Thursday, December 12, 2024
Vol. 30 No. 50 • Chardon, Ohio www.geaugamapleleaf.com
$1.25
Scams Cost Local Businesses Thousands
By Allison Wilson Wilson@kArlovecmediA com
Recent scams run by two groups have cost local building supply companies thousands of dollars, according to the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office.
“We suspect one group is in the area of Gambia and the other is a Dominican group. Both groups
have associates in the (United States) that are assisting them with receiving and distribution of the stolen goods,” Detective Steve Deardowski said in an email Dec. 6.
Chardon business VanBoxel
Building Supply has been hit for approximately $34,000, while Middlefield businesses Troymill Wood Products and Hardwood Lumber have been hit for approximately
Grand Jury Indicts Chester Brothers in Aggravated Robbery
By cAssAndrA shofAr cAssAndrA@kArlovecmediA com
Two Chester Township brothers were recently charged with aggravated robbery, kidnapping, aggravated menacing, assault and — for one of them — discharging a firearm tied to a car-jacking and assault incident Oct. 22 at Mayfield Church in Chester.
A Geauga County grand jury handed down the indictment against Ronald Delisio, 42, and Kevin Delisio, 39, Dec. 9.
Both men were charged with two counts of aggravated robbery, a first-degree felony — each with firearm specifications — and one count of kidnapping, also a first-degree felony, according to the indictment.
The aggravated menacing and assault charges are first-degree misdemeanors, while the discharge of
See Delisio • Page 6
$30,000 and $15,000, respectively.
“It definitely sucks for us, being a smaller, local business taking that big of a hit,” said VanBoxel Operations Manager Kyle Van Boxel in a Nov. 25 interview.
While there are similarities, the scams differ in several fundamental ways, according to the sheriff’s office.
“The group out of Gambia are using identities of legitimate busi
nesses, just changing the contact numbers and setting up Net-30 trade accounts. They will then order material utilizing that account. They also have fraudulent accounts set up with shipping companies, which then deliver the material,” Deardowski said. “The group we suspect out of the Dominican Republic is also utilizing fraudulent
See Scam • Page 6
New Tulip Trail Expansion Welcomes Winter Visitors
By rose nemunAitis editor@kArlovecmediA com
Equestrians and hikers have a new reason to celebrate this winter season with a trail ready to explore at Geauga Park District’s The West Woods in Russell Township.
Through a grant from Founda-
tion for Geauga Park’s Bridle Trail Fund, GPD completed construction on a new 1.2-mile Tulip Trail (loop) on the Gallo property adjacent to The West Woods.
“This latest project is a proud milestone in supporting outdoor recreation and local conservation, enabling more residents to enjoy and explore our scenic bridle trail
network,” FGP Executive Director Christine Davidson said.
FGP is a nonprofit, charitable foundation formed to provide funding mechanisms that create opportunities for nature conservation, education, recreation and relaxation for all parks and greenspace initiatives in Geauga County.
See Trail • Page 4
Anonymous Donation Pays Off Men’s Shelter in Chardon page 4
Russell Officials Struggle to Pick Rambo Replacement page 6
Prosecutor’s Office Seeks Security Upgrades page 7
Overlook Cemetery Pillars To Get Needed Facelift page 9
Sports page 10
Obituaries pages 11
Opinion page 12
Sheriff’s Sales & Legal Notices page 14
Classifieds page 14
K. Delisio R. Delisio
cilities and offerings, Executive Director Kris Carroll touched on how successful its newest branch in Bainbridge has been since opening in February of 2021.
“It is a very popular branch and our meeting room and study room use is the highest in our system and in the county,” Carroll said in a recent interview.
In 2017, voters passed a 0.5-mill library bond to help fund new construction and renovation of libraries, including new branches in Thompson and Bainbridge townships. Thompson opened its branch at 6645 Madison Road in October of 2020.
The Bainbridge branch, at 17222 Snyder Road, cost roughly $12 million and is a onefloor, 30,000 square-foot space that offers programs and space its 10,000-square-foot predecessor could not.
This includes four study rooms that serve one to 12 patrons at a time and increased meeting room space, allowing for more program offerings, Carroll said.
“Meeting rooms are used for library, community or educational programs like
The study rooms — not available at the old branch — had 7,459 attendees in 2023 and, as a result of the increased space, the library’s total programs have increased from 591 for 8,329 patrons in 2019 to 923 programs for 20,699 patrons in 2023, Carroll said.
One of the biggest draws to the branch is their makerspace, which houses an embroidery machine, heat press, large format printer, laser engravers and 3-D printers, she said.
While they do host classes on how to use the equipment, people can also use them for their own projects, Carroll said.
“The space is small, but the community has really embraced it and uses it on a regular basis,” Carroll said. “We're really happy with how that branch is doing and how the community has embraced it and is using it. They really have responded to the fact that we have put all of this extra space, the meeting room, the makerspace and expanded our programming to fit the space, and the community is really using it in ways that we had hoped that they would.”
The library has also been used as a poll-
In addition, many organizations utilize the space, including The League of Women Voters of Geauga, Kenston Schools and The
“We've had big events there, but we've nity groups to meet and students to work on projects and things like that,” Carroll said.
The total number of library patrons has increased from 118,673 in 2019 to 169,566 in 2023, she said.
The only physical change the library made since opening is updating its book drop to make it more user-friendly, Carroll said.
Looking ahead at future construction, Carroll also touched the upcoming new Chardon library branch.
“The Chardon branch will change a lot of things,” she said. “It will be much larger than the current Chardon branch and we are actually interviewing design professionals tomorrow (Dec. 10) to get started on that.”
GCPL signed a $1.2 million purchase agreement with Bridle Downs, LLC earlier in the year for property at 367 Park Avenue for the new branch.
Carroll said GCPL hasn’t hired architects yet and the library board plans to host meetings to seek feedback from stakeholders, community members and library users about what they’d like to see in the new library.
Community Meetings
Listed are public meetings and executive sessions in the county for the coming week, unless otherwise noted. To have a public meeting included in this section, fax information to 440285-2015 or email editor@geaugamapleleaf. com no later than Monday noon. These meeting notices are NOT legal notices.
Geauga County: Dec. 17, 9:30 a.m., Geauga County Commissioners, regular session.
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: Dec. 12, 7 p.m., Zoning Commission; Dec. 16, 7:30 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings are held at the Administration Building, 11010 Washington St., unless otherwise indicated.
Bainbridge Township: Dec. 16, 5:30 p.m., Board of Trustees, special meeting; Dec. 18, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees; Dec. 19, 7 p.m., Board of Zoning Appeals. All meetings are held at Town Hall, 17826 Chillicothe Road, unless noted.
Burton Township: Dec. 16, 7:30 p.m., Board of Trustees. The meeting will be held at the Burton Township Administration building, 14821 Rapids Road.
Burton Village: Dec. 16, 7 p.m., Village Council. All meetings are held at 14588 W. Park St., 2nd Floor, unless otherwise noted.
Chardon City: Dec. 12, 6:30 p.m., City Council.
All meetings are held at the Municipal Center, 111 Water St., unless otherwise noted.
Chardon Township: Dec. 16, 7 p.m., Zoning Commission; Dec. 18, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings are held at Township Hall, 9949 Mentor Road, unless otherwise noted.
Chester Township: Dec. 12, 5:30 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings are held at Township Hall, 12701 Chillicothe Road, unless otherwise noted.
Claridon Township: Dec. 16, 6 p.m., Board of Trustees, at Claridon Administrative Building, 13932 Mayfield Road.
Hambden Township: Dec. 17, 6 p.m., Parks and Recreation Board; Dec. 18, 6:30 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings are held at the Town Hall, 13887 GAR Highway, unless otherwise noted.
Huntsburg Township: Dec. 17, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings held at the Town Hall, 16534 Mayfield Road.
Middlefield Village: Dec. 12, 5:30 p.m. – Finance & Ordinance Committee, 6 p.m. – Village Council. All meetings are at the Municipal Center, 14860 N. State Ave.
Montville Township: Dec. 17, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings held at the Montville Community Center, 9755 Madison Road, unless noted.
Munson Township: Dec. 18, 6:30 p.m., Board of Zoning Appeals; Dec. 19, 6 p.m., Zoning Commission, special meeting for public hearing on zoning amendment. All meetings are held at Township Hall, 12210 Au-
burn Road, unless otherwise noted.
Newbury Township: Dec. 18, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings held at the Town Hall, 14899 Auburn Road, unless otherwise noted.
Parkman Township: Dec. 17, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings are held at the Community House, 16295 Main Market Road, unless otherwise noted.
South Russell Village: Dec. 12, 8:30 a.m., Village Council, special meeting; Dec. 17, 5:30 p.m., Architectural Board of Review; Dec. 18, 7 p.m., Board of Zoning Appeals. All meetings are held at the Village Hall, 5205 Chillicothe Road, unless otherwise noted.
