Letters to the Editor
Deceitful & Untrustworthy
I attended the Chester Township Board of Trustees meeting on March 2 and was disturbed to verify that a recently appointed Zoning Commission member Michael Lauro is Trustee Michael Petruziello’s nephew.
Zoning Commission members are appointed to five-year terms and receive $25 per meeting.
Since there were two applicants that applied for the position, I went to the meeting to ask a few questions on this appointment.
Here are the answers to my questions:
- Mr. Petruziello asked his nephew to apply and did not tell Trustees Ken Radtke or Bud Kinney of the family relationship before they interviewed Mr. Lauro for the position.
- When he was interviewed, Mr. Michael Lauro also did not tell Mr. Radtke or Mr. Kinney that he was the nephew of Mr. Petruizello.
- Mr. Petruziello took part in the discussion on which applicant was best suited to serve on the board.
- When Mr. Radtke voted for Mr. Petruziello’s nephew, he did not know of the relationship.
- Mr. Kinney voted for the other applicant.
- Mr. Petruziello voted for his nephew.
There is a reason for separation of powers and transparency or nepotism in government. It’s to avoid shared certainties and influence views in preference to those of anyone else.
While this may not be an ethics violation under the Ohio Revised Code, this certainly is deceptive to the township residents and his fellow Trustees. It becomes a matter of not being trustworthy.
I think the residents need to know what type of individual is serving us.
Pat Mula
Chester Township
Cruel, Fringe Extremist
Nicole Mulloy wrote a letter to the editor on March 2, 2017, on the Tea Party meeting.
I happen to go to this meeting and it was an informative and open discussion type meeting that was open to the public.
People came and wanted to talk about current issues that could impact the residents.
It was not hateful and nothing about it was extremist.
I think Ms. Mulloy may have the ability to write for CNN due to the fact she has quite the imagination.
Gina Zahn
Bainbridge Township
Shameful
Much in the news recently indicates that so many of the people with responsibility for our natural areas just don’t have a clue.
It seems that the Claridon Township Trustees feel their park land is just a place to grow trees for lumber production. News reports indicate they contracted to have all trees over 16 inches diameter lumbered out and all beech trees lumbered out.
Don’t they realize the importance of old growth trees for many wild species? Is this how Claridon residents want their park land treated?
In addition, it seems the lumbermen went beyond the contract in lumbering “willy nilly,” cutting whatever they felt like. Where were the trustees, the people citizens entrust to care for the township? Shame on them for what they have done. Shame on us for voting them in.
Russell Park District Commissioners recently appear to be conniving to sell some of the magnificent Russell park land. They refuse to answer questions or allow public comment. Citizens were up in arms! Shame on them for their actions. Shame on us for allowing them to be in power.
John G. Augustine
Parkman Township
Grendell’s Irony
Most folks who know Judge Grendell think he doesn’t have much of a sense of humor.
They say he can be terse, abrupt even to the point of being grumpy. Well that’s not so. He just has an incredibly well developed sense of irony in his humor. Take for example his latest joke on Geaugians.
He said he was going to start an advisory board for the parks so he can figure out how they need to be run.
Now never mind he is supposed to appoint park commissioners to do that job.
But he thinks he needs to have an advisory board. Now you’re beginning to get the joke. The judge will appoint a diverse group of syncophants who will meet three times a year and nod their heads up and down, agreeing with whatever he says. Then, the judge will announce that everyone is in agreement and everything’s fine. Don’t worry.
Well, if you aren’t laughing with big guffaws by now, then it’s you, not the judge, who has no sense of humor.
What’s the matter, can’t you take a joke?
Dave Partington
Munson Township
Confused by Grendell
I am confused. The Honorable Judge Timothy J. Grendell says he has nothing to do with running the parks. He holds private meetings with the citizens, where he told me he wasn’t involved and, furthermore, he said he knows what the people of Geauga want and that I don’t.
The parks have conducted two surveys, costing approximately $15,000 each, which indicate the public wants compatible, quiet, passive recreation and conservation of water and green space.
He appoints, terminates, appoints, terminates willy-nilly park board commissioners (who rubber-stamp in 12- to 15-minute meetings multi-million dollar financial statements that are subsequently corrected and again rubber-stamped without question, and who approve everything? The Honorable Judge Grendell’s handpicked park director does).
Further, a visiting judge has recently ruled the Honorable Judge Grendell has overstepped his authority in supervising a local township park.
Now, His Honor announces he wants to create a new Park District Advisory Committee to report to him (even though he has nothing, he says, to do with running the parks).
His current handpicked board won’t let the public speak; they and he ignore the professional surveys; they and he ignore the history of the park.
Were I cynical, I would think that this is a P.R. stunt to put more cronies in place to kiss his … ring, and I would not treat it as a serious endeavor by applying to serve on such a farce of a committee.
I’m glad I’m not cynical. Are you cynical?
Ed Buckles
Troy Township
‘Sham of Inclusiveness’
It is interesting that the judge wants to put together a handpicked committee “to ensure that all community perspectives are heard” on the Geauga Park District’s operations.
It seems a bit duplicitous to have a new handpicked committee to review the existing handpicked board.
The announcement says the chairperson of the committee will report to the judge, so with this new committee there will be two boards to reverberate one judge’s opinions.
After the recent ruling by the visiting judge assigned by the Ohio Supreme Court this seems to be quite a ‘thumb in the eye’ to those who hope for less judicial overreach.
The Probate Court Judge is to appoint Park Board members and let them do the appointed job, not to make executive decisions on park matters.
