Letters to Editor
Pikus for Munson
Lenore Pikus is seeking the office of Munson Township Trustee.
Lenore is married to Ray and mother of Vanni, RJ and Andrew. Vanni and RJ are graduates of Chardon High School and Andrew is currently a senior. The family has resided in Munson Township for 25 years.
Lenore Pikus’s commitment not only to Munson, but also to Geauga County is unquestionable.
Lenore has served the community in many ways over the years. She is currently is the vice chair of the Munson Township Zoning Commission and has served on this board for eight years. She supported and volunteered for events in Munson over the years, including the community days, flea market, Notre Dame Chicken Barbecue and many years of baseball and softball teams. She has volunteered countless hours for events held at Chardon Schools for the past 10 years.
My friend is dedicated to her community and as trustee will put forth all of her efforts when representing her constituents in matters pertaining to the township.
She will endeavor to help make Munson Township as well as Geauga County even more productive and beautiful than it is today.
Please vote for Lenore Pikus, Munson Township Trustee, on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Mary Beth Lyons
Munson Township
‘A Proven Good Choice’
I normally don’t put political signs in my yard, but this year I have a “Re-Elect Glen Quigley for Trustee” proudly displayed.
Glen is an ever present resident in Newbury, meaning he is always around, not just at election time, but always.
One can tell how much he truly loves this township by his constant dedication to preserving and protecting it. He understands the importance of having good, solid zoning regulations and understands both the importance of defending these rules and knowing when it is right to compromise and when it is not.
Thank god for us if Glen gets elected, for he isn’t a “shovel ready” kind of guy. He isn’t looking for the flavor of the month business; he is looking for the proper fit that not only enhances our tax base, but also enhances the look of our town.
Like most of us, I want our township to thrive and develop into a place we all can be proud of. If Glen is elected, I know he will put his energies into doing what is right for Newbury and its residents.
Please vote to re-elect Glen — a proven good choice!
Kate Musick
Newbury Township
Oppose Marijuana
If “medical marijuana” could help people, why do The Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, MetroHealth, Ohio Hospital Association, etc. oppose marijuana legalization?
Vote NO on Issue 3!
Pat and John Leech
Newbury Township
All In for Issue 30
As biological (2), adoptive (2) and foster (14) parents, we have worked closely with Geauga Children’s Services since 1974.
Even knowing our fostering days are over, we have continued to volunteer for GCJFS in various capacities, including serving on Geauga Children’s Alliance and the GCJFS Subsidy Review Committee.
Having watched the foster system transform over the past 40 years, we are struck by how many societal challenges are in play right now. We see firsthand the tireless, behind the scenes work that is done to help the children and families of Geauga County.
At the heart of this system are the GCJFS child protection workers, who are charged with the responsibility to make judgments and to act on behalf of the community to protect our children.
Therefore, we urge you, the voter, to support Issue 30 to ensure that Geauga Children’s Services has the resources to continue to serve the pivotal role they do in our county.
Bob and Martie Ballish
Huntsburg Township
Event a Success
Thank you for printing the article about our Swap Meet in your Oct. 1 issue of the Geauga County Maple Leaf. Our event was held Oct. 10 and several people mentioned reading about it in your paper, clearly demonstrating that your support helped make our event a success.
We had about 165 people attend our “flea market for RC plane fliers” and raised about $900 to fund flying field maintenance and improvements, and education and training of young pilots.
Thank you again for your support.
Tom Brandes
Geauga Radio Controlaires, Inc.
AMA Chapter # 497
Pot is a Problem
It’s only pot, what’s the problem? Plenty!
Please go to the Drug Free Action Alliance and find out why legalizing marijuana is bad for Ohio. Some of the facts they site are:
• People using marijuana for medicinal use will be allowed to use it in the workplace. Do you want your child’s daycare worker to be high?
• Marijuana will be much easier for young children and teens to obtain. Colorado has seen an increase in dropouts, lower grades and a 32 percent increase in school suspensions since marijuana has been legalized.
• In Colorado, from 2007 to 2012, traffic fatalities involving operators testing positive for marijuana increased 100 percent.
• 40 percent, or 53 tons, of marijuana sold in Colorado was via the black market! Why, because black market marijuana is cheaper.
The parents of the child in the pro-legalization of marijuana are speaking about a synthetic form of marijuana that is being tested for children suffering from severe seizures. Researchers at UCSF (University of California San Francisco) are preparing to study the long-term effects of pharmaceutical CBD (processed marijuana) in pediatric seizure patients. This is not the same as marijuana prescribed for medicinal use.
For these reasons vote NO ON ISSUE 3!
The advertisement on the TV said the proponents of It’ssue 2 are lying. I say the opponents are lying.
Vote against It’ssue 2 and you are changing the Ohio Constitution to allow a monopoly. The only people who will profit are the profiteers whose only purpose is to make a ton of money off of the citizens of Ohio! Their PAC put up the money to get the petitions to make marijuana legal.