Thompson Township: Dec. 18, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees, at the Thompson Community Center at the Thompson Square.
Troy Township: Dec. 17, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings are held at Troy Community Center, 13950 Main Market Road, unless noted.
Chardon BOE: Dec. 16, 6:30 p.m., regular meeting. All meetings held at Ira A. Canfield Building, 428 North St., Chardon, unless otherwise noted.
Kenston BOE: Dec. 16, 7 p.m., regular meeting. All meetings held at Auburn Bainbridge Room at Kenston High School, 9500 Bainbridge Road, Bainbridge.
West Geauga BOE: Dec. 16, 7 p.m., regular meeting. All meetings are held at the BOE Community Room, 8615 Cedar Road, unless otherwise noted.
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Anonymous Donation Pays Off Men’s Shelter in Chardon
By emmA mAcniven mAcniven@kArlovecmediA com
Christmas came early for Geauga Faith Rescue Mission, which recently received an anonymous donation of $104,000 that helped pay off the mortgage for its men’s homeless shelter.
“The donor went in anonymously to the bank and just paid the mortgage off,” said GFRM Executive Director Nathan Long, adding there was about $102,580 left on the mortgage, which was originally $128,000.
“Having this paid off really opened up the opportunities for us to move forward with opening the women's shelter,” Long said.
GFRM — a nonprofit, faith-based transitional housing program for the homeless — has been working on opening up a women’s shelter next to the men's shelter at 339 Washington Street, Long said, adding they had applied for a Cleveland Foundation grant for the women’s shelter and were denied.
Trail from page 1
“We fund projects that fit into one or more of these four categories,” Davidson said.
“While we place particular value on projects that preserve and conserve natural spaces for the long-term benefit of our community, we also value the opportunity to educate people and celebrate our county’s natural assets, character and history.”
In July 2023, GPD approached the Geauga County Chapter of the Ohio Horseman’s Council and FGP regarding plans for a new bridle trail.
GPD applied for a grant to FGP’s Bridle Trail Fund, established in 2010 in partnership with the GOHC to strengthen collaboration with the equestrian community and expand and protect bridle trails across Geauga County. The application provided plan drawings and a proposed budget for construction.
After reviewing the application, GOHC approved the plans and the FGP Board of Trustees voted in favor of awarding $57,000 to the park district for construction of the trail, which began this year.
The new Tulip Trail — aptly named for the second largest tulip tree in the State of Ohio which can be seen from the trail — provides an additional 1.2 miles of riding trail to the 4.8 miles currently at The West Woods.
“Having this paid off really opened up the opportunities for us to move forward with opening the women’s shelter.”
– Nathan Long
Now that the mortgage to the men’s shelter is paid off, they can take out another loan for the women’s shelter, he said.
Before they can get an occupancy permit, they have to complete some city renovation requirements such as sidewalk work, Long said, adding they hope to get those done within the next six months and are currently leasing the facility.
GFRM started in 2014 with a focus to rescue the homeless, Long said.
The men's shelter has only been open for
The tulip tree, which stands approximate ly 175 feet tall with a crown spread of 89.15 feet and circumference of 181.2 inches, was the winner of Geauga Soil & Water Conserva tion District’s Big Tree Contest in 2022.
GPD has eight parks that have equestrian trails, totaling more than 27 miles.
“The West Woods is the premiere riding park in Geauga County,” said Michelle Ross man, GOHC membership chair and trail liaison.
When the park was designing the new trail, Rossman met with GPD Executive Di rector John Oros and GPD Deputy Director Matt McCue to provide input on their plan — including width of trail, type of footing and canopy height.
“The trail is beautiful,” Rossman said. “The footing is perfect for horses — no large gravel. Instead, limestone screenings with a base that drains. One of the fantastic aspects of the trail is the varied terrain and diverse flora. There is a section of the trail which transverses a spectacular area of what must have been a tree farm. As one moves through this area, it is like a tunnel filled with a delightful aroma of pine.”
two years, but the facility stays full “almost all of the time,” he said.
Currently, they are keeping people warm in their emergency warming center in light of the recent winter storms that rolled through Northeast Ohio.
“We focus on helping someone rebuild their life, to overcome whatever life issues that have led them to become homeless and … help them to live what we call an abun-
financial history, any addictions or things or behavior patterns that have caused them to not be able to thrive.”
Long said it helps that the community recognizes a need for the shelter in Geauga County.
“It took years of building that grassroots support system in place for that and then finding a facility and going through the zoning process, and then the renovation and opening it and getting volunteers. But right now, we're in a place where we're getting to see the impact that it's making in individuals’ lives, that truly is inspiring and appreciated and needed for those individuals,” Long said.
“Our goal is to see that those individuals that we help, you know, are here in our county — they're working jobs, they're paying taxes … they're contributing to the community at large, as well and that can make a generation
Davidson said GOHC’s Bridle Trail Fund is a donor-designated fund that provides for maintenance and development of bridle trails open to the public.
“The fund began with a $1,000 contribution and through investments in high quality securities, along with annual donations to the
fund, it has grown to nearly $86,000,” Davidson said. “FGP holds these funds on behalf of GOHC and while FGP is the entity that expenses the funds when needed, it has always and will continue to seek input and collaboration from our trail-riding park patrons — most especially the GOHC club — on bridle trail maintenance, improvement and creation.”
While snowmobiles and bicycles are prohibited, the Tulip Trail is a multi-purpose trail many can enjoy, which was evident during a late mid-November weekend as a healthy number of hikers and families journeyed the new terrain.
Hikers and horseback riders can pick up the trail by parking at the Affelder House, at 15139 Chillicothe Road, (limited parking) and walking seven-tenths of a mile along the Falls Trail and a portion of the Affelder Link Trail or starting at The Nature Center and walking about two and a half miles.
“The West Woods bridle trail expansion is another example of our commitment to provide quality trails and recreational opportunities to our residents,” Oros said.
“This tree and the other natural features along the trail will provide park naturalists with another opportunity to provide quality nature hikes.”
GPD’s in-house construction crew installed the trail, bridges and boardwalks. Design development was provided by park biologist Paul Pira and Chief Naturalist John Kolar, project planning by McCue and Dan McConnaughy, and Isaiah Shipman served as
leader of construction oversight.
“The trail is absolutely beautiful,” Kolar said. “It passes through a variety of forest types, including young successional woods, mature forest and it also passes through an old pine tree plantation. These provide great habitat for wildlife including, white-tailed deer, red fox, barred owl and a variety of songbirds just to name a few.
Kolar said winter will be a great time to explore the trail.
“I would suspect that the pine plantation will be a great place to find wildlife such as songbirds and owls that are using the plantation as shelter during the winter,” Kolar said. “When snow is on the ground, searching for signs of wildlife such as tracks is a fun activity.”
Oros expressed thanks for FGP’s support and GOHC’s funding.
“The expansion of the trail system at The West Woods highlights our commitment to our residents and our conservation partners,” Oros said. “It's a great trail system. We hope our Geauga residents are able to get out soon to check out this new trail.”
FGP and GOHC will be hosting a soft opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the trail at 2 p.m. Dec. 15 at the Tulip Trail Head, off the Affelder Link Trail. Kolar will be leading two hikes this winter to visit the tulip tree, which require registration due to limited parking. Visit GPD’s website for more information on specific dates and times.
Small Business Owners Urged to Begin Exit Plans
By Ann WishArt Ann@kArlovecmediA com
Anyone who owns a small- or medi um-sized business and wants to retire in a few years needed to start succession plan ning yesterday.
That was the message Mark Dorman de livered to a scattering of people in business fields at the Dec. 6 Geauga Economic Lead ership breakfast at Kent State University –Geauga.
The founder of Legacy Business Advisors and partner of Succession Plus urged each listener to consider their exit plan — if they have one.
There are millions of small businesses in the U.S. and about a third of them have aging owners who want to retire in 10 years, but have no vision for that event, Dorman said.
“The vast majority of owners have done no planning at all,” he said, adding many are so caught up in the everyday rat race, they just haven’t gotten around to it, but a high percentage expect the sale of their compa ny to fund their retirement without knowing what the operation is worth.
The ripple effect of a business owner with 20 to 100 employees making an unplanned exit can be extreme, Dorman said.
If a business suddenly shuts down or is bought up by an uncaring corporation, families and even communities can be permanently and negatively affected, he said, adding jobs are lost, tax bases diminish and buildings become empty.
It is a trend across the country as the
“About 64% of the U.S. GDP (gross domestic product) is produced by small businesses. They are the heroes of our economy and account for 62% of the country’s employment,” Dorman said. “Small business is really the underlying pulse of the American economy. Everyone is banking on their success.”
However, he estimated 85% of their leadership teams have never consulted with a business advisor and 98% do not have a formal valuation of their operations.
The process of assigning value to a com-
with professional help and updated regularly, Dorman said.
