Geauga Maple Leaf 3-9-2023

Thursday, March 9, 2023

Vol. 29 No. 10 • Chardon, Ohio www.geaugamapleleaf.com

Chardon BOE Opts Not to Revisit OHSAA Trans Issue

By Amy PAtterson Amy@kArlovecmediA.com

Chardon Schools Board of Education member Todd Albright recently revisited a subject he said “went off like a hand grenade” when first brought up — the district’s membership in the Ohio High School Athletic Association.

In August 2022, Albright took is sue with questions related to gender on an OHSAA medical form for student-athletes and voted against remaining in the association.

“Last year, I voted no on that and didn’t really follow the procedure for doing that appropriately,” he said during the school board’s Feb. 21 meeting.

Part I — Dave’s Decade in D.C.

Amid Growing Partisanship, Joyce Looks for Middle

Ground

Bainbridge Republican Looks Back at 10 Years on Capitol Hill

By Amy PAtterson Amy@kArlovecmedi

If constituents are wondering whether a decade in Washington, D.C. has changed Dave Joyce, his answer is no.

“I’m still the same person that was elected to my first term 10 years ago,” Joyce said during a recent interview. “And I’m ready, willing and able to work with ev erybody when I get there that’s trying to solve the problems of our country, as well as serving the people of Ohio’s 14th district.”

Since the Bainbridge Town ship Republican was elected to Congress in 2012, he has served under three presidents, four House speakers and witnessed some outrageous antics from his fellow legislators.

He prides himself on his bipar-

tisan record, especially on the 2016 passage of his landmark legislation to create the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. The bill provides funding to federal agencies, states,

local communities and businesses with the goal of restoring the Great Lakes ecosystem and the economic health of the Great Lakes region.

Planning Commission Recommends Rezoning Downtown

Changes Could Open 35 Acres for Commercial Development

By Ann WishArt Ann@kArlovecmediA com

If Chardon City Council approves a zoning map amendment, properties along more than a quarter mile of Center Street at Meadowlands Drive will become available for commercial development.

Chardon Planning Commission voted unanimously Feb. 28 to recommend council change the zoning from 436 to 500 Center Street to C-4 — general commercial district from industrial — wireless telecommunications overlay district.

The proposal includes nearly 10 acres at 470 Center Street owned by the Geauga County Commissioners, 12.5 acres formally occupied by De Nora Tech and owned by Electrode Corp. at 464 Center Street, 8.6 acres owned by Un-

INSET: Chardon Planning Commission recommended a plan to city council Feb. 28 to rezone about 35 acres of land on Center Street from industri al to commercial use. The cross-hatched area from 436 Center to 500 Center includes parcels at 470 Center Street owned by Geauga County Commissioners.

der the Hood LLC at 500 Center Street, 1.97 acres owned by Thomas Limited at 436 Center Street and 1.48 acres owned by CMC Holdings Inc. at 446 Center Street.

The total of nearly 35 acres will no longer be industrial in nature if the city council follows the com mission’s recommendation, said

Albright

GPH Extends Cameron Contract, Still Needs Administrator

By Ann WishArt Ann@geAugAmAPleleAf com

After more than two hours in executive session Feb. 22, Geauga County Board of Health filled two of three leadership positions it has been debating for some time.

The five-member board voted unanimously to extend the contract with Dr. Jeffrey Cameron as health commissioner and medical director at a salary of $14,300.

Lake County General Health District Finance and HR Director Adam Litke, who is also serving as the administrator for Geauga Public Health, said Cameron’s contract is the same as his previous contract, but is on a month-to-month basis rather than for a set period of time.

The board, concerned that LCGHD may want Litke to cease his work for GPH, advertised for a qualified person to fill the position of GPH administrator and received more than 20 applications.

Board member Lynn Roman said four candidates have been interviewed, but she had no additional updates.

At the January GPH meeting, the board voted to approve an agreement with LCGHD that allowed Litke and Environmental Health Director Dan Lark to continue serving Lake

and Geauga counties until June 30, 2023.

Litke has split his time between Lake and Geauga counties since September 2021 — Lark, since March of last year.

During the time for public input, three visitors suggested the Geauga County Health District Advisory Committee be given a voice in the choice of the GPH leadership.

The HDAC, which chooses the GPH board members, is made up of one representative from each board of township trustees, as well as city and village councils in the county.

On March 15 the HDAC will meet to appoint — or reappoint — a member to the GPH board. Current board President Rich Piraino, a Realtor with Howard Hanna, submitted his application to return to his seat on the board. Three others submitted applications, including Auburn resident Dr. Evan Morse, Newbury resident Dr. Mark Hendrickson, and former Geauga County Auditor Frank Gliha.

In other business, Litke said he reached out to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency regarding the huge chemical spill caused by a train derailment in East Palestine in February. Some Geauga residents have asked if they should have their wells tested in advance of any possible effect the spill could have on the underground aquifer that supplies water to wells in Geauga County.

“There are a lot of misconceptions out there,” Litke said. “Water underground moves at 600 feet a year.”

The contamination from the spill might not even come toward Geauga County and it will take a long time for that to happen, he said.

In addition, this area is in a different watershed than the East Palestine area, Litke said. GPH and Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District may hold a public meeting in March so they can explain why it is unlikely the chemicals will reach Geauga County.

In consideration of the East Palestine disaster, GPH Board President Rich Piraino said he feels the county’s emergency line item should be increased from $25,000 to $250,000 and Litke said he supports the idea.

Litke reported a clerk recently resigned from GPH.

“Now we are down two sanitarians and one clerk,” he said.

Members of the public also asked how the Amish would get to Painesville for the services the public health department provides if a proposed merging of LCGHD and GPH occurs.

A board member said the Geauga office would not close down and Geauga residents in need of those services could apply for them at the office in the county office building on Ravenwood Drive in Claridon Township.

Community Meetings

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

Geauga County: March 14, 7:30 a.m. – Geauga SWCD, Ste. 240, 7:30 a.m. – Planning Commission, Ste. A334, 9:30 a.m. – Geauga County Commissioners; March 15, 5 p.m. – Health District Advisory Council, Ste. A333-334, 6 p.m. – Board of Health, 13244 Ravenna Road, Munson. All county meetings are held at the Geauga County Administrative Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive (Ste. #), Claridon, unless otherwise noted. County commissioners meetings are held in Suite 350.

Aquilla Village: March 14, 7 p.m., Village Council. All meetings are held at Village Hall, 65 Turner Drive, unless otherwise noted.

Auburn Township: March 9, 7 p.m., Zoning Commission; March 14, 7 p.m., Board of Zoning Appeals. All meetings are held at the Administration Building, 11010 Washington St., unless otherwise indicated.

Bainbridge Township: March 13, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees; March 16, 7 p.m., Board of Zoning Appeals. All meetings are held at Town Hall, 17826 Chillicothe Road, unless noted.

Burton Township: March 13, 7 p.m., Zoning Commission. All meetings are held at the Township Administration building, 14821 Rapids Road, unless otherwise noted.

Burton Village: March 13, 7 p.m., Village Council; March 16, 7 p.m., Public Library Trustees. All meetings are held at 14588 W. Park St., 2nd Floor, unless otherwise noted.

Chardon City: March 9, 6:30 p.m., City Council. All meetings are held at Municipal Center, 111 Water St., unless otherwise noted.

Chardon Township: March 14, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings are held at Township Hall, 9949 Mentor Road, unless otherwise noted.

Chester Township: March 9, 6:30 p.m., Board of Trustees; March 13, 7 p.m., Board of Zoning Appeals; March 15, 7 p.m., Zoning Commission. All meetings are held at the Township Hall, 12701 Chillicothe Road, unless otherwise noted.

Hambden Township: March 15, 6:30 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings are held at the Town Hall, 13887 GAR Highway, unless otherwise noted.

Middlefield Township: March 13, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees. All trustees meetings are held at Township Office, 15228 Madison Road, unless otherwise noted.

Middlefield Village: March 9, 9 a.m. – Records Retention, 12 p.m. – Housing Committee, 5:30 p.m. – Recreation, 6 p.m. – Finance & Ordinance, 6:30 p.m. – Safety, 7 p.m. – Village Council. All meetings are at the Municipal Center, 14860 N. State Ave.

Munson Township: March 13, 6:15 p.m., Park & Recreation Board; March 14, 6:30 p.m., Board of Trustees; March 15, 6:30 p.m., Board of Zoning Appeals. All meetings are held at Township Hall, 12210 Auburn Road, unless otherwise noted.

Newbury Township: March 15, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings held at the Town Hall, 14899 Auburn Road, unless noted.

Russell Township: March 13, 7 p.m., Board of Zoning Appeals; March 16, 6 p.m., Board of

Trustees. All meetings are held at Russell Town Hall, 14890 Chillicothe Road, unless otherwise noted.

South Russell Village: March 13, 7 p.m., Village Council; March 14, 1 p.m., Village Council, special meeting at Manor Brook Headwater Stream Restoration project site on Manor Brook Drive and Chillicothe Road for the purpose of conducting a tour of the project; March 16, 7 p.m., Planning Commission. All meetings are held at Village Hall, 5205 Chillicothe Road, unless otherwise noted.

Berkshire BOE: March 13, 6 p.m., regular meeting. All meetings held at BOE auditorium, 14155 Claridon Troy Road, Burton, unless otherwise noted.

Kenston BOE: March 13, 7 p.m., regular meeting. All meetings held at Auburn Bainbridge Room at Kenston High School, 9500 Bainbridge Road, Bainbridge.

West Geauga BOE: March 13, 7 p.m., regular meeting. All meetings are held at the BOE Community Room, 8615 Cedar Road, unless otherwise noted.

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Chester Township to Seek Advice on Zoning Language

By BriAn doering BriAn@kArlovecmediA com

Chester Township Trustees, Zoning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals discussed potential areas of change to the township’s zoning laws at the Geauga West Public Library March 1.

During the joint meeting, trustees and zoning board members touched on a number of topics, including the exclusion of nursing homes, signage, cluster homes, swimming pool covers and park district designations.

Zoning Commission Chair Jonathan Os wick said Chester Township’s location — eas ily accessible from the interstate and the next closest area for people to move to — has drawn interest from developers.

“It's become a hotbed for people to come in and take a look and start poking around, as we all know from the first congregate care,” said Oswick. “Those things, cluster homes and developments. The developers are key ing in on our township.”

In August of last year, trustees voted unanimously to deny a zoning amendment change sought by an out-of-state nursing home corporation wishing to build a nursing home facility on property in the commercial district. If the amendment had passed, congregate care facilities would have been permitted for any property zoned as commercial in the township.

Trustees nixed the plan after hearing from members of the community and other interested parties, including recommendations from the zoning commission and the

Chardon from page 1

He asked if the board wished to consider a letter presented in a discussion group he is in.

The letter was written to OHSAA by another school district, Albright said, as he read from portions of a letter he wrote to Superintendent Michael Hanlon and board President Keith Brewster.

“I want to affirm that I support our athletics programs and our student-athletes. I also support OHSAA generally, just not these bylaws because I believe that allowing biological males to compete against biological females has the potential to be harmful to our female athletes going forward and contrary to our community’s values and our mission,” he wrote.

Albright attached a letter he proposed the district submit to OHSAA in opposition to their current bylaws, which allow transgender girls to participate on a girls’ team after having completed a minimum of one year of hormone treatment related to gender transition “and/or demonstrate to the OHSAA Executive Director’s Office by way of sound medical evidence that she does not possess

Other concerns voiced were that allowing a congregate-care facility could lead to the building of high-density housing and drug rehabilitation centers; an increased need for police, fire and emergency services; increased traffic; sewer capacity and water availability.

Oswick said the zoning commission is not truly prepared for such a situation and there should be a discussion about hiring consultants at some time down the road.

“We feel that there's multiple routes to be in preparation for and we also feel that with the cluster homes, congregate care and even signage, it's going to take someone

physical (bone structure, muscle mass, testosterone, hormonal, etc.) or physiological advantages over genetic females of the same age group.”

