Letters to Editor
Input Valued
Chardon Township residents may soon discover that their next door neighbor is a barbershop, dog groomer, a tractor trailer owner or virtually any business the zoning inspector considers acceptable, within the proposed zoning amendment.
Unlike the current conditional permit, the neighbors will not have prior notice and will not have an opportunity to voice an objection.
The new permit will also be permanent and will continue to be in force even after the property is sold.
Currently, home occupations require a conditional permit. To obtain a conditional permit, an applicant must get the approval of the zoning board of appeals at a public meeting and the board will also notify the neighbors of the request.
If granted, the conditional permit further protects the township because it needs to be renewed every five years.
Almost no one has a conditional permit because in reality there is no need for one if the business is not obvious or is not adversely affecting the neighbors or the township. There are no fines for not having a permit, therefore, no one spends the money to get one.
Regardless, the township is still protected if the business does become a problem because the businesses do not get grandfathered regardless of how long they have existed.
With the proposed amendment, there is no easy way to void a permit. It may require the neighbors to not only document the problems, but also to initiate litigation at their own expense.
Unlike the proposed amendment, the current zoning requires someone with a home occupation to be a good neighbor.
While I can see where the proposal could have advantages for certain individuals such as Chuck Strazinsky and also Carol Kovac and Rich Piriano — zoning commission members and principal writers of the amendment — I can not identify any township advantages to having Chardon Township have the weakest residential zoning in Geauga County.
Due to a quirk in the law, the proposed amendment can become effective without a positive trustee vote.
Please attend the public hearing on Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. at the town hall. I value your input whether its for or against.
Mike Danzig
Chardon Township
Become Involved
On Jan. 15, at The West Woods, located in Russell Township, the director of the Geauga County Health Department, Robert Weisdeck, provided a two-hour presentation on the imminent impacts of a new 126-page statewide septic-system regulation that became effective on Jan. 1.
Among those to be seriously impacted are homeowners trying to buy or sell property, septic system installers, real estate professionals and those engaged in the home-loan industry.
Mr. Weisdeck pointed stressed the tragedy of installing a new $21,000 to $35,000 septic system that is currently unproven and has no guarantees.
I urge anyone who reads this letter to demand state Rep. Sarah LaTourette and state Sen. John Eklund introduce legislation to provide Geauga constituents relief from the demands of these new regulations.
Please direct both Ms. LaTourette and Mr. Eklund to House Bill 525, introduced in the 130th session of the Ohio House of Representatives. Had H.B. 525 passed, it would have restored local control over septic tank requirements to the Geauga County Board of Health.
In spite of standing room only, there were only a few elected officials in attendance. Very disturbing to me were the responses of Mr. Eklund, who spent much of his time speaking about his own ineffectiveness in introducing any legislation that could provide relief for his constituents.
Finally, I did not see even one of the elected trustees from my own township.
The new statewide septic-tank regulation is a critically important issue that needs to be addressed. I ask Geauga citizens to become involved so that their elected officials know just how much the negative financial impacts of this new state law will harm this county and its homeowners.
Diane J. Jones
Auburn Township
Transfer is Best for Ledgemont Students
Currently, I am a member of the Geauga County Educational Service Center governing board, which has accepted both Ledgemont’s and Berkshire’s board-approved motions to proceed with the land transfer of the Ledgemont school district.
As a past member of the Ledgemont school board and an alumni of Ledgemont schools (as well as my wife and children), it was a very sad task to perform.
However, the educational cuts and the growing financial debt has burdened Ledgemont school district to the point where it has diminished the students’ educational and college and career readiness opportunities.
Many factors from inadequate state funding, open enrollment and low tax base have added to the problem.
If there is a referendum placed on the November 2015 ballot, it will not allow Ledgemont the opportunity to meet the June 30, 2015, deadline to have its solvency assistance fund debt forgiven.
From the positive effects of the land transfer, both Ledgemont and Berk-shire will be able to extend class offerings along with the elimination of pay to participate for sports.
Also, the Ledgemont Elementary building will stay open for grades pk-6.
The bottom line is that this transfer is best for the children of Ledgemont Schools.
Dennis A. Battles
Thompson Township
Not a Rubber Stamp Politician
A Patriot is a person who loves, supports and defends his country and it’s interests. That is Skip Claypool, who is also a veteran and a leader with honor and discipline.
He is strong in his beliefs in the Constitution and is willing to work hard to defend our freedom and liberty, and, as he does this, he wants us (the people that vote) to be educated.
He has brought many people and educators into the county to inform the public on many topics including Common Core, septic systems, NOACA, Agenda 21 and the Muslim plan.
Do you know what is involved in these areas? Maybe you have not taken the time to become informed.
Rest assured Mr. Claypool will not take anyone’s word about a problem, but will investigate and get to the root of the problem before making his decision about it. He is not a rubber-stamp politician.
If you want to know who is working for your best interest, become involved in your neighborhood, your community and your country before it is too late. Go to the commissioners meetings, the park meetings, the city or township meetings. Ask questions, use your computers to find out when and where are the meetings, what are they talking about, see for yourself who is doing their job, then thank them and give them your support.
Robert and Esther Laczko
Chardon Township
