We are a COMMUNITY
Heartfelt thanks to all residents of Munson Township as you reach out (figuratively speaking!) to take care of your families and neighbors.
Thank you for following the governor’s orders and for following social distancing policies.
Thank you, especially, to our local businesses and organizations that are putting the safety and welfare of our community before their own financial interests.
Chardon Welding donated all of their N95 masks to the Munson Fire Department for our first responders. Their generosity in the face of declining revenues is heroic in this time of need.
The Chardon Local School District gathered up its disinfectants and wipes to use in emergency circumstances in Munson Township. These much-needed supplies were only available thanks to the sacrifices made by our students and teachers staying home as well.
These gestures, and so many others, give us assurance that we will come out of this crisis a stronger and more caring community. Be well.
Irene McMullen
Munson Township Trustee
Voting from Home
Gov. Mike DeWine’s measures to contain the spread of the Coronavirus have been widely and enthusiastically applauded, but his latest push to delay the in-person voting originally scheduled for March 17 has been met with more mixed responses.
The proposal to delay in-person voting until early June has received well-founded criticism. Constituents ask, what about the campaigns whose spending was planned around the original schedule? What about people who voted early, possibly with a different fact set than we will have in three months? What about the potentially damaging precedent for handling future election schedules?
For what it’s worth, I believe this was ultimately a wise decision. It would be starkly inconsistent to shutter the entire state while encouraging everyone to get out and vote — but let’s put the decision itself to one side. Now that it’s been made, what happens next?
It seems to me that Ohio has a ready-made solution at its fingertips: absentee voting. Why not adopt this system to reach registered voters now? If boards of elections distributed ballots by mail this week, set a one-week return deadline, then waited 48 hours to open the ballots in order to avoid surface contamination, Ohio could still have its primary results by the end of March. Voters need only set their ballots in their mailboxes, and postal workers are surely wearing gloves by now.
Yes, there would be a massive postage bill, but at this stage, unforeseen expenses are inevitable across the board, and the benefits outweigh the costs of delaying so long.
As we have seen throughout recent weeks, desperate times call for desperate measures; yet, to the extent that we can, we must carry on. While the governor’s responses have been timely and necessary, I hope to see some additional action along these lines.
Shanley Davis
Bainbridge Township
‘Your Public Servant’ Begins with Communication
Even during the worst of times, some positive can emerge for the long-term good.
Take, for example, the shooting tragedies of Odessa/El Paso, Texas, Dayton, Ohio, and Gilroy, Calif. Prior to these horrific occurrences, I resolved myself to pray and hope for the best, but not this time.
The “positive” is that, based upon a Chagrin Valley Times article, dated 08-15-2019, with regards to gun legislation, I began to research what “red flag” meant, understand the meaning of large-capacity magazines and to learn about the basics of the Federal Assault Weapons Ban of 1994 to become a better informed constituent.
As a result of my research, I then sent a two-page letter on 08-20-2019 to several of my/our Ohio elected officials volunteering my input on the critical subject matter of gun legislation with the hope of some initial acknowledgment, recognition and/or response to my suggestions and/or questions.
After all, don’t our elected officials want constituent input so that he/she/they can gain a clearer picture on what matters most to the people they represent as our “public servants?”
Well, the initial positive that I can report is that irrespective of political party, I received some sort of written responses from Gov. DeWine, Congressman David Joyce, U.S. Sen. Rob Portman and Sen. Sherrod Brown all within 1-2 weeks of my letter, as sent on 08-20-2019.
The one disappointing response that I did receive was a non-response from state Rep. Diane V. Grendell, as my direct, “public servant.” I sent the same letter by email three times and left three separate voicemails for her at (614) 644-5088, the last round of outreach being on 09-08-2019.
Finally, on 10-15-2019, some 7.5-8 weeks later, I did hear from her via email with a cryptic response along with a link to Ohio House Bill 354, consisting of 81 pages sponsored by Reps. Plummer and Swearingen.
Additionally, what I did learn during attempts 2 and 3 to reach her in speaking to another staff person with the Ohio House of Representatives was that Rep. Grendell’s email was somehow tied to her personal facsimile machine that, until she turned it on, she had no access to view her email?
To be fair to Rep. Grendell, we all lead full and time-challenging days with numerous methods of communications bombarding our every sense that can delay our responses in a timely manner.
Moreover, I am just one of 116,530 residents in Ohio House District 76 and she just one person.
However, what I will state is that as our “public servant” an effective first step to serve your constituency is to communicate, which begins by providing easier access to reach our public servants and then to respond more timely than 7-8 weeks after the fact — in particular when the subject matter is not a pot hole, but people’s lives.
Norman Kubbins
Bainbridge Township
Cold in Solitary
My name is Pascal Mahvi. I spent 30 days in solitary, mostly in think Intake Cell #13 (the one next to the garage), which is located in the corner of the building.
I have no doubt that the inspections are carried out three times per year. I am also certain your staff do not show that cell to the inspectors. The reason is simple: It is not insulated and when the outside temperatures are cold; inside the cell is between 55-65. It is so cold I ended up in the ER on Dec. 20, 2016.
Deputy Sheriff Sgt. Terry Grabowski, with whom I spent at least an hour, told me the heating in the facility is wanting. He told me the cell is not insulated and, as it has two walls to the outside and no heat inlet, the deficient building system bypasses that cell and it cannot be heated without major works. Consequently, when I checked out, I showed Sgt Grabowski how to do it.
As to Mr. Maynard, he visited me on my second day when I was in the women’s cell, I think #17, which is very warm. He visited me once in 30 days, bringing me a note pad, pencil and a pair of socks. As he thought I was a Muslim, he stayed about 30 seconds and never returned. That is the only time I saw him during the 30 days.
Should Sheriff Hildenbrand wish to challenge me on the foregoing, I invite him to check in to that corner cell for a period of three days with prison garb and the one prison issued blanket. No cheating because he is the boss, no R&R, no special favors and do this when the temperatures are below 32. Do it as you had me do it while knowing full well I was railroaded.
We should see sub zeros in March.
Pascal Mohave
Russell Township
Open and Available
In these unprecedented times, our residents will still have legal issues requiring access to the probate/juvenile court. As judge, I want to assure you that the Geauga County Probate/Juvenile Court will remain open and available to protect children, seniors and families. I will be available 24/7 to work with Sheriff Hildenbrand and his deputies, local police officers, Geauga County Jobs and Family Services, and the Department of Aging to provide essential judicial services to our residents.
Magistrate Abbey King and I, along with reduced staff, will continue to provide necessary in-court probate and juvenile judicial services. If you know of a child or family in need of emergency judicial services, please feel free to call Ann Walden at (440) 279-1854.
If you know of a senior or someone disabled, in need of assistant or guardianship protection, please call Cheryl at (440) 279-1840.
Currently, the court is conducting most hearings through telecommunications to minimize the number of people who much physically appear in court. If you have a question about an upcoming hearing, please call (440) 279-1830.
The court will continue the precautionary measures implemented last week to help ensure the health and safety of those who must appear in person.
Marriage license are still available and I would encourage those in need of a marriage license to begin the application process online.
As we carefully wait to see how the coronavirus plays out, if you have general questions about court services or if I can be of other assistance, feel free to call me on my personal cell phone (440) 321-8282.
Remember we are all in this together.
Judge Timothy J. Grendell
Geauga County Probate/Juvenile Court