A Feb. 17 story from News 5 said currently in Ohio, there are only six transgender girls’ student-athletes, of which only three were approved by OHSAA for the spring sports season.

Albright’s letter opposes OHSAA bylaws and instead proposes the implementation of a co-ed league within OHSAA.

“Which seems to be kind of like a middle ground, instead of just a knock-down drag-out battle, which is where all this goes, it seems to me,” he said.

Albright’s proposed letter said Chardon Schools is part of a dynamic sports community and is accountable to the parents and stakeholders of that community “to protect our female athletes and support traditional women’s sports” for all the positive opportunities they afford.

The letter included a sentence identifying transgender athletes in girls’ sports as “biological boys,” who would be competing against “biological girls.”

“In support of all athletes, we would support and foster the implementation of a co-ed league within OHSAA to allow all boys

more astute than us. We feel as a board, we should consider spending the money because we aren't those professionals,” Oswick said. “These (issues) are bigger than us and these will last for years. It’s way beyond us and our children.”

Zoning commission member Andrew Chess said the issues of signage, cluster homes and congregate care have been brewing for many years and been constantly kicked down the road.

“I think all three things right now are going to come to a head really quickly and we're gonna be caught flat-footed. Every time this group here takes a major issue, it takes us a year, year and a half, two years to get it through,” Chess said. “I’m asking everybody here, what are we going to do if nobody wants to spend any money, to speak up and help us along? It's all going to come upon us. There's just not enough man-hours here.”

Trustee Craig Richter said any such issues will come to the BZA and not the zoning commission.

“If anyone has an issue with signage and it's not in our zoning resolution, then the applicant goes to them for relief or approval, or not approval, of a variance,” Richter said. “It’s not even on you guys. If they don't approve it, then it goes to court and then it comes to us, so we're happy to assist in it, but it's up to them.”

Zoning Commission member Sergey Kats asked if signage was the biggest issue in the township or are citizens more concerned with

and girls to compete in the same league with rules and regulations to protect that environment because this would allow for equal access and improve the safety of our children,” Albright’s letter said.

Board member Guy Wilson said he would not be in favor of signing onto the letter because OHSAA already has a policy that subjects transgender student-athletes to medical assessments.

“I, first of all, think it’s a tiny, tiny, tiny problem,” Wilson said. “It’s been blown up, I feel in some cases, because there is anti-LGBTQ sentiment from certain portions of the community.”

In response to language in Albright’s letter regarding community values, Wilson said there are a variety of values in the community.

Albright said while he does not know if the same is true for other board members, he repeatedly fields questions from the community regarding Chardon Schools’ bathroom policies and other gender issues. Other districts look to Chardon as a model for setting such policies, he said.

Brewster said he asked Hanlon if Chardon Athletic Director Doug Snyder or any of Chardon’s coaches felt this issue is a concern for the district and the answer was no.

“I personally don’t see this as something

cluster homes and congregate care coming in.

“What we're trying to figure out is what's our priority list? Because part of the reason we're here is so we don't get in the same situation as we did last year,” Kats said.

Trustee Ken Radtke said part of the township zoning resolution’s purpose is for clarity and consistency for signage, and the public doesn’t want nursing homes in the community based on their input from last year.

“You talked about the sense of urgency and the ability to get something done. That could probably be done rather quickly to craft that language,” Radtke said.

Radtke asked Chess if the zoning commission needs specific expertise.

“What we're saying is if we're going to tackle other things, there's experts at other townships and cities that work in conjunction (with them) that we have to maybe spend some money to get,” Chess said.

Kats said everyone is on the same page when it comes to signage.

“We're going to take a look at it, keep you guys informed, have the public hearings,” Kats said. “I think the idea in regards to the other two is probably a little bit more of a hot topic issue that needs to be addressed fairly soon. Probably hire an outside person to tell us the legalities and how to properly do it.”

Radtke said he plans to speak with Assistant County Prosecutor Sheila Salem regarding what would be the best way to write language for the provision of nursing homes in the township.

that, you know, a school district should be advocating for,” Brewster said.

One member of the public, Lois Flynn, took the podium during the public comment portion of the meeting.

She said she did not understand Wilson’s comments about the OHSAA medical exam. While misidentifying transgender female athletes as “biological males,” Flynn said they are “much stronger than a biological female.”

“That’s the fact, that’s the way it is, that’s the way God made it and that is not going to change,” Flynn said, adding more people haven’t spoken on the topic because they are “afraid to speak” about it.

Flynn said parents will continue to remove their children from public schools “where there is too much culture being taught here that they don’t agree with and they’re going to take them either to school that they know that they’re going to receive the culture that the parent wants, or they’re going to teach them at home so they don’t get exposed to things in a public school but that they don’t want.”

With board member Karen Blankenship absent, Brewster opted to table discussion of the proposed letter to OHSAA.

The full meeting, including public comments, can be viewed at www.geaugatv.org.

“The first thing I sought out when I got (to Washington, D.C.) was areas of bipartisan ship and I found that (with) the Great Lakes,” he said. “And so, you know, I made it a big thing because I believe in not only the recre ational activities and the beauty of the Great Lakes, but also the economic drivers of it — the fact that it’s drinking water for 40 million people, that it has a lot of commerce on it during the summer or at least six to seven months of the year.”

Joyce said he worked to include voices and capture votes of representatives with districts along the Great Lakes regardless of their party affiliation. His bill was signed into law by President Barack Obama in 2016 and reauthorized in 2021 by President Donald Trump.

When he first arrived in Congress, Joyce joined several caucuses, each one helping him see the world through other people’s eyes and better understand where they are coming from. The Republican Governance Group, a pragmatic caucus committed to pro ductivity and effective governance, has been the most impactful to him, Joyce said.

The RGG gives its 50 members — whose districts span the gamut from safe for Repub licans to strongly in favor of Democrats — the chance to carefully weigh their stances and seek input from subject matter experts in a respectful and thoughtful manner, he said.

Members unanimously voted to elect Joyce chair of the RGG last July.

“I didn’t run for it, I was drafted,” he said. “But that’s also forced me to have to stand up and do more presentations and media (appearances).”

That role — along with his position as chair of the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security and his seat on the Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government and Subcommittee on Defense — has brought Joyce national media attention, as has his new position as lead investigator on a House Ethics subcommittee to investigate possible unlawful activity by Rep. George Santos (RNY).

The subcommittee will also examine possible violations of rules related to gifts by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY).

Joyce, who said it may sound crazy for someone in his line of work to be “media shy,” noted his role in the RGG positioned him for national media coverage during the early January battle to seat Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) as Speaker of the House.

Joyce made an early-morning appearance on CNN after McCarthy’s final victory, he said.

“And then, next thing I know, I’ve got, you know, Jake Tapper giving me his cell phone number,” Joyce said. “And Dana Bash (said), ‘Hey, you were great, can you come on again?’ Yeah — as much as I can get on TV to talk, it’s just not in my nature.”

‘Workhorses’

In a March 3 appearance at the City Club of Cleveland, Joyce said the quiet, behind-thescenes work of legislators is not the kind of thing that gets someone appearances on national media, but there are many members of Congress, across both parties, who are working hard on pragmatic solutions to problems faced by their constituents.

“There’s show horses and there’s workhorses,” he told moderator Andrew Meyer, deputy editor of Ideastream Public Media. “I

numbers, the majority of his party is there to get things done — as evidenced by their unwillingness to surrender to a faction, led in part by Gaetz, that sought to prevent McCarthy’s election to speaker.

Some in the public may have seen that moment as merely a spectacle, Joyce said, but it allowed Congressional Republicans a chance to hash out their differences via the democratic process and solidify their goals.

“It was ugly, but it was an exercise in democracy,” Joyce said during his Maple Leaf interview.

He said House Republicans, over 15 rounds of voting which steadily chipped away at the opposition to McCarthy, came to understand they are all conservative in nature.

“Some of us may be a little more socially moderate, but when it comes to the finances, we want to make sure that we’re responsible in how we finance our country, that we don’t overtax or over-regulate,” he said. “We think taxpayers have a better idea how to spend their money than bureaucrats do in Washington, D.C.”

Unfortunately, between the moment the GOP won the House majority in the November 2022 election and McCarthy’s January election, the party wasted time they could have used to set up committee assignments and develop legislative strategies, Joyce said. Instead, groups were meeting to figure out how to bring everyone in the party into alignment behind McCarthy.

“Up to January, we were meeting as groups, trying to figure out what is it that’s gonna take you to get behind (McCarthy) and (McCarthy’s GOP opposition) couldn’t beat somebody with nobody,” Joyce said.

Some members simply had a dislike for McCarthy, while others wanted the House to adopt new rules, including reopening to the public, Joyce said, adding those rules are good for the House as a whole.

However, Joyce still gets frustrated with some members of his party over what he sees as showmanship — those who view their time speaking on the floor of the House as “entertainment mode,” hoping perhaps to land a TV or radio gig after they leave Congress.

“You have to explain your record because people who run against you are going to be distorting your record,” he said.

Joyce said while the far ends of each party “do all the talking in the media,” the middle — comprising moderate Democrats and Republicans — is capable of effectively governing.

“That’s how you know you’ve hit a perfect happy medium, when you can draw … people from both parties to the center,” he said. “I don’t think America is that far right or left. I think you’re center-right or center-left, depending on where you live.”

Bipartisan Agreement

Once members of his party and Democrats can focus on issues upon which they agree, Joyce said it’s much easier to close the distance and get things accomplished.

At the City Club forum, Joyce expressed displeasure with President Joe Biden’s comments during his State of the Union Address Feb. 7.

Biden said some Republicans want Medicare and Social Security to sunset every five years, adding those who do are not a majority

“People have to trust you to be an honest broker and if you’re going to say one thing in private and then go out and play to the media a whole different story, you’re not going to get a hell of a lot of people behind you to help you with the bigger issues that are coming forward.”

Problems with programs marked as mandatory in the national budget, including Medicare, must be addressed — especially if that program is to survive past 2034, Joyce said.

The last time the country had effective bipartisan leadership was under President Ronald Reagan, a Republican, and Democratic Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill, Joyce said, adding when he was first elected, he bought books about that period and studied to try and see how Reagan and O’Neill worked together.

“And that’s why I find it admirable that Speaker McCarthy and President Biden have sat down and … started talking about — where are those areas we can agree?” he said. “We know where we’re going to disagree, and where those areas are we can agree, and what we can do to change some of these things.”

Newbury Trustees Reject Failed Paving Job

By Ann WishArt Ann@geAugAmAPleleAf com

Newbury Township Trustees agreed March 1 not to pay for a paving project that was unsatisfactorily completed.

Trustee Bill Skomrock said core samples taken by the Geauga County Engineer’s Office from Linda and Diann drives off Auburn Road, north of Kinsman Road, showed the chip and seal project from last fall failed.

“We decided not to pay (Geauga Highway),” he said. “It’s in the contract that if we do not agree with the job performance, we don’t pay him.”

Diann Drive provides access off Auburn Road for the entire housing development while Linda Drive is a loop from which at least 19 driveways extend, according to the Geauga County Auditor’s Office map.

June trustee meeting minutes show trustees received an estimate of $37,500 from the engineer’s office for the project, which was advertised in July. Skomrock said in a phone interview March 5 two bids were received and Geauga Highway’s bid was the lowest at between $36,000 and $37,000. The bid from Ronyak Paving was about $50,000, he said.

The board questioned if they have to pay for work that was not completed, according to minutes from the Aug. 17 and Dec. 15 meetings. The road surface failed when the gravel washed away.

“When we met to discuss it, we were looking at tar and no stone,” Skomrock said last Wednesday, adding only about one-third of

from page 1

Community Development Administrator Steve Yaney during the meeting, adding consultants from Retail Strategies — an Alabama-based firm the city contracted with in 2021 — had provided input.

“This is probably the prime retail site in the city,” he said, referring to traffic counts

the job was completed.

Chip and seal treatment entails layers of tar topped by layers of stone or gravel.

The engineer’s office recommended pay ing 60% of the bill, but trustees decided to send the contract to legal counsel to find out what options they have.

Skomrock said Geauga Highway didn’t agree with the core samples, but he recom mended going by the engineer’s finding of the core samples and refusing payment.

