Middlefield Post 12-25-2024

Wednesday, December 25, 2024 • Vol. 17 No. 16 • FREE

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Community News from Middlefield, Parkman, Huntsburg and Surrounding Areas

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Middlef ield Bill Mast Named U.S. Coast Guard Artist Painting of Village Donated at Council Meeting

By Ann Wishart ann@karlovecmedia.com

In the spirit of Christmas, artist Bill Mast presented Middlefield Village Council with his painting of historic downtown Middlefield during its Dec. 12 meeting.

The large black-and-white acrylic in a gilt frame was revealed early in the meeting by Mast, who re-created the mural on the west wall of the Middlefield Tavern last year.

Mast said one particular thing in the photo moved him to start the project.

The scene, circa 1934, includes a Christmas tree on a tripod standing directly under the traffic light in the middle of the intersection of what is now state routes 87 and 608.

“When I saw that (tree), I had to paint it,” Mast said, estimating he spent 150 hours on the project See Artist • Page 3

ANN WISHART/KMG

Middlefield artist Bill Mast donated his painting of downtown Middlefield Village, circa 1943, to the village during a council meeting Dec. 12. He has been chosen to be an artist for the U.S. Coast Guard Art Program because of his paintings of Coast Guard ships and boats.

Middlefield Village

Council Tables Annexation of Township Parcel

By Ann Wishart ann@karlovecmedia.com Middlefield Village Council tabled an ordinance Dec. 12 to enter into an annexation agreement with developers and approve the form of annexation petition for about 65 acres in Middlefield Township.

The legislation was on its third reading and normally would have been voted on last Thursday. However, village Mayor Ben Garlich said Middlefield Township officials had not yet signed the agreement between Lake Avenue Land Partners, Ltd. and township.

He asked, and council voted

unanimously, to table the action.

The vacant parcel is bordered

by Walmart Superstore property to the north, the Woodsong residential development on the west and the Geauga County Housing Authority subdivision to the south.

LALPL owns 14.49 acres on the east side of the parcel in the village, according to the Geauga County Auditor’s Office map. It fronts on Lake Avenue, which could provide access for the landlocked parcel.

In November, Village Administrator Leslie McCoy verified LALPL plans a housing development for the acreage.

See Annexation • Page 4

Merry Christmas FROM ALL OF US AT

SCREENSHOT

This map from the Geauga County Auditor’s website shows the parameters of nearly 65 acres in Middlefield Township which Middlefield Village Council is planning to annex. Lake Avenue Land Partners, Ltd. owns the parcel and the one to the east with frontage on Lake Avenue. A village official said the company plans to build single family homes on the lot similar to those in the Woodsong housing development to the west.

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Middlefield Post

Wednesday, December 25, 2024

Wednesday, December 25, 2024

Town Crier Family Dinner and Movie Night

Dec. 27, 4 p.m.

First United Methodist Church hosts its God Shares a Meal and movie night at the church located at 14999 South State Ave., Middlefield. Dinner is from 4-6 p.m. followed by a family movie at 6:15 p.m. For information, call 440-632-0480.

Fairmount Winter Session

Registration is open for classes and workshops in art, dance, music and theatre at Fairmount Center for the Arts in Russell Township.

Classes begin Jan. 6 and are available at two locations: 8400 Fairmount Road in Russell Township and 101 Main St., Suite 105 in Chardon.

For more information, or to register for classes, visit www.fairmountcenter.org or call 440-338-3171.

Bloodmobile

Dec. 30, 12-6 p.m.

American Red Cross is hosting a blood drive at Middlefield Library, 16167 East High St. Visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800733-2767 to make an appointment.

Geauga Public Library MIDDLEFIELD BRANCH 16167 East High St., Middlefield, 440-6321961. Programs require registration unless otherwise noted. Visit www.geaugalibrary.net.

Winter Reading Program

Jan. 1 – Feb. 28 Geauga County Public Library’s annual Winter Reading Program is back. Sign up and track one’s reading all winter for a chance to win a great prize.

Artist

from page 1 – and thought, when he was about half way done, he wasn’t going to finish it.

