Letters to Editor
Cloud the Issues
In response to Judge Grendell’s full-page ad, published last week in several area newspapers, in which he listed numerous items that he says are facts about the Geauga Parks, I would like to question whether his facts are correct or whether they are simply his attempt to cloud the issues surrounding recent wholesale policy and personnel changes at the Park District.
The left-hand column of the ad presents a list of eight points. In point number three he states, “Geauga County has over 9,500 acres of park land (Lake County, which has two and a half times more people, has less acres of county parks).”
First of all, it doesn’t create much confidence in leadership when one presents their argument in a sentence with two grammatical errors. But to the point of a caparison to Lake County’s park system, we should be aware that Lake County is the smallest county in Ohio in terms of geographical area. It is just over half the land area of Geauga County and the higher population in Lake County would indicate that there is less available land for use as park space.
It would also be relevant to point out that, in addition to the Lake Metropark system, which lists 36 separate park facilities, Headlands Beach State Park is also located in Lake County and occupies almost half a square mile. Punderson State Park in Geauga County covers only 741 acres. So, it seems that Lake County residents also enjoy a system of public parks that is quite extensive, given the land area available to them.
The right-hand column of the ad presents another list that raises additional questions. Point number one states, “The Park District was expected to have an excess cash balance of approximately $9,000,000 in 2015.”
Point number four states, “The Park District now is expected to have more than $8,000,000 of excess cash in the bank at the end of 2015.”
The bottom of the page has a budget worksheet that shows an estimated cash balance at the end of 2015 of less than $6 million.
Are any of these numbers correct?
In various letters and op-ed pieces published in area newspapers over the past few months, we have seen estimates of the Park District’s cash balance ranging from a $4 million deficit to an $11.5 million surplus. It would seem that these numbers are being thrown out, not to inform the public, but to create a false impression that the previous Park District Board was mishandling taxpayer money.
Point number six states that, “More naturalist programs have been added and can be expected.”
However the Geauga Park District website contains an announcement that, as of July, the open house hours at Observatory Park are reduced to two weekends per month.
Clearly much of the information in Grendell’s ad is incorrect and misleading. I’ve only touched on a few of the items, but a careful reading will raise questions about each of the 21 points enumerated in the ad.
Frank Gwirtz
Middlefield
GPD Employees, Volunteers
I would like to tell you how much I appreciate the efforts of all the employees and volunteers, past and present, of the Geauga Park District. The experiences you have provided to me and my family over the past 45 years is without parallel.
When I was a young father, struggling with low paying jobs and trying to go to school, my wife and I could take the kids to the parks. Together, we would hike, picnic, fish and be together.
As they got older, they could go to classes and learn (along with me) about what they were seeing. Now our son and grandsons visit and our son tries to recreate those years of wonder for his children in the same beautiful parks.
My wife and I can quietly glide on skis and see where, during the night, an owl seized its prey and left a might wing beat on the snow; we can walk our dogs and chat with other people, jogging, birding, horseback riding; we can stand on the platform at Lake Kelso (a unique remanent of the glaciers) at dusk, and see two Bald Eagles perched close together across the serene lake as a beaver starts his nightly patrol.
When you were threatened by people who don’t understand that no one is an island, that we are all in this world together with limited clean air, clean water, and stunning beauty, I was unaware. When people who believe that the only think that counts is what you can count on a bottom line, I failed to take note. When people who believe that enjoyment comes from destroying what we own together, I ignored them.
Now they are in power and threatening all. I feel deep sadness for the emptiness of their souls.
To you for your dedication, your service (no one goes into your field of work believing they will be rich), to donors past and present (some have died leaving gifts they thought would be a permanent benefit to this county and its people), I am truly humbled and grateful. For failing too take notice sooner, I am truly ashamed and sorry.
Ed Buckles
Troy
Elect Spencer to State BOE
David Spencer is currently seeking election to the State Board of Education, District 7. He is a highly respected retired professional educator with 30 years of experience as a teacher and administrator in the Kent City Schools. He holds the Martha Holden Jennings Scholar award for Excellence in Teaching and taught as an adjunct instructor at Ashland University and Kent State University.
Because his entire career has been in teaching and administration, he has had a great deal of experience helping people find common ground among differing views. Thus, experientially and pragmatically he is well qualified to provide positive direction to Ohio schools.
Dave advocates prior researching to determine actual need before implementation of state mandated operational changes, which often disrupt actual classroom teaching time and do not consider the need for additional sources of funding. In addition, as a tireless supporter of public education, he will encourage standards and rules to be fairly applied across public and charter schools.
If you believe what happens in our classrooms affects our economic competitiveness, our quality of life, and our future well-being as a nation, I encourage you to visit Dave’s website (SpencerforOhioSchools.com) and, on Nov. 4, 2014, consider your endorsement of David A. Spencer as a member of the State Board of Education of Ohio representing us in District 7.
