POLITICAL: Letters to the Editor

October 18, 2023 by Submitted

NO on Issue 2

Approval of recreational marijuana is on the November Ballot as Issue 2. Please vote NO on Issue 2 for the following reasons:

• Marijuana causes depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts and psychotic episodes.
• Marijuana causes poor concentration at work and school.
• Marijuana has very high THC potency, the addictive substance.
• 95 percent of drug addicts started with marijuana.
• Marijuana affects the brain, especially in young people to age 25.
• Car crashes increased where marijuana was legalized. Tripled in Michigan.
• Black market sales actually increased when marijuana was legalized.
• Increased overdose deaths from fentanyl-laced marijuana.
• Two-fold increase in heart attacks and strokes.

Please vote NO on Issue 2!

Pat and John Leech
Munson Township

YES on ISSUE 20 to Support Kenston Schools

Having been a teacher at Kenston High School for 30 years, I can truly say we have amazing kids who have become great citizens and current residents in our school district.

I know how great Kenston is, and that is why my husband and I took a major loss on our home in Cleveland Heights to move into Kenston school district over six years ago.

Many students come back to me year after year and say what a great education they received. They note how prepared for college they were and even had half to a whole year of their freshman year paid for due to all of the Advanced Placement college tests they scored on. Even those who might not have scored will send emails discussing how much more they know than their current college classmates.

I am proud to say Kenston is a great public school. We must continue this tradition along with being fiscally responsible. That is exactly why we are putting a Permanent Improvement levy on the ballot Nov. 7.

Why a PI levy? It allows our Board of Education to have money ready to go for those moments when a school bus needs replaced, a boiler breaks, the internet routers need updated or our lawn mowers need repaired.

It stops the bleeding of taking money from the general accounts and allows for us to plan ahead and not run deficits. The hope is to not have to come back to you, the residents every two years and ask for more money. I can tell you firsthand that Supt. Sayers is trying to put our fiscal house in order.

While I may personally feel that some of these efforts are a challenge, I understand in order to maintain our fantastic public school, we must make some sacrifices. What sacrifices you may ask? Well, I see my co-workers not being replaced when they retire and our student enrollment is dropping. We are closing Kenston Intermediate School, which is not a great building for students or staff. I see the future consolidation of students into three buildings instead of four.

To put it plainly, we are asking you pay for one Starbuck’s coffee per $100,000 house a month or up to four Starbuck’s coffees a month for a $400,000 house. Literally, it is around $4 per $100,000 in property value.

Please consider our levy to keep our schools running as usual and our property values up. By having great property values and schools we entice others to join this great school district and leave generational wealth to our families. Please Vote YES on ISSUE 20.

Anissa Smith
Auburn Township

Berman, Stone & Wadsworth for Berkshire

We write to express our support for Dan Berman, Linda Stone and Bryan Wadsworth as candidates for the Berkshire Board of Education.

Our endorsement is rooted in their collective dedication to advancing education in our community and ensuring that Berkshire students receive the best possible opportunities as they prepare for their careers.

Dan Berman, a former educator, brings passion and energy to the table. He is committed to providing Berkshire students with top-notch educational opportunities, helping them excel in their chosen career paths.

Linda Stone, with her lifelong commitment to education, offers a unique perspective gained from years spent in the classroom. Her insights into effective teaching and her unwavering dedication to our students make her an invaluable candidate.

Bryan Wadsworth, another former educator, combines his extensive background in business with a deep understanding of the skills our students need for a successful career. This balance of experience is a vital asset to the board.

Berkshire successfully transitioned from a 20th-century education model to a 21st-century approach, introducing Project-Based Learning (PBL) and focusing on both hard- and soft-skills development. PBL prepares our students for today’s job market. If you want to judge whether a Berkshire graduate is prepared for a successful career, see what they are doing 4-5 years after graduation and then decide versus relying on test scores.