His muse had deserted him and no amount of determination could draw him back to the canvas.

“Three months ago, I thought it wasn’t going to happen. I gave up on it,” he said.

“When it leaves, you can’t get it back. Being an artist is a little strange.”

Fortunately for the village, his motivation returned two months ago, giving him time to complete the painting before the holiday.

In answer to a question, he said he starts the process by preparing the canvas and sketching, freehand, the scene from the enlarged photo, using a grid to ensure proportion. The work is detailed and very realistic.

Mast said he added the cars parked on East High Street last.

He chose the frame to match the ambiance of the work and said he is going to miss having the painting in his home.

At his usual hourly rate, the painting is worth about $9,000, he said.

Mast had only one request of council.

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Middlefield Post

Color & Cookies

Jan. 6, 4-4:45 p.m.

Teens in grades 6-12 will enjoy a relaxing afternoon filled with coloring and cookies.

Senior Scams

Jan. 9, 3-4 p.m. • Virtual Learn what a scam is and how to protect oneself from scammers at this virtual Consumer Protection program hosted by the Office of the Ohio Attorney General.

“I just ask that you put it where people can see it,” he said.

Village Mayor Ben Garlich assured him his wishes will be fulfilled and thanked him.

“This painting is priceless to the village,” he said.

Mast also announced the U.S. Department of State saw his paintings of U.S. Coast Guard ships on the internet and asked him to serve as an official artist for the Coast Guard Art Program.

“Now I’m a government artist, my prices will go way up,” Mast joked.

On Facebook, he added, “I am an official artist of the USCG! Never served in the coast guard and truly regret that! However, I have been painting these magnificent boats and ships for a few years now.”

Founded 41 years ago, COGAP saves the works of artists in its archive, according to the USCG website.

“We want the workforce to know that what they do every day is memorialized in art through our program,” said COGAP coordinator Mary Ann Bader. “We appreciate the contributions of our Coast Guard artists, all of whom volunteer their time and artwork to the service. It is an honor to us and it’s something that we deeply appreciate.”

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Wednesday, December 25, 2024

Middlefield Post

Cardinal Schools

SUBMITTED

Cardinal Jr./Sr. High School Students of the Month for November.

SUBMITTED

The Huskie choir took a field trip to Ohman Family Living where they sang some of their favorite holiday songs.

SUBMITTED

Cardinal Elementary School Students of the Month for November.

Students of the Month Cardinal Local Schools congratulates its Students of the Month for November. Thank you to the East Geauga Kiwanis and Zeppe’s of Middlefield for sponsoring the Students of the Month program.

They are: kindergartners Caleb K., Charlotte M. and Tobias F.; first-graders Emilee B. and Elliot K.; second-graders Vera B. and

Hannah F.; third-graders Kody K., Elizabeth K. and Layla A.; fourth-graders Elizabeth R. and Aubree M.; fifth-graders Andrew T., Alyssa K. and Andi F.; sixth-graders Jarrett F., Jessman K. and Harmony Y.; seventh-graders Harper G. and Mason K.; eighth-graders Mia M. and Ella M.; ninth-graders Natalie H. and Carson D.; 10th-graders Lilah T. and Emily P.; 11th-graders Grayson Y. and Brianna M.; and 12th-graders Damion W. and Ben L.

SUBMITTED

Cardinal Jr./Sr. High School November Citizens of the Month are seventh-graders Ben R. and Skylar L. (not pictured); eighth-graders Gen C. and Bryan S.; ninth-graders Hope H. and Sydney L.; 10th-grader Natalie S.; 11th-graders Brooke B. and Felicity L.; and 12th-graders Hunter G. and Misael S. Cowboy Creamery sponsor the Citizens of the Month program.

Annexation from page 1

During the Nov. 14 meeting, Garlich said the village has offered to share with the township 10% of the 1.25% village income tax paid by workers who live in those proposed homes.

Average annual income for those workers is expected to be about $64,000, he said.

Council President Scott Klein estimated the village would pay the township about $16,000 per year from the village income tax collected from those residences.