For these reasons, vote YES ON ISSUE 2.
Elsie Tarczy
South Russell Village
Open Letter to Ohio Voters
State It’ssue 1: The Board of The League of Women Voters of Ohio voted earlier this year to formally endorse the Fair Districts for Ohio redistricting reform proposal that will appear as It’ssue 1 on the November ballot.
The League has strongly supported and advocated for such reform for the past 40 years.
The League is very pleased that the Ohio General Assembly came together to approve a bipartisan measure to improve the drawing of state legislative districts and wholeheartedly supports and recommends a YES vote on Issue 1 by all voters.
State Issues 2 & 3: The League believes that a constitution should be a clearly stated body of fundamental principles. It should provide for the flexible operation of government and be logically organized and internally consistent.
For this reason, the League supports Issue 2, because it protects the state constitution as a document of general principles.
For the same reason, the League opposes Issue 3, that an amendment to the state constitution should not create and include a monopoly for special interests.
So, for better government, which we all deserve, vote YES on Issues 1 and 2, and NO on Issue 3.
Rosemary Balazs, President
League of Women Voters of Geauga County
Keep Some Balance
Chardon City Council member votes are most important when it comes to spending your money and policy decisions. In the last few years, there has only been one “no” vote (out of seven) on major items like minimum costs for monthly water and sewer charges, destruction of the log cabin on the Square and the $600,000 enormous “Heritage House” syrup evaporator being erected on our park.
These “no” votes are not enough to stop a project, but might raise questions with the public and the other members of council, who it seems have a tendency to “rubber stamp” items being pushed forward by the mayor and administrators.
Councilwoman Deb Reiter, our only “no” voter, will not be running for council again. However, there is a candidate who is of similar mind — and is also the only woman running. She is Chardon born and bred, aware of the importance of local history and places, and knows what the monthly water/sewer bill means to a family. She is Deb Chuha.
Deb Chuha joined me in our recent lawsuit to stop the city from demolishing the log cabin and compromising the Square with an enormous and unnecessary building project. She is most adept at social media as a means of continuing the dialogue with citizens who care about the future of the city.
When voting in council, she may continue to be the only “no” vote when discussing bad ideas and huge expenses — but, if so, perhaps other council members will finally think twice about why a “no” vote should be looked at again.
Keep some balance — vote Deb Chuha for Chardon City Council.
Dennis Killeen
City of Chardon
Wonderful Caring People
My brother John was born in 1962. He is the fourth child born to my parents. We knew something was different; John was always sick. He saw many physicians by his second birthday. We were told many things; he would never walk or talk. This went on for years.
We were very lucky to have a woman that lived next door to us that was driving a school bus for the Metzenbaum Opportunity School. She suggested my parents meet with the staff for ideas and options. They did and, at the age of 5, John and the rest of our family began a journey with Metzenbaum Center. Within a few months of John attending, he was potty trained. He was walking and talking!
John’s journey took them through the school years, one of the first residents into the residential facility and also his job at the workshop. Our family learned and grew along with John.
In 2000, my father passed away. He was John’s best friend. It became clear to me I would need to become involved in John’s care and also with Metzenbaum Center. My mother could not do it alone.
I served on a few boards at the center; I was also on the team to interview superintendents. I also am the chairperson of the annual Quilt and Craft Auction. To say I was “all in” is probably an understatement.
The staff at Metzenbaum Center assisted us in every step along our journey. Many things I can honestly say I would not have been able to do without the expertise of the staff. I am so thankful there is a place with wonderful caring people such as Metzenbaum Center.
Until you need a place such as this, you just don’t understand the impact it has on so many people. My brother is a wonderfully social, caring individual. I would not change him for the world. He loves unconditionally and does not understand when people do bad things. I so wish the world could truly be as he sees it.
Please vote YES for Issue 29 on Nov. 3. It means so much to so many!
Patti Gallagher
Burton
Dangerous in Wrong Hands
I am saddened by Probate Judge Timothy Grendell’s removal of Jeffrey Orndorff from his position as a Geauga Park District commissioner.
We used to have commissioners who served for many years, giving the park district stability and a wealth of accumulated knowledge. Bob McCullough served for 38 years. Many others, like Donald Linton, Eldon Russell, Mark Sperry, Albert Lang, Betty Cope, Mark Rzeszotarski, served for 10 years or more.
Now, they come, they go; they have no time to develop an understanding of the Geauga Park District or an appreciation for why the district was created or how it became the shining example of a county park system that it once was. No more. Gone with a string of short term commissioners.
Judicial power and discretion is a dangerous thing in the wrong hands.
Shelley Chernin
Russell Township
Champion for Newbury
Newbury Trustee Glen Quigley has been a champion for Newbury.
Glen is reliable, mature and transparent. Glen’s vision for our township was published in the recent Geauga League of Women Voters Guide, which has been considered the respected standard for providing information about candidates for decades.