As Berkshire residents, we take pride in knowing the board, administration and staff are equipped with the tools and passion necessary to offer students the best possible opportunities for successful careers. Please join us in voting for Dan Berman, Linda Stone, and Bryan Wadsworth.

Tracy and Bonnie Jemison
Burton

Vote YES on Issue 1

I’m astounded at Skip Claypool’s letter to the editor (Oct. 12). He states Issue 1 is built on lies.  His reasons for voting no on Issue 1 are deliberate misinterpretations of the Reproductive Freedom Amendment, designed to scare and mislead voters.

Really, Skip? What doctor would treat/operate on a minor without parental consent? Think about that, folks. Who would pay for the surgery? Surely not the minor. And, we all know how concerned our doctors and hospitals are about getting paid. No mention of gender surgery on minors is in the Reproductive Freedom Amendment, Skip.

The amendment allows the state to prohibit abortion “after fetal viability. But in no case may such an abortion be prohibited if in the professional judgment of the pregnant patient’s treating physician it is necessary to protect the pregnant patient’s life or health.” This is not abortion on demand, Skip. It’s a difficult, painful decision for all concerned.

“Reading the ballot language reveals the truth”??? The ballot language is biased, misleading and only mentions abortion. It does not list other reproductive protections. The amendment ensures that, “Every individual has the right to carry out one’s own reproductive decisions . . . [like] 1. contraception, 2. fertility treatment, 3. continuing one’s own pregnancy, 4. miscarriage care and 5. abortion.” The ballot language uses the term “unborn child” instead of the amendment’s medically correct term “fetus.”

Yes, I know what is true, Skip. Private reproductive health decisions should be between a woman and her doctor. As it should be, without government interference. Those decisions aren’t anyone else’s business. She has to live with that decision. No one else. That’s the main reason to Vote YES in ISSUE 1.

And a reminder, Skip. Judaism believes life begins at the first breath, not at conception.

I challenge readers to read the amendment for themselves at ReadTheAmendment.com. Of course, “Vote No” people won’t do that, as they believe the lies that are being pushed by Mr. Claypool, some Christians and the Republican Party.

I’m hoping the undecided voters will read the Amendment and Vote YES on ISSUE 1.

Anne Houdek
Burton

Let’s Not Interrupt Berkshire’s Momentum

The five townships in the Berkshire school System each overwhelmingly approved the school levy that resulted in a state-of-the-art pre-K through 12 campus on the property of Kent State Geauga. This complex is a bright shining light of public education for our region and in the entire state of Ohio.

Through multiple donations headed by Great Lakes Cheese, aided enormously by the 7.4 acres added by unanimous consent of the trustees of KSU, our athletic complex will also be admired by all near and wide.

The partnerships our leadership team have formed not only include Great Lakes Cheese and KSU, but also University Hospitals, Geauga Growth Partnership, Geauga County Sherriff’s Office, Auburn Career Center, Key Bank, Geauga YMCA, USDA, Master Gardeners and the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission.

It’s impossible to overemphasize the importance of the addition and cooperation of the parents and children of Montville and Thompson. Without them, this miracle would not have taken place.

I attended a board meeting where a state official who inspects public schools for safety reported that our new school building’s safety makes all others fade by comparison.

Our building design has gained recognition nationally for innovative educational design for project-based learning.

Our superintendent, Bryan Wadsworth, Linda Stone and Dan Berman (the treasurer of our levy) each worked very hard and long hours along with our leadership team to make this all happen.

Let’s not interrupt our momentum and let’s support Bryan Wadsworth, Linda Stone and Dan Berman, as we continue to make the Berkshire public school system the admired leader in safety and educational innovation that it has become.

Don Hornak
Burton Township

McDonald for Munson Trustee

We are writing in support of Nate McDonald, candidate for Munson Township trustee. As 25-year residents of Munson, we feel he would be an excellent candidate to help lead our township in the coming years.

