 19.

Susan Cierebiej

Chester Township

Primary 2024: Letters to the Editor

Brakey: Proven Record Of Defending Freedom

I am voting Carolyn Brakey for Geauga Commissioner in the upcoming March 19 Republican primary.

Carolyn is smart, energetic and dedicated to our freedoms.

In addition to having great values, she also possesses the ability to take on challenges (such as overbearing COVID-era policies) with a learning mindset and is uniquely effective in her process to analyze the best solutions.

Her work with the Geauga Board of Health has been outstanding, as she championed policies that encourage freedom and parental authority.

Carolyn Brakey has a proven record defending freedom. She has my vote!

David Barr Auburn Township

Fight-for-Geauga Track Record

Why we are voting Skip Claypool and Ralph Spidalieri for Geauga County Commissioner on March 19:

Several big issues loom large that stand to fundamentally change Geauga County. We need proven leadership and experience to deal with them. Here are two big ones:

1) The state of Ohio is making moves to take away zoning authority from Geauga’s townships and give it to the state. Instead of deciding locally what can be built and where, these decisions would move to Columbus. This means that things like high-density housing and low-income, Section 8 housing might be put virtually anywhere in any township, with little or no local input.

The argument will undoubtedly be made that eliminating local zoning committees will save some small amount of money, and certain politicians would likely claim that as a victory, but flash forward some years and Geauga could be loaded with mass-housing projects and their associated baggage. Our family watched this happen to East Cleveland, Cleveland Heights and places like it.

Major projects like these stand to make a lot of money for a small group of people and bring all sorts of sweet deals to providers of utilities, construction, energy, and contract services, but destroy rural counties like Geauga.

2) Cleveland-based NOACA has a long history of collecting taxes from Geauga and providing little good in return, and now has its sights set on controlling virtually all aspects of life in Geauga via what it calls a “Climate Action Plan.”

Generalized regional planning coming out of Germany is being used in order to try to take over air, water, farming, agriculture, transportation, energy, and much more, usurping local government.

Embedded in this plan is a great deal of racism and activism, and Geauga’s rural/ agricultural nature is viewed as an enemy of progress.

Tax money collected in Geauga County should not be used to fund anti-rural globalist projects decided on by a board that has a majority of urban-focused, Cuyahoga County votes. We need Commissioners who will fight this, not go along with it.

This is why we are going with the prov-

en, fight-for-Geauga track records of Skip Claypool and Ralph Spidalieri. Our county is at a crossroads now and the stakes are very high. Skip and Ralph understand what is at stake and will serve the interests of Geauga County, ready to go on day one with an intimate understanding of the office and no learning curve.

This race should not be a popularity contest. Put simply, it’s a job interview. These two candidates both have vast experience and a track record of getting good thigs done and protecting our county.

Jonathan & Tiffanie Broadbent

Newbury Township

McArthur is a Proven Leader

GOP Chair Nancy McArthur is a proven leader.

Recently, CCP (Claypool Cult People) member Jim MacNeal wrote a negative letter. MacNeal and I are both members of the GOP Executive Committee. His disdain originates from Nancy McArthur’s refusal to allow him to disrupt GOP Executive Committee meetings.

MacNeal improperly raised procedural issues that Nancy McArthur handled correctly, judiciously, and then properly proceeded to address agenda business. In fact, a majority of the Executive Committee members voiced displeasure at MacNeal’s tactics.

MacNeal alleges McArthur “illegally and unilaterally decided to exclude” persons from an Executive Committee meeting. I attended that meeting and the GOP Executive Committee, as a whole, in proper and fair procedural action, voted to exclude outside persons.

MacNeal alleges McArthur ‘continually violates’ Robert’s Rules of Order, yet each time MacNeal has raised an issue, the meeting parliamentarian has sided with Nancy McArthur, so it is obvious that MacNeal’s “knowledge of RRO is abysmally inadequate.”

In true CCP fashion, MacNeal interprets rules to fit his own disruptive devices instead of fairly following the actual rules. Nancy McArthur fairly and accurately follows the rules to efficiently address and advance proper business issues. Nancy McArthur has been an exemplary Chair of the GOP Executive Committee.

Nancy McArthur has additional leadership and executive experience as a former Chardon City Councilman and Mayor.

Nancy McArthur has the experience, skills and drive to be an excellent Geauga County Commissioner.

Tim Snyder

Burton Township

O’Toole for Appellate Court

I encourage Geauga residents to vote for Colleen Mary O'Toole in the March 19 Republican primary for judge in the 11th District Court of Appeals.

Colleen is a law-and-order conservative and will interpret the law, not make it. She has a passion for public ser vice and is in touch with our community.

As a lawyer, prosecutor and judge, Colleen has shown her fair and impartial approach to all situations. She is considerate of all individuals and works hard to serve those

most in need of her services.

Colleen has the experience and temperament we deserve from our judges.

I am voting for Colleen Mary O'Toole in the March 19 Republican primary. So should you.

Vicki O'Malley

South Russell Village

Claypool, Spidalieri Have Geauga’s Best Interest

My fellow citizens of Geauga County. I have lived her for the past seven years and have grown to love my community and what it represents.

Over the past few years, I have noticed the change in beliefs and how certain public officials have placed their interests first and not what is best for our county/country. Since the election of 2020, I believe we have been awakened to the corruption and deceit of our elected and appointed public officers.

We need now to be aware and educate ourselves to be informed on who we support and elect. Hold those who we elect accountable for their decisions and actions. We must support those who hold the values we need to move forward and protect what is important to our faith and culture of the community. Just because they have (R) or (D) behind their name, that should not be the only factor in deciding who to vote for.

I do not hold anything personal against any fellow Republican or Democrat and would not speak ill against them. I’m sure they are good people, but they do not have the interests of the people of Geauga and/or the leadership that is necessary to turn things around.

With this said, I am endorsing Skip Claypool and Ralph Spidalieri for county commissioner. They have the experience and knowledge to lead us back to keeping Geauga a sovereign county and maintaining the culture of Geauga and preserving its unique characteristics.

Skip and Ralph have the heart and the best interests of Geauga. The leadership in Geauga needs to be changed and brought back to “we the people.” So-called Republicans, who were former Democrats, need to know that we uphold our county values, beliefs and culture and we do not want it to change.

Please join me and my fellow constituents in voting for Skip Claypool, Ralph Spidaleri and Bernie Moreno.

Dyanne Giammaria

Chester Township

‘Better with Brakey’

Carolyn Brakey is running for Geauga County Commissioner. She’s not a career politician. She’s a well-educated concerned citizen of our county with a deep desire to make Geauga County a better place to live for her family and all other concerned citizens.

When the recent Ohio property valuations and the tax hikes were announced, Carolyn didn’t sit idly by. She started getting petitions signed and presented them to our state Sen. Sandy O’Brien on behalf of all Geauga residents. Thanks to her quick action, other county leaders jumped on board and were able to achieve some reductions.

Carolyn will thoroughly research a situation and present the facts truthfully. She will be a watch dog of taxpayer monies as County Commissioner. She’s not afraid to tackle the “status quo” mindset.

I have known her to be a great asset to our county. That’s why I proudly voted for her and I’m asking you to vote for her, too. Let’s all make Geauga “Better With Brakey.”

Barbara Walter

City of Chardon

Geauga Deserve FullTime Commissioner

I encourage all Geauga County Republican voters to select Nancy McArthur for Geauga County Commissioner on March 19.

Nancy is an experienced community leader, having served over a decade on Chardon City Council, including time as Council President and Mayor. During her time on Council, Nancy chaired the Economic Development Committee and the Finance Committee.

Nancy brings to public service her decades of private sector experience in business development and working with small businesses. She will bring to the role of County Commissioner a healthy perspective on the needs of businesses and how economic development and growth can benefit the citizens of Geauga County.

Nancy is committed to the Republican Party. She is an alternate delegate for this year’s Republican National Convention, a post she also held in 2020.

She has been Chair of the Geauga County Republican Party since 2012. In that role, she works tirelessly promoting and helping Republican candidates in the county and in Ohio. As Chair, I have seen her personal commitment to bringing unity and harmony to the Geauga County Republican Party, a task not unlike herding cats — a skill set which will serve her well as a County Commissioner.

Nancy is a dedicated public servant who will put the interests of Geauga County and its residents first and foremost, and who will give the job of County Commissioner her undivided attention. The residents of our great county deserve nothing less.

Please join me in voting for Nancy McArthur for County Commissioner on March 19.

Todd Palmer

Bainbridge Township

Brakey Brings Fresh Air to Office

It is time for fresh air in the Geauga County Commissioners office. That is why I am supporting Carolyn Brakey for Geauga County Commissioner.

Carolyn is that candidate with a studied knowledge of Geauga County, its history, its problems, its attributes and the right solutions to represent all the people of Geauga County.

Carolyn is on top of all taxing issues and has the legal experience to try to save taxpayers money, just like she has done on the Board of Health.

Please join me in voting for Carolyn Brakey on March 19.