His slide show, “Business Exit Planning — What You Should Know,” addressed transition options, the need for a formal transition team, determining the business value gap and if the owner is ready to retire.
A transition strategy that will attract prospective buyers would include a strong leadership team, documented systems and healthy financials, he said.
Dorman recommended Bo Burlingham’s
book “Finish Big” for business owners. Putting Burlingham’s concepts into practice will develop a healthy business, whether the owner is planning an exit or not, he said.
When owners exit, they should have a sense of accomplishment and feel they have contributed something of value to the world. Any form of transition should not be traumatic to the owner or employees, Dorman said.
“What makes a good exit? When the owners feel they’ve been treated fairly during the exit process and fairly compensated,” he said.
Due to deep snow and freezing temperatures last Thursday, many chairs were empty at the presentation, but Dorman still fielded a number of questions from the audience afterward.
A successful exit will take 24 to 48 months, he said.
“You need to start early — identify where (your business) is today and what the levers are, then roll up your sleeves and fix it,” Dorman said.
His flier identified a five-phase, 21-stage process to facilitate potential growth over 12 to 18 months. The phases are to identify, protect, maximize, extract and manage the value of the company, as outlined in the Succession Plus flier.
Even if exit is far in the future, Dorman recommended owners follow the Succession Plus program.
“The worst thing that can happen is you will have a better business and less stress,” Dorman said. “Your community depends on your success. Educate yourself, work with professionals. Get started today.”
Russell Officials Struggle to Pick Rambo Replacement
By emmA mAcniven mAcniven@kArlovecmediA com
Russell Township officials have yet to choose a replacement for Trustee Matt Rambo and the deadline is quickly approaching.
Rambo is resigning Dec. 31 after being elected Nov. 5 to serve as a Geauga County Court of Common Pleas judge beginning Jan. 1, 2025.
At the trustees’ regular meeting Dec. 5, trustees Kristina Port and Jim Mueller quarreled over choosing his replacement, which must be made by the end of January.
“To me, part of the interest is looking at, does this person — are they really vested in the township?” Port said in a follow up interview Dec. 6. “Are they just wanting an easy appointment to a vacancy where they're going to get a check and they're going to just be a placeholder … . Would this person be committed to running again?
“I look at it as kind of a succession plan,” she added. “We need to get new blood people in that are going to be vested in towns, that have an interest in the issues at hand, that
are committed to a four-year term.”
Some people have sent letters expressing interest in the position, but Port said she isn’t sure they have the longevity or interest she’s hoping for.
A public records request for any candidate-related documents submitted to trustees, including resumes, had not been fulfilled prior to press deadline.
“I don't want a placeholder, I want somebody who’s vested in this job,” Port said during last Thursday’s meeting. “Some of the people that have expressed interest haven't even been to a trustee meeting. So, I look at people coming out of the woodwork to say, ‘I want to be a trustee,’ and yet (they) have never shown up here at a meeting. It makes me wonder what the motivation is.”
Port recommended Charlie Butters, who retracted his interest at the Nov. 21 meeting. She also recommended Christopher Hare, 22, who ran against Mueller and Rambo in 2021 and lost by 12 votes, according to the final unofficial results of the Geauga County Board of Elections.
Chardon Man Accused of Burglary Hit with More Charges
stAff report
The Chardon man accused of breaking into a Burlington Oval home Dec. 1 has also been charged with im properly discharging a firearm, a second-degree felony, driving while under the influence, a first-degree misdemeanor, and not maintaining proper control of his vehicle, a minor misde meanor.
Jack Scott, 62, was ar raigned before Chardon Munic ipal Court Judge Terri Stupica Dec. 3 and his bond was set at $100,000 cash or surety, which was not posted as of 1:30 p.m. Dec. 10.
before fleeing the scene of the crash and breaking into a Burlington Oval home, where he discharged a firearm, striking another building, Chardon Police Chief Scott Niehus said in a press release. Narcotics involvement was suspected.
“Officers determined that Scott … had attempted to leave his residence in the vehicle prior to crashing into the tree. During the incident, Scott fired his weapon several times, striking at least one other nearby dwelling,” Niehus said. “No citizens were injured during this incident.”
“I’m looking for someone who has some experience and who can jump right in and do the job for a year.”
– Jim Mueller
“He's familiar, he may be young, but at least he's run a campaign. He was pretty successful in his first time out,” she said in the followup interview.
During last week’s meeting, Mueller challenged Port on the recommendation, saying, “(Hare) just doesn’t have enough experience.”
Port countered that Mueller was 26 when he first expressed interest in being a trustee.
Mueller recommended former Trustee Jim Dickinson, who is also an attorney; Tom Warren, an attorney and a former assistant federal prosecutor; and Barry Rogers, present vice-chairman of the Russell Township Board of Zoning Appeals.
Mueller said in a phone call Dec. 6 he has not spoken with Warren or Rogers, yet, and he is looking at experience to vet candidates.
“I’m looking for someone who has some experience and who can jump right in and do the job for a year,” he said.
“We are not recycling old trustees,” Port said last Thursday.
Mueller also expressed his concern about Geauga County Juvenile and Probate Court
Scam from page 1
names. However, they are purchasing material with stolen credit cards.”
Judge Tim Grendell making the decision if trustees can’t agree on a replacement before the deadline.
“I don’t want Judge Grendell making the decision because he’s not been a friend of Russell Township,” Mueller said.
Port reiterated the Ohio Revised Code states if she and Mueller don’t appoint someone, the responsibility will go to the probate court.
“There's nothing that says in the Ohio Revised Code that you have to take applications, that you have to interview. It's essentially between Mr. Mueller and I, if we agree on a candidate,” Port said Dec. 6. “If we cannot agree on a candidate, then it goes to the probate judge in Geauga County to decide who would be appointed and that judge has 30 days to render a decision on an appointment for the vacancy.”
The term concludes after a year and the appointed trustee would then have the option to run for re-election in November.
“I would like to look at an opportunity for an individual who wants to keep going forward, not to just fill a vacancy, but be committed to a future as being a trustee,” Port said.
of people don’t realize 95% of our sales are out of state and they’re pretty much all semi-loaded material that we send out,” he said.
He pleaded not guilty to the DUI and reasonable control charges, but has not yet entered a plea for the aggravated burglary charge, a first-degree felony, and the improperly discharging a firearm charge, according to court records.
Scott reportedly crashed into a tree Dec. 1
A pretrial hearing was scheduled for 10 a.m. Dec. 10 in Chardon Municipal Court. Following a continuance motion, the date has been moved back to Dec. 17 at the same time.
Should the hearing be waived, the matter will be bound over to the Geauga County Court of Common Pleas, where it will go before the grand jury, Geauga County Prosecutor Jim Flaiz said Dec. 9.
One such scam hitting VanBoxel Building Supply prompted the operations manager to contact the Geauga County Maple Leaf.
“It’s been happening more and more,” Van Boxel said. “This one is a — people are ordering materials, paying with credit cards, we ship it to ‘em and then we get notified after shipment that the credit cards were stolen.”
While the supplier can do some verification on their end, that doesn’t mean much if the scammers have the cardholder’s information, Van Boxel explained.
“It usually takes us a week or two to ship the products and when we ship products, a lot
Delisio
from page 1
a firearm on or near a prohibited premises, brought against Ronald, is a fourth-degree misdemeanor, according to the indictment.
The brothers reportedly physically assaulted a tow truck driver and forcibly removed him from his vehicle at gunpoint while he was repossessing a vehicle at 7747 Mayfield Road, Chester Police Chief Craig Young said in a press release.
Police said the repossessed vehicle was removed from a residence when, as it was being secured at the church, “a vehicle approached rapidly, blocking his exit. Two individuals exited the vehicle and confronted the operator, one of whom was armed with a handgun. The armed suspect pointed the firearm at the tow truck driver and demanded the immediate re-
Van Boxel said the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Bureau of Investigation and GCSO have all been working on the case. While the GCSO confirmed the involvement of DHS, officials said no federal agencies have adopted the case and the sheriff’s office is still the primary investigator.
“Unfortunately, there’s really no way for us to protect ourselves on it, other than try to hold material a little bit longer,” he said. “Instead of two weeks, we hold it a month. But, doing that, we lose sales on the other end, good customers that need material quickly are unable to get it that way.”
The sheriff’s office confirmed there has been an attempt to identify the suspects in one of the organizations, but it was not successful.
lease of the repossessed vehicle.”
At that point, “an armed assailant discharged his weapon in the direction of our victim prior to entering the repossessed vehicle and leaving the area,” Young said, adding once identified, the brothers were taken into custody without incident.
Chardon Municipal Court Judge Terri Stupica set Ronald’s bond at $500,000 cash or surety Oct. 25. Kevin’s bond was set at $100,000/10% surety (or $10,000), according to court records.