Nate is uniquely qualified for the role of trustee, with leadership experience both in education and in law, as well as extensive non-profit board experience.

In his various roles he has overseen multi-million dollar budgets, managed staff and routinely been required to make difficult decisions with many stakeholder groups involved. He truly listens, he researches, he collaborates and he makes well-informed, objective decisions.

We know him to be a trustworthy, thoughtful, humble leader.

Personally, Nate’s ties run deep in Munson. He lives in the farm house he grew up in on Sherman Road (Gray Horse Farm), where his family has farmed the land for 100-plus years. With this history comes a deep appreciation for the past, and a sincere interest in protecting the rural character of our township in the future.

He understands the importance of having competent, adequately staffed and well-equipped fire/EMS and road departments, and, therefore, supports both upcoming levies.

In addition to being professionally qualified and vested in our community, we can’t help but just say what a great guy he is. He is friendly, down-to-earth, approachable and community minded. He loves spending time with his wonderful family, coaching his kids in sports or 4H, volunteering at school or helping out on his family farm. He’s just a good person, which we believe is important in our elected officials.

We love Munson, we’re very proud to be long-time residents, and we know Nate feels the same.  We believe in him, and hope our Munson friends and neighbors will join us in casting their votes for Nate in November!

Jane and Fritz Neubauer
Munson Township

Inflammatory, Misguided, Lacking Empathy

As the late Ronald Reagan would say, Skip, there you go again. Your letter in the Oct. 12 issue of the Maple Leaf is typical Skip Claypool — inflammatory, off the mark and totally devoid of empathy.

His characterization of abortion as murder, leaving absolutely no room for exceptions, no consideration for the circumstances and no understanding of what it is like to bear a problem pregnancy, is so misguided that one must ask if he really believes it.

If his 10-year-old granddaughter (hypothetical) became pregnant as a result of rape, would he really insist that she carry the pregnancy to term? If his wife or daughter were to have an ectopic pregnancy, would he stand by until she is at death’s door — or after, if things go really badly — to allow the doctors to remove the non-viable fetus?

Skip rambles about Garfield, Lenin, Stalin, with absolutely no bearing on the subject. Then he has the gall to talk about individual liberties. Ironic, isn’t it, when the central issue at stake is a woman’s and her family’s life and liberty.

Skip, it has been made clear from numerous past elections your way is not the people’s way. Please take up a hobby and stop trying to impose your will on others.

Rosemary Macedonio
Chester Township

Setting the Record Straight

In a recent letter, a resident of Newbury accused the West Geauga Board of Education of financial malfeasance for demolishing the old Newbury school buildings. Nothing could be further from the truth. Let’s set the record straight.

The Newbury School District was transferred to West Geauga in a win-win for both districts. Newbury was hemorrhaging cash and students. The transfer meant both communities would see taxes drop, by 14 mills in Newbury and 2 mills in the rest of West Geauga, and could anticipate stable enrollment over the next decade.

Maintaining vacant buildings is expensive, so both parties agreed on a one-year deadline to identify a sustainable community use of the buildings. Redeveloping the Auditorium building proved to be incredibly expensive. Replacing the original 1974 roof, meeting mandatory new building and safety codes, and additional restoration totaled over $3 million.

Some of the trustees wanted to purchase the property, but could not muster the required unanimous vote. By the time the trustees put a tax on the ballot to raise the funds, we had far exceeded the 1-year target. Now it was West Geauga Schools who were hemorrhaging money. It was time to pull the plug. The requested tax dollars were not sufficient for the work and the trustees removed the issue.

Today the site, leased from West G for a few dollars a year, serves Newbury as part of Oberland Park. At the township’s request, the stadium and playground remain. We share the bus garage.

As members of the Board of Education, we are proud to have Newbury as one of the West Geauga communities. We could not justify the cost of indefinitely maintaining the Auditorium building. Sadly, no one else, including the criticizing resident, could come up with over $3 million.