Sue Bagley

Bainbridge Township

Primary 2024: Letters to the Editor

J’accuse

I am Michael McArthur, husband of Nancy McArthur, who is a candidate for Geauga County Commissioner.

Nancy was attacked in a letter by Pam Claypool that was most likely ghost written by her husband, Walter Claypool. Walter is running for a third time for Geauga County Commissioner.

It was a typical ad hominem attack by Walter “j’accuse” Claypool, an individual whose bread and butter is demonizing his opponents. Pam’s a letter was filled with manipulative falsehoods and accusations that would require too much space to properly address in this format.

Walter, from my observations, is a fanatic of his own fan club. He worships his own “conservative” image of which he is the ultimate “conservative standard” to which others must be judged. His allies have been and probably still are: Judge Grendell, James MacNeal, Ralph Spidalieri and litigator Brian Ames (who has cost our Geauga GOP Party thousands of dollars in defense of his frivolous and failed lawsuits).

Walter’s exploits his Tea Party organization for his own personal political platform and to also use it to attack Nancy and the Geauga Republican Party, which he unfortunately is a member.

Hypocrisy knows no bounds for Walter, while accusing his opponent Carolyn Brakey for being a former Democrat. Walter was recently exposed for being a Democrat himself who voted for Bill Clinton and his wife, Pam,

who voted Democrat in 1990.

My wife, Nancy, has demonstrated her community commitment as the indefatigable Chairman of the Geauga County Republican Party, Chardon Council Member, Board of Elections Official, Mayor of Chardon, head of numerous city committees, including the driving force that finally resolved the building of our great Heritage House on the square.

All the vicious slings and arrows that have been shot at her by the likes of Walter Claypool and his allied supporters are because they have been threatened by her abilities, her competence, her incredible work ethic and her demand for public accountability.

Walter’s lies about Nancy have only strengthened her resolve to bring competence and accountability to the commissioner’s office.

J’accuse you Walter of being a manipulator, an ideologue and when it suits you, a liar. You are abrasive and do not attempt to get along with those who differ from you. You do not know how to work with people in a professional capacity.

Nancy is a listener, an evaluator, and results oriented. She is a consummate professional. Additionally, Nancy will be a tremendous improvement over her lazy opponent, Commissioner Ralph Spidalieri, who has been milking and bilking the public for far too long.

Make your vote truly count. Vote Nancy McArthur for Geauga County Commissioner.

Michael McArthur

City of Chardon

Geauga Deserves Better, Not a Bully

Skip Claypool is (again) running for County Commissioner.

I’ve sat in on multiple Board of Mental Health and Recovery Services meetings and watched him berate, degrade and attempt to humiliate women. That’s why it came as no surprise to me that Skip cost Chester taxpayers hundreds of thousands in legal costs because of his “misogynistic, narrow-minded thinking [that] has impacted not only the fire department but the residents of Chester Township for years to come,” according to Chester’s former female deputy fire chief.

Now Skip disturbingly has Carolyn Brakey in his crosshairs. Skip will tell all who will listen that he told Carolyn he was willing to drop out of the race, but Carolyn was allegedly “terse” with him. If you know Skip, he’s probably told the same story to you. In telling this story, Skip sees himself as the good guy. This man has orchestrated an entire county commissioner campaign, publishing weekly full-page ads to disparage his opponent, spreading slander to any who will listen, all because Carolyn refused to stroke his ego.

It has nothing to do with her politics. It has nothing to do with her qualifications. It has everything to do with Skip’s narcissism.

Skip Claypool is a bully to women. In Carolyn Brakey, he has met his match. On the Board of Health, Carolyn has taken on COVID bullies, big government bullies, and rent-seeking bullies. She has professionally delivered conservative solutions in challeng-

ing circumstances. I have no concern she can handle the likes of Skip Claypool.

On March 19, I will be voting Carolyn Brakey for Geauga County Commissioner — the candidate committed to public service, not self-aggrandizement.

Susan Parker

Hambden Township

Claypool Derangement Syndrome?

If you’re not a Skip Claypool fan, ask yourself what the real reason is. One possibility is that he brings many uncomfortable topics to the surface the citizens of Geauga County wouldn’t otherwise know existed. One example of this is his unveiling of Cuyahoga County’s tyrannical directives, via NOACA, which, like it or not, will affect all our lives here in Geauga County in many negative ways. Skip addresses this with facts that he can back, gives resources for you to research those facts and comes up with possible solutions.

Instead of being grateful for that, voters run the other way, finding Skip’s truths abrasive. Skip has stood by his words and values, even though some of his opponents will point out an occasional human error.

Skip is willing to do the hard work, despite his naysayers’ words. He has proven that in the past elected positions he has held. That, I believe, is a stellar reason to vote for him once again as Commissioner.

Christine Stenzel Munson Township

Primary 2024: Letters to the Editor

Goodbye Claypool

We need to say our final goodbye to Skip Claypool.

The voters of Geauga County have a big decision March 19 on two commissioner positions. One has Ralph Spidalieri, who said he does not want to become a career politician and would only serve three terms. I guess he’s changed his mind, as he’s running for a fourth.

The position I am most concerned about though is the position being vacated by Commissioner Tim Lennon. Seems he is honoring his commitment not to be a career politician.

The two candidates hoping to replace him are Carolyn Brakey and ex-commissioner Skip Claypool. Mr. Claypool, along with Mr. Spidalieri, brought in a period of infighting that has cost Geauga Countians hundreds of thousands of dollars in outside legal fees. They placed political cronies on important county boards often making them, and the county, an embarrassment in the state.

Let us also not forget that Mr. Claypool was the main proponent of the 2017 driver tax that cost Geauga Countians $1.3 million. I have labeled this the “Skip Tax.”

Please, we’ve turned this man away three times now because we don’t want his brand of governance. Let us make it a fourth. I am voting for Carolyn Brakey for commissioner on March 19.

Mike Nolan Chardon Township

Brakey: Honest, Ethical Candidate

I am proud of Carolyn Brakey for running a positive and focused campaign for Geauga County Commissioner. However, as her husband, I feel compelled to respond to the mudslinging, half-truths and outright lies from her opponent (and now his wife).

At the start of 2020, Carolyn was not politically active. We were Republicans by our values and votes in November, but we were focused on our family and careers — not politics.

Then, in March of that same year, mere months before our twins were set to enter kindergarten, COVID panic robbed our freedoms in ways we never could have imagined.

In response, Carolyn sought and secured a position on the Board of Health with a singular mission: To put an end to oppressive COVID restrictions in Geauga County.

Shortly after her appointment, Carolyn Brakey bravely authored Ohio’s first school COVID guidance that affirmed parental choice, expressly recommending against forced masking. Mask mandates in Geauga County schools crumbled immediately thereafter with the rest of the state following Geauga’s lead.

Carolyn’s opponent has accused her of not being a lifetime political partisan — and he is absolutely right. Carolyn was focused on our family, not on politics. But when politics came for Geauga’s families, she victoriously fought for our county’s kids.

Carolyn’s opponent seeks to divert attention, not only from her conservative accomplishments, but also from his own perpetual conflicts, constant contrarianism and ineffectiveness. In an attempt to do so, he has resorted to wild claims attacking my wife’s Republican credibility, referencing a ballot cast nearly two decades ago when she was a student in her 20s.

Ironically, according to public records, Skip Claypool and his wife were both regis-

tered Democrats well into their 40s — old enough to know better and older than my wife and I are today. Personally, I don’t begrudge either of them for changing their mind. I wish more longstanding Democrats like the Claypools would do so.

Skip Claypool was a Democrat until he was 48 — but that shouldn’t disqualify him with Republican voters. He should be judged based on the person he is today — a man in a glass house throwing stones.

To that end, it is fair for voters to consider whether a candidate is conducting an honest and ethical campaign; whether a candidate is living up to the same standards that he expects you to judge his opponent by.

On March 19, please vote for my wife, Carolyn Brakey — the honest and ethical candidate in this race for Geauga County Commissioner.

Matt Brakey Russell Township

McArthur is Best Candidate

Nancy McArthur will be the best Commissioner!

I have worked side by side with Nancy since I was elected Vice Chairman of the Geauga County Republican Party in 2019. With her tremendous help, I achieved my goals to raise money to assist our candidates running for office and provide accurate and timely election information to the Geauga County residents.

Nancy and I did this through vending at our tent at The Geauga County Fair in 2019 and 2021. There was no fair in 2020 due to COVID. Nancy put it all together with me and gave a tremendous amount of time to make the Geauga County Republican Party Tent at the fair the tent to be tremendously proud of!

Nancy is a very fiscally responsible conservative who will embrace new ideas and will lead us in the right direction. She is totally dedicated to the Geauga County Republican Party of which she is the Chairman.

I know she will be totally dedicated to serving as our Commissioner and putting in the time needed to represent us. Unlike her opponent.

Please join me in voting for Nancy McArthur in the Republican Primary on March 19. I promise you will not be disappointed. Nancy is the best person for the position.