In a text Dec. 15, Klein said single-family homes are planned and expected to be similar to those in Woodsong and Glen Valley housing developments In other action, the board passed an ordinance to raise the rate of pay for council pro tempore — president of council — to $1,000 per month, suspending the usual three readings and declaring an emergency.

“The president fills in for me. He has to go to every committee meeting,” Garlich said.

“I make sure (the president) is involved in all communications,” he added in a Dec. 15 followup call.

Beginning in 2025, if the mayor can’t attend a meeting, the president, under the ordinance, will automatically take the mayor’s role.

Klein was elected by fellow council members as the council pro tempore for several years. In several instances, he has taken the mayor’s chair when Garlich was absent.

He also chairs the village planning and zoning commission and was appointed last Thursday to sit on committees for streets, sidewalks and utilities; economic development; and development loan review.

Council members receive about $600 per month, Garlich said.

The Ohio Public Employees Retirement System recently required public employees to be paid at least $1,000 per month to receive one full credit a year for retirement benefits, he said.

The rest of council only receives half a credit for every year of their service, Garlich said.

Council also passed an ordinance authorizing Garlich or his designee to enter into a lease and easement agreement with the City of Akron for a fifth water well.

Wednesday, December 25, 2024

Middlefield Post

Faith Matters Wise Steps into the New Year A New Year awaits us. None of us knows 5. Pursue regular physical exercise. for sure what it will bring. Yet, we ought to You don’t have to run a marathon or pump expect many tokens and evidence of God’s iron. However, a lifestyle of movement and goodness. After all, the Bible tells us that His activity can pay big dividends. Take a walk or love pours out “one blessing after another” jog, ride a bike, do aerobic exercises, regular upon us. stretching or workout at your favorite fitness However, there will undoubtedly be un- center. You will look and feel better and be expected challenges and unwanted circum- healthier because you made it happen. stances as well. God uses such 6. Read your Bible each things to grow our faith and teach day. However, don’t do it from us to trust Him more. An importa feeling of constraint. Instead, ant part of life is learning to disrecognize that you are feeding cern what God is “up to.” The your faith. The words of Jesus are Scriptures affirm that “God is at your necessary spiritual food. All work in you, both to will and to Scripture is divinely inspired and work His good pleasure.” profitable for teaching and trainAnother aspect of our faith ing us in God’s truth. It also coris the responsibility God gives to By Roger Kruse rects us and enables us to follow you and me to make decisions and to chart the way of wisdom. our path forward. The Lord never intended 7. Show kindness to others. Love is for us to simply be passive creatures. He de- the most important thing. To love God and signed us to think, discover and pursue a life others is the Greatest Commandment and esthat utilizes our talents and gifts for His glo- sential to being the person you were meant ry. Even if you are not a big planner, it is wise to be. If you lack love, you are just a “clanging to seek wisdom concerning the direction of cymbal.” Remember, love is not primarily a your life. feeling. It begins with your determination to With that in mind, I have given thought will and to show God’s benevolence and charto “Ten Steps Toward a Blessed New Year.” ity to others.

In no particular order, let’s consider the pos8. Be humble; embrace humility. The sibilities.

Bible says that “God opposes the proud,” but gives grace to and lifts up the humble. Pride 1. Forgive anyone and everyone who can be your stumbling stone and your undohas hurt you in some way. Lingering unfor- ing. Remind yourself that whatever you have giveness is a plague on the human heart. It is a gift from God. Share the credit for your produces bitterness and chokes the flow of successes by thanking Him and those around God’s grace. Each of us is daily dependent on you.

God for mercy and forgiveness. He calls on us 9. Maintain or develop a sense of huto do the same toward others. mor. Laughter is the medicine of the soul 2. Cast worry aside and put your trust according to Proverbs 17:22. Don’t take yourin the Lord. Allow your concerns and anxi- self or life too seriously. A good belly laugh eties to become a steppingstone to prayer. can purge anxiety and bring refreshment to a God’s Word tells us, “Don’t worry about any- stressed-out mind. thing, instead pray about everything.”