Bill Beers
Ben Kotowski
Kathy Leavenworth
West Geauga Schools Board of Education

Vote for These BOE Candidates

All across Geauga County there are important school board elections. Voters have a unique opportunity to reconsider who is educating our children. Issues such as school safety and levies for school improvement will be debated by school board members.

If you long for the days when school boards concentrated on curriculum, safety, improving graduation rates and test scores, and fiscal responsibility, then these are the school board members you need to vote in:

In Chagrin Falls, Sam Nichols.

In Chardon, Sharon Madger.

In West Geauga, Benito Alvarez and Pam Claypool.

In Kenston, Joe DeBoth and Dan Tutolo.

These board members who will use their influence to make sure our schools graduate students who are proficient in reading and math, and who are critical thinkers. Remember these names and vote for:

Chagrin Falls: Sam Nichols

Chardon: Sharon Madger

West Geauga: Benito  Alvarez, and Pam Claypool

Kenston: Joe DeBoth and Dan Tutolo

Elsie Tarczy
South Russell Village

Madger for Chardon Schools

Please vote for Sharon Madger for Chardon Local School Board. She cares about children, keeping academics a priority, having a voice for special education and addressing taxpayers’ concerns.

She is a long-time resident of Hambden, has three sons, two who graduated from Chardon, all with learning disabilities. She will advocate for all children.

She has knowledge and time to commit to the position of Chardon Board of Education. Please vote and tell others to vote for Sharon Madger for School Board.

Carol Byler, Hambden
Dorothy Hoffacker, Hambden
Molly Nikkila, Chardon
Stephanie Piecuch, Munson
Christine Stenzel, Munson

Vote Clark for Chardon School Board

Andrea Clark is the candidate to keep Chardon Schools at the 93rd percentile compared to all other Ohio Schools.

Vote for her and while you are doing that, vote for Karen Blankenship and Guy Wilson also.

They are pro-children, pro-parents, pro-teacher/principal judgement when it comes to the curriculum, pro-facts and science, and pro-fiscal responsibility.

Rumor has it they are also all “all-natural,” low in sugar, low in salt, low in egos and high in compromise when working together for Chardon’s children.

They think as individuals and act as one when making crucial educational decisions.

Sheldon Firem
Hambden Township

YES on Issue 1

We don’t live in a society that cares about life. People won’t accept barriers to gun access that would prevent unnecessary gun deaths. People won’t wear a mask or get a vaccine to prevent the spread of a communicable disease. No one is forced to donate blood or bone marrow or a kidney to keep another person alive. Any law that mandated the latter would be considered government overreach.

Women must NOT be forced to be gestation vessels against their will. Abortion bans are meant to strip women of their freedom and restrict them to domestic servitude.

Men can pretend to be experts in a lot of things, but pregnancy is not one of them. Abortion is health care, and denying women miscarriage treatment to try to prevent elective abortion is reprehensible.

In other countries with extreme abortion bans, women who miscarry, accused of having an abortion, can be jailed. That will be the next step here if Issue 1 fails.

The government’s business is public goods, not family planning. If you believe in the American ideals of equality, freedom and the separation of church and state, vote YES on ISSUE 1.

Nicole Price
Russell Township

Retain Kandra for Hambden

If you have a chance to meet Bob Kandra, our newest Hambden trustee, you will be impressed with his commitment to our community and his easy, friendly demeanor.

Bob was appointed to the trustee position after the untimely passing of Trustee Paul Molan.  The current trustees, as well as several Hambden staff members, interviewed at least a dozen interested Hambden residents for the position. The vetting process was comprehensive and thorough, and it was determined there were many residents who were qualified to serve our community. However, everyone unanimously agreed Bob Kandra stood out as exemplary in all ways — his unmistakable desire to serve the Hambden community; his employment in government service such as the FBI and CIA, serving both stateside and overseas in leadership positions; and his vast financial, legal and strategic planning background.

