Letters to the Editor
Be a Better Neighbor
I am writing in response to the letter in the Geauga County Maple Leaf on Aug. 29, 2019,, written by Dorothy Bauer, in reference to the removal of many trees by University Hospital Geauga Campus to make a parking lot.
She discussed the effect on her life as a direct neighbor as well as the environmental effect for all of us.
Firstly, I cannot imagine how much this will change the life of the neighbor. The fact that she was not informed ahead of time does not bode well for good relationship between University Hospital and the community.
Secondly, as I am reacting to the situation, I am disheartened that the powers-that-be at University Hospital did not contact the EPA or Munson Township to discuss what they were planning to do, even if they were not required to do so.
We all realize the hospital needs parking. It is my hope that going forward they will either build up vertically on already existing parking lots, or at least avoid existing neighbors; and consider long and hard before they remove more trees.
I would like to leave you with the following facts about trees:
1.Trees combat climate change;
2.Trees clean the air;
3. Trees save water;
4. Trees provide a buffer to block unsightly views, and help to reduce noise pollution.
Without the trees there, the neighbors will now be subject to light, noise and sight pollution that were somewhat hidden/buffered before. All of this without the consideration of a conversation with those affected prior to the decision/action.
Catherine Whitright
Munson Township
Students Owed Best Education
I graduated from Chardon over 53 years ago, had two sons graduate and now three grandchildren in middle and high school. I also served 16 years on the Chardon BOE.
I am aware that our school buildings are aging, inefficient and no longer suitable for education today. Our schools have served our community well for decades, but they are now beyond repair and draining dollars from education.
We must act now and pass this bond issue — Issue 21. Bond issue monies can ONLY be used for buildings.
We owe our young people the best education. Why would we want anything else for our young citizens?
This senior citizen is voting YES on Issue 21 for Chardon Schools.
Judith M. May
Hambden Township
Chardon Schools at Crossroads Again
We, as a community, have been looking at ways to better our educational facilities for the past 20 years. When our children were attending school at Chardon, we looked at building new facilities, but did not take the initiative, and now, once again, we are at the same crossroads.
Let’s take a hard look at where the students in our community attend school. Park was built in 1938, Maple in 1958, Munson in 1955, the middle school in 1955 and high school in 1951. We have not made any measurable improvements to these buildings. We have, in fact, when necessary brought in portable classrooms.
In the fall, the classrooms can be stifling. Many teachers bring in fans from their homes just to circulate the air. In the winter, many of the classrooms don’t have adequate heating. Is this a conductive environment for learning?
A vast majority of the student body takes part in extracurricular activities, from choir and drama to athletics, yet our facilities are woeful at best. Yes, we have a beautiful stadium, paid for by donations, not taxpayer dollars. Yet, it is still serviced by porta-potties and temporary stands.
The baseball team travels to an elementary school to practice and play games; the softball team practices and plays at a community park. Our swim team splits time between a community pool and the YMCA. The youth basketball teams find area churches in order to practice.
It certainly doesn’t stop with athletics. The drama department uses Park Auditorium, sharing the same space as physical education classes. The list goes on and on. We can and should want to do so much better.
Take a look at the communities that surround us; they are smaller than us, have less industrial revenue, yet they have embraced the idea of providing a better education for their students by providing a better all-around environment.
No one wants higher taxes. However, once again, we are at a crossroads. It’s time to take the initiative for our future.
Susan Platz
Hambden Township
Seen and Heard Enough
Chardon Schools’ buildings are aging, inefficient, and no longer suitable for education today.
As a parent of a recent graduate and a current freshman, I have seen the state of these buildings firsthand. I have seen teachers trying to make do year after year. I have seen my child come home hot and miserable after a long school day with no A/C and have heard their stories about dodging buckets of water in the hallway.
I have seen and heard enough. It’s time to pass Issue 21.
The plan is right. Issue 21 brings our schools into the 21st century by building a new school for grades 6-12 with age appropriate wings and shared areas. It provides our students and teachers with classrooms that are configured for collaborative learning, properly functioning heating and air conditioning systems, up-to-date fire, safety and security systems, and sufficient electrical capacity for teachers to fully use classroom technology.
We owe it to our students to give them the best education possible. Part of that education includes an environment favorable to learning. Please join me on Nov. 5 in voting FOR Issue 21.
April Brewster
Chardon Township
Judge Grendell Promotes Kids, Families
When any child who has been involved in any court program goes to heaven . . . that child will count their blessings.
I have served the kids of this county as a CASA since 2004. Since that time, the CASA program has expanded from 42 volunteers to 75, not only increasing in advocacy but in training as well.
Judge Grendell has implemented a Case Management Program to aid families navigating reunification, Launchpad to truly help kids aging out secure futures, Restorative Justice Circles Leadership groups within the schools, Teen Court to give kids an opportunity to experience the court process, a Community Garden which not only serves to teach a child to give back but gives to needy within our community, a Resource Center for families, a legal Help Center to navigate forms needed within the court, the FLIP program which provides visitation for families trying to reunite or with safety challenges, and the Good Deeds awareness of Probate Court.
The court has many outreach programs like the training on Nov. 12 for meaning, purpose, and resilience for our kids within our schools to reduce suicide and prevent tragedy before it happens.
Judge Grendell and court staff absolutely gave out gavels to children and families at The Great Geauga County Fair. In addition to seeing the smile of pure joy that gavel gives to the children, it brings parents to the tent so we can educate, build awareness like vaping dangers and help families find resources to improve the lives of all families within the county.
Geauga County Juvenile/Probate Court has worked diligently to serve the best interest of all our residents. If I can help answer questions about court programming please do not hesitate to call (440) 279-1697.
Mary Ruth Shumway, Director
CASA for Kids of Geauga County
False, Misleading Statements
I do not know David Partington and he clearly does not know me because he keeps making false and misleading statements about me and our Court in your paper.
First, the statement in his recent letter about tax dollar use is wrong.
Moreover, Mr. Partington is unaware that I used my own personal money to pay for the space at The County Fair and provide half to the Court to inform and educate our residents and the other half to the Ohio National Guard for its recruiting tent, at no cost to the Court or National Guard.
Second, he is clearly unaware of the fact that my wife Diane and I have spent over $7,500 of our own personal money to bring our County’s sixth graders to the Great Geauga County Fair for an educational program (Geauga Learn) for 10 years; over $1,000 of our personal money to support the Bainbridge Township Safety Town for child safety education; and $1,000 of our personal money to support NAMI to provide mental health support assistance to families.
We also were sponsors for the recent Hope for Kids event that raised $49,000 to support the needs of children (including foster children) in Geauga County.
I used my own money to install basketball equipment at the Geauga Youth Center. Diane and I sponsored a little league team in Chardon, and I provide birthday cakes and local fishing trips for foster and other children in need of Court’s services and protection.
While I know Mr. Partington is a generous donor to the local Democrat Party, I am not aware of him providing any of his personal funds in support of the children served by our Court and Jobs & Family Services. If Mr. Partington is really interested in helping our County’s children (instead of playing politics), all he has to do is ask me and I will provide him with a list of programs to which he can give his money, just like Diane and I do.
Timothy J. Grendell, Judge
Geauga County Probate/Juvenile Court