Donna Lightel Vadakin
Bainbridge
Editor’s Note: Vadakin is former Superintendent of Kent Schools
Get Children Into the Parks
Geauga County’s greatest underused resource is the Geauga Park System.
I attended the Geauga Park Board meeting of Sept. 9 and came away with a few facts that I found totally amazing.
Mary Ruth Shumway provided some statistics of the area and amount of land developed in each of five parks here in Geauga County. Development includes trails, buildings and parking areas as well as shelters, campgrounds and other facilities.
I went a step further and got the following facts via public information request. The total area of all the park land is 9,800 acres while the developed areas accessible to people in all the parks is 294 acres. That is only 3 percent of the total park area.
I, for one, had no idea how little park land Geauga County residents actually can access. I inquired about how the remaining 9,506 acres of our park system is used. I learned that 75 percent, or 7,350 acres, is preservation (wetland and forest) while 22 percent, or 2,156 acres,is agriculture, meadow or open water.
The problem is not a shortage of land belonging to the Geauga Park District. The problem is that Geauga residents cannot utilize so much of the public land that their tax money has bought.
I can think of no more worthwhile use of Geauga County parkland than making it available to children so they can develop their minds and bodies. God knows we are a sedentary society. Children need the opportunities for play and exercise that our Geauga park lands provide. Let’s pull our children away from their televisions and computers and into the parks.
Thomas Jones
Auburn
Forget Theatrics, Read the Speech
For a few years now, I’ve not watched politicians on TV giving “major policy speeches.” Nor have I endured the pseudo-intellectuals opining on the meaning of what was said. I can read — and that’s what I do: I read the speeches.
Take for example the Sept 10 speech by President Obama on his ISIS strategy. His following comments caught my fancy:
1. “ISIL is not It’slamic”: Really? Just because he says so? I’m pretty sure they consider themselves to be.
2. “No religion condones the killing of innocents …”: Huh? Past and present history says otherwise.
3. “ISIL is certainly not a state.”: I got news for ya: When you’re in political and military control of an area, you are.
4. “It is recognized by no government, nor the people it subjugates.”: This one’s my favorite. Just ask the people being subjugated if they recognize ISIS.
5. “It has no vision other than the slaughter of all who stand in its way.” No, its’ mission is to create a Caliphate — an It’slamic state — and employs terror as a means to advance its objective.
So, here’s my one-word speech in reply to the President’s assertions: HOGWASH — pretty clear, right?
Benito Alvarez, MD
Chester
It’s Not Too Late
The Truth is … the success of the Geauga Park System has been a result not only of the direct involvement of the park personnel at all levels, but also of countless other members of our county that have supported, volunteered, financed and participated in park activities.
The people of our county are as much a core part of the park’s success as is the conservation and preservation. Yes, change does happen, but by not including these people in the communication of any level of prospective park changes, a level of doubt, anger and suspicion has arisen.
As new board members were appointed, they should have been introduced in the newspaper with their backgrounds, expertise and goals.
Secondly, local public meetings should have been held to introduce and get input on the changes in funding and park use.
It’s not too late. The new board members are now managing the park system and they need to hold local meetings to explain and to welcome input. It’s not going to be pleasant, but that’s because this wasn’t handled right from the start.
Mary Mackow
Munson
Fighter, Friend, Working Man
Having been a resident and property owner in Geauga County for the last 26 years, raising four children here and now having 13 grandchildren, all residing in Geauga County, I strongly believe that Ron Wiech is the kind of County Commissioner we need today.
Ron is a fighter for us; a friend of business and the working man alike.
Ron champions the causes that are important to Geauga families. He believes in maintaining the Geauga County way of life, which means protecting our parks, our open space, our fresh water and providing the kind of county we want to give our children and leave for our grandchildren.
Ron is a strong leader in the fight against illegal drugs and has proven so in his commitment as a counselor with the Geauga County Sherriff’s Department.
Ron is the kind of man who reaches out to those in need and leads, at the times when leadership is needed most. If all elected officials would have the same values and work ethic as Ron, politicians would have a good name.
We, as a county need, Ron Wiech as our County Commissioner.
Guy Darone
Hambden
A Candidate Who Understands
I am writing this letter in support of Ron Wiech for County Commissioner. I have lived in Geauga County for most, but not all, of my life.
During the years I lived in other Ohio counties and another state, I came to realize how fortunate Geauga County is to have all the wonderful resources that many of us (myself included, until I lived elsewhere) take for granted.
Ron Wiech is a candidate who understands this. He was born and raised in Geauga County (unlike his opponent, who has only lived here eight years) and has been an effective councilman in Middlefield for the past five years; he has been a substance abuse volunteer at the Geauga Sheriff Department for 29 years, which will be quite helpful given the current heroin problem in the Geauga County; he supports services to seniors and opposes any reduction in services for Geauga seniors; and he is a friend of the Geauga Park District who opposes the changes of the original Geauga Park District bylaws by Tea Party Republicans.