Glen’s opponent was one of the very few candidates that didn’t bother to reply to the League’s questionnaire.
Glen Quigley should be re-elected as Newbury Township Trustee.
Angie Grysho
Newbury Township
NO on Issue 3
On the Nov. 3 ballot, we will be voting for or against legalization of marijuana for recreational and medicinal use.
My primary concern is the heahh and welfare of our young people. However, I would like to point out that proposed constitutional amendment, It’ssue 3, contains a number of items that
should not be codified in the state constitution. These include:
1. It endows exclusive rights of commercial marijuana growth, cultivation and extraction to 10 self-designated land owners and 10 predetermined parcels of land.
One additional facility could be added in four years if consumer demand is not being met.
Contrary to what you have been hearing on TV, that is a monopoly or at a minimum an oligopoly.
2. It codifies a fixed tax rate for marijuana businesses.
3. It limits the ability of the legislature and local governments to regulate marijuana operations and its use. Instead, it would create a state agency with limited authority to regulate the industry.
Changes to the Ohio constitution should be thoughtfully written, done only when necessary and benefit the welfare of all Ohioans.
Responsible Ohio, the organization behind It’ssue 3, would have us believe that only the proposed constitutional amendment would provide medical marijuana for children with severe seizure disorders. In reality, there shortly will be an FDA approved cannabis dmg, Epidiolex, for major seizure disorders.
Responsible Ohio wants us to believe that there is little if any harm in using marijuana. In reality, marijuana use has been linked to high incidences of students dropping out of school, poorer physical health and mental health problems, including depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts among teens. About 1 in 11 marijuana users become addicted and the odds may increase to about 1 in 6 for those who he gin using in their teens.
Responsible Ohio wants us to believe that there are many people in jail for marijuana violations. In reality only about 1 percent of Ohio’s prison population is incarnated solely for marijuana offenses.
I encourage all voters to vote NO on Issue 3.
Lynn S. Kempf
Hambden Township
Quigley Works Diligently
My wife and I have known Glen Quigley for over 20 years. As a trustee, Glen has diligently worked to maintain the balance between home property values and business growth within the township.
Glen’s previous role as county recorder has provided him the experience and training to monitor township expenses and he continuously works to lower expenses whenever possible.
Many times he has identified unconventional solutions to increase the township’s income without increasing taxes. For example, he has engaged the sheriff department’s inmate release program for cemetery clean-up and found a way to increase fire department revenue by up to $150,000 per year through charging insurance companies for ambulance calls where possible.
As someone who has needed to call for an ambulance, I am grateful our fire department has been there and would like it to continue to have the best possible training and equipment.
In addition, Glen was instrumental in the implementation and coordination of a limited sewer district to increase business at Route 87 and Auburn Road as well as serving existing business with no additional taxpayer costs.
As a matter of fact, the limited sewer district actually created revenue for the school. Glen works with the county to make sure our voices are heard.
We urge everyone to vote to re-elect Glen Quigley for Newbury trustee on Nov. 3.
Ralph and Mary Piunno
Newbury Township
Elect Nicholas to BOE
I am writing to encourage the citizens of Chardon to elect Victoria Nicholas to the Chardon Schools Board of Education.
I worked closely with Mrs. Nicholas for many years when she served on the Buckeye Local Schools Board of Education and found her to be a truly child-centered advocate of public education. Every decision Mrs. Nicholas made was based upon what was best for the students of the district, both collectively and individually.
Mrs. Nicholas was collaborative and worked well with the superintendent and her colleagues on the board. She listened closely to the concerns of parents and students. She was an active board member, serving on board committees and attending numerous school activities.
Mrs. Nicholas believes in academic excellence and supports high student achievement. She also believes in a well-rounded educational experience for students, supporting both athletics and the performing arts in equal measure.
I commend Mrs. Nicholas for her desire to continue in public service and strongly encourage the citizens of Chardon to elect her to the Board of Education.
Joseph F. Donatone
Retired Superintendent of Schools
Flabbergasted by Cardinal
I am absolutely flabbergasted by the actions of the Cardinal School Board. They senselessly opted out of a tremendous opportunity to consolidate with other local schools at Kent State in Burton. It was a win-win for the students and the buildings in our school district.
Jarod Tudor presented a 50/50 split of expenses for updating, repairing and maintaining the facilities in each school district. That is a huge financial win for Cardinal.
Instead, the school board wants us to pass a substantial new levy, whereby the district will be “OK” for 5 years as long as the state does not reduce district funding, but unfortunately, the state has already budgeted a $683,000 decrease for Cardinal School District in the school year 2016-2017 alone.
How much more money are they going to want just to preserve the status quo?
Also, when the consolidation is enacted, all the high school students in the new district will have a brand new high school that includes a modern sports complex that far exceeds what the school districts can afford separately. They will have far more course options as well as opportunities for college studies.
What possible down side is there to any of this?
Christine Weikart
Middlefield Village