10. Make prayer a natural part of every3. Become an encourager to others. day life. Talk to your heavenly Father often.

We all thrive on encouragement. It buoys Share the events and emotions of life with our spirit with confidence and strengthens the One who loves and cares deeply about us with a sense of possibility. Criticism and you. Let your ongoing conversation with Jecomplaint are downers for everyone. Instead, sus be honest and transparent. Draw near to we ought to follow the Biblical exhortation to God, and He will draw close to you. “encourage one another.”

4. Ask God to fill you with His Holy Roger Kruse is thankful for each reader of Spirit daily. Jesus promised that the Spirit this article. Thank you for allowing me to share would become in us like a “river of living wa- my heart. ter” that will flow from the heart. Learn to “May the Lord bless you and keep you; The depend upon God’s Helper. He will inspire, Lord make His face shine on you and be grastrengthen and guide you. He is your essen- cious to you; the Lord turn His smile toward tial power source. you and give you peace.”

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

Geauga Gems Trekking Series

Registration opens Jan. 1 for the sixth annual Geauga Gems Trekking Series. Participants are encouraged to complete four hikes per season from a list curated by park district

naturalists. Attendance at any naturalist-led hike can also be counted and one’s favorite trail can also be added to any season’s list.

Or participants can choose to hike 80 miles on any of the park district’s 92-plus miles of trails to complete their 2025 goal instead. To accomplish the goal of the program, participants simply need to hike roughly 20 miles each season to achieve the full effect.

Festival of Trees Winners

The winner of the People’s Choice award for the 2024 Middlefield Historical Society’s Festival of Trees was John’s Country Nursery. Trees displayed by Flowers by Emily and Beth and Dawn’s Garage Sale Store were runners-up.

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A Christmas Message From Mayor Ben Garlich This is not the way I wish to open a holiday message, but I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge, with a heavy heart, the passing of Helen Harrington.

This summer, we renamed South Springdale “Harrington Way,” honoring the significant investment and vision the Harrington family brought to our village. I’ve known and appreciated Helen my entire adult life and have always valued the wisdom and stability she provided. She was loved by all, always supportive of our village, and will be greatly missed by me and many others.

I hope you all had an enjoyable and relaxing Thanksgiving and wish you the same for the upcoming Christmas season. I trust the holiday lighting and Christmas music in the town center are adding to your enjoyment of this Garlich festive time of year.

The village police sponsor several annual events, with the most recent being the “Fill a Cruiser” for Thanksgiving. This event has become a cherished tradition and I’ve had the privilege of participating in the collection for the past few years. It always amazes me how generous our community is. The amount of food and money donated to help those in need is heartwarming.

The police will also be conducting another collection for the Christmas holiday and I have no doubt our community will once again respond generously.

I’d like to thank the police, along with Councilman Hornung, for making these initiatives both possible and successful.

Additionally, the police department sponsors a “Shop with a Cop” event each December, where children from families in need are given money to purchase gifts, helping them enjoy a more special Christmas.

I want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas.

As is tradition, we are wrapping up a busy year and have just had our final

Wednesday, December 25, 2024

Middlefield Post

committee and council meetings for 2024.

Reflecting on the year, we’ve seen many major public projects either completed or nearing completion. Our multi-year well expansion project is almost finished, marking the completion of phase one, which ensures we can continue to provide essential services and accommodate future growth.

We’ve also completed several road resurfacing projects and are preparing bid specifications for next year’s work.

As you drive through our village, you may notice three major private projects underway.

To the west, the new Hartville Hardware is progressing nicely and is shaping up to be an impressive facility. We’re excited about the value it will bring to both our residents and the surrounding area.

To the north, the Ohman family is developing 24 new senior living units. As I grow older, I’ve come to truly appreciate the convenience and logistical efficiency our village offers. This new development will provide residents with a location that is well-suited to their needs.

To the east, HC Companies is constructing a large warehouse to meet their business needs. We’re grateful for their investment in our community, which will bring additional quality employment opportunities.

While it’s nice to reflect on our progress, we also look ahead to a busy 2025. We have a lot planned, both publicly and privately, and I’m looking forward to another great year of continuing to add value to our village.