Mary Zettelmeyer

Geauga County Republican Party Executive Committee

Russell Township

Brakey: Sensible Champion for Taxpayers

Carolyn Brakey, a sensible champion for taxpayers, is running for Geauga County Commissioner.

In this era of inflation, it is imperative we keep county taxes and spending low. Carolyn has demonstrated such leadership already.

On the Board of Health, Carolyn was presented with a choice: raise taxes or cut services. Instead, Carolyn identified and cut bureaucratic redundancy, saving over a half million dollars every year and avoiding a tax hike.

When the State of Ohio ordered property revaluations that would have led to a $9.6 million tax hike on Geauga property owners,

Carolyn mobilized over 1,750 residents in a petition effort for tax relief, delivering results from local officials.

To keep Geauga government small, collaborative and efficient, on March 19 I’m voting Carolyn Brakey, Republican for Geauga Commissioner.

Arjen Peirce

Newbury Township

Brakey Embodies Leadership Qualities

I am writing to express my strong endorsement of Carolyn Brakey for Geauga County Commissioner.

A political campaign often reveals a candidate’s true character, and Carolyn has consistently demonstrated objectivity, class and determination. She has focused on what truly matters: The betterment of our county and its residents.

Carolyn’s dedication to serving as Geauga County Commissioner stems from her desire to uphold the values cherished by herself and many other residents, including myself.

During a speech at the Health District Advisory Board meeting, while pursuing a seat on the Geauga County Board of Health, Carolyn emphasized her commitment to protecting family, faith and combating government dysfunction. These values remain at the core of her every action to this day.

Having served alongside Carolyn on the Board of Health for the past two years, I have witnessed her unwavering dedication to these principles and her vision for Geauga County.

Carolyn’s integrity sets her apart, as she has actively participated in initiatives like the Parkman Well Project and worked tirelessly to prevent property tax increases in the county.

She not only seeks to hold the position of Commissioner but is deeply invested in the well-being of our county, engaging with the community and residents beyond mere attendance at meetings.

Her leadership qualities shine through in her decision-making process, which involves understanding the impact on the people she serves and asking pertinent questions.

Carolyn’s humility, empathy and reasonableness make her a trustworthy leader.

As an accomplished attorney, local business owner and mother, she brings a wealth of knowledge, empathy and ethical standards to the table.

Carolyn’s ability to collaborate with individuals holding differing views underscores her commitment to working toward a common goal of enhancing our county, even in the face of challenges. Geauga County stands to benefit from her fresh perspective, innovative ideas and diverse expertise.

As a lifelong resident of Geauga County, I have observed the deterioration of our political landscape into dysfunction. We are in need of a change, from self-serving career politicians to leaders who prioritize the community’s interests.

Carolyn embodies the qualities of a leader: a successful businesswoman, a mother and a role model. Her ideals, determination, humility, objectivity and perseverance make her the ideal candidate for Geauga County Commissioner.

Ashley M. Jones

Newbury Township

‘Get Over it Already’

Regarding the last Geauga County GOP meeting: It is 2024, we have a presidential election coming up, and we need Republicans to focus and make our county party work.

First, kudos to the responsible committee members who voted against primary endorsements in that meeting.

Second, I am flabbergasted that grown adults there were whining about the Tea Party producing “fake slate cards.”

I’m new to Geauga County and the Tea Party, so I haven’t had a front row seat to whatever counterproductive fixation GOP insiders have with the Tea Party. But whatever happened in the past, get over it already. All I’ve seen at the Tea Party meetings is a group of sincere patriotic conservatives working hard to inform citizens.

In the 2.5 years I’ve lived here, I’ve seen one community education opportunity offered by the GOP, while the Tea Party has hosted monthly opportunities for citizens to learn about education, First Amendment rights, economic issues, local/state government, candidate forums, etc.

When I helped start a new conservative club in our county — Fortify Geauga — the Tea Party welcomed us and allowed us to make announcements about our website and events. No jealousy, no rivalry, no badmouthing . . . just a sincere desire to promote anything that helps citizens be more informed and active. Why doesn’t the GOP support those aims as well?

Regarding “Fake Slate Cards:” I’ve never seen a Tea Party slate card, but even if they did put one out, so what? Lots of organizations put out slate cards. What makes them “fake?” What makes another slate card “real?”

A “real” Geauga GOP slate card would have to be voted on and approved by the Central Committee, whose members are elected to represent Republicans in each precinct. Yet, ahead of the 2022 Primary, Geauga GOP Chair Nancy McArthur distributed her own endorsements, which included the Geauga GOP logo, despite the fact there was never a Central Committee vote on which candidates to endorse. Wasn’t that a “Fake Slate Card?”

And how about the fliers Mrs. McArthur distributed, instructing Democrats to pull Republican ballots in our split primary, vote for her preferred candidates (not voted on by the GOP), then switch back to Democrat ballots for their primary? That seems an awful lot like a “Fake Slate Card.”

Instead of bashing other conservative groups, maybe our GOP should focus on open meetings scheduled in advance to increase attendance, roll-call votes so citizens know how their elected representatives are voting, and some sincere citizen engagement initiatives, like a newsletter, Young Republicans or hosting speakers to educate the community?

We have many Central Committee representatives with talent, initiative and a sincere desire to serve. It’s time for our GOP leadership to give them the tools, training and structure they need to really represent us.

To learn what the Central Committee could and should be doing, find out who your elected member is, and see the “fake slate cards” mentioned above, please visit www.FortifyGeauga. org and click on the “Republican Party” tab.

Joy Elizabeth Bramley

Joy Elizabeth Bramley (nee Rundt), 96, of Huntsburg Township, passed away peacefully Tues day evening, Feb. 27, 2024, at University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center while surrounded by her family.

She was born in Bainbridge Township on Sept. 16, 1927, to the late Leslie and Amy (nee Salasky) Rundt. Joy is once again reunit ed with her loving husband, James Clinton Bramley, who has been waiting for her in Heaven since Jan. 2, 1990.

Joy was a housewife and stay-at-home mom. She always told great stories of her life growing up on a farm during the Depression. Joy worked at a young age to help her family.

Mavis J. Fusco

Mavis J. Fusco, age 99, of Northville, Mich., formerly a longtime resident of Burton, passed away on Feb. 22, 2024.

Obituaries

Burton Public Library, 14588 W. Park St., P.O. Box 427, Burton, OH 44021.

Casterline Funeral Home, 122 West Dunlap, Northville, Mich., (248) 349-0611, is handling arrangements.

Please share online condolences at www. casterlinefuneralhome.com

She was talented at cooking, crocheting, sewing for her daughters, drawing, and just being a fun grandma to her grandkids.

Joy had a sweet soul but could be stubborn at times, caring and concerned, she would always help where she could.

She will be greatly missed by her daughters Barb Warren, Colleen (Richard) Lockhart, Lynnette (John Costa) Bramley; grandchildren, Michelle Hering, Jeff (Erika) Lockhart, Emily (Jay) Gainer, and Marty (Casey) McCaffrey; great-grandchildren, Jack and Ann Lockhart, Rose Gainer, Natalie and Colin Hering; brother Leslie Rundt; and many friends.

Joy is preceded in death by her husband, James; parents; daughter Diane Bramley; grandson Robert Warren; brother Edward (Alma) Rundt; and sisters, Doris (Lloyd) Sawyer and Helen (Lloyd) Moore.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Joy always loved hearing what was happening at the Huntsburg Congregational Church, where she was a longtime member. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name are requested to be made to the church at P.O. Box 307, Huntsburg, OH 44046. Arrangements have been entrusted to Best Funeral Home, 15809 Madison Road, Middlefield, 440-632-0818. Online condolences may be sent at www.bestfunerals.com.

Opinion

from page A21

Faith, Values, Family Guide Brakey

Carolyn Brakey has my endorsement for Geauga County Commissioner.

Integrity can be a rare quality among candidates on the ballot. That’s why Carolyn stands out — not just for her impressive legal and engineering background, but also for the values that guide her.

Carolyn’s steadfast faith and commitment to family, a cornerstone of our Geauga values, is evident in both her personal and professional life.

As a Hamden Trustee, I’ve witnessed her dedication to community well-being. Carolyn’s approach is unique, bringing fresh perspectives to the table. In a world where

She was born on May 6, 1924, in Ak ron, daughter of Orval W. and Mabel (nee Calvert) Lemmons. was united in marriage to Henry Fusco on Sept. 18, 1948; they spent 70 years lovingly devoted to one another until his death on Oct. 9, 2018.

Mavis graduated from Kenmore High School in Akron, class of 1942. She continued her education at Kent State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art.

Her classic beauty earned her the title of Kent State May Queen. She also participated in the Model/Model beauty competition sponsored by the Kent State Journalism department. She won the competition and her photos were featured in an array of stories published by several news services in the U.S. A number of WWII servicemen saw the photos and read about the journalism competition prompting them to send “fan mail” that included a few marriage proposals.

Mavis was a devoted homemaker and took wonderful care of her family. She was a talented artist, preferring the medium of pastels and colored pencils.

Mavis was a voracious reader and a lifelong supporter of the Burton Public Library. She volunteered for many years, sorting donated and used books, and was also a member of the Tuesday Club.