“We have an obligation to the taxpayers not to accept the job,” he said.

Trustee Greg Tropf said if Geauga High way has a problem with the decision, they need to talk to the county engineer rather than the trustees.

They also heard a progress update on the construction and renovation of the fire sta tion.

Fire Chief Ken Fagan said bids for sub-contracts for the project, estimated to cost $4 million, were due March 3.

“Several things went out for bid as alternates. If the bid is low, we can add an alternate, if too high, we can take them out,” he said.

In other business, trustees spoke with Road Superintendent Doug Zimperman about hiring additional personnel for summer mowing.

Trustees are leasing the former Newbury Schools property from West Geauga Schools for $100 per year and are responsible for maintenance.

“First, we have to determine what we are maintaining,” Tropf said, adding he understands the West Geauga Soccer Club, a

in the area and the Walmart and Home Depot shopper draw.

With the Geauga County offices at 470 Center Street vacant, there are many possibilities, Yaney said.

“At some point in the next year or so, the county will probably put it up for sale,” he said.

Yaney said the area could attract restaurants, retail operations or hotels, according to the feasibility study.

501c3 organization separate from West Geauga Schools, will maintain the grounds in the football stadium since they plan to create a soccer field there.

He also said some drainage work needs to be done there and he will contact a landscaper to look at it.

A baseball team has indicated an interest in leasing parts of the property for community recreation. Skomrock said he will contact the ball teams before looking for

Parties owning property within 200 feet of the parcels recommended for rezoning were given notice of the planning commission’s agenda and would also receive notice of city council’s hearing, he said.

None of the visitors spoke up when offered the opportunity.

The area to be rezoned has been home to De Nora Tech until the company relocated to Mentor and the industrial facility is being cleared, Yaney said over the phone March 3, adding once that is accomplished, he expects it will go up for sale.

That coincided with the construction of the Geauga County office building in Claridon Township near the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office and the abandonment of most of the county offices at 470 Center St.

“The past couple of months, the idea of rezoning kinda gained traction once the county knew it would be gone and De Nora Tech was torn down,” Yaney said.

The council’s economic development committee began seriously discussing how the parcels would best benefit the city, he said.

“Industrial is not the ideal use there,” Yaney said, adding the committee decided those acres are most likely to develop commercially for several reasons.

“Rezoning it is pretty straightforward. Commercial development in that corridor just makes more sense,” he said.

There are other large open sections of land that could be developed commercially. Water Street fronts some of them, but traffic along the Center Street corridor is much heavier, he said, adding open land also exists around Walmart and Home Depot, but there are deed restrictions on those parcels that preclude certain kinds of development.

summer help.

A club that flies drones has asked for permission to practice at Oberland Park, Skomrock said.

“I don’t have any issue with it. It’s for public use as long as it doesn’t interfere with anything,” he said. “They’ll need to keep within the boundaries of the park.”

Oberland Park encompasses 88 acres and the school property is another 39 acres, he said.

So, making the parcels northeast of Center Street available for restaurants, stores and a hotel is the most immediate growth pattern for the city.

“It opens great opportunities for Chardon to attract high-end retail,” said Kimm Leininger, president of Geauga Growth Partnership in a phone interview March 3. “There’s a lot going on. The county is expanding and growing.”

At the same meeting, the planning commission approved the extension of Seventh Avenue from Center Street through to Park Drive. Improvements to that road will benefit future residents in the Redwood housing development, now under construction, which has access to Seventh Avenue.

Over the next few years, Leininger said she expects to see those rezoned parcels change hands and retail stores and restaurants spring up similar to those thriving at the more northern end of state Route 44/ Center Street in Concord Township.

Besides keeping more Geauga residents employed in this county, it would allow residents to shop closer to home, she said.

Yaney said a feasibility study for a hotel may be the next step.

Leininger said she expects it will take about five years before Chardon will see a hotel within its limits.

“It’s such a great location (for a hotel),” she said.

Middlefield Village is also pursuing a hotel feasibility study. Leininger said there is room in Geauga County for two hotels so visitors can enjoy all the tourism opportunities the county provides.

“The city has done great things by investing in partners,” she said. “There is a lot of potential there.”

ANN WISHART/KMG

Newbury Township Trustees agreed March 1 not to pay the contractor for the chip and seal road work on Linda and Diann drives because the work was not satisfactorily finished.

Questions Over Logging Activity

By BriAn doering BriAn@kArlovecmediA com

A Parkman Township man recently raised concerns over logging activities at Headwaters Park.

In a March 3 interview with the Geauga County Maple Leaf, John Augustine shared his concerns about what he thought could be unlawful activity taking place at the park.

“A friend of mine called me. He’d been hiking on the trail that goes on the west side of east branch reservoir and heard chainsaws going and trees falling over on the other side,” he said. “It’s designated as a park preserve area. I’m kind of wondering, do you log out preserved areas? Is that what you should be doing?”

The Geauga Park District leases the park, which is situated on land purchased by the City of Akron in 1995.

GPD Executive Director John Oros confirmed March 6 there is a timber harvest taking place on the property. The conservation community as a whole understands there is a place for responsible forestry practices and timber management, he said.

“In eastern Geauga County, timber harvest supports many of our local businesses in the Amish community. We have faith in a responsible conservation partner in the City of Akron who is well respected in setting aside land for the protection of their watershed,” Oros said. “They are committed to the stewardship of their land and water resources.”

Augustine said he requested a permit to access the area his friend suspected was being logged and was refused.

“I made a number of calls to different people in the park. Nobody’s called me back. You need a permit to go over there and they refused to give me a permit,” Augustine said. “They said that’s only for natural sled hikes.”

Augustine said he walked the portion of the trail open to the public on March 2 and heard no logging activity, but saw stacks of logs.

“If you drive over, there’s a causeway that goes over East Branch. As soon as you get over the other side, there’s a road that goes in on it. It’s been used as a logging road and you can see that road is really tore up,” he said. “It’s the worst time of the year

Why Upstream Matters

By tAmi mAsuokA chArdon toWnshiP

My ancestors first settled in Geauga County in the early 1800s, making me the sixth generation born and raised here. I have witnessed the rural character of Geauga County diminish with each passing year. I have observed the expanding population drive the demand for increased residential housing, commercial buildings, roads and parking lots.

The City of Chardon, which used to be a nice, small village, has recently added a Starbucks to the urban sprawl that includes Walmart, Home Depot, a plethora of fast-food joints and multiple dollar stores.

Furthermore, I am aware of at least three new developments that have been approved. The Thistle development is slated to have 31 homes, the Maple Trace Subdivision 96 units and the Redwood residential development 91 units.

they could be doing anything like this because the ground is just tore up there.”

Augustine added he’d like to know how much logging is being done and why it’s being done in a park preserve. He said he left a message for GPD biologist Paul Pira.

“I’d like to know if he’s been consulted. You would think if Akron is logging on a park-preserved area, they would talk to the park biologist about that,” he said. “The park people have done biological surveys over there, so they know where some sensitive areas might be. If they’re not consulting with the park biologists, they could be doing some damage.”

Oros said terms like “preserve,” “protect” or “conserve” all mean different things to different entities and do not necessarily preclude property, like Headwaters, from activities such as timber harvesting.

“It’s the City of Akron property. We are fortunate to lease the property as a park,” he explained. “Many of our properties have the name ‘preserve.’ For example, Sunnybrook Preserve, Bass Lake Preserve and Burton Wetland State Nature Preserve. In each of these cases, as is the case with Headwaters, there are a variety of public access areas. Other areas are not accessible to the public.”

Oros added GPD’s permit processes also do not supersede the rights of the landowner.

“Even if we were to consider a special use permit application for a legitimate request, they are cutting trees over there,” he said. “It may not be safe. We would not issue the permit regardless of the requestor.”

Augustine also expressed concern about an eagle’s nest toward the north end of the area.

“They’re probably sitting on eggs right now and that could be a disturbance to them. Particularly if they continue logging further south,” Augustine said. “Not being able to go over there, I don’t know for sure what’s going on and I’ve not been able to get any information from the park.”

Oros said he is aware of concerns regarding the eagle’s nest, but did not elaborate further.

He added, “It’s nice to know that across 90,000 plus residents, our park guests are thrilled to have Headwaters Park as a resource for their enjoyment.”

Additional developments have also been approved throughout the county, resulting in further habitat degradation.

Clean, fresh water is paramount to life for many species, and humans are no exception. Living near Lake Erie, it is easy to forget that fresh water is a finite resource impacted by human activities.

Earth is home to millions of species that are intricately interconnected and sustained by the same limited resources the planet provides. However, it is becoming increasingly evident how disconnected we have become to the way our actions negatively impact the planet. All living beings have basic requirements to sustain life as well as inalienable rights to exist and share this earth. Increasing human population and consumption places unsustainable pressures on our shared ecosystems with detrimental effects on water, land and biodiversity, while fueling the climate crisis. If we are to preserve our freshwater ecosystems, we need to stem exploitation and pollution.

Building new residential and commercial developments, and their obligatory roads, increases impervious surface area. This intensifies run-off from storms, carrying a plethora of pollutants downstream while also destroying habitats that are home to many species. The Chagrin, Cuyahoga and Grand rivers, which flow through Geauga County, are part of the Lake Erie Drainage Basin. Everything that enters these waters can eventually make its way into Lake Erie, which provides drinking water to approximately 11 million residents.

Increasing population generates a greater amount of waste, proliferating the contamination of the waterways. Approximately 10,000 tons of plastic are discharged into the Great Lakes annually. Eventually this plastic breaks down into smaller and smaller fragments, resulting in microplastic concentrations that are commensurate with those found in the oceans. Not only are microplastics consumed by aquatic organisms, but they have the ability to transport organic pollutants and pharmaceuticals, resulting in increased toxicity

as they accumulate moving through the food web.

Ninety-eight (98) percent of residents in Geauga County get their water from groundwater. Added pressure from relentless growth may risk water scarcity, as the water table is pumped not only for drinking water, but for agriculture, industry and non-essential purposes such as for recreation, watering lawns and golf courses. Access to continuous clean drinking water may also be compromised by fertilizers, pesticides, road salt or other chemicals from runoff that leach into groundwater.

Furthermore, untreated septage pumped from homes and biosolids from city sewer systems can be disposed of by application to land such as agricultural fields, forested land and reclamation sites as allowed by the Environmental Protection Agency. This sewage may contain pharmaceuticals, personal care products, pathogens and various chemicals that can either leach into groundwater or enter streams as run-off. These problems are exacerbated by the loss of wetlands, which provide critical ecosystem services such as acting as filtration systems and capturing stormwater runoff.

Moreover, overuse and pollution by humans deplete the available fresh water critical for sustenance and habitats that other species also require.

Because of the phenomenon of shifting baseline syndrome, which is when a new generation considers the environment that they grow up in as normal due to lack of historical perspective, the loss of natural areas or the decline of plant and nonhuman animal species will not be noticed. Each generation becomes further removed from wild nature as we favor materialism and the annihilation of nonhuman species over a healthy and biodiverse planet. Although systemic change to address societal pressures on the environment is essential, there are many individual actions that can reduce impact on the environment, such as:

• Properly dispose of trash, including cigarette butts and cigar tips.

• Do not flush pharmaceuticals. They can be properly disposed of at the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office and participating pharmacies.

• Abide by the five Rs: refuse (especially single-use plastics), reduce, reuse, recycle, rot (compost).

• Consider having smaller families.

• Avoid using chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

• Consider planting species native to Geauga County.

• Eat more plant-based meals.

If we do not reimagine our current “business as usual” lifestyle — endless consumption, rampant destruction of natural areas and disregard for most nonhuman species — we are sacrificing future generations’ chance to live healthy and meaningful lives. We must do better to foster our connection to nature and understand that every choice we make has an effect that ripples through the web of life.

Facts About GSSN Funding

In a letter to the editor published in the Feb. 23 Maple Leaf, titled “Claypool Rants,” Geauga County Board of Mental Health and Recovery member Walter “Skip” Claypool laments that “millions are being spent on failing [mental health] programs … that I believe will waste your hard-earned tax dollars.”