In this troubled world facing terrorism, it is reassuring to know our own trustee has expertise in counter-threat assessment/mitigation and insider-threat identification while working as chief of the CIA’s Clandestine Human Intelligence Collection Training Program. (I feel safer already!)

Now that Bob is retired, he is working as a range officer at the Grand River Rifle and Pistol Range, as well as working as a substitute teacher in our local schools — Chardon, Berkshire and Cardinal.

If you have the opportunity, speak with Bob Kandra, and you will find he really listens and cares about your views and concerns. In the short time he has been a Hambden Trustee, he has used his background to secure a $20,000 grant for our fire department.

Everyone I have spoken with agrees we are fortunate to have him on the Hambden team. I strongly recommend that you vote to retain Bob Kandra as Hambden Township Trustee.

Cheryl Sekura
Hambden Township

YES on Issue 1 Means Women Choose

Voting “Yes” for Issue 1 is voting “no” to government intrusion that assaults our autonomy and choice.

Issue 1 is not a perfect issue for voters to consider, but if the Ohio state representatives can sleep at night after voting for the massively unjust, utility bail-out bill, Ohio House Bill 6, then Issue 1 is a dream for voters.

Abortion is not an easy decision for women, but it is an easy decision for some men who do not consider rape, the viability of the fetus and the health of the mother as valid reasons for abortions.

Recently, a cleric and another man separately urged voting “no” on Issue 1. The cleric was assuming he spoke for all Catholics and “people of good will” regarding abortions. He may not truly know who is sitting in his pews on any given Sunday. It is likely there are Catholics there considering abortion and using contraceptives, which the church also condemns.

The cleric stated the media has created “anti-Catholic” bigotry. This is a mis-remembering of recent church history.

The media’s reporting on religious institutions is not perfect, but the cover-ups by some Catholic bishops of documented pedophile priests has single-handedly created more anti-Catholic institutional sentiment than the alleged “Catholic bigotry.”

Isn’t defending vulnerable Catholic children also defending life?

The second writer opposing Issue 1 describes a world in chaos wherein Issue 1 is built on “lies, and is “evil” and “immoral.” He states pro-life supporters will need to “apologize” for killing and corrupting children.

A representative democracy ensures all citizen’s rights are laid upon a republican altar. Any single ideology offered that seeks to narrowly define morality with an all-encompassing voice is discordant with our time-honored, core values: liberty and the necessity to constrain governmental intrusions into our lives.

If we can judiciously constrain the government from entering the corporate boardroom, we can judiciously constrain the government from entering the bedroom.

A “no” vote on Issue 1 is a “yes” vote for government intrusion into the citizen’s life, like restraining a citizen from travelling over state lines for an abortion.

Women are not second-class citizens, but their opinions on abortion are.

Given the post-Roe environment, the U.S. is moving toward some 15-month abortion restriction compromise.

Voting “Yes” means the mother will choose, not a state representative. Some politicians seek to gerrymander the womb.

Apologies are not needed in a civil society wherein a broad range of “people of good will” have a protected choice.

Sheldon Firem
Hambden Township

Vote for Pam Claypool

West Geauga has a very important election coming up on Nov. 7 for the West Geauga School Board. I want to recommend someone I have known since 2005 . . . Pam Claypool.

Pam Claypool has a passion for education and a firm belief in providing a quality education for our West Geauga students. Pam Claypool will focus on education first.

Pam Claypool has an extensive business background which will be an asset to our community. The West Geauga School Board is considering building a $115 million school. Pam’s experience will be valuable as the school board makes this very important decision such as a new school.

West Geauga needs a person with Pam Claypool’s background in business to help evaluate this decision in the interest of us, the taxpayers, and parents, and West Geauga students.

Vote for Pam Claypool on Nov. 7. Make Geauga County proud.

Janet Kramarz
Chester Township

Kinter Lending a Hand in Munson

I first came to know Glenn Kinter when he and his family moved to Sherman Road across from me decades ago. My deceased wife and I would come to know what a true asset Glenn is to any community.