I appreciate the support and cooperation of those who invest in our community, as well as the elected officials, residents who volunteer on committees, and our village employees who work tirelessly every day to make Middlefield a better place.

God bless you all, and again, Merry Christmas.

Police Blotter The following is a sampling of the calls handled by the Middlefield Village Police Department, Dec. 6-19, 2024.

ceived fake orders from the same person every day. Has been an issue for the past month. See report.

CITIZEN ASSIST Dec. 6 4:47 p.m., North State Avenue. Male needing to speak with an officer. He stayed at a friend’s house Dec. 3 and later noticed his license plate was missing from his vehicle and believes it was taken off at friend’s location. Male does not know last name of friend or address where he stayed. Officer wrote a statement with male’s word because he stated he cannot read or write. Male advised police would contact him if plate located.

SUSPICIOUS Dec. 15 11:46 p.m., South State Avenue. Cashier at Circle K reported she had to ask male to leave the store about 10 minutes ago. He had been there since 8 p.m. and was giggling. Earlier in the day he took a sandwich into the bathroom and ate it, not paying for the sandwich. Officer checked area. UTL.

Dec. 18 9:46 p.m., North State Avenue. Caller received threats from a person saying people would be coming to “beat her ass” after work (stemming from an incident at work in which an employee was terminated.) Officer stood by in parking lot at the end of caller’s shift to ensure no one was waiting to assault her.

EXTRA PATROL Dec. 11 4:47 p.m., East High Street. Received a phone call from a “Special Crimes Unit” stating an employee has a warrant. Caller is requesting extra patrol when they close today. Scam caller. Attempted to call the number back and it rang continuously.

Female involved gave her name on the phone but no other personal information.

Employees were escorted to their vehicles and left without incident.

NOISE PROBLEM Dec. 12 1:28 p.m., Northview Drive. Neighbor has wind chimes that are loud and now that it is winter and windy they are exceptionally loud. Female called back advising she no longer wants to speak with an officer after speaking to her landlord.

PHONE HARASSMENT Dec. 16 6:27 p.m., West High Street. Store has re-

Dec. 16 9:52 a.m., Grove Street. Caller advised male broke into his house with someone on Friday and trashed it and stole his guide dog.

He was then assaulted and kidnapped at gunpoint and dropped off in Painesville.

Male is at Tripoint right now and was advised an officer would call him. Male also called to report this Dec. 13. Caller will be coming to station today to give a statement and a better breakdown of the full incident.

Dec. 19 12:58 p.m., Harrington Way. Reporting two fixed wind drones flying around Walmart in Middlefield. UTL/GOA. THEFT Dec. 6 2:10 p.m., Harrington Way. 4-door SUV. Two females. Turning left on 87, blacked out windows. Took two carts of groceries from Walmart. Complainant is in front of them. Passing NAPA and Berkshire Industrial Parkway. Lost contact with caller.

TRAFFIC CRASH Dec. 16 5:50 p.m., South State Avenue. Red truck pulled in hitting the trash cans and then got out to pump gas. Male appears to be highly intoxicated. Also hit pump 2 when he pulled up. Officer advised. No plate available. UTL the truck. Officer spoke with the manager of Marathon and they do not want a report done. They said it was an accident and the male was fine.

Stay Warm this Winter with HEAP The Ohio Department of Development and Geauga County Job and Family Services want to remind Geauga County residents that assistance is available to help with their home energy bills. The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) helps Ohioans at or below 175% of the federal poverty guidelines pay their heating bills.

In addition to HEAP, Ohioans who are threatened with disconnection or have been disconnected from their utility service, or are transferring service, establishing new services, and are at or below 25% bulk fuel, may be eligible for the HEAP Winter Crisis Program (WCP), which begins Nov. 1, 2024.

Geauga residents may apply for the WCP through Geauga County JFS by calling 440285-1299. Application for the WCP is by telephone interview only and appointments are currently being scheduled.