The only program he actually mentions in his letter is the Geauga SOGI Support Network (GSSN), a non-profit organization. This organization is funded by private donations and staffed by volunteers. It has never received public funding from the Board of Mental Health. It receives no taxpayer money whatsoever from any source.

How do I know? My wife is both the secretary and treasurer of GSSN. I just want to be sure Maple Leaf readers are accurately informed.

Rich Sones Munson Township

Plant a Tree... or Two

There’s a magic machine that’s been around for eons. It builds itself, costs very little to obtain and maintain, and, most importantly, it sucks carbon out of the air. We all need these machines, but far too many are being destroyed. Why? Ever expanding populations and development are causing the ever-increasing destruction of trees, which is causing detrimental effects on our one and only livable planet; and we don’t really know when we will have reached the tipping point. When that red line is crossed, we will no longer be able to save our beloved Earth and ourselves.

We should all be thankful for trees’ contributions to our existence and survival, but instead we cut them down, often en masse, to use their space for our own “more important” activities.

As I drive around on my daily travels, I see trees being cut down everywhere, but not too many being planted. It’s time to seriously reconsider how we use our land and plant more trees wherever we can.

Plant one (or more) in our yards. More should be planted on public lands and the green spaces along roads and freeways. We

should plant them anywhere they can grow, thrive and provide us with that most important element we need to stay alive: oxygen.

You too can help. Just plant a tree — and more if you have room. And please don’t complain about the leaves. Just clean them up and let them compost for future use in your garden. They, too, are an important part of the cycle of life on our beautiful planet so let’s take care of it. After all, we need it more than it needs us.

Rosemary Balazs Chester Township

An Open Letter to Elected Officials

Township Trustees, Mayors, Council People, County Commissioners and the People of Geauga County:

We are at a precipice for the future of Geauga County. It may be irreversible if we do not act now.

The current Board of Geauga County Public Health and Administrator have overtly, or by the consequence of their actions, led us to the real possibility of losing all of our public health employees to a contract with Lake County Public Health to supply all of our services; a county that has a different philosophy than ours, different demographics than ours and a different passion about protecting our semi-rural atmosphere, environment and large lot zoning.

It is not too late to reverse this direction. We must speak up now and take a stand. As our elected officials, you have been entrusted to protect our precious Geauga County and its citizens. Citizens you must have your voices heard before it is too late.

Please join me in voicing our sentiments and DON’T LAKE – GEAUGA. The future of our way of life is in all of our hands.

Personally, I am in this fight to save our health department. Contact your local officials and make your opinions known.

Imagine a county of our size having only a part-time health commissioner who has no office, no desk and no phone extension. A board that eliminates a successful environmental program, while not fully implementing the state-mandated replacement program, O. & M., both of which has hurt us financially.

On Wednesday, March 15, at 7 p.m., members of the HDAC (Health District Advisory Council), made up of your local elected officials, will be gathering on the 3rd floor of the Geauga Administration Building to appoint a member to the Geauga Public Health Board from the fur candidates who have applied. This is open to the public.

Mary Briggs Geauga County Resident

Gov. Mike DeWine, Why the Toast?

After the chemical plume in East Palestine, Gov. DeWine attempted to convince the people that everything is OK. In someone’s small kitchen, the governor filled his wine glass with tap water and performed a toast. Cheers to normalcy was his intended message to the public.

Why the toast governor? Pets, chickens, fish and other wildlife are dead or dying. People are claiming unusual rashes, difficulty in breathing and other symptoms. Yes, we all desire normalcy, but some scientists claim this won’t happen until 3023 or beyond.

As independent testimonies come forth, the toast seems less and less genuine. Here are two: First, a chemical engineer went on record by calling this burn as uncontrolled, as a controlled burn would have never created a plume. He explained there is a plant in Liverpool, Ohio, that routinely does this by controlling oxygen.

Second, burning 1,109,400 pounds of vinyl chloride not only created dioxin, a carcinogenic toxin, but phosgene gas as well. Phosgene was used in World War I and has been banned ever since. This might explain some of the communities’ rashes and breathing issues.

Governor, we can forget the toast if you deliver justice. Something horrible happened

in East Palestine and the people are suffering. These are our people, Ohioans.

Proverbs 21:15 states, “When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.” Let’s deliver some terror to these culprits. Ohioans deserve justice!

Joe DeBoth Geauga County Republican Committee Member Precinct #1: Auburn Township A

Claypool Unwilling to Help ALL Residents

I am writing with grave concern about the recent remarks made by a member of the Geauga County Board of Mental Health, Skip Claypool.

Claypool has been quite vocal in his opposition to the LGBTQ community in Geauga County. As such, he has proved himself unwilling and incapable of supporting the mental health of all Geauga County residents.

Mr. Claypool has also spread falsehoods about Geauga SOGI Support Network, an organization which provides support for our LGBTQ individuals and families in Geauga County.

Although I am a straight, cisgender, white Christian male, I understand that I benefit from a community which supports a diversity of views and values. A healthy community is one in which all residents feel seen and valued. Also, LGBTQ residents are taxpayers, and their money is just as green as anyone else’s.

Mr. Claypool’s term on the Board of Mental Health expires in June. Please urge the Geauga County Board of Commissioners to appoint someone who is willing to advocate for the mental health of all Geauga County residents, not just the ones who fit the particular profile Mr. Claypool advocates.

Barrick Stees South Russell Village

Chardon Rotary Raises Over $50K For Special Olympics

The Chardon Rotary Foundation held its annual Harvest Auction on Nov. 5 at Hilton Garden in Mayfield Village. Under the guidance of auctioneer Scott Mihalic, Rotarians and guests raised $52,625 for the Rotary’s “Call to Heart” beneficiary, Geauga County Special Olympics. Chardon Rotary Club President Ann Blair, far right, presented the check to members and volunteers of the Geauga County Special Olympics members.

West G Alum Performs Innovative Classical Concert

By rose nemunAitis editor@geAugAmAPleleAf com

Katalin La Favre was drawn to music at a young age.

“It was during (ballet) lessons that I was really exposed to music for the first time,” La Favre said. “I distinctly remember the moment when I realized that the choreography was connected to the music and it really felt like an immersion into a different world. I have always been so taken with music's magical ability to color the way we experience the world, sculpt the space around us, remind us of emotions we felt even decades ago. So, my first experience with music was really through movement and I fell in love with it initially through dance.”

Upon graduating from West Geauga High School in 2006, La Favre, of Chester Township, moved to San Francisco and has been living in different locations for the past 15 years. Her passion led her to study at some of the most prestigious schools in the country and around the world.

She studied at the San Francisco Conservatory, Colburn School in Los Angeles and received a Fulbright grant funding the first year and a half of her studies in Lyon, France.

“I was planning on spending two years in France, but soon enough, two years turned into nine years as I really loved living there,” she said. “I had been thinking about moving back to the United States for a couple years, but the decision really became clear to me during the pandemic, when I was really missing my family and wanted to be closer to them. It also felt like it was just time to come back and reconnect with my roots.”

Most recently, the accomplished musician shared her talents in a performance of Bach’s “Music Box, Goldberg Variations” reimagined March 3 at St. Noel Church, 35200 Chardon Road in Willoughby Hills.

Percussionists La Favre and Brian Calhoon explored excerpts from Bach's iconic keyboard work, infusing the timeless music with intriguing timbres of metallic percussion instruments while exploring sounds of tongue drums, tuned glass bottles, handbells and more.

Performing in the area where she grew up, La Favre reflected on her childhood.

“The area is truly so special,” she said. “After living in the city for so many years, it is so wonderful to be back in this beautiful area surrounded by nature.”

La Favre also reconnected with Calhoon, who lives at the very tip of Cape Cod, Mass., and is a dear friend and fellow classmate at SFC.

“Like Katalin, I studied classical percussion and have two conservatory degrees in

music, so I play many instruments, but gravitate to mallet instruments like the marimba and vibraphone, especially,” he said. “I also sing and have a show I put on called the ‘Marimba Cabaret’ where I sing show tunes and pop songs while accompanying myself on marimba. It's basically a one-man cover band.”

Calhoon has also performed many new works by young composers in Boston.

“In chamber music class (when he and La Favre were students), we were assigned to learn and perform a marimba duet forming a musical and personal relationship that has lasted to this day,” he said.

Bach's “Music Box” is their first time making music together since then.

“We are able to read each other and communicate without speaking in a way that is rare and valuable when two musicians make music together,” Calhoon said. “In short, it's a joy to make music with Katalin.”

They said the process, born during the pandemic, opened their imaginations.

“My old teacher, Jean Geoffroy, had a saying: ‘From constraint, creativity is born,’” La Favre said. “This was certainly an experience that proved this idea.”

For their performance, the duo arranged excerpts from Goldberg for metallic percussion, using unique instruments such as the vibraphone, glockenspiel, tongue drums, hammered dulcimer and handbells.

“All of these instruments really sound like a music box and we had fun imagining, 'If Bach had a music box, what would it sound like?” she said.

The duo aimed to honor Bach's timeless music by infusing it with a modern percussion aesthetic.

“So, whether you have seen baroque music performed on traditional period instruments, or you enjoy hearing new-found objects or unusual instruments paired together, this performance is part traditional concert and part sound meditation,” Calhoon added. “We hope to create a new kind of listening experience for audiences to meet them where they are, allowing a way ‘in’ that sometimes classical concerts don't.”

Calhoon and La Favre anticipate a greater future for their project — be it recording, touring or giving masterclasses on the subject of arrangement.

“Working with Katalin is inspiring and brings out a creativity I don't always get to apply,” Calhoon said. “We work collaboratively and welcome each other's ideas, even exploring mistakes together and finding a unique path to a goal we ourselves don't yet know. The process has been full of imagination and experimentation, and we're excited to reveal the final product.”

Chardon’s Seventh Avenue to Extend to Industrial Park

By Ann WishArt Ann@kArlovecmediA com

An extension of Seventh Avenue in Chardon will provide access to the ongoing development of a Redwood USA residential neighborhood and to the industrial complex on Park Drive.

Chardon Planning Commission unanimously approved the extension Feb. 28 with advertisement for bids going out mid-April. It is estimated to cost $1.7 million.

In a memo, city Engineer Doug Courtney said the funding will come from a $400,000 Ohio Public Works Commission grant, an OPWC 0%, 20-year loan of $278,000 and about $1 million from the city.

“The pavement condition on existing Seventh Avenue is considered poor to failed and is in dire need of rehabilitation. With the addition of 91 units within the Redwood development, the dedicated left turn lane at Center Street will be required,” his memo read.

Seventh Avenue will be widened and a

turn lane onto Center Street included, along with reconstruction and repaving of the existing roadbed, he wrote.

Included in the project will be an extension of the 16-inch transmission water main along Seventh Avenue and an extension of a 12-inch water main to the recently-installed Redwood Development water main.

The development will consist of 20 buildings with two to six units per building on 19.5 acres owned by local Park Leasing Group LTD. The complex will use about half of the irregularly-shaped, 40-acre parcel with the remainder to be developed at a later date, said Community Development Administrator Steve Yaney when the development was approved in 2020.

Roads and utilities are in place and construction of nine buildings has begun, he said last Thursday.

Construction of Seventh Avenue is expected to take four to six months, Courtney said last Tuesday.

In other business, the commission approved a variance for the architecture of a 35,000-square-foot industrial building at 310 Park St. where it will connect to Seventh Avenue when that road is extended.

Robert Landies III requested a variance

to the design standards that would require more windows facing the street.

The concept plan for the addition to the current building at 310 Park St. was approved by the commission in January. While the city architect denied the architecture variance because of design standards, Yaney said the commission could approve the request.

Most of the buildings in the industrial park don’t meet those standards, he said.

“The staff does not believe the variance is substantial,” Yaney said.

Last Tuesday, Landies represented his company, Ohio Ordnance Works, which currently operates in an 11,625-square-foot building on the same lot.

OOW was founded by Robert Landies in 1981 and employs more than 80 people, According to its website. The business supplies light, medium and heavy machine guns to the U.S. military and militaries around the world, and manufactures small arms “engineered and modified specifically for training simulators and various military mounting solutions.”