Mavis is survived by her loving sons, Christopher (Martha) Fusco and Timothy (Susan) Fusco; grandchildren, Megan (Ted) Ames, Justin (Laura) Fusco, Jessica (Gabby) Fusco, Martha (Carl) Butcher and Elisabeth (John) Carter; and great-grandchildren, Quinn, Christopher, Carter, Juliana, Holden, Jake, Jadyn, Sophia, Scarlett, Ainslie, Declan and Georgia.

She was preceded in death by her husband; and parents.

A private family Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Mavis will be laid to rest with her husband at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Mich.

Memorial contributions may be made to

trust is paramount, she exemplifies honesty and principled leadership. I invite all voters to join me in supporting Carolyn Brakey for Geauga County Commissioner on March 19.

Dave Johnson, Trustee

Hamden Township

Brakey for Commissioner

I felt compelled to write this letter to rebut the notion being floated that Carolyn Brakey is unproven. The same appeal to the “status quo” was used to argue against her appointment to the health board in 2022. The residents, who showed up in overwhelming support of her for that appointment, didn’t buy it then and we don’t buy it now. Carolyn is the candidate who will affect real change.

Carolyn won that appointment and quickly became a positive force helping Geauga County take a leading role in ensuring citizens’

Phyllis Oliphant

Phyllis Oliphant (nee Kwasniewski), age 84, peacefully passed away on March 3, 2024, at Mapleview Country Villa in Chardon.

She was born on Nov. 2, 1939, to Raymond and Bernice (nee Miller) Kwasniewski, in Cleveland.

Phyllis's life unfolded with simplicity and kindness. She was raised in the serene surroundings of Huntsburg Township and graduated from Berkshire High School in Burton.

In 1962, Phyllis exchanged vows with her beloved Richard Thomas Oliphant at St. Lucy’s Catholic Church in Middlefield. Their union was a testament to enduring love and commitment. Richard preceded her in death in 2008.

Phyllis dedicated her years to her family. She worked at Snap Out Tools and later at Geauga County Job and Family Services.

Phyllis lived a simple yet fulfilling life surrounded by the love of her family and friends. She found joy in the little moments, cherishing the bonds she shared with those closest to her.

Phyllis is survived by her brother, Raymond Kwasniewski; sister, Patricia (Gary) Dodge; granddaughter, Madison Andre; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Although her family was small, their love for her was boundless.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Richard; and daughter, Kelly Oliphant Andre. Their memories will forever be cherished in the hearts of those who knew and loved Phyllis.

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Monday, March 11, 2024, at Burr Funeral Home, 116 South St., Chardon.

A memorial service will begin at 12 p.m., with interment to follow at All Souls Cemetery,

10366 Chardon Road, Chardon Township.

In honor of Phyllis and her love for the color pink, attendees are invited to wear a splash of pink to her services.

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

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

Adelle Lenore Garver

Adelle Lenore Garv er (nee Lysaght), of Troy Township, passed away peaceful ly Saturday evening, March 2, 2024, at the Burton Healthcare Residence.

She was born in Cleveland, on July 10, 1936, to the late Gor don H. and Lois A. Newhouse.

Adelle was the previous owner of a candy shop and later a health food store. She also worked at Huntington Bank for about 10 years.

Adelle loved working in her garden, canning and freezing the vegetables she grew. She enjoyed writing stories for her grandsons and was an avid Cleveland Indians fan.

She also loved her cats, Scotty, Munchin and Corey, dearly.

Adelle will be greatly missed by her husband, Rick; daughters, Dawn L. Richards and Kim E. Noriega; stepsons, Shane (Sarah) Garver, Devon (Carol) Garver; granddaughter, Leiha M. Miller; step-grandsons, Colton Garver, Caden Garver; and her cat, Corey.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Best Funeral Home, 15809 Madison Road, Middlefield, 440-632-0818.

Online condolences may be sent at www. bestfunerals.com.

Notices should be sent in writing to: Geauga County Maple Leaf, P.O. Box 1166, Chardon, OH, 44024-5166, faxed to 440-285-2015 or emailed to editor@karlovecmedia. com. The Maple Leaf charges a flat fee of $125 per obituary, including a photograph.

rights to health and freedom from harmful mandates related to COVID-19. She was subsequently rewarded for her leadership when she was unanimously elected to be president of the health board in 2023. I have spoken with several people on the health board who elected her to that role and I assure you they would scoff at the idea that Carolyn is unproven.

Carolyn Brakey is a successful attorney and business woman who has taken time away from her wonderful family to serve her community. I for one would greatly appreciate her leadership to continue into the office of commissioner. Real change takes strong morals, integrity and courage. Carolyn has these in spades.

Help protect the rights and freedoms of our great county. Vote Carolyn Brakey to be the Republican candidate for Geauga County Commissioner.

Scott Casteel

Munson Township

Spidalieri Serves

Ralph Spidilieri has been a GC commissioner since 2011. Do you ever wonder why you haven’t heard a lot of negatives about him? The reason is because there are few. In fact, far fewer than other candidates running for office these days!

One complaint is that he’s not always available for people in GC. On the rare occasion when he’s not at a commissioners meeting or can’t return a phone call immediately, it’s because he’s serving his constituents in a number of other ways. He’s involved with law enforcement to protect us, he runs a business, plus heads an active charity organization, which is currently raising funds for a 6-yr-old who has brain cancer. Somehow Ralph still makes the time to bring everything together for GC citizens. Need I say more? (Besides vote for Ralph Spidalieri for Commissioner.)

Christine Stenzel Munson Township

Geauga Sheriff’s Report

The following is a sampling of the calls handled by the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office Feb. 23 to Feb. 29, 2024.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Feb. 27

3:28 p.m., Sidley Road, Thompson. 16 year old male and the father got into an argument over food being cooked and started punching the father multiple times. Has been physical with both parents in the past. Happened around 6:45 a.m. Caller has weapons, they are locked with no access. Also bit on the thumb with a mark and chipped tooth, unsure of other marks. Sent to prosecutor for review.

JUVENILE PROBLEM

Feb. 25

12:26 a.m., Ravenna and Clark Roads, Chardon. Two kids throwing eggs at cars. Caller doesn't want a report, just a deputy to check it out in case of an accident. Area was checked. Deputy located vehicle parked on Quail Woods and the driver stated his vehicle was struck by eggs. Deputy located eggs smashed in the roadway and checked the area. No suspects were located. No parties requested reports and did not report any damage to their vehicles.

ROAD RAGE

Feb. 23

6:25 p.m., Old State Road and GAR Highway, Hambden. Caller tried to to pass but subject would not let him then passed near the light. Subject got out and punched out the back window. Stated the driver was a black male approximately 5 foot 10 with short buzz cut style hair, wearing a white t shirt and of average build. Stated the vehicle was a white newer car with a Michigan license plate beginning with EGS. Deputy observed the rear window of vehicle to be shattered with glass on the interior of the cargo compartment. Deputy then checked the local area for any vehicles matching the description. Deputy did not locate any potential vehicles matching the description.

SUSPICIOUS

Feb. 23

1:08 a.m., Moss Woods Drive, Burton. Hear a man and woman in backyard in backyard. Streaming something into the bedroom that are making him and his dog sick. Only him and his dog are there. Caller doesn't hear them now. Doesn't see any vehicles in area-driveway sensor did not go off. Heard voices again since we have been on the phone but they sound more distant. Male said he has a burning sensation on his skin, unsure what it is being caused by. Has shotgun in bedroom not loaded on top of the dresser. Male is unarmed. Deputies did not locate anything suspicious throughout the property. Home owner advised of the findings, requested extra patrols during night hours due to unusual incidents.

8:44 a.m., Mumford and Main Market Road, Troy. Will be out with a male standing in his front yard with a long gun. Was addressing his tree rat issue.

Feb. 26

7:07 p.m., Owen Road, Parkman. Caller believes her husband put something in the

EDITOR’S NOTE:

In last week’s Sheriff’s Report there was an incident report that referenced a 911 call from a woman who said her Amish neighbor told her someone was using the Gulf station in Parkman Township for human trafficking. The Maple Leaf accurately reprinted what was stated in the government record. Importantly, however, there was NO suggestion, inference or insinuation in the record of the 911 call that the Gulf station or any of its employees were in any way involved with or facilitating human trafficking. In addition, following the original 911 call, a sheriff’s deputy unsuccessfully attempted to make contact with the woman who made the 911 call.

water. She states he was also drugging her. Caller left the house. Her boys are 20 and 22 years old, are still in the home. Caller is requesting a phone call since she's not home. Caller stated the water at the residence tasted weird and felt it may have been poisoned. Caller had no evidence of the water being tampered with. Deputy spoke with residents whom advised the water was OK.

Feb. 28

8:48 p.m., Joann Drive, Montville. Son got a text at 2:47 p.m. received a suspicious text saying someone will be bringing a gun to school tomorrow to Berkshire would like to see an officer. Spoke with complainant and advised the School Resource Officer and school are aware of the situation.