Ohioans can visit energyhelp.ohio.gov to apply for the HEAP program online, download a copy of the application or find contact information for a local energy assistance provider. Individuals will need to have copies of the following documents to include with their application: • Most recent Utility Bills, • A list of all household members, birthdates and Social Security numbers, • Proof of income for the past 30 days for all household members, • Proof of Citizenship or legal residency for all household members, and • Proof of disability, if applicable.

HEAP benefits are applied to an individual’s energy bill after Jan. 1. Those needing immediate assistance with their energy bill should contact Geauga County JFS at 440285-9141.

Wednesday, December 25, 2024

Middlefield Post

Classifieds FOR RENT

HELP WANTED

Auburn: 1BR apartment, includes laundry room and attached garage. No pets. $975/mo. Call 440-2210649.

FOR SALE FIREWOOD for sale: $150 per cord. 440-338-5201.

New Nitro 101”x12’ Crossover Snow Mobile Trailer: all aluminum construction, rear ramp door, side door, ski guides, $6,500/obo. Text 440-478-2218.

Two burial plots at Western Reserve Memorial Gardens with full package: 2 vaults, 2 caskets, dual memorial headstone; $7,400. 440-476-0706.

Firewood: mixed hardwoods, 4’x8’x16-inch pieces, $135. Delivered within 15 miles of Chardon. 440-6875404.

Pfaltzgraff Dinnerware: service for 8, plus lots of accessories, Heirloom pattern, $150. Cabela’s stuffer motor, $75. Flame D’Amore crystal, call for info. 440-4886190.

Wood Stoves: Blaze King Ashford 20 with blower, 4yrs old, $2,800. Quadrafire Discovery III, used one season, $900. Call Ken 440-635-6536.

Warehouse flat bed push cart: wood/metal on wheels, perfect for coffee table, dog bed, or stack them, 4 available, $185/ea, 440-668-8768 or SLW4134@att.net, pictures available.

Benelli Super Black Eagle 12-gauge semi-automatic shotgun, 26” barrel, EC, $1,300. 440-564-1172.

CAMERAS: Praktisx, Minolta, Nikon, Polaroid One Step.

Electric log splitter, copper kettles, many aquariums, clocks, kerosene lamps, pottery jugs. Inquire 440-3383563.

Ladder jacks $50. 12-foot expanding plank $100. Mantis Tiller $200. Hitch Carrier Tray $100. Hand-held electric leaf blower $50. 440-554-5731.

New white triple track Storm Windows: perfect for home & porch enclosures (7) 30-1/4x59-1/4 $125 each.

George 440-336-5044.

PETS & ANIMALS Barn homes needed for a number of fixed & vaxxed semi-feral cats whose elderly caretaker was evicted.

Help us help them. Rebecca 440-321-2485

MISCELLANEOUS FREE fact: BEST Gift you can give young people is to convince them that marijuana and other drugs will ruin their lives!

REAL ESTATE Homes & Land Wanted: any condition or situation! Fast, friendly, local. Serving Geauga and surrounding counties. Text or call Wayne at 330-269-9595.

SERVICES Will do housework, cleaning, laundry, and elder care.

Experienced with references. 440-313-1804.

Did you know Karlovec Media Group prints business cards? Prices start at only $30 for 500 (B&W, 1-sided, no bleed). Call 440-729-7667 or email ads@karlovecmedia.com.

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

WANTED TO BUY Buying all Stanley Bailey planes. Call Karl at 440-8123392.

4-wheelers, 3-wheelers, dirt bikes, mini-bikes, go-carts, golf carts, gators, farm tractors/equipment, trailers, riding mowers, snowplows. Paying cash. 440-413-3119.

Also, scrap cleanup and removal.

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

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Wednesday, December 25, 2024

Middlefield Post

Commissioners Invest in Airport Infrastructure

By Allison Wilson wilson@karlovecmedia.com As development at the county airport in Middlefield continues to take flight, Geauga County Commissioners approved a $1,330,000 encumbrance and expenditure for the construction of a new T-hangar, as well as upgrades to existing facilities for the Geauga County Airport Authority, at their Dec. 17 meeting.

The amount was approved for January 2025, pending execution of an agreement for capital improvement funding.