If windows are required, a chain link fence with security wire along the top would be needed, making the appearance less attractive, Landies said.

Burton Village

Vacant House Uses 120,000 Gallons of Water

By Ann WishArt Ann@kArlovecmediA com

On the advice of legal counsel, Burton Village Board of Public Affairs directed the village utilities supervisor to shut off water to a vacant house on Dean Court.

Village Fiscal Officer Jennell Dahlhausen said she billed the homeowner twice and he owes about $2,000 for the water used over the last few months, adding she hasn’t been able to reach him on the phone.

Utilities Director Jake Neill said 30,000 gallons of water has flowed through the residence over less than a month, according to the last meter reading.

The water is flowing into the village sewage system, he said.

Dahlhausen said before the last reading, the meter showed about 90,000 gallons used.

Village Solicitor Todd Hicks recommended closing the valve on the supposition the owner may never pay his water bill, which will continue rising unless the water is turned off.

“If he files for bankruptcy, we are out of luck,” he said. “I could be wrong, but it just doesn’t seem to be the way a normal property owner would act.”

Dahlhausen said the village regulations require her to alert the owner of a home if the water is going to be turned off and there is a $150 turn-off fee.

Board member Bill Pinkava said the village could waive that fee if he will pay for the water.

“Just shut it off. Stop the bleeding,” said board member Curt Johnson.

Neill said the meter is inside and it may take a while to find the valve.

S P O R T S

Hawks’ Anderson Repeats as State Champion Lions,

Hilltoppers, Bombers Place at Indoor State Tournament

By AlAn kornsPAn sPorts@kArlovecmediA.com

Although only in the 40s outside, the Ohio Indoor State Track and Field Championships were held March 3 and 4 at the Spire Insti tute in Geneva, and Geauga County track and field athletes had a successful tournament.

Hawken’s Christian Anderson won the 60m Ohio indoor state championship for the second year in a row, and multiple Geauga athletes made the podium in their respective events.

Anderson, who will be running NCAA Di vision I track and field at American University, won the state championship with a time of 6.78.

“Winning the state championship, espe cially for the second year in a row, has been a big dream of mine,” Anderson said. “It’s been a big goal coming into this year. I knew I had the potential to do it, but just coming out here and doing it, just feels amazing. Es pecially being able to come out here and tie the state record — I know I would love to have it to myself, but tying it is just such an accom plishment, it’s been one of my biggest goals throughout my high school career.”

In addition to winning the state champi onship, Anderson placed second in the 200m with a time of 21.92.

Hawken’s 4x800m team (Nick Garcia Whitko, Sam Cohen, Parker Carrus and Tommy Mooney) also made the podium, finishing 8th in the state with a time of 8:20.23.

“It’s really great to come out here and make the podium,” Carrus said. “For us three, our first time on the podium in the state championships, it’s really fulfilling. That was our goal coming in, and we accomplished it.”

Added Garcia Whitko, “It feels really good to be back out on the track, running fast, because we’ve been training. It’s really nice to see the training pay off.”

Garcia Whitko also finished sixth in the 1600m with a time of 4:25.7.

the pole vault was Ethan Metz, who placed sixth with a jump of 14 feet.

“It’s been a lot of hard work and preparation this season,” Metz said. “A lot goes into this. This morning I woke up and I knew I had to do it, I knew I had to vault, I had to jump good today. It means a lot to me to jump good.

“I want to thank all my coaches. It means a lot.”

As a team, the Hawken boys finished third in the state.

And Hawken’s Leila Metres made the podium with a second-place finish in the 400m. Her time was 58.66, and she also finished 6th in the 200m with a time of 25.99.

For NDCL, the boys 4x200 team (Danny Yanick, Colm Matheney, Javon King and Finn

Matheney) finished second in the state with a time of 132.24.

“We’re pretty pleased with our performance,” Yanick said.

The boys 4x400 team also placed second with a time of 3:26.11.

Placing for Chardon at state champion-

ships was Karl Dietz,

third in the 400m with a time of 48.6.

Paige

time of 2:19.10.

The outdoor track and field season begins March 25.

who placed

Masson made the podium for Kenston, finishing seventh in the 800m with a

8 Geauga Wrestlers Punch Tickets to Columbus

By AlAn kornsPAn sPorts@kArlovecmediA com

Geauga County boys wrestlers participat ed March 3 and 4 in district championships, while Geauga County girls wrestlers compet ed March 5 in regional championships.

Eight, in all, qualified for the OHSAA state tournament in Columbus: Josh Brown, Johnny Heiden and Colin Hering from Berk shire; Ben DiMarco and Sean Doyle from Kenston; Will Vucetic from Chardon; Bryce Wheatley from NDCL; and Brian Denamen from West Geauga.

Rylie Leichtman from Cardinal and Hope Pinnette from Kenston competed at Mentor High School in the OHSAA Girls Wrestling Regional Tournament.

Placing sixth, Leichtman made the podi um.

DiMarco, Doyle, Denamen and Wheat ley qualified for the OHSAA Division II state championship at Garfield Heights High School.

DiMarco, a state-ranked senior from Ken ston, had not wrestled since January due to an injury. However, a couple weeks ago, he received clearance to return to the mat and begin his training for the OHSAA tournament.

“It’s been an amazing journey,” DiMar co said. “I’ve only had a couple of weeks of practice. The last time I wrestled, competed, was Jan. 4. Didn’t think I was going to get to wrestle again. This is where I am supposed to be, and it’s amazing.”

Placing third, DiMarco clinched his state tournament berth when he defeated Jackson Dougherty from Tallmadge.

“It’s been a heck of a week,” DiMarco said. “I had a fall (pin) in the first match against a kid from Jefferson Area. Won my second match, major decision, to punch my

ticket to the semis.

“In the blood round (to qualify for states), I had a kid ranked above me. Just fought the whole match and ended up winning 7-3 (against Dougherty).”

Joining DiMarco at states from Kenston

will be junior state-ranked wrestler Doyle.

Doyle punched his ticket to states when he defeated Jakob Baxter from Howland, 3-1.

“Just finished up districts, and we’re going to states, baby, let’s go,” Doyle said. “I knew it was going to be a grind on the second

day. But deep down, I knew I wanted it and I would work hard enough, so I came in today with a good mindset (and) washed what happened yesterday. Focused on my matches today, one at a time. Really came in with good technique, hydrated well, and just came out and performed.

“I knew my match was going to go late in the period. That’s where I strive, I work hard in the room, so my gas tank is big. So I know once I am at the end, their wanting to quit is when I can really punish them.”

NDCL’s state-ranked wrestler, Wheatley, is returning to the state tournament for the second year in a row. This year, though, he will be competing in the 190 pound weight class rather than the 175.

“We had a real good tournament out here,” Wheatley said. “Really good matches. We had six top-ranked kids in the state in my weight class, so it was real tough.”

“Ended up having a rematch of the sectional finals last week against Dillon Badiu from Buckeye. Ended up beating him out 3-1 and punched my ticket to the states, second year in a row.”

Denamen, a freshman from West Geauga, also qualified for states from the Garfield Heights district.

Denamen had an amazing come-from-behind victory in the blood round to qualify for states. He defeated Sean Loucks from Ravenna, 8-7.

West Geauga Head Coach Carmen Russo recalled the process.

“That one match where he (Brian) came back to go to states, he was down 5-2, and then he got the take down,” Russo said. “It was 5-4, and then we let him up, and then we took him down and made it 6-6. It was under a minute and we had a decision to make, tough decision: do we let him up, do we try to ride him out? And so we made the decision to let him up with about 55 seconds, and then Brian took him down with about 28 seconds. He had a stalling warning against him. Brian was able to hold him down.”

“I think to me, the pivotal point was Brian trusting our decision to let him up twice and take him down. He got that final takedown, which sent him into the state tournament.”

The OHSAA State Boys and Girls Wrestling tournaments will run March 10 through 12 at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus.

ALAN KORNSPAN/KMG

Kenston’s Ben DiMarco, left, a state-ranked senior at 190 pounds, against NDCL junior Bryce Wheatley in a bout for the last two spots in the OHSAA Div. II districts at Garfield Heights High School. Both wrestlers are headed to the state championships in Columbus this weekend.

Calling All Eagle Scouts and Girl Scouts Gold Award Recipients

Geauga County Probate/Juvenile Court

Judge Tim Grendell, working with both Boy and Girl Scout interns, created the Geauga County Scout Honor Wall that recognizes each and every Geauga County Eagle Scout and Girl Scout Gold Award recipient.

The Eagle Scout’s wall currently honors

765 names and the Girl Scouts Gold Award wall honors 85 names.

If you are a Scout in Geauga County and have achieved the highest honors and would like your name placed on the Geauga County Scout Honor Wall, please contact Cheryl at 440- 279-1840.

Bulletin Board

The Maple Leaf Community Bulletin Board is a public service of the Geauga County Maple Leaf. Notices of nonprofit organizations, schools, and churches will be published without charge. The Maple Leaf cannot guarantee publication, and reserves the right to edit, condense, cancel, or refuse any notice at any time. E-mail submissions to: cbb@karlovecmedia.com

New Band Members Needed

The Geauga County Fair Band is looking for new members who play a band instrument. For information, visit www.geaugafair.com/geaugafairband or call 440-724-3237.

St. Mary’s Fish Fry

Fridays in Lent, 4:30-7 p.m. St. Mary Catholic Church, 401 North St., Chardon, will host its annual fish fry Fridays in Lent, Feb. 24 through March 31.

Pricing for dine-in guests is $17 for adults, $8 for children 6-12 and free for children 5 and under. Carryout pricing is $15 for adults and $7 for children 6-12. Children 5 and under choose two items free.

All proceeds benefit St. Mary School’s Adopt-a-Student scholarship.

For more information, call Mike Boehnlein at 440-286-8879.

Maple Driving Tour

March 11 and 12, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Maple Producers of NE Ohio is hosting the 2023 “How Sweet It Is” drive-it-yourself 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.

Consider donating; contributions are needed to complete the new garden. Learn about the organization at chagrinvalleyherbsociety.org or on Facebook. To RSVP, email chagrinvalleyherbsociety@ gmail.com.

Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner

March 17, 5-7 p.m.

Parkman Congregational Church is hosting a traditional corned beef and cabbage dinner at the church located at 18265 Madison Road. Cost is $15, dine-in or carry out.

Grange Chili Cook-Off

March 18, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Huntsburg Grange’s 20th annual chili cookoff and brown bag raffle will be held in the Huntsburg Community Center. Buy a chili sampler for $3 and vote for the winner. Play bingo for raffle tickets and learn to play bunco. Event also features 50/50, door prizes, live music and cake walk. Sponsor is Ohman Family Living at Blossom. For more information, call 440-2864992.

Beer and Hymns

March 19, 3-5:30 p.m.

cake breakfasts at Sirna’s in Auburn Township. Just like last year, club members will help serve all of those who attend on March 4 and 11.

Members then elected new officers for the upcoming year. They are: Brooke Taylor, president; Max Soltis, vice president; David O’Reilly, secretary; Avery Taylor, treasurer; Taylor Baise, corresponding secretary;

Baise, community service officer; Lilyan Warner, junior fair board reporter; Meadow McDonald, opening officer; Haylee Taylor, closing officer; and Natalie Kartley and Megan Csontos, sunshine officers.

The next meeting will be held on March 26 at Munson Town Hall. (Submitted by Thomas Kartley, news reporter)

Schools

Academic Awards Available

The Awards Committee for the First Congregational Church of Claridon announces the availability of awards for the 2023-24 academic year.

The purpose of the award is to encourage people to further their education through a traditional college, trade school or the equivalent.

Graduating high school seniors, college students or high school graduates are encouraged to apply. Candidates should be prepared to write about church, school and community involvement.

Application forms are available through the guidance offices of Chardon, Berkshire and Cardinal schools or Claridon Congregational Church, 13942 Mayfield Road, Huntsburg, OH 44046. Completed applications

should be mailed to the church and must be postmarked by April 14.