We readily developed a partnership where our two families would always be there for one another. My wife would lend support to the Kinter family, after Glenn brought his in-laws home to live with him and his wife.

Whether it was sitting down to dinner at a Juvenile Diabetes Fundraiser (where Glenn would buy a table), or his springing to action to retrieve a spare set of car keys when my wife would accidently lock herself out, or his lending a hand to the numerous car accidents and their victims over the decades, Glenn has always been lending a hand.

Today, this wonderful and helpful individual is the same supportive guy, who continues to mow my lawn and deal with the leaves yearly. His relationship with my yard began decades ago, because of Glenn’s willingness to lend a hand.

I am voting for Glenn Kinter for Munson Trustee. I ask you to join me in voting for Glenn because of his willingness to lend a hand. This willingness is exactly what Munson needs today.

Please vote for Glenn Kinter, Munson Trustee.

Ray Intihar
Munson Township

Vote NO on Issue 2

Do we want to legalize and commercialize a new addictive and harmful substance?

Today’s marijuana is stronger.

Marijuana affects brain development. In adolescents, it has been linked to a permanent decline in IQ scores up to 8 points.

It can impair memory, learning, concentration and attention.

Drivers under the influence can have slower reactions, decreased coordination and lane weaving.

Research shows marijuana affects timing, movement and coordination, which can harm athletic performance.

Traffic fatalities and injuries go up in states that legalize marijuana. Michigan traffic crashes tripled after legalization.

There is a reduced perception of harm.

Legalization will fill wallets of a few investors to get rich at the expense of our kids and Ohio.

It is federally illegal.

Please Vote NO on Issue 2.

Linda P. Miller
Russell Township

Glenn Kinter for Munson Trustee

It’s been my privilege to work with Glenn Kinter over the past few months. Glenn asked me to be the treasurer for “Friends of Munson” to support our Fire and Road Department by producing a mailer describing the upcoming levies to the citizens. Kinter cares deeply about our services.

Glenn has demonstrated his dedication to our community. He’s community-minded, practical and effective. When Kinter notices that something can be improved, he seeks out the affected people, investigates options and acts to achieve the best solution.

Glenn has spent many hours building relationships with our township employees, and can reach the right people to get issues fixed. And, he’ll be available every day during business hours to work with our employees.

Please vote for Glenn Kinter on Nov. 7.

Steve Hairston
Munson Township

Berkshire Legacy Matters: Vote Berman, Stone & Wadsworth

When you look at Berkshire Schools it has a strong and growing educational system. We have one of the safest and most current security programs because of partnering with the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office and ZeroEyes.

Berkshire was the first school in the state to use ZeroEyes, manned 24/7 days by ex-military personnel. We know the value and now other local schools and government offices are going to use the ZeroEyes program.

We also are adding another sheriff’s deputy, so we will have two SRO (Security Resource Officers) in our building. This was done with our consultant from the Ohio Schools Council and his recommendations — he formerly worked for the Department of Homeland Security.

Under the leadership of John Stoddard, superintendent, and Beth McCaffrey, treasurer, we have built a great educational and financial plan for the long term. When it comes to our treasurer, she not only has kept this district sound, but secured a loan then refinanced that original loan, so your property taxes were lowered.

Some want me to look at state test scores as a platform, but we look at Project Based Learning as the opportunity it sets for all our students. For the last four years, our test scores improved.  We have added many AP courses and continue to add many selections for our students with Kent State, which is the reason we are located on its campus.

Our special needs students are out in the community learning job skills and not sitting in a classroom being taught how to test.

When I was first voted on the board — 18 years ago — we had great leadership in Imhof, Honkala and Miller. They taught me skills I continue to use. Before them, you had Jemison, Johnson, Stone, Hiscox, Timmons, Brockway, Dean, etc. who taught us the same values and commitments.