Kevin posted bond on Nov. 1 while Ronald remains in jail, Geauga County Prosecutor Jim Flaiz said Dec. 10. Both cases have been bound over to Geauga County Court of Common Pleas. Ronald’s arraignment before Judge Carolyn Paschke is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Dec. 11. Kevin’s arraignment, which hasn’t been assigned a judge yet, is schedule for 8:15 a.m. Dec. 18.
Scott
SUBMITTED
Prosecutor’s Office Seeks Security Upgrades
By Allison Wilson Wilson@kArlovecmediA com
Geauga County Commissioners granted approval for renovations to the Geauga County Prosecutor’s Office Dec. 3.
The renovations will enhance security and use existing square footage for new offices, said Geauga County Prosecutor Jim Flaiz.
“I think it was probably 20 years ago that (former County Prosecutor) Dave Joyce had the office remodeled. And the lobby area is — while I think architecturally, they did a very nice job with it — I don’t think they were … very security-minded when they built that,” he said.
The office is open and uses regular tempered glass, Flaiz said.
“We’re one of, now, some of the few county offices that don’t have building security. So, we have court security on the second floor for the Juvenile Probate Court, but the (courthouse) annex does not have building security like this building does or obviously like the courthouse does,” he said.
There have been added security enhancements in the past few years, Flaiz said, noting he had upgraded the keycard system and worked with the Automatic Data Processing board to upgrade and enhance the camera system by adding both cameras and monitoring stations throughout the office.
“We do, as you can probably imagine, deal with some unhappy customers and the lobby situation is just wholly inadequate for our security needs,” Flaiz said.
Components of the project involve minimizing the glass space in the reception area, putting in ballistic glass, reducing window size and installing Kevlar panelling behind one of the walls — the other wall is brick, Flaiz said.
The office is also short on space right now. A law change involving his office taking on municipal prosecutions meant Flaiz has inherited four employees, one of whom is in the prosecutor’s office. The others work out
of a small room at Chardon Municipal Court.
“Part of this is taking the existing square footage and creating three offices,” Flaiz said.
One office would be in the reception area. Another can be added in an area currently used as “flex space,” he said, adding his own office can be divided in half, as it doesn’t need to be as big as it is.
“I’ve got that conference area in my office. So, we’d put a wall up in my office to turn my office into two offices,” he said.
The current estimate for the renovations is $204,000, Flaiz said, adding cost overruns or change orders would be paid out of existing budgeted funds.
While ThenDesign Architecture was hired to do floor plans and renderings of the project, no construction drawings had been done as of the meeting.
Flaiz said he wanted a realistic number for the project before taking it to commissioners.
Commissioner Tim Lennon asked how much was invested with ThenDesign for design services. Flaiz replied he was paying for ThenDesign and had paid for the estimate out of existing budgeted funds.
Commissioners will still have to approve bids, though his office can handle the paperwork for the bidding process, Flaiz said.
The project can be done through the building improvements fund rather than the general fund, Financial Director Adrian Gorton added.
“If you guys want to do this through the general fund, that’s fine, but the reason for the building improvements fund is for exactly things like this,” he said. “So, why would we not do that through the building improvements fund?”
Flaiz said it was his understanding the building improvements fund is constituted from general fund money.
Gorton said while that is correct, the fund has $4 million set aside for this specific purpose.
Commissioners authorized Flaiz to move forward with the renovations project and authorized funds to come from the building improvements fund.
ThenDesign Architecture renderings show the proposed changes to floorspace in the Geauga County Prosecutor’s Office, as discussed Dec. 3.
Potable Water May Be Required For Oberland Park Restrooms
By Ann WishArt Ann@kArlovecmediA com
Newbury Township Trustees mulled over another possible obstacle to installing a per manent concrete block restroom at Oberland Park during their meeting Dec. 4.
Trustee Bill Skomrock told the board he received an email from township Engineer Chip Hess saying Geauga Public Health wants the two-restroom facility to have pota ble water for flushing the Green Flush toilets and washing hands.
The cost of the prefabricated unit is about $270,000, which includes delivery and instal lation. The township would be responsible for excavation to accommodate the 4,500-gallon vault under the restrooms. The vault would be pumped out when needed.
Geauga Public Health Administrator Adam Litke said potable water may not be required.
"It depends on how they are installing the system and we would need details to determine what is needed," he said.
Trustees decided in January 2024 to contract with Green Flush Technologies in Washougal, Wash., for the units. Permits from
several agencies were required and trustees understood the water needed for hand washing and flushing would be stored in a 125-gallon tank.
That was the plan to avoid having to drill a well to supply the restrooms.
“Drill a well? We’re not doing that,” Skomrock said last Wednesday.
He was visibly frustrated by yet another agency’s demands that could delay the project or add to the cost.
“It snowballs. There’s always something else,” he said during the meeting.
The park has electricity to power the mechanical room between the men’s and women’s restrooms, Skomrock said, adding outside cameras would monitor the building.
The new structure will replace the grey, temporary unit that sets between the park driveway and the woods. Some trees need to be taken out to build the restrooms there, Skomrock said.
The block building will be visible from Auburn Road. It is close to the pavilion and there is already a concrete ramp up to the temporary unit, he said during a followup interview Dec. 7, adding he hopes the Green Flush unit can make use of the ramp so the facility is ADA compliant.
The township has received a $100,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for the project, Skomrock said.
Fiscal Officer Lindsay Pollock said last Wednesday the balance of the cost of the project will come out of the township’s capital improvement fund and about $52,000 will be needed from the general fund.
Meanwhile, trustees and the Newbury Township Park Board are considering ways to ensure the water in the 125-gallon tank will be potable, he said.
A possible solution might be to install ultraviolet lights over the water, Skomrock said.
In other business, Skomrock talked about renting the former Newbury Schools football field to football, soccer and possibly lacrosse groups.
They are working out who can play or practice on the field and when, he said.
“I don’t know what their schedules are — I don’t want to know what their schedules are,” Skomrock said, adding there is a limit to the number of teams that can use the stadium, which has been abandoned since West Geauga Schools absorbed Newbury Schools.
“There are only so many days in a week, only so many daylight hours,” he said. “These groups have a lot of kids.”
Bill to Rename Post Office After Late Marine Signed into Law
Operator Insignia and rose to the rank of sergeant.
After passing both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, Congressman Dave Joyce’s bill to designate the United States Postal Service office in Chester Township as the Sgt. Wolfgang Kyle Weninger Post Office Building was signed into law Nov. 25.
The USPS will be directed to install a dedicatory plaque dis playing the name pub licly in the facility’s lobby in memory of the late U.S. marine.
Weninger, 28, who went by Kyle or Wolf, was a graduate of Kenston High School and a local hockey leg end in Geauga County.
He joined the marines in 2015 and imme diately excelled, Joyce said in a press release about the bill, adding in roughly four years, Weninger earned the coveted Marine Special
Tragically, Weninger passed away following a training accident on June 16, 2020.
“Sgt. Weninger made the ultimate sacrifice for his country and his memory should be honored, particularly in the community where he grew up,” Joyce said in the press
“With the renaming of the post office, there will be a consistent reminder for Geauga County of the many sacrifices our servicemembers and their families make every day. While we will never be able to repay the Weninger family, dedicating this post office in honor of their loved one is a way to ensure his legacy lives on for generations to come.”
Weninger’s father, Ernst Weninger, thanked Joyce for the bill.
“Our family would like to express our deepest gratitude to Congressman David Joyce and Vice President Elect J.D. Vance for championing this tribute, as well as the entire Ohio Congressional Delegation for their support of this recognition,” he said.
Newbury Township Trustees have contracted with Green Flush Technologies, of Washington, to install permanent restrooms at Oberland Park on Auburn Road. This is a picture of one concrete-block model restroom on the Green Flush website.
Weninger
Parkman Township
Overlook Cemetery Pillars To Get Needed Facelift
By Ann WishArt Ann@kArlovecmediA com
Replacing the deteriorating brick surface on the pillars at the entrance to Overlook Cemetery on Tavern Road will use up Parkman Township’s American Rescue Plan Act funds, said Trustee Joyce Peters.
Trustees approved a resolution to encumber $17,439 during the Dec. 3 meeting, less than a month before the federal deadline to use it or lose it by the end of 2024.
The cemetery project needs to be completed by the end of 2025.
Cost of the brick work on the pillars is $19,950, she said, noting the township will also use an Ohio Department of Commerce cemetery grant of $2,500 for the project, which qualified for the ARPA funds as “government services,” Peters said.
The unanimous approval of the resolution pleased her.
“Yay – the ARPA money is finally all spent. We don’t have to think about it any more,” Peters said.
Townships and municipalities received generous funding from the ARPA to help them recover from the COVID-19 public health emergency, according to the U.S. Department of the Treasury website. The act allocated $350 billion across the country for support of all levels of governments. It included restrictions on how the funds may be spent.
The trustees also approved a contract with A&A Masonry of Middlefield for the cemetery project.
Additional costs may be incurred once the project is started, said Trustee Lance Portman.