College Information Sessions

The Lake/Geauga Educational Assistance Foundation is holding free virtual information sessions on Google Meets for high school students and their parents.

On March 13 at 6:30 p.m., “Making Sense of College Loan Options” will address loan options that can be used to fill the gap between the cost to attend and financial aid received.

During the “Playing College Sports” session at 6:30 p.m. on March 20, a panel of local college coaches and administrators will talk about how to continue playing in college, recruitment, NCAA eligibility, athletic scholarships and more. Register online at www. leaf-ohio.org or call 440-525-7095.

For a complete list of participating producers and a map of locations, visit mpneoh.com.

Genealogical Society Meets

March 14, 7 p.m.

Sandra Beans Milton presents “The Ten Commandments of Family Group Sheets” at the next meeting of the Geauga County Genealogical Society at the Chardon Public Library. The program may also be viewed via Zoom

Registration is required; visit www. gcgsoh.org. Handouts will be sent to registrants.

Outreach Spaghetti Dinner

March 16, 6-7 p.m.

Christ Presbyterian Church offers free drive-thru spaghetti and meatball dinners the third Thursday of each month. Salad and dessert are included. The church is located at 12419 Chillicothe Road in Chester Township.

CV Herb Society Meets

March 17, 12:30 p.m.

The Chagrin Valley Herb Society meets at the Bainbridge Library, 17222 Snyder Road. A guest speaker from Morning Song Garden will speak on Bees Wax Skin Products.

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.

For more information, call Paul Gochnour at 440-897-0121.

Munson Indoor Flea Market

April 1, 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.

FOW Night at the Races

April 15, 6-9 p.m.

Friends of WomenSafe is hosting its first annual Night at the Race at Centerville Mills, 8558 Cracker Road, Bainbridge Township. Participants can become horse owners for an evening, bet on races, win money and watch racing action on big screens.

Tickets are $40 each and include dinner and entry into the event. Tickets are limited; visit www.friendsofwomensafe.com or call 440-285-3741 for more information.

Obituaries

Cynthia Schubert

Cynthia Schubert (nee Fondran), age 64, of Newbury Township, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on March 5, 2023.

She was born July 1, 1958, to Byron and Marcia (nee Stark) Fondran, in Euclid.

Cynthia enjoyed sewing, cooking, caring for her house plants — some of which she had for over 40 years — and enjoying the sun anyway she could.

She was a loving wife and mother devoted to her family, always making sure they were taken care of. Most of all, she loved spending time with her grandson, Jamie.

Cynthia is survived by her husband, Mark Schubert, of Newbury; children, Eric Schubert, of Lakewood, Ohio, Lynn Schubert, of Newbury, and William “Billy” Schubert, of

Newbury; grandson, Jamie Schubert; brothers, Jay Fondran, of Euclid, Greg (Kris) Fondran, of Euclid; and sister, Laura (Michael) Capello.

She is preceded in death by her parents.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, March 18, 2023, from 5-9 p.m., at Burr Funeral Home, 116 South St., Chardon.

Inurnment will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 20, 2023, at Munn Cemetery in Newbury.

In lieu of flowers, donations suggested to St. Helen School, 12060 Kinsman Road, Newbury, OH 44065, where her grandson attends.

Arrangements made by Burr Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Chardon. Information and condolences online at www. burrservice.com.

Campus News

Devon J. Skufca, of Chardon, was named to the dean’s list at John Carroll University’s College of Arts & Sciences for the fall 2022 semester, as well as the fall 2021 semester. A 2021 graduate of NDCL, Skufca is a sophomore studying in their Honors program.

Gabriel Phan, of Chester Township, was named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at the University of Cincinnati.

Jared Bost, of Chardon, was named to the College of Charleston fall dean’s list. Bost is majoring in exercise science.

Michael Ross, of Chardon, earned dean’s list honors at Bethany College for the fall semester.

Kaitlyn Moses, of Burton, was named to Flagler College’s fall president’s list.

Alexander Baldini, of Bainbridge Township; Ashley Rulison, of Burton; and Vivienne Weir, of Russell Township, were named to the dean’s list at Coastal Carolina University for the fall semester.

Grace Geisler, of Bainbridge Township; Chloe Taddie, of Chardon; and Eric Reed, of Russell Township, were named to the dean’s list at Rochester Institute of Technology for the fall semester.

Hannah Espinosa, of Burton; Cameron DeCarlo, of Chagrin Falls; and Luke DiPofi, of Chardon, were named to the dean’s list at Grove City College for the fall semester.

Max Mignogna, of Bainbridge Township, was named to Ithaca College’s fall dean’s list.

Derek Mardula, of Chardon, was named to the dean’s list at Saint Francis University for the fall semester.

Matthew Borris, Pietro Ianiro and Paige Lucic, all of Chardon; and Lindsey Downs, of Chester Township, were named to the dean’s list at University of Findlay.

Chardon resident Anthony Zampino has been named to the president’s list at James Madison University for the fall semester.

Lauren Reding and Sophia Gildone, both of Chagrin Falls; and Melissa Sterkel, of Chester Township, were named to the dean’s list at Belmont University.

Chardon residents Emma Beorn and Whitney Beorn were named to the dean’s list at Geneva College for the fall semester.

Evelyn Turocy, of Chester Township, was named to the dean’s list at University of Minnesota Twin Cities for the fall semester.

American Legion Post 459

Sundays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Atwood-Mauck American Legion Post 459 is serving its annual all-you-can-eat pancake, sausage and scrambled eggs breakfasts every Sunday through April 16, except for Easter, at the post located at 14052 Goodwin St. in Burton. Eat in or take out. For information, call Skip at 440313-2095.

Bainbridge Civic Club

March 12 and 19, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Bainbridge Civic Club hosts its 71st annual pancake breakfasts for the public in the Kenston High School cafeteria. A delivery option is also available.

Orders for delivery must be completed online by noon the Saturday prior to the Sunday breakfast. Visit TheCivicClub. org for menu options, prices and to place orders.

For more information, contact Mark George at 440-591-1819 or email BainbridgeCivic@gmail.com.

Berkshire Athletic Boosters

Sundays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Berkshire Athletic Boosters are hosting all-you-can-eat pancake breakfasts every Sunday in March in the new 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

Sundays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Burton Fire Station will serve all-youcan-eat pancake and sausage breakfasts every Sunday in March at the station located at 13828 Spring St. in Burton. call 440-834-4416 for information.

Chardon VFW Pancake Breakfasts

Sundays, 8 a.m. to noon

Chardon VFW Post 6519 is serving its annual pancake breakfasts every Sunday through April 2 at the post located at 752 Water St. in Chardon. Breakfast features three flavors of pancakes, French toast, eggs made to order, bacon, sausage, ham, home fries, toast and beverages. Call 440285-3699 for takeout orders.

Geauga Historical Society

Sundays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Geauga County Historical Society is hosting all-you-can-eat pancake breakfasts every Sunday in March, from 9 a.m.

to 2 p.m., at the Century Village Museum, 14653 East Park St. in Burton. Cost is $10 for adults; $5 for children 5-12 years and free to children 4 and under. Takeout is also available.

For more information, call 440-8341492.

Huntsburg Congregational Church

March 11, 8:30 a.m. to noon

Huntsburg Congregational Church is hosting an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast at the church located at 12435 Madison Road, Huntsburg Township. Breakfast also includes sausage, scrambled eggs and beverages. Cost is $10 for adults, $5 for kids 5 to 12 and free for youth under 5. Carryout is available. There will be a 50/50 raffle. Call 440-632-3000 for information.

Parkman Chamber Pancakes

Sundays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Parkman Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual pancake breakfasts every Sunday in March at the Parkman Community House, 16295 Main Market Road. Enjoy the special recipe sausage and local pure maple syrup. Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 5-10. Eat in or drive-thru/ carry out.

Pilgrim Christian Church

April 29 and 30, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Pilgrim Christian Church will host allyou-eat pancake and sausage breakfast at the church located at 202 S. Hambden St. in Chardon.

Cost is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors and $5 for children. Children under 5 eat for free.

Seldom Seen Farm

March 11, 8-11 a.m.

Seldom Seen Farm is hosting a pancake breakfast during the Maple Tour at the farm located at 10055 Madison Road in Montville Township.

WG Kiwanis Pancakes

Sundays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Kiwanis Club of West Geauga is hosting its 70th annual all-you-can-eat pancake, sausage and French toast breakfasts every Sunday in March in the cafeteria at West Geauga High School, 13401 Chillicothe Road, Chester Township. Cost is $10 for adults and $6 for children 6-11. Children under 6 are free. Early bird special is from 8-9 a.m. Curbside pickup is available.

For more information, visit wgkiwanis. org.

Arts & Entertainment

Fairmount Speaker Series

March 12, 3-4 p.m.

Fairmount Center for the Arts continues its “Pull Back the Curtain” speaker series with “In Conversation: Dr. Margaret Carlson.” The producing artistic director for Verb Ballet will discuss what goes into creating a production.

Light refreshments will be served. Advance registration is recommended by calling 440338-3171 or visiting fairmountcenter.org.

Student Wins National Poster Contest

West Geauga Middle School student Janna Winningham submitted beautiful artwork to the annual Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District poster contest and she recently won first place at the national level. Janna has participated in the contest through her involvement with 4-H and the Plantmasters Club for several years. She had previously won first place at the state level the past three years in her age category and third place at nationals two years ago.

West Geauga

National Merit Finalists

West Geauga High School had five National Merit Scholarship commended scholars and three semifinalists this year. All three of the semifinalists have recently been named finalists. Congratulations to Reilly Lewis, Megan McGinnis and Morgan Palchick on their advancement to finalist. It is a great honor and accomplishment.

Finalists will now be considered for National Merit Scholarship awards, which will be announced later in March.

the highest scores in the school’s division for each of their respective GPA brackets at the Ohio Academic Decathlon regional competition. tition.

Academic Decathlon Regionals

West Geauga students recently participated in the Ohio Academic Decathlon regional competition. For the sixth year in a row, West Geauga High School is the small school division regionals state champion.

Junior Bridget Bellett and sophomores

Robert Vash and Owen Roberts had the highest scores in the division for each of their respective GPA brackets.

Out of a possible 90 medals in 10 events, West Geauga took home 82 and medaled in every event. Every team member who participated in all 10 events medaled in at least two of them, with several teammates medaling in

four or five. Congratulations to the Academic Decathlon Team and best of luck in the upcoming state finals competition.

Newsies the Musical

The West Geauga High School Musical Theatre Program brings “Disney’s Newsies” to the middle school gym stage March 17-19. The musical is based on the 1992 film “Newsies,” which is inspired by the real-life Newsboys strike of 1899 in New York City. Performed by both high school and middle school students, it is a show not to be missed. Advanced tickets may be purchased at www. westg.org or at the door by credit card only.

SUBMITTED

West Geauga Middle School student Janna Winningham is pictured with her winning poster in the National Association of Conservation Districts’ poster contest.

Kenston Chardon

Addams Family Opens March 16

The Chardon High School drama program takes the stage March 16-19 with its spring musical production of “The Addams Family: School Edition” at Park Auditorium, 111 Goodrich Court.

Adapted from Charles Addams’ cartoons, the play features the Addams, a rather eccentric family with a taste for all things gothic, as they receive some very shocking news; their daughter is dating someone normal.

The play kicks off with the Addams inviting the Beinekes over for dinner after Wednesday Addams, a gothic and unique young teen, and Lucas Beineke, a young teen crazy about Wednesday, fall in love.

KMS Honors Band

Six seventh- and eighth-grade students represented Kenston Middle School at the 2023 Ohio Musical Arts Association (OMEA) District 7 Middle School Honor Band. They are tuba player Philip Brodsky, trumpet player Alex Morin, clarinetists Madison Gambatesa and Danica Pierce, French horn player Gino DeLuca and percussionist Kate Colwell. They were selected as the strongest musicians from 24 local schools. They performed a concert at Mentor High School on Feb. 25.

KMS Speech and Debate

The KMS Speech and Debate Team took second place out of 14 middle schools in its tournament on Feb. 25. Tournament champions were Pearl Johnson in Declamation, Georgia LeFeber in Interpretation, Zoe

LeFeber in Oratory and Brooke Carlson in Congressional Debate.