S P O R T S

NDCL Boys 4x400 Relay Track Team Wins State Championship

Multiple Toppers Make Podium

By alan KoRnspan spoRts@KaRlovecmedia com

Athletes from NDCL, Chardon and Kenston participated in the Indoor Track State Championships on March 1 and 2 at the Spire Institute in Geneva.

Multiple Geauga athletes made the podium, including the NDCL boys 4x400m relay team, which won the Division 2 and 3 state championship on day two. The relay team of Rob Bonchak, Brennen Burke, Sean Butler and Colm Matheney ran a 3:25.90.

In addition, the NDCL boys 4x200m relay team of Bonchak, Burke, Christian Garcia and Matheney finished fourth in the state with a time of 1:31.98.

Solid Team Effort Cages Wolverines

lovecmedia com

The Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin Lions and West Geauga Wolverines are a budding neighborhood rivalry in the making. Both teams have traditions built on success in sports, and their basketball teams are no

Feb. 27 in the Wolverina, the teams squared off in a sectional Division II semifinal contest. Both teams lost a top player recently, but the difference in this game was that the Lions have had a few weeks to adjust to losing Evan Dugger to a knee injury by making adjustments for several games without him.

The Wolverines, on the other hand, had only a single day to plan without one of their most recent scoring threats in Carson Weisman, who sprained an ankle the day before

The game was played with super intensity, as expected, but the Lions had more balance, leading them to a thrilling 50-34

Players have stepped up for NDCL Head Coach Pat Vuyancih, doing what they needed to do to improve. Still, replacing Dugger’s overall effort has not been easy.

“We always try to win our games with defense,” Vuyancih said. “Doing that will always bring solid scoring chances to the

offense. Tonight we got big moment from a lot of kids.

“I can’t say enough about how Jaxon Mangelluzzi has gone into attack mode for our offense. Tonight he attacked more than he has before, but he knew it had to be that way. Brendan Sawitke gave us some special production off the bench with that and-one play in the second half. Brendan Hernan made some big free throws, and Connor Hernan grabbed some big rebounds when we needed them. We wanted to win this big game for our seniors, too.”

Dugger was one of them, Mangelluzzi the other, on this young and growing team. Mangelluzzi paced the attack with 17 points and eight big rebounds as the Lions used an edge on the boards to secure the win.

Connor Hernan snared 10 missed shots for his team, now (11-12) as they headed into a Saturday night contest in Geneva against a formidable group of Eagles.

West Geauga Head Coach Micah Young was proud of his team, but losing Weisman one day earlier made a huge difference; he had picked up some serious scoring efforts leading into tourney action.

The flow of the game just wasn’t there for the Wolverines, who finish at 14-9 on the season.

“We just couldn’t buy a basket tonight,” Young said. “We have no excuses, though.

NDCL plays a solid brand of basketball. They made the adjustments they needed to make, and we just haven’t had enough time without Carson to do that.

“My message to the kids in the locker room was that they have much to be proud of now. We went (from) 10-14 last year, in my first season, to 14-9 this year. We have already talked about winning 17 next year as a goal to shoot for, with a league title in the blend as well. We’re capable of it — now to just work toward it.”

There was no danger of fire starting in the nets, with both teams ready to play solid defense. Ball control and good shots were the norm, but the Lions hit on 18 of 46 shots as compared to just 11 of 47 for the Wolverines.

Landon Lear picked up the slack for Weisman’s loss as best he could for Coach Young, but knowing he would already be the focus of the West Geauga offense all night, he had company anywhere he went and tallied 15 points. A six-of-19 shooting night, a major rarity for him, kept things from getting hot for West G.

Colin Whiting did a good job supporting the attack with 13 points.

Mangelluzzi’s 17 topped his team, and Angelo Tamburrino played a huge game with 13 points as well. Sawitke added seven; the Hernans each tallied five; and Dominic Paros and James Javorek each hit three.

BILL FUGATE/KMG

NDCL’s Jaxon Mangelluzzi scored 17 points in his team’s 50-34 victory over West Geauga.

60-meter sprint at the Indoor State Championships with an extremely fast time of

he

Track

from page B1

triple jump, and the boys 4x800m relay team of Butler, Anthony Ciecierski, Drew Downing and Peter Bates, who finished fourth.

The Chardon Hilltoppers also had a very successful state meet, as five of their athletes made the podium and were All-Ohio.

Chardon also set four new school records and finished seventh in the state as a team.

In the 60m, Caleb Hewitt finished fourth. Hewitt ran an extremely fast time of 6.91, which set a new Chardon school record.

After making the podium, Hewitt talked about his performance in the 60m at the state championships.

“I felt great out of the blocks — felt better than I did in the prelims out of the blocks,” he said. “I could feel the guy next to me getting on me a little bit, but contained it. It was good, it was a great race.”

Next up, Hewitt said he’s excited for outdoor track and field, aspiring to continue breaking school records as he goes.

“(I’m) looking to run sub-11 (in the 100m) and break the school record in that, and then the school record in the 200m as well,” he said. “And then make it down to Columbus for sure.”

Also making the podium for the Hilltoppers in the 400m was Karl Dietz.

Dietz, who was the OHSAA Outdoor State Champion in the Division I 400m in 2023, finished fourth in the Indoor State Championship with a time of 48.33, which set a Chardon new school record.

Chardon senior Matthew Sopchak was also All-Ohio as he made the podium with an eighth place finish in the 800m, setting an-

said. “No one else was taking it out, so I just decided to go for it. Paid for it a little bit at the end, but it was all right. Still came away with an indoor PR, so no complaints.”

Thomas Nelson made the podium and AllOhio in the 3200m, finishing eighth with a

— a strategy that worked very well, according to Nelson.

“It was awesome,” he said. “I was racing just to compete, and I didn’t even know where I was in the race, and then it was a nice surprise at the end, making the podium

All-Ohio with a third-place finish, setting a new Chardon school record with a time of 3:23.91.

With the indoor track season now complete, Geauga County track and field athletes begin their outdoor track season March 23.

Greenberg, Wheatley Win Wrestling Titles

By alan KoRnspan spoRts@KaRlovecmedia com

Will Greenberg from Hawken and Bryce Wheatley from NDCL both won OHSAA district wrestling titles March 2 at Kenston High School.

In addition, Alex Munn (Berkshire), Will Vucetic (Chardon) and Ethan Bartlett (West Geauga) all punched their tickets to the OHSAA Wrestling State Championships by finishing in the top four at districts.

In order to win the district title and earn a trip to state action, Greenberg won four straight matches.

In his first round match, Greenberg defeated his opponent from Canton South, 5-1. Then, in the quarterfinals match, Greenberg won a 2-1 decision over his opponent from Cloverleaf.

In his semifinal match, Greenberg defeated the 10th-ranked Division 2 wrestler in the State of Ohio, Vince Luce from Canfield, by a 5-3 decision.

Greenberg then won the district title by defeating the seventh-ranked Division 2 heavyweight in the State of Ohio, Aidan Mozden from Alliance.

In the championship match, Greenberg took an early 2-0 lead with a takedown of Mozden.

Mozden tied up the match at 2-2 in the second period, but Greenberg took a 3-2 lead with an escape, and held onto the lead in the third period, to win the district title.

After the championship match, Greenberg talked about the importance of hard work during his training.

“I had a long weekend, and really tough opponents, so I really needed to find an extra gear in myself to go out and win that one,” he said. “It obviously wasn't easy, but after a long weekend with all my matches going the distance, that extra gear I have been working for really paid off.”

Hawken Head Coach Victor Ventresca said that although Greenberg had some close matches, he was pretty much in control.

“I don’t think we got taken down once this weekend, so we're just going to keep working on some things that we can get better at,” Ventresca said.

NDCL's Bryce Wheatley also won a district title. In winning the district championship in the 215-pound division, Wheatley won four straight matches.

In his first round match, Wheatley defeated his opponent from Norton with a late first-period pin.

In the quarterfinal match against his opponent from West Branch, Wheatley won a 6-1 decision.

In order to punch his ticket to the OHSAA state tournament, Wheatley pinned the 17thranked Division 2 wrestler in the State of Ohio, Jakeb Beard from Louisville, 20 seconds into the second period.

In his district championship match, Wheatley faced Andy Vanscoy from St. Vincent St. Mary, who was also a former ranked heavyweight.

In that finals match, Wheatley took a 2-1 first period lead. Vanscoy tied the match 2-2 with an escape early in the second period, but Wheatley then took a 3-2 lead early in the third period with an escape, then added an additional two points later in the third period to earn a 5-2 decision.

“In the finals I wrestled someone else who also dropped from heavyweight to 215 a couple weeks ago,” Wheatley said. “Ended up getting the win by decision.

“I felt really good in that match, kept my feet moving as much as I needed to, heavy hands, and scoring on the edge. Just kind of doing what I needed to do going into the state tournament.”

Geauga wrestlers would next compete at the OHSAA Wrestling State Championships

from March 8 through 10 at The Ohio State University's Schottenstein Center.