“A&A will take the arch down, then see what’s in it. We don’t know what’s inside or if the footers are okay,” he said, noting the pillars may be hollow. “We won’t know how much it will cost until they see what’s there. The $19,000 is to redo the face of the brick up both columns. It might be more.”
Lawsuit Court Date Postponed
In other township business, Peters noted the search for records regarding the 2018 sale of township land at the intersection of Main Market and McCall roads has been unproductive.
She asked Fiscal Officer Denise Villars for any progress in finding records of the 2018 sale for $20,000 by the previous board of trustees.
“I can’t find them,” Villars said, adding she texted then-Fiscal Officer Nina Reed for directions to find the records.
“They weren’t where she said they would be,” Villars said.
Township Trustees OK’d a resolution Dec. 3 to replace the deteriorating brick surface on the pillars at the entrance to Overlook Cemetery on Tavern Road.
BTE Properties LLC, of Middlefield, is hoping to get title to a little over 2.6 acres in the middle of Parkman Township to add to the adjacent 4.46 acres the company owns on Nelson Road just south of Main Market.
Because about half an acre of the smaller parcel next to the town's square has a deed restriction placed by the original owners, construction on the entire 2.6 acres is prohibited.
ALL Inc., owner of the Gulf station across the street, filed a motion to intervene that includes the township, claiming BTW intends to build a Sheetz station and convenience store on the two parcels, violating the deed restriction.
BTE then filed a complaint against ALL and named the township in it. BTE claimed the restrictions serve no purpose, township attorney Todd Petersen said in July.
The 2018 sale is documented in the township trustees meeting minutes, but last Wednesday, Peters said in a phone interview it is unclear if the vote was just a motion or as a resolution.
In addition, she said the minutes are not enough for legal purposes and the township has been tasked with finding further documentation proving the existence of a final agreement.
“The search has been completed twice and we are still unable to find the documents,” she said.
Geauga County Court of Common Pleas Judge David Ondrey set a date of Dec. 19 and 20 for depositions to be taken on the case, but ALL filed to extend that deadline 60 days because ALL needs more documents from ABC, which “have been outstanding for months,” according to court records.
Berkshire Coach Indicted on 3 Felonies
stAff report
Nick Burzanko, the Berkshire football and baseball coach accused of sending inappropriate Snapchat photos to a 17-year-old Berkshire Schools student, has been indicted on three felony charges for the alleged incident.
Burzanko, 35, of Middlefield, who was arrested Oct. 31, has been charged with one count of disseminating matter harmful to juveniles, a fifth-degree felony, and two counts of pandering obscenity, also fifth-degree felonies. All three counts carry a maximum pen-
alty of 12 months in prison, said Geauga County Prosecutor Jim Flaiz.
Counts two and three would require Tier-1 sex offender registration, which is for a period of 15 years.
Burzanko will next appear in Geauga County Common Pleas Court at 8:30 a.m. Dec. 18.
Parkman
Bombers Hockey Use Never-Give-Up Attitude
By AlAn kornspAn sports@kArlovecmediA com
The Kenston Bombers hockey team took on the Elyria Catholic Panthers on Dec. 6 in their home opener at The Pond.
The Elyria Panthers started quickly as they got on the scoreboard in the third minute of the first period.
After taking a 1-0 lead the Panthers scored again less than three minutes later.
With the Panthers scoring two quick goals in the first five minutes, it looked like it could be a long night for the Bombers.
However, the Bombers overcame the initial adversity and shut the door on the Panthers the rest of the way.
Staying positive and motivated, the Bombers scored with two seconds left in the first period.
Trailing 2-1, the Bombers got an equalizer goal early in the second period to tie the game at 2-2.
For the rest of the game, both teams fought hard to try to find the back of the net.
After an intense and thrilling 36 minutes of regulation and 8 minutes of overtime, the game ended in a 2-2 tie.
After the contest, junior Reece Newpher said that when the Bombers got down early, the coaches and captains kept the team motivated.
“Sometimes we'll get down on ourselves, but the captains and our coach will just bring us back up, and just kind of get the spirit in us that we need to go out there and score more,” Newpher said.
Senior captain Gavin Rowell said that the Bombers never give up attitude is a reflection
of the philosophy of Bombers Head Coach Tom Moores.
“Coach Tom (Moores) has always taught us to never hang our heads, the game’s not over till it's over,” Rowell said. “We've been behind 4-0 before, we came back and won that game so we know anything is possible, so we just try to keep our head up and keep going.”
With the team motivated to come back from the early adversity, Newpher found the back of the net with two seconds remaining in the first period.
Newpher was assisted on the goal by senior captains Luke Mack and Gavin Rowell.
Newpher said that he saw Rowell bringing the puck down the ice.
“I saw Gavin (Rowell) carry the puck wide,” said Newpher. “I was coming in high. He threw the puck to Luke (Mack) who was just in front. I wasn't sure if he heard me, but I just screamed his name. He turned around, just passed it to me. I just shot it on the goalie’s glove side, hit off his glove and rolled in.”
Getting the goal with just two seconds left in the period certainly gave the Bombers needed momentum.
“It brought life, I mean we were down 2-0,” said Newpher. “We had motivation, but
something wasn't working. That goal really hyped us up and showed what we could do if we really work together.”
After getting the goal at the end of the first period, Rowell scored the Bombers second goal early in the second period.
Rowell was assisted on the goal by Mack and Danny Offutt.
Rowell said that as Mack was bringing the puck up, he was skating around the ice in order to try to draw the Panthers defenders towards him.
“Luke was circling around, brought both the d (defenders) to him, then I was just all alone in the middle, he hit me, and I just onetimed it in,” said Rowell. “A quick and easy goal. But unfortunately we couldn't get anoth-
er one after that.”
Although the Bombers were not able to score an additional goal, sophomore goalie Nick Svoboda had a great game.
Staying focused through an extremely intense second and third period as well as overtime, Svoboda had 34 saves throughout the contest. 27 of his saves came after the first period.
After the draw with the Panthers, the Bombers took on the Normandy Invaders at the Pond on Dec. 7.
The Bombers defeated the Invaders, 9-2, as they scored three goals in all three periods. Against the Invaders, four Bombers scored two goals each including, Mack, Newpher, J.C. Pustai and Rowell. Also adding a goal for the Bombers was Offutt.
Geauga Public Library
Programs require registration unless otherwise noted. Visit www.geaugalibrary.net.
Email Basics
Dec. 12, 2-3 p.m. • Chardon
Learn all about emailing, everything from sending emails to attaching photos and more, then practice the skills on a provided computer.
Teen Trivia Night
Dec. 12, 7-8 p.m. • Thompson
Teens will test their wits in this head-tohead program.
Merry Ghost Christmas
Dec. 16, 2-3 p.m. • Virtual
Join on Zoom to learn more about lesser-known ghostly tales read by the fireside during the Victorian Christmas season.
Queen Victoria
Dec. 19, 7-8 p.m. • Virtual
Connect on Zoom to learn about Queen Victoria's ascension to the throne, her family life and how her husband, Prince Albert, introduced new Christmas traditions to Great Britain.
ALAN KORNSPAN/KMG
Kenston’s Carmelia Nilsson during the Bombers 2-2 against Elyria Catholic Dec. 6 during the team’s home opener at The Pond.
Board Member Invites Voters to Work Session
By Ann WishArt Ann@kArlovecmediA com
Berkshire Schools officials recently asked residents to participate in a work session at 6 p.m. Jan. 22 at the school auditorium.
Superintendent John Stoddard requested Berkshire Schools Board of Education set a date when all members can attend to come up with funding ideas in light of the district’s permanent improvement levy renewal’s failure at the ballot Nov. 5.
“We’re scheduling a work session in January to talk about future funding options for the district,” he announced to an empty auditorium at the Dec. 9 school board meeting. “We have to do something. Those conversations need to be had in public.”
Stoddard said the board needs to figure out the best option after considering input from district residents.
Board member Jodi Miller made a plea to those watching the meeting’s live stream.
“Anyone watching from home – we’d like you to come,” she said.
The 40-year-old, 2.5-mill permanent improvement renewal levy failed by 472 votes, according to final results of the Geauga County Board of Elections, with 3,189 voters in favor of the levy and 3,661 opposing it.
The revenue from the levy was not needed for the new all-grade school building, but for construction of an eight-classroom, early childhood education center on the school campus.
James Francis Bolden
James “Jim” Francis Bolden, 70, of Chardon, passed away peacefully after a brief illness on Dec. 7, 2024. He was surrounded by friends and family.
Jim was born on March 6, 1954, to Ronald and Gloria Bolden, in Cleveland, and is the oldest of four siblings, Rhonda (Joe) Lucas, Ronald (Michelle) and Michael (Nancy).