Going undefeated and placing second on a tiebreaker in Public Forum Debate were Reagan Carnes and Grace Voudris, ending the regular season on a 20-debate winning streak. Placing second in their events were Sebastien Peiffer in Declamation, Ben Yamsek in Congressional Debate and Kate Tobin in Interpretation. Will Turner placed fourth in Congressional Debate. In Extemporaneous Debate, Jilly Ragsdale won three out of her four debates. Jack Zaranec competed in his first tournament of the season with excellent scores in Interpretation. The team heads to the state tournament in two weeks at Hathaway Brown.

Grace Voudris has completed her Ohio middle school debate career, winning 95 percent of her debates in Ohio over the past two years with a 57 win and three-loss record.

Notre Dame

The families are certainly in for an interesting night, complete with a seemingly fun game after dinner.

Evening shows are March 16, 17 and 18 at 7 p.m., and the matinee is on March 19 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 for students and senior citizens and $15 for adults. In-person ticket sales are March 6- 8 and 13-15 at Park Auditorium from 4:30-6 p.m. Online ticket sales begin on March 6 at 8 a.m. through the district’s ticketing page at www.chardonschools.org. Same-day, in-person ticket sales will be available for purchase in the two hours prior to each show’s start time.

ACADEC Advances to States

Chardon Academic Decathlon is no stranger to high achievement, including advancement to state-level competition, and this year builds on that rich history with outstanding performances propelling the 202223 team to the state tournament scheduled for March 10-11 at John Carroll University.

The 22-member team, coached by Allen Herner, excelled in virtual regional contests throughout January and February, garnering 26 medals, including 10 gold.

NTHS Inductees

Chardon High School senior Caleb Myers and juniors Tara Lesiak, Cameron Musgrave, Brycen Perez, Sadie Richards and Addison Seese earned the prestigious honor of induction into Auburn Career Center’s National Technology Honor Society chapter. The students were among approximately 40 ACC students officially inducted during ACC’s on-site ceremony held on Feb. 22.

Caleb is a second-year student in ACC’s Production and Welding Technology program; Cameron and Brycen are first-year Technology Engineering and Design students; and Tara, Sadie and Addison are firstyear students in ACC’s Cosmetology, Patient Care Technician, and Teaching Professions Pathway programs, respectively.

SkillsUSA State Qualifiers

Hilltoppers Nayeli Orozco, Gabriella Simiele and Tara Lesiak medaled at the SkillsUSA Ohio Northeast Regionals 2023 event on Feb. 25 at Maplewood Career Center in Ravenna, stellar performances that advance all three Auburn Career Center students to the state tournament April 25-26 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.

ACC is a member school of SkillsUSA Ohio whose mission is to empower students in industrial education and trade programs.

At the Northeast Regionals event, Chardon High School seniors Nayeli and Gabriella earned regional gold and team gold, respectively, in their respective Medical Math and Health Knowledge Bowl regional events. The two Class of 2023 students are in their second year of ACC’s Allied Health Technology program.

Tara, a CHS junior, brought home bronze in the Job Skill Demo A regional event. She is a first-year ACC Cosmetology student who was recently inducted into ACC’s chapter of the National Technical Honor Society.

First Holy Communion

their First Holy Communion with Sr. Judy Buc co’s help. Sr. Judy made clay chalices and hosts with the second-graders in religion. Students are learning about Jesus offering Himself and how at the words of the priest, bread and wine become the Body and the Blood of Christ.

Fourth-Graders Investigate

Fourth-graders in Mrs. DiSanto’s class investigated which tools would pick up different types of foods. The tools modeled

beak types and students had the opportunity to discern how the different “beak” shape adaptations would be needed to survive in certain environments.

Third-Graders are Smart

The third-grade class used Smarties to learn about fractions. Students learned what a numerator and denominator represent and they used the color of the Smarties to write a fraction. Then, they ordered their fractions from greatest to least and compared them, too. The best part was they got to eat their Smarties when they were all done.

St. Helen Preschool’s Busy Bees 3-4-year-old class had a roaring good time during Dinosaur Week. Each year, the preschool class enjoys a week filled with dinosaur themed activities. The theme is integrated through their daily activities throughout the week. They had opportunities to estimate, create, dance and move like dinosaurs and even dig for dinosaur bones.

Legal Notices

LEGAL NOTICE

Sale of Real Estate

Geauga County

Foreclosure Auction

Case# 20-F-000086. LoanDepot.com, LLC vs Kenneth Mcelroy, Chunyan Mcelroy, et al.

The description of the property to be sold is as follows:

Property Address: 9970 CHARDON ROAD, CHARDON, GEAUGA, Ohio, 44024;

Legal Description: Full Legal Listed on Public Website; Parcel Number: 06-017800

Bidding will be available only on www.Auction.com opening on 4/4/2023 at 10:00 AM for a minimum of 7 days.

Property may be sold on a provisional sale date should the third party purchaser fail to provide their deposit within the allotted time.

Provisional Sale date: 4/18/2023 at 10:00

AM. Sales subject to cancellation. The deposit required is $5,000.00 to be paid by wire transfer within 2 hours of the sale ending. No cash is permitted.

Purchaser shall be responsible for those costs, allowances, and taxes that the proceeds of the sale are insufficient to cover.

To view all sale details and terms for this property visit www.Auction.com and enter the Search Code 20F000086 into the search bar. Mar9-16-23, 2023

LEGAL NOTICE

Sale of Real Estate

Geauga County

Foreclosure Auction

Case# 22-F-000261. U.S. Bank National Association vs BRIGHAM L. LAYMAN

AKA BRIGHAM LEE LAYMAN AKA BRIGHAM LAYMAN, et al.

The description of the property to be sold is as follows:

Property Address: 15462 TRASK ROAD, THOMPSON, GEAUGA, Ohio, 44086;

Legal Description: Full Legal Listed on Public Website; Parcel Number: 30-035900 and 30-036000

Bidding will be available only on www.Auction.com opening on 4/4/2023 at 10:00 AM for a minimum of 7 days.

Property may be sold on a provisional sale date should the third party purchaser fail to provide their deposit within the allotted time.

Provisional Sale date: 4/18/2023 at 10:00 AM. Sales subject to cancellation. The deposit required is $5,000.00 to be paid by wire transfer within 2 hours of the sale ending. No cash is permitted.

Purchaser shall be responsible for those costs, allowances, and taxes that the proceeds of the sale are insufficient to cover.

To view all sale details and terms for this property visit www.Auction.com and enter the Search Code 22F000261 into the search bar.

Mar9-16-23, 2023

LEGAL NOTICE

Hambden Township

The Hambden Township Trustees are giving notice of its intent to sell unneeded, obsolete, or unfit-for-use township personal property by internet auction starting on March 23, 2023 and ending on April 6, 2023. The auction items are 8 Fujitsi Lifebook Laptop/Tablet computers with vehicle mounts and various AC and DC chargers. A full description of this item is posted on the Hambden Township Website: www.hambdentownship.com; under Event Page.

Mike Romans, Fiscal Officer Mar9, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE

The following matters are the subject of this public notice by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. The complete public notice, including any additional instructions for submitting comments, requesting information, a public hearing, filing an appeal, or ADA accommodations may be obtained at: https://epa.ohio. gov/actions or Hearing Clerk, Ohio EPA, 50 W. Town St. P.O. Box 1049, Columbus, Ohio 43216. Ph: 614-644-3037 email: HClerk@epa.ohio.gov

Final Issuance of Permit to Install Middlefield Township Board of Trustees

Facility Description: Wastewater

ID #: 1546968

Date of Action: 02/24/2023

This final action not preceded by proposed action and is appealable to ERAC.

Project: Middlefield EMS New Building & Site

Improvements

Project Location: 15228 Madison Road (SR

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

528), Middlefield Township

Final Approval of Plans and Specifications

Great Lakes Growers PWS 15145 Kinsman Rd, Burton, OH 44021

Facility Description: Public Water System

ID #: 3000225

Date of Action: 03/02/2023

This final action not preceded by proposed action and is appealable to ERAC.

Detail Plans for PWSID:OH2876975

Plan:3000225 Regarding New Well Site.

Mar9, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE

The annual financial report of the Geauga County Health District for 2022 has been completed. The report is available for inspection at the Geauga County Auditor’s Office at 215 Main Street, Chardon, Ohio 44024. Mar9, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE

The annual financial report of the Geauga Trumbull Solid Waste District for 2022 has been completed. The report is available for inspection at the Geauga County Auditor’s Office at 215 Main Street, Chardon, Ohio 44024.

Mar9, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE

The annual financial report of the Family First Council for 2022 has been completed. The report is available for inspection at the Geauga County Auditor’s Office at 215 Main Street, Chardon, Ohio 44024.

Mar9, 2023

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Troy Township

Notice is hereby given that the Troy Township Board of Zoning Appeals will conduct a public hearing on an application for an appeal for a variance to the Troy Township Zoning Resolution on the 27th day of March, 2023 at 7:30 o’clock p.m. at the Troy Community Center, 13950 Main Market Road, Burton, OH 44021. This application #ZP23-2, submitted by Byler’s Business Services/Jerry Byler for Henry Miller, requests that they be granted relief regarding an area zoning certificate for lot frontage in the R-3 District. The application for the appeal pertains to Article IV Section 402.5(A) which states that the minimum lot frontage and width shall be 250 feet, except for lots located on a permanent cul-de-sac road turnaround. They wish to do a lot split with 207foot lot frontage for a variance of 43 feet. Byler’s Business Services/Jerry Byler for Henry Miller has filed an application for an area zoning certificate and wants it to be granted for the property located at 16793 Mumford Road in Troy Township PPN #32-030400.

Lisa Murphy, Secretary Mar9, 2023

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Troy Township

Notice is hereby given that the Troy Township Board of Zoning Appeals will conduct a public hearing on an application for an appeal for a variance to the Troy Township Zoning Resolution on the 27th day of March, 2023 at 8:00 o’clock p.m. at the Troy Community Center, 13950 Main Market Road, Burton, OH 44021.

This application #ZP23-5, submitted by Christopher and Ella Mitchell, requests that they be granted relief regarding an area zoning certificate for front yard setback in the R-3 District. The application for the appeal pertains to Article IV Section 402.6(A)(1) which states that the minimum yard setbacks for all buildings, structures, and uses, except accessory buildings, structures and uses shall be as follows: 1. Front yard setback: 75 feet. They wish a 61-foot front yard setback for a variance of 14 feet. Christopher and Ella Mitchell have filed an application for an area zoning certificate and wants it to be granted for the property located at 14228 Hoover Road in Troy Township PPN #32-074379. Lisa Murphy, Secretary Mar9, 2023

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING City of Chardon

Residents of the City of Chardon shall take note that a public hearing shall be conducted by the Council of the City of Chardon in Council Chambers of the Chardon Municipal Center, 111 Water Street, Chardon, Ohio at 6:20 P.M. upon the 13th day of April, 2023.

Said hearing is to provide the public an opportunity to comment regarding a proposed Zoning Map Amendment to the following parcels:

The proposed re-zoning is from “I-WTTO” Industrial – Wireless Telecommunications Overlay District to “C-4” General Commercial District. The properties are located on the northeast side of Center Street starting at the northeast corner the intersection of Center Street, Seventh Avenue, and Meadowlands Drive and extending approximately 1,480’ west.

A copy of the amendment to the Concept Plan is on file and available for public inspection in the office of the Clerk of Council of said City, weekdays between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. City of Chardon Planning Commission reviewed these matters under consideration at their Tuesday, February 28, 2023 meeting.

All interested persons are invited to attend.

Amy Day, Clerk of Council Mar9, 2023

Geauga Sheriff’s Report

The following is a sampling of the calls handled by the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office

Feb. 24-March 2, 2023.

ANIMAL PROBLEM

Feb. 24

10:16 a.m., Sawmill Drive, Hambden. Two horses got loose and they are running around Saw Mill. Complainant requesting help top wrangle them up. Horses about to go onto Route 6. Owner en route to assist.