ALAN KORNSPAN/KMG

NDCL’s Bryce Wheatley, right, beat Andy Vanscoy from St. Vincent-St. Mary, a former ranked heavyweight, to advance to the wrestling state championships in Columbus.

Bulletin Board

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Maple Driving Tour

March 9 and 10, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Maple Producers of Northeast Ohio is hosting the 2024 “How Sweet It Is” drive-ityourself Maple Tour. Maple syrup producers across northeast Ohio will open their sugarhouses to visitors to learn about their operations and see how maple syrup and maple products are made.

For a complete list of participating producers and a map of locations, visit mpneoh. com.

Beer and Hymns

March 10, 3-5:30 p.m.

Celebration Lutheran Church, 10621 Auburn Road, Chardon, is hosting the Chardon Polka Band for Beer and Hymns to benefit SubZero Mission organization.

Food and soft drinks will be provided. Attendees 21 and older may bring a beverage of their choice. Monetary donations and/or donations of gloves, hats, coats, boots, sleeping bags and other warming items will be accepted.

For more information, call Paul Gochnour at 440-897-0121.

Lincoln Day Dinner

March 12

The Lake County Republican Party’s annual Lincoln Day dinner will be held at Regovich Catering, 33150 Lakeland Blvd., Eastlake. General reception begins at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m.

Special guest speakers are Vivek Ramaswamy and U.S. Senate, Ohio Supreme Court and locally endorsed primary candidates.

For more information and reservations, call Dale Fellows at 216-299-2330 or visit LakeGOP.com.

Genealogy Society Meets

March 12, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

The Geauga County Genealogical Society presents "Finding Family Stories/Using the Anderson Allyn Room Oral Histories" at the Chardon Library 110 E Park St. This is an in-person event. The program begins at 7:30 p.m. following social time and a brief business meeting.

Registration is required through the Society website: www.gcgsoh.org.

VFW Dinners for Lent

Wednesdays, 5-7 p.m.

Chardon VFW Post 6519 will cod fish dinners on Wednesdays in March at the post located at 752 Water St. The public is welcome.

CV Herb Society Meets

March 15, 12:30 p.m.

The Chagrin Valley Herb Society will meet at the Bainbridge Library, 17222 Snyder Road. After refreshments and mingling, a business meeting will follow. Linda Gilbert from the Geauga Park District will give a presentation on water gardens.

To RSVP, email chagrinvalleyherbsociety@gmail.com. Learn more about the organization at chagrinvalleyherbsociety.org or on Facebook.

St. Patrick’s Day Dinner Dance

March 15, 7-10 p.m.

Lake-Geauga Recovery Centers Alumni Association is hosting its annual St. Patrick’s Day dinner dance at Painesville Township Park Community Center, 1025 Hardy Road, Painesville.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call Lillian Kingston at 440-2052671.

Grange Chili Cook-Off

March 16, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Huntsburg Grange’s 21st annual chili cookoff and brown bag raffle will be held in the Huntsburg Community Center, 12406 Madison Road.

Buy a sampler pack for $3 to taste entries and vote for the winner. Event also features live music, 50/50, bingo, bunco, a cake walk and activities for kids.

Questions? Call 440-636-3052.

Audubon Hikes Mentor Marsh

March 17, 9 a.m.

A naturalist from the Cleveland Museum of Natural History will lead birders of all skill levels to walk along the otherwise restricted utility pipeline path at Mentor Marsh State Nature Preserve.

Participants should meet at the entrance gate by the intersection of Woodridge Lane and Forest Road.

RSVP to blackbrookaud@aol.com. The walk leader will have binoculars to lend.

Burton Book Sale

March 17 and 24, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Stop by after one of the local pancake breakfasts to shop Burton Public Library’s book sale. Entrance to the book sale is at the back of the building located at 14588 W. Park St.

Audubon Talks Maple Syrup

March 19, 7 p.m.

Blackbrook Audubon hosts a presentation on maple sugar production by Karie Wheaton, Geauga Park District naturalist,

at Big Creek Park, 9160 Robinson Road in Chardon. She will describe the annual tradition of turning sap into maple syrup.

Bring a beverage container to be eligible to participate in the “bring your own mug” raffle.

The program is free and registration is not required. For more information, email blackbrookaud@aol.com.

CWC Lunch and Program

March 20, 12-1:45 p.m.

Join Christian Women’s Connection for a luncheon at the Family Life Center, 16349 Chillicothe Road, Bainbridge Township. Guest speaker Nancy Montagna will present “From Strait Jacket to Sound Mind,” and special guest is Patty Rentschler from Jazzercise.

To RSVP by March 15, email cwcchagrin@gmail.com or call/text 440-213-1205.

Composting and Vermiculture

March 20, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Join Geauga County Master Gardener Volunteers Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District to learn composting basics and benefits and a step beyond with vermicomposting. Learn how to avoid common composting problems. Participants will have the chance to win a free kitchen compost pail.

The free class will be held in the Patterson Center at the Geauga County Extension Office, 14269 Claridon-Troy Road, Burton. For more information and to register, call 440-834-4656 or visit geauga.osu.edu.

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.

Indoor Flea Market

April 6, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Munson Township’s indoor flea market will be held at the Munson Town Hall and Fire Station Bay, 12210 Auburn Road. The $1 entrance fee for shoppers will go toward the Munson Township Scholarship Fund. Youth 12 and under are free.

Contact the township office at 440286-9255 for more information or to rent a space.

Geauga Public Library

Programs require registration unless otherwise noted. Include an email and phone number when registering for programs to receive updates about all programs. Visit www.geaugalibrary.net.

Discussion Groups

No registration is required.

Chardon, March 8, 3:30 p.m., “Dune” (2021)

Chardon, March 9, 2 p.m., “Promise of Blood” by Brian McClellan

Bainbridge, March 11, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., “The Latecomer” by Jean Korelitz

Middlefield, March 14, 5:30 p.m., “The Paris Deception” by Bryn Turnbull

Thompson, March 16, 2 p.m., “Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law” by Mary Roach

Bainbridge, March 19, 7 p.m., “Rust: A Memoir of Steel & Grit” by Eliese Colette Goldbach

Chardon, March 20, 7 p.m., “Little Eve” by Catriona Ward

Adult Mini-Golf at the Library

March 9, 6-9 p.m. • Bainbridge

Support the Geauga County Library Foundation by playing a round of mini-golf with friends, competing in golf challenges, sampling local wineries, breweries and eateries and more. Purchase tickets online.

Family Mini-Golf at the Library

March 10, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. • Bainbridge

Come out with the family and support the Geauga County Library Foundation by playing a round of mini-golf, hanging out with Rascal the Racoon and more. Purchase tickets online.

It Starts With the Soil

March 12, 6-7:30 p.m. • Geauga West

Join the Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District and Good Nature Organic Lawn Care and learn a few practical tips on how to take care of a lawn without harmful chemicals and pesticides.

Senior Social: Show & Tell

March 15, 10 a.m. to noon • Bainbridge

Seniors are invited to bring an old photo, letter, family memento or treasured item to share with others.

Computer & Internet Basics

March 15, 1:30-2:30 p.m. • Geauga West

Learn how to navigate a computer and the internet with ease.

Puzzle Exchange

March 16, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. • Chardon Exchange jigsaw puzzles for new ones with other puzzle enthusiasts. No registration is required.

Breeders and Feeders

It’s Ohio 4-H Week March 3-9. Breeders and Feeders 4-H Club is celebrating its members and thanking its volunteers and 4-H professionals for all they do to make Ohio’s largest youth organization a success.

The club was presented with the Honor Club Award from the Geauga County 4-H Youth Development Program. The award is given each year to a club that exemplifies the spirit of service within Geauga County. Jacob Grinstead, a long-time member of the club was also presented with the 2023 Member of the Year, which is the highest award a member can receive in the Geauga County 4-H program. Congratulations to Jacob for his dedication not only to Breeders and Feeders,

4-H News

but also to the Geauga County 4-H program.

Two club members have been selected as members of the Ohio Teen Leadership Council (TLC) representing the Ohio 4-H program. Campbell Reese is a second-year council member and Jack Patterson a firstyear council member. The council is comprised of some of the top 4-H members in the state. Members’ roles are to provide a youth stakeholder perspective in the planning, implementation and evaluation of Ohio 4-H programming. During this process, the members develop knowledge, leadership skills and aspirations for future success. The teens are a sounding board for the Ohio 4-H program.

Campbell Reese has also been selected to be one of eight 4-H members in Ohio to participate in the Ohio 4-H Global Immersion

Abundant Life Ministry

Saturdays in March, 7 a.m. to noon

Enjoy all-you-can-eat buttermilk pancake breakfasts with real maple syrup at Abundant Life Ministry Center, 13724 Carlton St. in Burton. There will be three varieties of pancakes along with sausage for $10. Add a side of eggs for $1. Check out the book sale with elementary library books and desks.

American Legion Pancakes

Sundays through April 17, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

American Legion Post 459 is serving its annual all-you-can-eat pancake, breakfasts every Sunday through April 17, excluding Easter Sunday, at the post located at 14052 Goodwin St. in Burton.