The Bolden family soon moved to Willowick, where Jim attended Royalview Elementary School, Willowick Junior High School and Eastlake North High School. During his school years, Jim made lifelong friends and was a star pitcher and offensive lineman on the North Rangers baseball and football teams. Most importantly, Jim started dating his lifelong sweetheart, Jane (nee Losh) Bolden, during his senior year at North.
Jim graduated from Miami University (Oxford, Ohio) in 1976 where he became a born again Christian and was involved in several college ministries. During college, Jim and Jane married in September 1975 and remained married until Jim’s passing. He credited his strong marriage and values to his belief in Jesus Christ.
Jim and Jane went on to have four children: Brian, Emily (Bryan) Mack, Katie (Joe) Boldensmith and Laura (Joshua) Ford. Jim was a wonderful, kind father who worked diligently to provide an example of Christ’s love to his family.
Jim worked in several fields throughout
district Treasurer Beth McCaffrey said pay ments for the $2.3 million dollar modular structure will now have to come out of the general fund.
“The PI levy would have generated $439,000. Those costs will now need to be absorbed by the general fund,” she said
Obituaries
his career. Notably, Jim spent his final 20 working years handling sales and management at Mikron Fasteners, in Eastlake, with his father (Ronald Sr.) and brothers (Ronald and Michael). He was well-liked and appreciated by customers and clients.
In retirement, Jim loved spending time with grandchildren, traveling with Jane, meeting with the men’s group at his church, reconnecting with old friends and talking about his family and his faith to everyone he knew.
It is hard to express how much Jim will be missed by those who knew him.
Jim was predeceased by Ronald and Gloria Bolden.
He is survived by his wife; siblings; children; 10 grandchildren, Gwen (Alec) Bashein, Ethan (Kaitlyn) Mack, Carter Mack, Andrew Mack, Isaac Mack, Ruby Boldensmith, Gloria Boldensmith, Cedar Boldensmith, Eva Tedrick and Nicholas Bolden; and two great-grandchildren, Baby Mack and Baby Bashein.
A Memorial Service will be held at Hambden Congregational Church, 13840 GAR Highway, Hambden Township, on Dec. 21, 2024. Service begins at 11 a.m. Guests can arrive at 10:30 a.m. to greet the family.
In lieu of flowers, charitable donations can be made to Samaritan’s Purse in Jim's honor.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Burr Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Chardon. Condolences and memories may be shared online at www.burrservice.com.
garten students, including those who have special needs.
Some of the operating revenue for the center is expected to come from students enrolled in Berkshire from other districts, he said.
Construction of the building, delayed because of equipment changes, commenced in November.
Temperatures are too cold to pour asphalt as originally planned, he said, noting that will be an additional expense.
In other business, Stoddard said the district has applied for an Ohio Department of Transportation grant to install a sidewalk from the school to downtown Burton. The project will be discussed next week with ODOT representatives, he said.
Route 6 & Auburn ‘Could be Improved’ Says Traffic Study
stAff report
A traffic study done on the state Route 6 and Auburn Road intersection concluded it “could be improved,” according to the Ohio Department of Transportation.
“This has been an ongoing issue all summer,” Chardon Township Trustee Michael Brown said of the traffic at that intersection in an email Dec. 9, adding the trustees have encouraged residents to call or mail ODOT their concerns.
The trustees have sent a couple of letters regarding the traffic, as well, he said.
An audience member at the Dec. 4 trustees meeting said she had seen about 20 cars waiting at the light one day.
Trustees read aloud two letters from ODOT during the meeting. The first was an acknowledgement of the board’s request for a traffic study on the corridor and an ask to allow three or four weeks for the completion of one. The second followed up on the first.
“The district is aware that the operation of this intersection could be improved and completed a study in 2023 that identified long-term measures that could be implemented to remedy the situation,” Brown read. “We are currently exploring funding opportunities that could be used to finance these improvements.”
While long-term solutions are still be-
ing explored, in the short-term, traffic signal timings will be examined to see if any changes would improve current conditions, the letter finished.
Bulletin Board
For-profit and nonprofit organizations or groups will need to purchase a paid advertisement for an event anytime tickets are sold, a fee is charged or a freewill donation is taken. If an organization or group does not wish to buy an ad to promote their event and connect with our readers, Karlovec Media Group will print a simple liner-type ad identifying the event, date/time/place and a number to call for more information. Email submissions to: cbb@karlovecmedia.com
Live Nativity
Dec. 13, 6-8 p.m. & Dec. 14, 5-8 p.m.
Huntsburg Congregational Church will present a live nativity at 12435 Madison Road, Huntsburg Township. Call 440-6365307 for information.
Merry Middlefield
Dec. 14
The Grinch will be in Middlefield on Saturday stealing gift cards and toys that have been collected for local charities. He will be available for photo opportunities during the East Geauga Kiwanis’ pancake breakfast at Cardinal Jr./Sr. High School from 9-11 a.m. and the Merry Middlefield Craft Show from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. United Methodist Church will present "A Wiggly Christmas" at 11 a.m. Drop by for lunch and see if the Grinch discovers what Christmas is all about.
Santa will be at Great Lakes Outdoor Supply from 2-6 p.m. for photos. The day concludes at sunset with a fireworks display.
Festival of Trees
Dec. 14 and 15, 12-6 p.m.
The Middlefield Historical Society presents a Festival of Trees at the historic Century Inn, 14979 S. State Ave. Vote for the best tree. Admission is free. For more information, call 440-632-1148.
Cookies with Santa
Dec. 14, 2-4 p.m.
American Legion Post 459 Burton-Middlefield is hosting Cookies with Santa at the post located at 14052 Goodwin St. in Burton. For information, visit btoburton.org
Family First Council
Dec. 16, 1:30 p.m.
Geauga Family First Council meets the third Monday of the month at the Geauga County Office Building, Suite B168/Carlton Room, 12611 Ravenwood Drive in Chardon. Meetings are open to the public. For more information, contact Tim Kehres, Geauga Family First Council coordinator, at 440-285-1201.
Hometown Holiday
Dec. 21, 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.
The Chardon Polka Band will perform two Hometown Holiday shows at Park Auditorium in Chardon. Tickets are $15 per person. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit chardonpolkaband.com. Tickets will also be available at the door.
Maple Syrup Workshops
Jan. 11
Maple Producers of NE Ohio are hosting two workshops at Sugar Valley Maple Farm, 15755 Chipmunk Lane, Middlefield. Sign up for one or both.
Backyard Maple Syrup runs from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Producers and hobbyists will walk participants through the basics of making maple syrup from tree ID, tapping, gathering, storage, sap quality, hobby boiling techniques on a smaller scale, filtering and finishing syrup. The afternoon Home Kitchen Confections workshop runs from 1:30-4:30 p.m. Join confection expert Tom Salo as he demonstrates the basics of making maple candy, maple-coated nuts, maple cream and maple sugar. Visit www. mpneoh.com to register by Dec. 18 or call 440-785-6877 for more information.
Join Christmas Bird Count
Blackbrook Audubon Society invites nature enthusiasts for the 125th annual Christmas Bird Count on Dec. 28. Blackbrook’s CBC circle covers from Lost Nation Airport to Western Perry, Lake Erie south to Holden Arboretum and Big Creek Park in Geauga County.
The object of the CBC is to count all the bird species and number of birds in a 15-mile diameter circle in one 24-hour period between Dec. 14 and Jan. 5. Participants within the circle can also report birds at their feeders. To be assigned to a team covering a specific area or to report backyard feeder counts, contact Dan Donaldson, the compiler for Blackbrook’s circle, at danook057@yahoo.com.
Letters to the Editor
Enough!
Yes, enough of the fabrication, name calling, and insults that we have endured throughout the recent presidential campaign. Americans, that included people of all races, genders, religions and political preferences, elected a new president.
All of us, whether Republican, Democrat or Independent, placed their vote and by an overwhelming majority a new president was elected.
Among those who remain unable to accept the outcome, who are so unhappy with our way of living and have total disrespect for our voted-in leader (such as those on the television program, "The View"), perhaps you should find an alternate place in the world to live.
We, Americans, are exasperated with the mudslinging, untruths and total disrespect for our system of democracy that we so fortunately live by.
I am over 96 years old, a World War I Navy veteran, and thank God every day for creating me an America. I've been privileged to live a wonderful life with family and friends in this land of the free. I love this country and will remain fully committed to help make it "Great Again."
Elmer W. Bollinger
Burton
Dining & Dancing with Czars
Oligarchs in Waiting.
"Oligarch” . . . a very rich business leader with a great deal of political influence (particularly with reference to individuals who benefited from the privatization of state-run industries).
The word, "oligarch," from the Greek means "few to rule."
The word, "democracy," from the Greek means "people rule."
People power!
Who will the president-elect listen to?
The term "representative democracy" is a political system wherein the citizens of a nation vote for their representatives to legislate on their behalf; the representatives are accountable to the voters.
Who will the president-elect listen to?
The oligarchs and their lobbyists will dine the new president and members of his new administration on lobster brunches and liquid lunches (with hors d’oeuvres) in five-star restaurants, possibly in exotic, foreign lands.
