Letters to Editor

August 1, 2013

Detailed Drug Plan

Mr. Spidalieri should be commended for the detailed plan for Geauga Countys drug problem.

He presented this in the commis-sioners meeting on July 25, 2013. He included what is happening in the county, what needs to be done and how to fund the program.

The presentation was well researched and the community was well represented as well as by law enforcement, judicial, family and social services.

Mr. Spidalieri has put effort into this program. He needs our support to have it implemented.

Please attend the Geauga County Commissioners meeting at 6 p.m. Aug. 8 at 470 Center St., Bldg. 8 , Chardon.

Robert and Esther Laczko

Chardon Township

Moving in Right Direction

I would like to take a moment to clarify some issues arising from the July 25 Geauga County Board of County Commissioners meeting regarding the Metzenbaum Renovation project.

The Geauga County Board of Developmental Disabilities (Mental Retardation was removed from our name in 2009 by state statute) operates the Metzenbaum Residence, an Inter-mediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF-IID). As this term has little meaning to those outside the Developmental Disabilities (DD) field, I used the term nursing home to help the general audience understand what exactly was being discussed.

The total bid cost of the project is $1,523,100. This includes architect fees, site work and building costs. The amount of space involved is 15,945 square feet, for a total project cost of $95.52 per square foot. The total bid cost is $20,000 less than the original budget approved by the DD Board in December 2012.

The Residence consists of four separate buildings originally built in 1977 to house 40 individuals. We will continue to serve individuals with disabilities after the renovation.

The renovation is a piece of a transition process that is part of a national and statewide movement toward least restrictive living arrange-ments for individuals with develop-mental disabilities. Twelve residents have already benefited from this process by moving into three homes in the community purchased by Maple Leaf Community Residences, Inc. These homes were acquired with substantial capital assistance funds ($615,877 to date) provided by the Ohio Department of DD.

The renovation project will recon-figure the existing space to better meet medical and physical needs while improving the quality of life, privacy, and health and safety of the 25 individuals who will continue to make the Metzen-baum Residence their home.

Change is never easy and although it has been a challenge for clients, parents and relatives, and Metzenbaum staff, we feel we are moving in the right direction. This transition would not have been as successful without the hard work and dedication of our staff. We are truly fortunate to have staff that put the needs of the clients above their own. As we transition, we will adjust staffing to meet those needs.

We appreciate the commissioners concern that taxpayer funds are being used wisely. We look forward to having all involved parties present to provide the commissioners and taxpayers with the information they need to make an informed decision.

Stephen E. Tucker

Manager of Business Operations

Geauga County DD