Airport Authority President Chip Hess provided commissioners with some background on their efforts.

“Over a year ago, (the Federal Aviation Administration) made us aware that there would be funding available through bipartisan infrastructure legislation to fund buildings,”

Hess said. “Up until that point, FAA funding was not available for buildings.”

The FAA had agreed to help GCA fund the new building and county commissioners submitted the documentation for approval, only to be told they needed to meet FAA standards. The documents had only been updated in the past month, said Hess, hence the ask being at the end of the year. “(County Administrator Gerry Morgan) was nice enough then to put together a simple agreement between the airport authority and the commissioners about how the funding would take place,” Hess said.

During that discussion, it was mentioned it might be best for the airport authority to keep the FAA money as it comes back to the airport, Hess added, rather than regularly ask for money at budget hearings.

“We want to fix the hangars, the original

buildings at the airport, they’re leaking right now,” he said. “We got rooms that are not occupiable. We also want to upgrade the living quarters for the helicopter crews for the (University Hospitals) helicopter.”

The hangar project is ready for bid, explained Hess. With the funds allocated, they could get the job on the books for spring of 2025.

Airport Manager Ric Blamer provided information about the T-hangar at the commissioners Dec. 10 meeting. It will be eight units and approximately 12,500 square feet, he said, and is large enough to house larger aircraft, including one with a 60-foot wingspan.

Spaces in the hangar had been sold for over a year, with a wait list of 32 people the morning of the Dec. 10 meeting.

An earlier set of hangars was completed in April of 2022 and have been fully occupied since, Blamer said. He added the airport’s hangar rental rates hang in the middle of the road — some are less than competitors while the newer ones have the highest rates.

New, clean hangars mean being able to ask for a higher rental rate, Commissioner Tim Lennon noted.

The quality of the airport’s infrastructure is important to its Experimental Aircraft Association chapter, something EAA President Tim Conner elaborated on.

While Blamer is the airport manager, Conner explained he has no staff and the EAA chapter picks up those jobs, and they need the proper infrastructure to do so. Their work can vary from changing the toilet paper in restrooms to running relay flights for Geauga residents who need medical treatment at major institutions out of state, he said.

“We certainly support the acquisition of

SCREENSHOT

Airport Authority President Chip Hess appeared before Geauga County Commissioners Dec. 17. In the back are Commissioner Tim Lennon and Geauga County Administrator Gerry Morgan.

another hangar because aircrafts at the airport are part of what makes it work,” said Conner. “There’s a lot of people who use their aircraft for business and we can’t do that if we don’t have hangars to put those airplanes in.”

Once the hangar is bid, the association would like to start “knocking down” the list of things to fix at the airport, Hess said.

“With the commissioners’ support, we have really generated, or created, a popular location for the people who have aircraft and we want to continue that momentum moving forward,” he added.

The authority is looking to put facilities on a maintenance schedule, he noted, something that should keep the buildings from falling into disrepair.

This is a significant investment, Lennon said.

“I know the Geauga Airport, you guys will take super care of it, but it’s imperative we make this thing last,” he said.

Real Estate Transfers Following is a list of area real estate transfers for the week of Dec. 9 and period Dec. 16-18, 2024, provided as a public service by the Geauga County Auditor’s Office.

chelle A. King, $692,500. (26.43 acres) Danny Ray and Lori Byler Miller, 11179 Clay St., to Dany Ray and Lori Byler Miller, $221,500. (2.00 acres)

HUNTSBURG TOWNSHIP Emma J. and Joseph D. Yoder, Clay Street, to Paul D. and Mary M. Bender, $51,900.

(5.19 acres) Jacob W. and Leona L. Byler, 17660 Huntley Road, to Matthew Ryan Erickson and Mi-

MIDDLEFIELD VILLAGE Wayne D. Wachhaus, et. al, 15052 Primrose Lane, to Kathleen W. Dixon, $221,000.

(0.00 acres) Jennifer and Victor Paul Holbert, 15360 Knox Circle, to Kim Renshaw, $255,600. (0.11 acres)