The average voter might meet the assistant-to-the-assistant of some White House liaison for a cold, rubber chicken dinner (with rolls) at the local veteran’s post, or a fish fry (with tartar sauce) at the local Knights of Columbus Hall.
Who will the president-elect listen to?
Human nature serves you the answer.
The current oligarchs have a sweet tooth for oil, gas, crypto, tech, casinos, sports teams, swallowing up competitors, price manipulation, deregulation and investments.
More than not and paradoxically, the average voter is on their plate, but not at the table.
Some oligarchs were fortunate enough to suckle on the teats of their father’s and mother’s inheritance.
Who will the president-elect listen to?
Human nature serves you the answer.
The president-elect is lining up his oligarchs to rule: Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy, Miriam Adelson, Timothy Mellon, Geoffrey Palmer, Jeff Sprecher/Kelly Loeffler, Woody Johnson, Diane Hendricks, Linda McMahon, Kelcy Warren, Timothy Dunn and a smorgasbord of others. At the prom, the oligarchs are on his dance card!
At the prom, the American voter is working the coat check room for tips.
Both major political parties are addicted to the oligarchs’ cuisine. Democrats and Republicans waltz with oligarchs, but two-step or side-step with citizens!
Oligarchs in waiting!
Will America be “Dancing with the Czars?”
What does the president-elect have a taste for? Lobster bisque or cold rubber chicken?
What do you have a taste for?
Representative democracy or oligarchy?
Sheldon Firem
Hambden Township
Elegant Old Courthouse Ruined
Any of you folks passing through Chardon recently likely could not miss the changes to the old courthouse. What do you think? When I first saw a photo of what was being planned in a local newspaper my first thought was “you have got to be kidding."
I phoned the offices of all three commissioners and expressed my thoughts that the change was a great way to ruin a very elegant old building. None of the commissioners called me back. I know those folks are very busy . . . maybe writing or sending emails to the Donald telling him how wonderful he is and how they agree with everything he does.
As construction progresses on the building my prediction of the work being an abortion is coming to pass. Likely the addition will be very efficient and provide necessary additional space but could they not have built a new courthouse and used that beautiful old building for other uses or rent it out for a substantial sum? Would not surprise me if such a plan would save money.
What do you think?
John G. Augustine
Parkman Township
Governor’s Merit Scholarship
Berkshire High School students Calvin Dion, Savanah Everiss, Kylie Gleason, Ryan Kessinger and Sophia Young have been awarded the Governor’s Merit Scholarship, which may be used at colleges and universities throughout Ohio. The program administered through the Ohio Department of Higher Education grants up to $5,000 per year for
four years of full-time education at a public, private or nonprofit institution of higher learning in Ohio. It rewards high academic achievement in the top 5% of class rank, provides incentives for students to continue their education in Ohio, and ultimately helps the state retain a well-educated workforce. Additionally, the award helps reduce financial barriers that may prevent Ohio’s top high school graduates from pursuing higher education.
West Geauga
Annual Interaction Event
Interact club students traveled to Woodridge High School for the annual Interaction event, where 200 students from Interact clubs across Northeast Ohio met for a day of service and learning. Students made tie blankets for Project Linus, heard presentations about opportunities for students within Rotary District 6630 and chose a service project to focus on for the rest of the school year.
The students proposed project ideas and then voted on the one they wanted to choose as a Rotary District Project. This year, students voted to make chemo care packages for adults and children undergoing chemotherapy at the Cleveland Clinic. All the Interact clubs in Northeast Ohio will collaborate on the project and come together in April for its culmination.
Rocket Mortgage Performances
The West Geauga High School choir recently traveled to Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse to sing the national anthem at a Cleveland Monsters game. For many students, it was their first experience performing in a large venue with such a big audience – and they sang beautifully. It was a memorable opportunity.
On Nov. 24, the excitement continued at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, as the West Geauga Marching Band delivered a spirited halftime performance during a Cavaliers game, energizing the crowd with their music. Members of the marching band, non-marchers and eighth-graders joined forces to perform several songs during the Cavs game. In addition, it was also West Geauga Community Night, so the band had many fans in attendance.
AUTOS & PARTS
Tires: (4) 215/60r16 snows 7/32nds on 2013-2016
Malibu wheels w/caps & sensors $475. (3) 17’’ 2008 Silverado steel wheels w/cladded chrome finish $45 each, 440-548-5801.
2008 Nissan Xterra: Nice, MUST SEE, 134k, Winter Ready, Well Maintained. Also, 2002 Harley Davidson Sportster: 10k, Great Shape. MAKE OFFERS 330-858-3213.
FOR RENT
Chardon: small, cozy house, 2BR, 1BA, upstairs, attached utility room and single car garage, oil heat, rural setting. Pets OK. $1,100/mo. 440-286-3840.
Auburn: 1BR apartment, includes laundry room and attached garage. No pets. $975/mo. Call 440-221-0649.
In-law Suite: 1BR, full kitchen, all appliances, washer, dryer. Quiet, secluded. $800/mo. with additional deposit. Newbury. 440-313-1178.
FOR SALE
Wood Stoves: Blaze King Ashford 20 with blower, 4yrs old, $2,800. Quadrafire Discovery III, used one season, $900. Call Ken 440-635-6536.
Pfaltzgraff Dinnerware: service for 8, plus lots of accessories, Heirloom pattern, $150. Cabela’s stuffer motor, $75. Flame D’Amore crystal, call for info. 440-488-6190.
Humidifier: Levoit Smart, ultrasonic, mist, 6L tank, 753 ft2, humidity control, VeSync app, Alexa/Google control. $75. 440-567-2586.
CAMERAS: Praktisx, Minolta, Nikon, Polaroid One Step. Electric log splitter, copper kettles, many aquariums, clocks, kerosene lamps, pottery jugs. Inquire 440-338-3563.
FIREWOOD for sale: $150 per cord. 440-338-5201.
Ladder jacks $50. 12-foot expanding plank $100. Mantis Tiller $200. Hitch Carrier Tray $100. Hand-held electric leaf blower $50. 440-554-5731.
Two burial plots at Western Reserve Memorial Gardens with full package: 2 vaults, 2 caskets, dual memorial headstone; $7,400. 440-476-0706.
Golf Clubs, $250: Datrek Golf Bag, Taylor Made Big Bertha Driver, Adams Tight Lie #5, 3-4-5-6 King Cobra Bafflers, 1-7-8-9 Nicklas Irons, 60-degree Loft Callaway, Nickles Pitching Wedge, King Sand Wedge, Master Grip Putter, Range Scope. 440-834-4173.
New Nitro 101”x12’ Crossover Snow Mobile Trailer: all aluminum construction, rear ramp door, side door, ski guides, $6,500/obo. Text 440-478-2218.
Classifieds
Benelli Super Black Eagle 12-gauge semi-automatic shotgun, 26” barrel, EC, $1,300. 440-564-1172. Firewood: mixed hardwoods, 4’x8’x16-inch pieces, $135. Delivered within 15 miles of Chardon. 440-687-5404.
PETS & ANIMALS
Barn homes needed for a number of fixed & vaxxed semi-feral cats whose elderly caretaker was evicted. Help us help them. Rebecca 440-321-2485
MISCELLANEOUS
ORDER your HOME GROWN TURKEY today! $3.75/# dressed wgt; $3.50/# drumsticks; $5.28/# ground. Processing dates: 11/25, 12/9, 12/23. Call 440-6365591. Durkee Rd, Huntsburg.
Legal Notices
SERVICES
Russell Township
The Russell Township Board of Trustees is interested in engaging professional landscape architect & design services for the new Community Room building located at 8501 Kinsman Road (SR 87) in Russell Township, Geauga County, Ohio.
The Community Room is a new township building for public use to be completed in the first quarter of 2025. A landscape design is needed for aesthetics and screening. The north side of the new building has space for plantings at the foundation. To the east of the new building is the existing township Recycling Center which will require new evergreen screening and possibly new hillside plants. A patio is attached to the building at the base of the east hillside. To the west of the Community Building are the mechanical elements & generator which need screening from the north side of the building. Perennial plantings, ease of maintenance, seasonal interest, native plants, and aesthetic appeal are priorities.
The professional landscape design firm or individual employed on this project shall prepare conceptual design drawings & full landscape plans, and provide, during the project, other design, landscape architectural, and administration services on behalf of the trustees, including but not limited to, observation services during the installation period to ensure compliance with the design plan. If required by the Ohio Revised Code, the firm or individual employed on this project shall prepare bid specifications and assist the township with the bidding phase.
The professional design firm or individual employed on the project must have the technical training, education, and experience to provide these professional services. Personnel, equipment, and facilities must be available from
FREE fact: another moneymaker for Big Tobacco! ZYN can be bought by our kids. Nicotine to addict and threaten your health permanently and give tobacco companies a lifelong customer!