CITIZEN ASSIST

Feb. 28

4:28 p.m., Claridon Troy Road, Burton. Caller’s first-grade daughter is being bullied and physically hurt by two boys at school. She has been kicked in the back and hit several times. Caller is taking her to doctor. Caller has spoken with principal and has a meeting with superintendent, but feels they are not taking the situation seriously. Deputy advised. Caller advised to contact the school in morning to speak with Deputy Supinski due to it occurring at school.

FRAUD

Feb. 24

3:23 p.m., Main Market Road, Troy. Someone used business credit card in Florida to purchase $2,689.56 worth of tires. Business did not authorize anyone to use that credit card. Complainant contacted the business and had order canceled. Complainant contacted credit card company to cancel card. Report taken.

HARASSMENT

Feb. 24

2:01 p.m., Merritt Road, Munson. Complainant receiving threatening messages online. Deputy advised. Complainant has on-going issue with her ex-boyfriend, who is contacting her current boyfriend and also making Facebook posts about complainant. Advice given. No direct threats have been made. Referred to Trumbull County Probation.

Feb. 26

7:42 p.m., Merritt Road, Munson. Complainant advised he received a message from someone he went to school with on Instagram (which he believes the account was hacked) asking for a photo for an art project. Complainant sent the photo to the person who then offered to pay money for the photo. Complainant said he told the person no, but eventually took the money due to the persistence of the person. Complainant stated he was mailed a check for $1,000, which he deposited into his bank. Complainant later felt something was wrong so he

notified his bank that the check may be fraudulent. He advised a short time later he got a strange text message from an email account stating the person was a hired assassin and was hired to kill complainant and his family if he doesn’t pay the money back. Complainant also advised he unknown person sent multiple photos that appeared to be cartel-related killings of “past victims” of the assassin. Complainant advised this most likely a scam and the check will likely bounce, and the scammer is attempting to gain real money from complainant, who was advised to block the email to prevent further messages. Also advised to contact his bank about changing his account number due to depositing the check, and to not send money to the people.

PURSUIT

Feb. 25

8:32 p.m., Main Market Road, Parkman. Westbound on 422 car going 180 mph. See report.

SUSPICIOUS

Feb. 24

9:50 a.m., Ravenna Road, Auburn. Found a bullet hole in bedroom window. Did not hear it. May have happened last night. Caller advised not to touch anything. Report taken.

THEFT

March 2

12:06 p.m., Stafford Road, Troy. AT&T reporting theft of copper. AT&T had approximately 2,500 feet of unused phone line wire stolen from their lines on Stafford Road, west of Rapids Road. Report taken.

THREATENING

Feb. 24

1:05 p.m., Moreland Lane, Auburn. Female in lobby to make report. Complainants advised they are having an issue with their neighbor. Male became upset after complainant dumped coffee grounds next to their mailbox in attempt to deter dogs from peeing there. No direct threats made. Advice given to complainant and will continue to attempt to make contact with neighbor.

WEAPON OFFENSE

Feb. 26

2:44 p.m., Chardon Road, Chardon. Caller found two bullet holes in his front window. One penetrated both panes of glass. In between first and second pane a silver BB was found. Landlord said it could have been a “punk kid.” Information documented.

Help Wanted

Suburban Driving School-Chesterland, looking for individuals to teach driver’s education. Paid training. Call 440729-4360 or 216-536-6708 or email resume: contact@ suburbandriveohio.com.

Full-time and part-time positions available for infant/toddler preschool and school-age teacher. Experience preferred, but not required. Call Audrey 440-729-8255.

Help Wanted: afternoon & weekends $15.00 an hour.

Dependable, 18+, licensed preferred. Chagrin Oil & Gas, Middlefield OH. Apply in store or call 440-632-1501.

Looking for a full-time work crew. Ford F150 with hitch and crew cab. Call 330-978-0367.

AUTOS & PARTS

2011 GMC Acadia SLT AWD: white, hitch, new breaks, leather, heated seats, 1 owner; $3,500. 440-286-2517.

FOR RENT

Auburn Twp: Studio Apt. No Smoking. No Pets. Heat, trash, lawn, snow-removal included. Quiet Country Setting, Kenston Schools. $750/Month. 440-336-3537. Chesterland 2 bedroom home for rent, 2.5 acres, available now. $1,400/mo. Call Peggy 440-554-5524. Rental Home: Berkshire Schools, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, laundry, family and living rooms, basement, large garage. No pets, non-smoking. 440-636-5747. Room for Let, $600, Russell. Call for details 440-3385201.

Classifieds

COMMERCIAL RENTALS

FOR LEASE: 120x60 arena barn with pastures for agricultural use or storage and grounds for nursery/landscape operation. Newbury. 440-564-7363.

EVENTS

An Al-Anon meeting is held at 10:15am Wednesdays at St. Martin’s Church, 6295 River Rd, Chagrin Falls, OH.

FOR SALE

Parkman area Barn Tear-down: Wood beams and siding available. Also variety of wood planks. If interested, call 301-471-4143.

Jack Posts: one pair 93” inch, $200; two pair 100” inch, $500. 440-834-8943.

Couch w/matching love seat. Old table. Bench. Cedar chest. Cabinet. Wall plate rack. Window mirror. 440632-9675.

Industrial Sewing Machine: with table, Kwonglam model KL-303, excellent condition, heavy duty machine, can handle canvas, jeans, leather; $1,200. 440-834-8943.

Teeter traction machine $150. Bose601 Series3, walnut cabinet, excellent condition $250. Infinity-Qb Speakers $150. Sony VHS SLVN750, new $75. 440431-6944.

Antique clocks, many. Oak crank wall-phone $369. Humpback chest $79. Wooden rocking horse $79. Kids spring rocking horse $49. 440-338-3563.

Windsor road-bike $500. Horse-drawn sleigh $500. Western saddle $500. Honda push-mower $300. (8) Fishing poles $200/for all. 845-987-0079.

ALPACA FIBER for hand-spinners, crafters. Natural colors. Grades 3-5, mixed. Huacaya. 1.5” to 3” staple. Call/Text 216-403-2312 for price.

Four Tires For Sale: Two LT225/65R17. Two LT245/75R16. Good tread, like new. Cash Only, $60/ each. 440-554-5731.

FREE storm windows with metal frames: (8) 56.5” x48.5”. (4) 59” x48”. FREE ping-pong table 54” x120”. 440-488-2851.

8-foot wide agricultural disc for 3-point hitch tractor. No beauty, but built like a battleship. $200. 440-5482414.

NEW Panasonic cordless phone, still in box, 2 additional handsets, can expand. White w/blue trim. 440-2239471. Also Wanted: Level/Transit.

PETS & ANIMALS

Mini Male Poodle: born 11-22-22, all white, mostly house-trained, very playful. UTD on shots and wormer. $600. 440-635-6607.

Two year old black house dog: teacup poodle/jack russel/miniature doberman mix; $250. Good watch dog. Middlefield. 440-632-5981.

MISCELLANEOUS

May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved and preserved throughout the world now and forever. Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for me; St Jude, worker of miracles, pray for me; St Jude, help of the hopeless, pray for me. Say this prayer nine times a day, by the 8th day your prayers will be answered. Say it for nine days, it has never been known to fail. Publication must be promised. D.K.

REAL ESTATE

We buy Houses and Land. Any condition or situation. Fast, friendly, local. Westwind Property Solutions. Text/ call Wayne today at 330-269-9595.

SERVICES

Joe Eicher doing roofing, siding, remodeling, cleanout houses, we do most anything. Call between 8a-4p, 440-813-4272. No answer, leave message.

Offering special discounts for interior and exterior painting and staining. 20+ years experience. Professional and insured. Call Dan 440-342-4552.

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. Will pay cash for sports cards & collectibles. Entire collections or individual cards. Organized or unorganized. Call or text Rich at 440-552-0691.

Buying all Stanley Bailey planes and machinist tools. Call Karl at 440-812-3392.

Old fishing tackle wanted: fishing lures (wood or plastic), mouse to bear traps, wooden duck decoys. Call Lee 440-313-8331.

Classifieds

20 words for $12

What a bargain!

Following is a list of real estate transfers for the week ending Feb. 24, 2023, provided as a public service by the Geauga County Auditor’s Office. Transfers may involve the sale of land only.

BAINBRIDGE TOWNSHIP

Allyson Murray and Carmen Amicone, 8310 Timber Trail, to Karen Hovsepyan, $599,000. (3.03 acres)

Real Estate Transfers

Ronald J. Suster, 8525 Beacon Hill Drive, to 18 Clipper LLC, $140,000. (1.73 acres)

Marc A. and Nancy M. Gruen, 7695 Pettibone Road, to Kayla Gruen, $285,000. (5.33 acres)

BURTON TOWNSHIP

Jennie R. Bemberg, 15131 Tavern Road, to Paul B. Hershberger, $200,000. (1.20 acres)

Sam S. Fisher, 14422 Burton Windsor Road, to Emma Kay and Ada Lauri Gingerich, $106,000. (6.23 acres)

William G., Linda R., and John H. Kurtz, 14347 Hubbard Road, to Jacob L. and Ida Mae Byler, $250,000. (10.02 acres)

BURTON VILLAGE

Gary and Bonnie Gordon, 14576 W. Park St., to Thomas R. Clark (trustee), $275,000. (0.59 acres)

CHARDON CITY

Opendoor Property Trust I, 302 W. Bar-

rington Drive, to Gregory M. and Victoria L. Vasto, $230,000. (0.00 acres)

Laramie C. Hedrick, 338 S. Hambden St., to Michael W. Hornung, $183,000. (0.34 acres)

CHESTER TOWNSHIP

John Ferrara (trustee), 12859 County Line Road, to Dante A. Attinato, $200,000. (1.25 acres)

MIDDLEFIELD TOWNSHIP

Tracey L. Baughman, 15540 Georgia Road, to Robert R. Miller III, $99,200. (2.00 acres)

MIDDLEFIELD VILLAGE

Pamela J. Misterka, 14973 Lake Ave., to Mark J. and Stacey A. Shaver, $120,000. (0.37 acres)

Lindsay A. Corbin and Greggory M. Daily, 15054 Primrose Lane, to Helen P. Davis (TOD), $195,000. (0.00acres)

MONTVILLE TOWNSHIP

Craig R. Kaser, 10714 Plank Road, to Thomas Gerard Prohaska (TOD), $365,000. (11.87 acres)

Sally Anne Harmasek and Robert Allen Greene, 16309 Gar Highway, to David L. Harbak and Carol Ann Kowalski, $139,000. (1.57 acres)

NEWBURY TOWNSHIP

Aubrey Ferguson and Kyle Hlad, 12104 Crampton Drive, to Aubrey Gerguson,

$54,300. (0.51 acres)

Bruce D. and Susan J. Barna, 14778 Westwood Drive, to Heather and Clay Orndorff, $295,000. (2.50 acres)

PARKMAN TOWNSHIP

John Henry and Miriam M. Troyer, Bundysburg Road, to Wallace C., Mary C., and Lydiann C. Byler, $240,000. (32.37 acres)

Aaron J. Wollitz and Maria Amrit, Old State Road, to Kenneth and Ann Gullett, $352,000. (1.91 acres)

Chester J. and Linda Kauffman, 15250 Nash Road, to Allen M. and Viola J. Miller, $310,000. (2.55 acres)

RUSSELL TOWNSHIP

Esther Broccone, 14903 Hook Hollow Road, to Erik Hoenigman, $154,900. (1.50 acres)

Dinardo Companies Inc., Heath Road, to Sarah C. and Nicholas E. Mikash III, $139,900. (3.20 acres)

SOUTH RUSSELL VILLAGE

David J. and Patricia A. Horne, 1460 Bell Road, to Tracy and Anthony Gerbino, $375,000. (2.43 acres)

TROY TOWNSHIP

John J. and Lovina Byler, 14773 Nash Road, to Reuben U. Byler, $175,000. (2.83 acres)

Allen J. Miller, 16392 Tavern Road, to Daniel J. and Cindy M. Fisher, $65,000. (1.31 acres)