Voting for Dan Berman, Linda Stone and Bryan Wadsworth continues the Legacy of Excellence.  Their long term and devoted commitment to the district is the same of the many who have served before them, as they do it for the love of our kids.  Support and vote for them Nov. 7.

John Manfredi
President, Berkshire School Board

Safety – Education – Leadership

The current security system at Berkshire Schools is giving us a false sense of security. Relying on the ZeroEyes System to detect threats is contingent on two things. First, a weapon must be inside the school or within distance of the camera system. Second, the weapon must be brandished or visible in plain sight.

ZeoEyes can “not detect concealed weapons or weapons in a holster.” (Source: ZeroEyes.com FAQ). If a gun is already in the school and it is drawn, we have already lost.  It is unlikely the SRO(s) will be able to react in time to stop the perpetrator from firing. The safety of our staff and kids is the most important responsibility of our school’s administration. This must change.

Kudos to West G, Chagrin Falls, Solon, Kenston and Chardon administration and teachers on their recent state testing performance and graduation readiness scores. It just goes to show it takes more than a shiny new school to give kids a solid education.

State testing isn’t everything and I think everyone agrees on that. However, for  any school administrator to publicly state “I don’t care about state testing” is unacceptable and borderline arrogant. To pass a state test “means the student has a sufficient understanding of the subject such that he or she can perform or learn most of the required subject skills in a job that generally requires only a high school diploma.” (Source: Education.ohio.gov FAQ). I believe we all want our students to have an understanding of English and math to perform at a job that requires a high school diploma.

The relationship between Berkshire Schools and other local boards or entities such as the Geauga County Fair Board, the Burton Police Department, the Burton Volunteer Fire Department and Burton Village are in disrepair, and they require attention and fresh faces. It requires new leadership with an attitude of cooperation. For a current administration that champions Project Based Learning and the value of working together toward common solutions and goals to have damaged these relationships is hypocritical and hurts our schools standing in the community in my opinion.

I would like to encourage residents of the Berkshire Schools communities to take a close look at the issues and the current status of all things at this new school. There are many upcoming community meetings and events where you hear from the candidates and have your questions responded to.

Personally, I am an advocate for change. I firmly support Linda Valentino, Julie Hunter and Tim Snyder for Berkshire BOE as the people who can bring about change and get our school on the right path.

All three candidates are very accessible and I encourage you to reach out them personally with questions or concerns. Their contact information can be found at:

www.newvisionforberkshireschools.com

VHS for BHS

John Bonner
Burton Township

Kenston Proud: Henry for School Board

To my fellow Kenston constituents, not too long ago there was a phrase used widely to describe “all politics are local.” Be it good politics or bad politics, we felt we could get our heads around that  idea. In the last 20 years, and certainly in the last eight years, our phrase has morphed into “all politics are state and national” (and sometimes international).

With Jim Henry as a Kenston school board candidate, we are extremely fortunate to have the best of “local” traditions.

Jim has 29 years teaching and administration in elementary schools in the Shaker Heights Schools system and multiple years in Alaska, teaching indigenous students in the interior as well as within the Arctic circle.

He is qualified in myriad ways to serve our community as a member of Kenston’s BOE. Equally important is his family’s history of service and Jim’s personal integrity.

It  makes me Kenston Proud.

Please join me in voting for Jim Henry for Kenston School Board on Nov. 7.

Bill Franz
Bainbridge Township

Reasons for Vote NO on Issue 1

As you are undoubtedly aware, Issue 1  will be on the November ballot.

The following are reasons to say NO:

• Issue 1 is dangerous and extreme.
• Issue 1 removes parental rights regarding medical decisions for their children, including sex change surgeries.
• Issue 1 removes protection for women, allowing medical procedures to be done by non- certified individuals.
• Issue 1 legalizes the abortion of a baby up to the day of birth for any reason.

Research it yourself so you will be adequately informed to vote NO on Issue 1.

Molly Nikkila
City of Chardon