REAL ESTATE
Homes & Land Wanted: any condition or situation! Fast, friendly, local. Serving Geauga and surrounding counties. Text or call Wayne at 330-269-9595.
SERVICES
Experienced Caretaker: will come to your home. Includes personal care, light house work and meal prep. Certified with references. 440-632-0992. 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.
Joe Eicher doing roofing, siding, remodeling, cleanout houses, we do most anything. Call between 8a-4p, 440-813-4272. No answer, leave message.
WANTED TO BUY
4-wheelers, 3-wheelers, dirt bikes, mini-bikes, go-carts, golf carts, gators, farm tractors/equipment, trailers, riding mowers, snowplows. Paying cash. 440-413-3119. Also, scrap cleanup and removal.
Old fishing tackle wanted: fishing lures (wood or plastic), mouse to bear traps, wooden duck decoys. Call Lee 440-313-8331.
Buying all Stanley Bailey planes. Call Karl at 440-8123392.
the design firm to perform the services within the required time. A record of successful performance must be reflected by the evaluation of previous clients with respect to control of costs, quality of work, and meeting deadlines.
Proposals must include at the minimum: a statement of interest in the project AND a statement of qualifications (SOQ). Please submit four (4) copies of your written proposal and one copy in an electronic format (PDF) in a sealed envelope marked “Russell Township Landscape: Professional Design Services Proposal” to the Russell Township Board of Trustees at 8501 Kinsman Road, P.O. Box 522, Russell Township, Ohio 44072. Proposals must be received on or before 12:00 pm, noon (local time), January 15, 2025.
Proposals will be reviewed by the Board of Trustees and results announced in early 2025. Karen Walder, Fiscal Officer Dec12, 2024
NOTICE OF TAX BUDGET HEARING/ AND FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
Chardon Local School District
The Tax Budget Hearing, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, will be held on Monday January 6, 2025 at 5:15 P.M.
A detailed General Purpose Financial Statement covering all revenues and expenses of the Chardon Local School District, by fund, is prepared under the requirements of the Bureau of Inspection and Supervision of Public Offices, (Auditor of State) and is available for public inspection.
The Tax Budget and the Financial Statements are available for inspection during regular business hours (10 days prior to hearing date, as required) at Chardon Board of Education, 428 North St., Chardon, OH 44024. Deb Armbruster, Treasurer/CFO Dec12, 2024
WEST GEAUGA LOCAL SCHOOLS
Geauga Sheriff’s Report
The following is a sampling of the calls handled by the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office Nov. 29 to Dec. 5, 2024.
ASSAULT
Dec. 5
12:33 p.m., Sunrise Lane, Troy. Was assaulted by a neighbor. Parties are separated and the other party left. Caller stated suspect punched him after he confronted him about taking his snow shoveling customers. Stated he that he does not recall punching but did wave his arms at him. Both parties stated they wanted to no further communication with the other. No criminal charges.
CITIZEN DISPUTE
Nov. 30
6:44 p.m., Ravenna Road, Munson. Caller states she was hit by a member of her group home while doing laundry. Caller is in her bedroom now. Is in the bedroom now. Pacing between the bedroom and laundry room yelling profanities. Caller is in her room at this time. Will be outside smoking, wearing shorts and a pink long sleeve shirt. Someone hit her in the back of the head, allegedly arguing over laundry. Group home manager was contacted to resolve laundry issue.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Dec. 4
8:26 p.m., Nelson Road, Parkman. Male and female fighting. Female punched in the face. Female locked in the bathroom. She is bleeding from the face. Glasses are broken. Male can be heard screaming through the door. No one else in the house. He is breaking down the door. He is not aware she is on the phone with police. She is whispering, and is hard to hear. He drives some kind of (blue) convertible. He is screaming. Caller believes he is on probation. Her nose may be broke. She is dizzy, and fell because he was backing her up. There are dogs in the house.
THEFT
Dec. 3
4:24 p.m., Kinsman Road, Middlefield. Caller states two chain saws and backpack leaf blower have been stolen out of his shop. Caller states he moved some things this morning and just realized the items were missing. Caller will be at his shop waiting. Complainant reported two chainsaws and a back pack blower stolen. See report.
Following is a list of real estate transfers for the week ending Dec. 6, 2024, provided as a public service by the Geauga County Auditor’s Office. Transfers may involve the sale of land only.
AUBURN TOWNSHIP
Stephen and Debora Muhic, 10371 Taylor May Road, to Daniel A. Grenig, $300,000. (2.52 acres)
BAINBRIDGE TOWNSHIP
Martin and Kristi A. DeFranco, 7349 Villa Ridge, to Heidi K. and Scott A. Argue, $802,500. (0.23 acres)
James Robert Artale and Michaela Paige Pringle, 17534 Fairlawn Drive, to Jayne L. Siegfried, $289,000. (0.00 acres)
Christopher and Tanja K. Courtiol, 8489 Lake Shore Drive, to Jeffrey G. Kitzberger (trustee) and Mary Frances Laganke, $1,125,000. (1.10 acres)
Terrence F. and Alison J. McBrady, 16620 Mohican Trail, to Kayla Weaver and Trent Harold Searfoss, $525,000. (1.50 acres)
BURTON VILLAGE
Geauga Realty LLC, 14525 N. Cheshire St., to AEB Real State Services LLC, $111,800. (0.22 acres)
Anthony J. Carlucci Jr., 14823 S. Cheshire St., to Daron M. Robinson, $195,000. (0.35 acres)
CHARDON CITY
Christopher D. and Loraine E. Black, 334
Real Estate Transfers
S. Hambden St., to Kevin and Melissa Temple, $223,000. (0.34 acres)
Cara J. Muchmore (trustee), 213 Allynd Blvd., to Katherine Ostrosky, $240,000. (0.51 acres)
Kevin C. and Keri F. Ash, 140 North St., to 140 North Street LLC, $635,000. (0.30 acres)
NVR Inc., 142 High Fox Drive, to Ruth A. and Leonard J. Szymanski, $474,200. (0.18 acres)
NVR Inc., 227 High Fox Drive, to Maryellen and Michael Alexander Monico II, $428,400. (0.17 acres)
Katherine T. and Susan G. Szabo (trustees), 215 N. Hambden St., to Weston and Rachel Szalay, $375,000. (1.30 acres)
CHARDON TOWNSHIP
Charles E. Strazinsky Jr., 9960 Mentor Road, to Christina Redfern and Joshua Bonelli, $550,000. (6.24 acres)
CHESTER TOWNSHIP
Richard George and Teresa A. Damko (TOD), 11191 Winding Brook Lane, to Pucella Home Improvement LLC, $281,000. (5.04 acres)
Charles M. Hall, 7700 Kimberly Lane, to James and Jennifer Grenwis, $380,000. (5.44 acres)
CLARIDON TOWNSHIP
Delbalso Properties LLC, Taylor Wells Road, to Knapp Road LLC, $499,000. (42.45 acres)
Delbalso Properties LLC, 12878 Taylor Wells Road, to Aaron W. and Arlene R. Miller, $476,000. (40.44 acres)
HAMBDEN TOWNSHIP
Clyde W. and Vickie L. Groves, 14455 Rock Creek Road, to Louis M. Hill, $20,000. (1.58 acres)
HUNTING VALLEY
Jeffrey P. and Kari K. Gali, 47775 Mather Lane, to Mario and Clair Pena, $658,600. (5.97 acres)
HUNTSBURG TOWNSHIP
Frederick C. and Hal C. Stuble, Madison Road, to Wengerd Properties 1 LLC, $331,500. (25.50 acres)
MIDDLEFIELD VILLAGE
NVR Inc., 15234 Timber Ridge, to Jennifer Lyn and Timothy Babnik, $402,800. (0.21 acres)
MUNSON TOWNSHIP
#FlippingLakeCounty Ltd., 11730 Legend Creek Drive, to Cody Roswell, $501,500. (2.00 acres)
Patricia K. Veloski, 11579 Bass Lake Road, to Kevin and Maureen Andrzejewski, $275,000. (1.52 acres)
NEWBURY TOWNSHIP
Joseph D. and Kelsey Leigh Welhouse,
14625 Chatham Glen Drive, to Joseph Robert Czaplicki and Kendall Marie Linfante, $639,000. (3.05 acres)
Vincent Reiling, 12270 Hotchkiss Road, to Richard Edward and Erika Abel, $225,000. (5.32 acres)
PARKMAN TOWNSHIP
Beard Custom Construction and Design LLC, Reynolds Road, to Jeffrey and Krystel Curtis, $90,000. (8.75 acres)
RUSSELL TOWNSHIP
Richard and Steven Suszter, 7904 Thornapple Drive, to Steven Suszter, $184,400. (1.54 acres)
THOMPSON TOWNSHIP
John D. and Nicholas W. Ellis, 6360 Clay St., to Matthew A. and Abby Lyn Albright, $140,000. (3.02 acres)