In this country we have had a pretty effective history of “providing community input” by actual public input at public meetings. Oddly, the current board and director (chosen by the judge) have squelched all public input from public park board meetings. Perhaps it is just too hard to micromanage the actual public.
There are many good-hearted citizens of Geauga County who may be taken in by the sham of inclusiveness inherent in the plan for this committee.
Conservation of natural resources was clearly the purpose of Ohio Revised Code Chapter 1545, so condescending to “give” two out of nine slots on the committee to conservationists cannot be logically construed as equitable. Nothing in ORC 1545 establishes a land bank for various user groups to claim.
Unfortunately, it appears that the impetus for this committee has more to do with an attempt to salvage the popularity of the judge, rather than arising from any real need from the community.
Kathryn Hanratty
President, Protect Geauga Parks
Chardon Township
I Believe in Legal Immigration
I attended the Tea Party meeting, which Ms. Malloy wrote about. She must have attended a different meeting than I and others around me attended. This meeting was intended to educate us on sanctuary cities popping up throughout our great nation and who and how they are being taken care of.
Yes, we house them, give them medical and actual cash assistance? Where is this all coming from? Who is paying for this?
My parents were legal immigrants as am I. As immigrants, they and others like them, went to work (usually low paying jobs), paid for their own medical and sustained themselves with whatever they earned. No government assistance.
As a child in school and not speaking the language of this great country, I was not given an interpreter to help me understand what was being taught or other wise. My siblings and I learned and adapted and love our country.
Perhaps we appreciate what we have more than some who were born in this wonderful country.
I believe in immigration, but legal immigration. Perhaps Ms. Malloy could open her “borders” (your door) and house, provide medical and some extra cash to assist those whom she wishes help. As a former history teacher maybe a little brush up?
I am thankful to Skip and Matt, for being willing to talk about this subject. They were professional and respectful. It is a shame others will use such hurtful language to attack good people and distort the truth.
Ven Paoletto
Chester Township
‘Civil, Honest, Discussion’
It is interesting those who are not up for the debate use the language of personal destruction: “deplorable, hate filled, extremist.”
Ms. Mulloy’s recent editorial gets an A for creativity but falls short on reality. I trust the public, so let me offer you this. The recent Tea Party meeting was attended by around 200 citizens, many were senior citizens and veterans. They attended to have coffee, cookies and hear a discussion about the immigration issue and a recent request by one of our Geauga citizens to make Geauga a sanctuary county.
Judge Tim Grendell spoke about the legal implications of illegal immigration. Former State Rep. Matt Lynch spoke about state legislation and issues in Ohio. I offered thoughts on the request to the county and I added some personal viewpoints unrelated to being a commissioner.
As I shared with the group, it is my opinion the county commissioners have no authority to make Geauga a sanctuary county. It would be in violation of federal law and it would have a negative financial impact on our citizens.
I am a veteran who served in the Vietnam theater. During my professional career, I had the opportunity to travel throughout the world. I enjoyed exploring other cultures, beliefs, religions, economic and political environments. My travel experience exposed me to the immigration practices of other countries and I shared a few stories with the group. One experience included an American businessman traveling without proper paperwork, who ended up prone on the floor in a Mexican airport.
The recent editorial revised that story. I shared the observations of a retired immigration officer who told me about citizens from other countries, including China, intentionally coming to the U.S. for a holiday to have a baby — an American Citizen when born.
What are the future impacts and will this person be loyal to America? A few years ago, a retired CIA agent shared insights with me about terrorist activities around the world. I decided to better understand the motivation of those in the Islamic faith that may want to harm the U.S. (I stress not all, but some Muslims.) To that end, I read the Koran, Sharia and other texts and sought out subject matter experts. These and other experiences shape my thinking. I made a few quick comments, based on my experiences, about those who might want to undermine America. Anyone attending the meeting was welcome to be a part of the discussion.
Do you think it unreasonable or extreme to have honest/open discussions that inform us on important topics? How do we make decisions if we’re not informed and tested in our thinking? I have 10 grandkids whose futures are at stake. Is it responsible to remain silent and passive?
I invite Ms. Mulloy or any Geauga County resident to sit with me and have a civil honest discussion on any topic, but name-calling is not productive.
Walter “Skip” Claypool
Chester Township
Geauga County Commissioner
From Thin Air
It is my understanding that information published in the media (any media) can be used as justification for almost any allegation, at any time, and by anyone.
So here is the skinny.
Anonymous sources have reported that Batman was seen dining at an undisclosed Geauga County eatery last week with a presumed alien. This conclusion was based on the bald, round head of Batman’s companion (was it a chrome dome?) and the odd body shape and features of this creature.
It was reported that Batman addressed his dinner mate as Juan Farthing. It is said that they dined on chamomile tea and crackers, and spoke in a guarded exchange of words and signals.
At one point in the meal, they went outside to smoke some form of plant stuffed in a cannoli roll. Still later, another restaurant patron is said to have overheard the couple (are they an item?) speak of exhumation. Or was it exoneration?
As the suspicious twosome departed the dining place, they went their separate ways. The alien reportedly announced that he (she?) would be returning to his former home in central Ohio after an absence of almost one hundred years.
Batman is said to have exclaimed that he would be roaming through Wyoming.
So now you have it. It is now obvious that Warren Harding has returned and recruited Batman to clear his name regarding the Teapot Dome scandal. The proof is all contained in the above narrative. Let no one question these facts!
Sources will be protected and no further explanation will be provided until Batman’s investigatory mission is completed.
Please pass along this information and use it in any way that will support your fantasies.
Bill Jackson
City of Chardon