We need a County Commissioner who understands the importance of maintaining what we have here in Geauga County. Ron Wiech will serve the will of the people and believes a survey of county residents should be undertaken to understand our views, unlike many of the other politicians in this county who aren’t interested in what Geauga County citizens want, or think they already know what we want … well, they certainly don’t know what I want. I have watched with growing dismay and alarm as a few radical Tea Party politicians are trying to destroy our county.
I know there are others in this county who feel the same way I do. Please vote for Ron Wiech for Geauga County Commissioner.
September Sloane
Bainbridge
Right Candidate
Having lived in Cuyahoga County and currently a property owner and resident in Geauga County, I have grown to love the beauty and openness here especially our park system.
I’m concerned with how Ron Wiech’s opponent wants to allow fracking, drilling and timbering in our parks.
Ron would work to conserve our parks and protect this county’s fragile beauty that we enjoy daily. Ron is a friend of seniors and will keep working to keep these services for seniors strong. He will work to help reinstate the homestead tax credit to benefit property owners.
I believe that Ron Wiech is the right candidate and knows what is best for Geauga County since he has lived here all his life not like his opponent for only eight.
Ron has my vote!
Cathy Soukup
Chardon
Not an ‘Elitist’
I am writing with concerns over the current Geauga parks controversy. I am a mother of four adult children that learned of wild flowers, animals and nature in our park system.
I am a hiker, dog walker, biker and jogger.
I am not an “elitist,” as Judge Grendell has called supporters of the Geauga Park District. I am certainly not a “malcontent” or a “liar,” as he has also dubbed those not sharing his views on the purpose of the parks.
I am an American who cast my vote for a levy. A majority was with me that voting day.
There is room for recreation that does not jeopardize the land, plants and animals that we voted to preserve.
Are snowmobiles, open hunting and ATV use on all trails what we voted for? How can one man have power over all of that money by suspending the levy the majority voted to give to the parks?
Mary Slingluff
Chester
Scurrilous, Ad Hominem Attack
I don’t know Ed Corsi. He has recently been passing his time attacking Blake Rear. I’ve read his letters and googled his name. I can say this, he’s no logician.
Mr. Corsi accuses Blake Rear of being a Republican in Name Only (RINO) and, therefore, unworthy of the voters’ support. Mr. Corsi praises Mr. Claypool, also a Republican. So, it must be that Mr. Corsi likes Republicans but finds Mr. Rear lacking proper Republicanism.
Mr. Corsi is encouraging the voters to support Mr. Johnston, an independent who historically has been a Democrat. Mr. Johnston may be a heck of a fellow, but he’s not a Republican.
What does it mean to be a RINO? It must mean a person who presents himself as a Republican but doesn’t support Republican positions. A fundamental position of the Republican Party is the support of its nominated candidates.
Mr. Rear won the Republican primary and is the official nominated candidate of the Geauga GOP for the office of county commissioner. Mr. Corsi has publicly called for the voters to support Mr. Rear’s opponent. I eschew the use of the term “RINO,” so draw your own conclusion.
How can Mr. Rear’s credentials as a conservative and a Republican be questioned? He served his country honorably in combat in Vietnam. He ardently supports local control, limited government, personal responsibility, hard work, free enterprise, gun rights and the right to life.
I’m not the most active member of the Geauga GOP, but I’ve been around enough to know that no one works harder to make the party function than Mr. Rear. He’s the one the party would call on if it needed something done.
But the party never has to call on Mr. Rear because he anticipates the need and has answered it before he’s asked.
I believe Mr. Claypool to be an honorable man. I know he’s proud of his military service. He’s also active in the Geauga GOP. Therefore, I call upon Mr. Claypool to repudiate Mr. Corsi’s scurrilous, ad hominem attack on Mr. Rear.
Thomas C Pitrone
Hambden
Fishing Heated Up
Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2014 Family Fishing Expo events at Geauga Park District’s Swine Creek Reservation and Big Creek Park this past weekend.
While Mother Nature was slow to cooperate on Saturday, the fishing heated up on Sunday at Big Creek Park. Both days were great fun.
Special thanks to all of the parents who took time to share this fishing experience with their children and to the:
Donors: Judge Tim Grendell, Ralph Spidalieri (Great Lakes Outdoors), High Water Fish Farm, One Step Fish Store, Skylar Tatro (Flambeau), Congins, Sunrise Springs Water Company and Ohio Department of Nature Resources.
Supporting Organizations: Wild Turkey Federation, Ducks Unlimited, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Whitetails & Trappers Association.
Volunteers: Ralph Spidalieri, John Oros, Don Wieland, Paul Pira, Danielle Schwan, Jeffrey Hickox and Stacey Rauch.
Committee: Diane V. Grendell, John Oros, John A. Ralph, Scott Denamen (ODNR), Al Schienke and Michelle Reda.
I look forward to working with the Geauga Park District and our sponsors and volunteers on next year’s Family Fishing Expo.
Judge Tim Grendell
Geauga County Probate/Juvenile Court
