Wednesday, June 1, 2022 • Vol. 15 No. 1 • FREE
Green Leaf Odors Makes Neighbor Miserable
By Ann Wishart ann@karlovecmedia.com
When the wind starts blowing from the north, Middlefield Township resident John Kochy holds his breath, waiting to see if, once again, noxious odors waft past his home on state Route 528. Attending the Middlefield Village Council meeting May 19, Kochy said the Green Leaf medical marijuana processing plant just north of his home periodically releases gas into the atmosphere. He likened it to getting a face full of skunk spray. “Last night, the smell went away. It was okay until 2 a.m. – it was horrendous,” he said. Kochy, managing partner of Airwolf Aerospace LLC on state Route 528 south of his home, said the situation has gotten worse over the last year. “I can’t function like this. In my world, there are no mistakes. I need my wits about me,” Kochy said. His company designs, certifies, manufactures and stocks components such as Bell 206 tension-torsion straps, according to the company website. In May 2019, the village planning and zoning commission approved plans for Green Leaf Ohio to build the multi-million-dollar plant and greenhouses on 7.88 acres along the southern village-township line next door to the Kochy property. Green Leaf representative Kate Nelson said a dehumidification system would include charcoal filters that would clean the air released to the outside of the plant. Mayor Ben Garlich said on May 23 Green Leaf has been very responsive when talking to him about the issue, but he is concerned that supply chain problems may delay receipt of the high tech filters he understands have been ordered. As it stands, Kochy said at the meeting he can’t sit outside his house or leave the windows open because he doesn’t know when the See Odors • Page 7
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Middlef ield Sliding Economy Worries Mayor By Ann Wishart ann@karlovecmedia.com
Middlefield Village Mayor Ben Garlich turned off the tap on discretionary spending at the May 12 council meeting. “Our economy is deteriorating by the minute,” he said, referring to the national economy. “There will be no discretionary spending in the village from now on – zero. Every dollar makes a difference,” he said. “Think about every purchase – do we need it? If you add up 50 bucks 500 times, it’s a lot of money.” Village Fiscal Officer Nick Giardina warned, “We’ve got to be careful.” The village has been in very good financial shape for several years with income from water and sewer fees and income tax seeing significant increases. Garlich and
Giardina have been enthusiastic about the bottom line and council has been allocating the extra funds for projects and programs over the last two years. Giardina said income tax revenue was up 9.8% in 2022 over the year before, but overall, total Garlich receipts have started to become pretty flat, he said. “Economically, you can see things taking place, nationally and locally,” he said. “Just watch spending in case there is a true downturn here.” Despite concerns, council finalized a business improvement program that has been in the works for several months. The $242,000 program offers grants to businesses that want to improve their appearances. It is similar to the village
neat streets program that provides funding for paint and repairs on residential properties. Business owners need to apply online or through the mail and village officials decide which projects will be funded, but there are no guarantees. “We’re not going to stop now,” Garlich said. However, he did suggest council could cancel an incentive program that gives a $10,500 rebate for utility tap-in fees for residential builders. “That incentive doesn’t need to be there any more. It was okay when one house a year was being built,” he said. “We should look at that. We can always reinstate (the incentive program). Right now, it’s kind of a give-away.”
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The CNPH Equestrian Team out of Huntsburg. The national qualifiers list was released May 16: Jeanette B., Morgan C., Emily C., Jayla S., Daytona H., Claire C., Stella M., McKenzie T., Sienna M. on qualifying for nationals.
Local Equestrian Team Makes Nationals Submitted The CNPH Equestrian Team out of Huntsburg joined the Youth Equestrian Development Association circuit late in the 2018-2019 season. The national qualifiers list was released May 16: Jeanette B., Morgan C., Emily C., Jayla S., Daytona H., Claire C., Stella M., McKenzie T., Sienna M. on qualifying for Nationals. “Really proud of all the girls and all the improvements made over the entire season. Great job girls and thank you for a great team, great parents, and continued support,”
said coach Chelsea Nau Workman. The team is still looking for sponsors and donations to help with the National Show. If anyone wishes to make a donation or become a sponsor please mail checks to CNPH Equestrian Team, 11297 Clay Street, Huntsburg, Ohio 44046. “We have no doubt the team will work hard and make their goal of raising funds. We wish them the Best of Luck at Nationals,” according to a news release. The group would like to send a big thank You to last years sponsors: Arms Trucking, L&T Tire, Tim Frank Septic, Geauga
Mechanical, MD Realty, Halstead Furniture, Marge’s Smoke Shop, Schwartz Excavating, Rodika Enterprises, Farmers Portable, Great Lakes Oil Co., Fab Form, Teachers of Grant Elementary, Jeff & Judy Young, and Jane Pekarek. The CNPH Equestrian Team is always looking for new members. The team is open to Riders in fourth through 12th grade, and equestrians with disabilities from age 10 through adult. Western riders from beginner through advanced, No horse ownership required! Anyone interested in joining the team please contact CNPH.
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