Bainbridge Civic Club

March 10, 17, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Bainbridge Civic Club hosts its 72nd annual all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast in the Kenston High School cafeteria. For more information, contact Mark George at 440591-1819 or visit TheCivicClub.org.

Berkshire Athletic Boosters

March 10, 17 and 24, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Berkshire Athletic Boosters are hosting all-you-can-eat pancake breakfasts in the Berkshire High School cafeteria, 14155 Claridon Troy Road in Burton. There will also be a craft and vendor show hosted by the Berkshire Tunebackers in the Berkshire High School gym on the same dates from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Burton Fire Station

March 10, 17 and 24, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Burton Fire Station will serve all-you-caneat pancake and sausage breakfasts at the station located at 13828 Spring St. in Burton. Call 440-834-4416 for information.

Chardon VFW Pancake Breakfasts

March 10, 17 and 24, 8 a.m. to noon

Chardon VFW Post 6519 will be serving its annual pancake breakfasts every Sunday through March 24 at the post located at 752 Water St. in Chardon. Call 440-285-3699 for takeout orders.

Geauga Historical Society

March 10, 17 and 24, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Geauga County Historical Society is hosting all-you-can-eat pancake breakfasts

at the Century Village Museum, 14653 East Park St. in Burton. For more information, call 440-834-1492.

Maple Knoll School

March 15, 5:30-10 a.m.

A benefit breakfast for Maple Knoll School will be held at Buster Miller Farm, 17717 Newcomb Road in Middlefield. Breakfast features fresh sausage, pancakes, biscuits and gravy, hash browns, eggs and donuts.

Parkman Chamber Pancakes

March 10, 17 and 24, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Parkman Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual pancake breakfasts at Parkman Community House, 16295 Main Market Road. Eat-in or drive-through options are available.

WG Kiwanis Pancake Breakfasts

March 10 and 17, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Kiwanis Club of West Geauga is hosting its 71st annual all-you-can-eat pancake breakfasts in the cafeteria at West Geauga High School, 13401 Chillicothe Road, Chester Township. For more information, call 440221-0112 or visit wgkiwanis.org.

Seldom Seen Farm

March 9, 8-11 a.m.

Seldom Seen Farm is hosting a free pancake breakfast and tour during the drive-ityourself Northeast Ohio Maple Tour at the farm located at 10055 Madison Road in Montville Township.

Project. She will be traveling to Thessaloniki, Greece, in early April and based out of the American Farm School (AFS). She will explore cross-cultural agriculture careers, workforce preparations and leadership skills. Campbell will be part of a work internship with AFS students focusing on animal and plant production, food science and technology.

The club welcomes new members for the 2024 4-H year: Liam and Ella Hoar, Taylor

Coe, Adele Brown, Vivian Gaul, Ada, Owen and August Rischar, Aaron Lesner, Greyson and Alex Russell, Audrey Kilmar, Lila Urban, Brielle McCaskey and Own and Wyatt Timmons. To learn more about how to be a part of the Ohio 4-H program, contact the local Ohio State University Extension Office in Geauga County at 440-834-4656. The deadline to enroll in the 2024 programming activities is April 15. (Submitted by Campbell Reese Patterson, news reporter)

SUBMITTED

Students in Spanish I prepped and mixed various vegetables to make gazpacho, a cold soup and drink made of raw, blended vegetables that is widely eaten in Spain and Portugal.

Kindergarten students in Mrs. Dyer’s class wrote and illustrated their personal narratives and then read them to the many visitors who came by from the district to listen to them read.

Chardon

Kindness Week Raises $5.4K

Kindness Week Feb. 20-23 offered prekindergarten through seventh-grade students a four-day schedule filled with spirit days, kindness challenges and fundraising for a local non-profit organization.

Each day was also tied to a meaningful, kindness challenge such as practicing good manners, reading a book to a sibling, helping a friend with homework, assisting with a household chore after school and more.

As a capstone project, students engaged in fierce but friendly fundraising competitions in their classrooms all week, collecting funds for the Lake/Geauga chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Inc. in Chardon.

Top fundraisers earned a “Pie the Principal” opportunity for a school assembly. Principal Jill Makee made good on the pie promise, hosting a school-wide assembly on Feb. 26 wherein the 23 top fundraisers gently tossed pies at her face to the excited roar of students and staff in the audience.

Jons Named State Champ

Chardon State Championship history has been achieved once again by Chardon High School senior Charlotte Jons — this time on March 2 after she clinched her second consecutive state championship in Program Oral

Interpretation after seven rounds over the course of two days of competition at the Ohio Speech and Debate Association State Tournament held at Wooster High School in Wooster.

Charlotte is a four-time OSDA state qualifier and the first in Chardon to ever qualify in speech and debate at the state level, earning her first state championship in 2023. CHS OSDA Coach Amy Roediger stated, "To be the OSDA state champion once is a huge accomplishment. To repeat that feat is a very rare occurrence."

Spring Musical Invitation

The Chardon High School Drama Department invites the community to come sit back and enjoy as its spring musical production of “Into the Woods” takes the stage March 1417 at Park Auditorium 111 Goodrich Court.

“Into the Woods” delves into the world of the Brothers Grimms’ fairy tales, but with a twist. Showtimes for the March 14-16 performances are 7 p.m., and the March 17 matinee begins at 2 p.m. Doors will open 30 minutes before each show for ticket sales and reserved seating.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and senior citizens and are available for advanced purchase online at chardonschools. org until 2 p.m. on March 17.

junior high language arts teacher Nicole Lobaugh.

Munson Elementary second-grader Leah Schaedlich is all the colors of the rainbow on Dress as Your Favorite Book Day on Feb. 21, arriving to school as a life-size box of crayons while displaying a handmade poster and her favorite book — “The Day the Crayons Quit” by Drew Daywalt.

Park Elementary Principal Jill Makee’s whipped cream-covered face can’t hide her smile on Feb. 26 following the school’s “Pie the Principal” assembly.

trict residents who wish to be included in the electronic newsletter distribution may submit their contact information by visiting the website www.westg.org and signing up through the “District Newsletter Signup” link provided on the homepage.

Presidential Scholars Program

The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program recognizes some of the nation’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors for their accomplishments in many different areas. Of the 3.6 million high school seniors graduating in the class of 2024, only about 6,000 are candidates for the program. The process to apply is by invitation only and extensive. West Geauga has two students - Samuel Taurasi and Andrew Elias - recognized as 2024 candidates for the prestigious award.

Later this spring, the list will be narrowed down to a group of semifinalists, followed by the final selection of 161 students named U.S. Presidential Scholars. Being selected is one of the highest honors the nation's high school students may receive. West Geauga

West G STEM Fair

The annual West Geauga STEM Fair drew 66 students from the high and middle schools to compete in an array of events from individual projects, math competitions, the middle school “How Do I Fare” event and the high school Junk Box Wars.

Winners are: High School Individual Projects: Kurt Liedtke, first; Will Northup, second; and Matilda Tumada, third.

Middle School Individual Projects: Mikaela Iskra, first; Caleb Wright, second; and Logan Titchnell, third.

Middle School Math Competition: Lincoln Shirey.

How Do I Fare: Darren Prince-Wright and Henry Duxbury, first place team; Quinn McNamara and Kelsie Fink, second; and Molly Moidell and Lena Wright, third.

Junk Box Wars: Evan Muhvic, Andrew Muhvic and Robert Vash, first place team; Tiger Yang, London Caputa and Jadyn Brendy, second; and Mason Towey, Emily Wierzbicki and Patrick Hensel, third; and Design Award - Henry Bartlett, Josh Nemunaitis and Aidyn Koshar.

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

2023 ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT

MIDDLEFIELD TOWNSHIP GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO

Notice is hereby given that the 2023 Annual Financial Report for Middlefield Township is completed and available for public inspection at the Middlefield Township Office, 15228 Madison Road. Please call 440-632-5095 for an appointment.

Mary Ann Pierce, Fiscal Officer

Mar7, 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 Meijer 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 is hereby given that

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

NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING

ON MOTION PROPOSING TO AMEND THE CHESTER TOWNSHIP

ZONING RESOLUTION

Electronic Signage

Notice is hereby given that the Chester Township Zoning Commission will conduct a public hearing on a motion which is an amendment, identified as number ZC2024-2 to the Chester Township Zoning Resolution at the Chester Town Hall located at 12701 Chillicothe, at 7:00 p.m. on March 20, 2024.

The motion proposing to amend the Zoning Resolution will be available for examination at the Chester Town Hall from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. from February 29, 2024 through all Public Hearings 2024 and at www.chestertwp.com/upcoming-zoning-amendments.

After the conclusion of the public hearing, the matter will be submitted to the board of township trustees for its action. Kathleen McCarthy Administrative Assistant Mar7, 2024

LEGAL NOTICE

Munson Township

The Munson Township Trustees will receive sealed bids to be opened at 6:45 PM on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at the Munson Township Office, 12210 Auburn Road, Chardon, OH 44024, for the following:

#1 VIRGIN ASPHALT CONCRETE #2 ROAD MATERIALS

The above items require separate bids. Bid forms, bid conditions, and bid specifications may be picked up at the Munson Township office, 12210 Auburn Road, Chardon OH 44024, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM Monday through Friday.

