Letters to Editor
Just Say ‘No’
I’m not sure what all the hullabaloo is about. The president used executive action to legalize illegal aliens. Uncon-stitutional? Yep. Illegal? Yep.
Many are aghast, hair on fire, yelling, “What are we to do in the face of such lawlessness?”
I got news for you: Forget about your elected representatives checking and balancing anything. They’re as irrelevant, impotent and gutless as they are self-interested.
No citizen in this Constitutional Republic is under any obligation to follow an unlawful order, not even those in uniform. I see this akin to a governor issuing a decree that all people relinquish their firearms. Not gonna happen and can’t be enforced unless the people comply.
“Anarchy” you say? Not when in opposition to abuse of power from the very top.
So, my suggestion to those tasked with implementing Mr. Obama’s non-laws: Don’t. Let him huff and puff. He can only blow this house down if we let him.
Benito Alvarez
Chester Township
Meeting Adjourned
The Nov. 17 Auburn Township Trustee meeting, according to its agenda, was to incorporate two separate executive sessions to interview appointees and discuss “pending litigation,” from 6:10-7:25 p.m. and immediately after adjournment of the regular meeting.
As a regular attendee of meetings the first and third Mondays of each month at 7:30 p.m., I was informed about 6:15 p.m. by several residents that “some sort of meeting” was in progress.
When I arrived, about 7:20 p.m., I observed from the parking lot that all the lights were ablaze and trustees were clearly in attendance. So was Diane Ryder, a local reporter.
The front door being unlocked. I entered to witness Brian Stewart, an incumbent member of the board of zoning appeals, discussing “prosecutor” with the trustees. It was impossible to discern how long Mrs. Ryder had been in attendance, but with my entrance, a trustee announced the adjournment of executive session.
Mr. Stewart hastily departed without another word.
I asked, referring to Mrs. Ryder, “Why has media been present for executive session?”
Fiscal Officer Fred May responded, “She showed up and we couldn’t put her out.”
Once again, it becomes necessary to explain Ohio Revised Code to the Auburn trustees and to the Geauga County Prosecutor’s Office.
Ohio Revised Code and long-settled adjudication speak clearly to executive session. ORC 121.22(G)(1) states that “only after a majority…determines by roll call vote, to hold an executive session” can the body “consider the appointment … of a public employee or official.”
Nowhere does ORC state the right of media to be in attendance during executive session.
Montgomery County Common Pleas Court, in the case styled “Dayton Newspapers v. Dayton,” 23 Ohio Misc. 49 (1970), denied media access to executive sessions of the governing body, stating, “The right and duty of citizens and of the press to know what they are talking about is controlled by ability, initiative and opportunity, enjoyed by all whether it be Peter Pan, the PTA or the press. Since the public is not permitted to attend executive meetings, the press also is denied that right … The press has no right that exceeds that of other citizens … [I]f one reporter has a legal right to enter and join in executive, informal or private gatherings of officials or judges so have the members of all the media, others in publishing ventures and the public.”
Why was Mrs. Ryder allowed to sit in on executive session in Auburn Township? How many times will the Auburn TownshipTrustees disregard or violate Ohio Revised Code with taxpayer-funded assistance from the Geauga County Prosecutor’s Office?
Diane J. Jones
Auburn Township
Editor’s Note: Diane Ryder is a reporter who writes for the Geauga County Maple Leaf. Mrs. Jones correctly admits she does not know how long Diane Ryder was inside the administration building before she arrived and entered that same building during that same “executive session,” as the door was unlocked. The answer: About two minutes. Nothing more conspiratorial than that.
Fine Theater
I am writing this letter to tell everyone how much I enjoyed the children’s production of “Jamie and the Giant Peach.” The performance was on Monday, Nov. 17. It was the one bright spot on a bitter cold and windy evening.
I applaud the entire cast. They made the children’s classic come to life before my very eyes.
I also commend the adults involved in the production.
I know everyone in the packed theater felt the same way.
We are very fortunate to hve fine theater in Chardon. The Geuaga Lyric Theater Guild does a great job providing us with a variety of entertainment gems.
I understand they will be performing “Annie Warbucks” this Christmas season. My family and I are looking forward to attending.
Jeanne Hartory
Chardon Township