A bid bond or certified check for $500 shall accompany each individual bid. Individual contracts will be awarded within 30 days to the lowest and best responsible bidders.

Address proposals to Munson Township Trustees, c/o Todd Ray, Fiscal Officer, 12210 Auburn Road, Chardon, OH 44024. Mark outside of sealed envelope with appropriate item being bid.

The Munson Township Trustees reserve the right to reject any or all bids or any part whereof.

By order of the Munson Township Trustees Todd Ray, Fiscal Officer Mar7, 2024

NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING ON MOTION PROPOSING TO AMEND THE TROY TOWNSHIP ZONING RESOLUTION O.RC. SECTION 519.12(D)

Notice is hereby given that the Troy Township Zoning Commission will conduct a public hearing on a motion which is an amendment, identified as number ZC2024-1VI, to the Troy Township Zoning Resolution at the Troy Community Center, 13950 Main Market Road, Burton, Ohio 44234, at 7 o’clock p.m. on March 27, 2024.

The motion proposing to amend the zoning resolution will be available for examination at the Troy Township Fire Department, 14019 Nash Road from 7:00 o’clock a.m. to 6:00 o’clock p.m., at the Troy Township Community House, 13950 Main Market Road when open and on the Troy

Township website https://www.troytwpgeauga.com/zoning under Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes from March 7, 2024 to March 27, 2024.

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

Lisa Murphy, Secretary Mar7, 2024

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

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,

BAINBRIDGE TOWNSHIP

Carol S. and Richard J. Seif, 8245 Woodberry Blvd., to Natalija Godes, $763,500. (1.04 acres)

Christopher L. Mapes (trustee), 7419 Villa Ridge, to Richard J. and Carol S. Seif, $780,000. (0.21 acres)

Evan T. Perry, 8208 Timber Trail, to Michael Hoyle and Kelly Schmidt, $370,000. (3.00 acres)

Benchmark Properties of Ohio Ltd., 18069 Kenston Lake Drive, to Christopher Shaw, $651,000. (1.64 acres)

Sheryl A. Milroy, 17906 Harvest Drive, to Peter Keares and Michalena Mezzopera, $330,000. (2.00 acres)

CHARDON CITY

Keshia L. Lawless, 370 Park Ave., to Ashley Pirozzou, $228,000. (0.60 acres)

Christopher E. Hendricks, 326 Cynthia Drive, to Sheryl A. Milroy, $209,000. (0.27 acres)

CHESTER TOWNSHIP

Teresa Shotliff, 11904 Clearview Road, to U.S. Bank N.A. (trustee), $183,400. (1.46 acres)

CLARIDON TOWNSHIP

Solid Rock Investment Co. LLC, $11186 Old State

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

LEGAL NOTICE

2023 ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT

GEAUGA COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

The Annual Financial Report of the Geauga County Public Library for the year ended December 31, 2023, has been completed and is available for public inspection in the office of the Fiscal Officer at 12701 Ravenwood Drive Chardon, Ohio 44024 between the hours of 9am-4pm. Monday – Friday. A copy of the report can be provided upon request. Lisa Havlin, Fiscal Officer Mar7, 2024

LEGAL NOTICE

The Asphalt Resurfacing of Various Roads Auburn Township, Geauga County, Ohio Bids will be received by the Auburn Township Board of Commissioners 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 22, 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 $795,000.00. 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 submittal original documents within three (3) business days of the bid opening. All contractors and subcontractors involved with the project will, to the extent practicable, use Ohio products, materials, services, and

Real Estate Transfers

Road, to Christopher E. Hendricks, $285,000. (5.00 acres)

HAMBDEN TOWNSHIP

Leslie M. Liplin (TOD), 10966 Kile Road, to Amanda Breski, $350,000. (3.00 acres)

HUNTSBURG TOWNSHIP

Robert M. and Martin R. Troyer, 12920 Madison Road, to Lester R. and Amanda J Miller, $300,000. (5.45 acres)

MIDDLEFIELD TOWNSHIP

Rudy N. and Fannie J. Detweiler, Nauvoo Road, to Aaron R. Schmucker and Rebecca R. Detweiler, $21,300. (6.15 acres)

MIDDLEFIELD VILLAGE

Middlefield Parkway, 15228 Timber Ridge, to NVR Inc., $64,600. (0.21 acres)

Middlefield Parkway, 15245 Timber Ridge, to NVR Inc., $64,600. (0.21 acres)

MONTVILLE TOWNSHIP

Sarah A. Lobdell (TOD), 16077 GAR Highway, to

labor in the implementation of their project. Bidders must comply with the prevailing wage rates on Public Improvements as determined by the Ohio Department of Commerce.

Bids may be held by the Auburn 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 Auburn 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 Auburn Township Board of Trustees.

BY THE ORDER OF THE AUBURN

TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Daniel J. Matsko, Fiscal Officer Mar7, 2024

LEGAL NOTICE

The Asphalt Resurfacing of Sections D-F of Wilson Mills Road, CH-0008

Geauga County, Ohio

Bids will be received by the Geauga County Board of Commissioners digitally via Bid Express® or in a sealed envelope at the Geauga County Engineer’s Office, 12665 Merritt Road, Chardon, Ohio 44024 by 10:00 AM local time on March 22, 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 $700,000.00. 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 submittal original documents within three (3) business days of the bid opening. Bids may be held by the Geauga County Board of Commissioners 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 Geauga County Board of Commissioners 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 Geauga County Board of Commissioners. This legal notice is posted at the following website: https://www.geaugacountyengineer. org/projects-bids/legal-notices/.

BY THE ORDER OF THE GEAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

Christine Blair, Clerk Mar7, 2024

Theodore John Sieracki, $165,000. (2.20 acres)

MUNSON TOWNSHIP

Edward M. Babcock (trustee), 12461 Mayfield Road, to JBS Real Estate Holdings LLC, $36,100. (2.09 acres)

NEWBURY TOWNSHIP

Pamela S. Dubois, Heath Road, to Shady Brook Farm Ltd., $73,900. (5.35 acres)

Sumersaete Group LLC, 14347 View Drive, to Brayton Bendlak, $47,200. (0.24 acres)

Meri Lynn Klingensmith and Kathleen S. Dragolich (trustees), 14738 Ravenna Road, to Meri Lynn and Raymond L. Klingensmith, $255,000. (13.30 acres)

PARKMAN TOWNSHIP

John H. and Kathryn J. Miller, 15305 Shedd Road, to Danny J. Miller, $275,000. (3.00 acres)

Andy and Edna J. Fisher, and Matthew D. and Fannie Detweiler, 15340 Nash Road, to Matthew D. and Fannie Detweiler, $425,000. (47.16 acres)

RUSSELL TOWNSHIP

Timothy W. Nilsen and Patricia A. Maroney, 15140

Hemlock Point Road, to John V. and Victoria J. Koslosky

(co-trustees), $620,000. (8.80 acres)

SOUTH RUSSELL VILLAGE

Andrew C. Moore and Ashley Ranson, 19 Kimberwick Court, to 19 Kimberwick LLC, $607,000. (0.33 acres)

TROY TOWNSHIP

George L. Stankus, Fallen Oaks Trail (s/l 5), to Bonny M. and Christopher A. Burke, $85,000. (3.00 acres)

Classifieds

FOR RENT

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

Meyers Snow Plow: with lights and wire harness, $700.

Snow Tires: Four(4), like new, with heavy duty aluminum Chevy rims, P245/75R16, $400. 440-622-9201.

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.

Free King size mattress, box spring and bed frame, good condition, no pets, Burton area. Call or text 216-2992142.

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

2017 Kubota Riding Mower: T2080 20-HP 42” deck, well maintained, maintenance by Kubota every year, immaculate condition; $2,000/OBO. 440-668-4773.

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.

Firewood: Seasoned Hardwood. Average length 17”. Free delivery within 10 miles of Chardon. 4’x8’x17” $120. 440-687-5404.

PETS & ANIMALS

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

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.

Did you know Karlovec Media Group prints business cards? Prices start at only $30 for 500 (B&W, 1-sided, no bleed). Call 440-729-7667 or email ads@karlovecmedia.com.

Complete tree service, land clearing, firewood, excavation and sewer work. 440-687-5404.

Offering special discounts for interior and exterior painting and staining. 20+ years experience. Professional and insured. Call Dan 440-342-4552.

WANTED TO BUY

Old fishing tackle wanted: fishing lures (wood or plastic), mouse to bear traps, wooden duck decoys. Call Lee 440-313-8331.

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.

Help Wanted

Wanted: a few people to do some landscaping in spring around newly built house with small yard. 440-3131804.

Caregiver Needed for bed ridden senior citizen in Chesterland. Part time hours, flexible, days or nights. May become full time. Work references required. 440-3390519.