Letters to Editor
Thank you, Munson
Thank you for Munson Township residents for voting last Tuesday and re-electing me as your trustee. I truly appreciate that so many of you took the time to come out to the polls or to vote early in person or by mail.
Thank you to all of the willing residents who agreed to post signs in their yards and at their businesses.
Thank you, too, for voting in favor of the fire renewal levy.
You, as residents, have all done your part to contribute to Munson’s future by participating in the election process. I promise to work hard to ensure that Munson is run well and in a fiscally responsible manner. I will continue listen to all of your comments, so I hope that you will contact me via the township office, 440-796-6825, or by email at imcmullen@munsontwp.com with your concerns, questions and comments.
As I went from door-to-door throughout Munson, I received many helpful suggestions for improvements. I have already begun working on some of those ideas. Our hometown can benefit greatly from constructive citizen participation.
Lastly, thank you to everyone who participated in the political process, from the poll workers and Board of Elections personnel to all the candidates and their volunteers. We are all better for participating in the process.
Irene McMullen
Munson Township
‘Chardon Schools First’
I wish to express my gratitude to the Chardon City and Hambden, Munson and Chardon township voters for your support on Nov. 3.
In particular, I am grateful to the members of the ‘Friends of Firem’ committee, my family, those who donated to the campaign, the several professional organizations/associations who gave their support and the Geauga and Lake County Leagues of Women Voters.
‘Chardon Schools’ First’ is more than a campaign slogan, as I anticipate a positive relationship with the current board members, the superintendent and treasurer in working toward the best education for Chardon students, emphasizing financial prudence, curricular stability, continuity and communication.
Sheldon Firem
Hambden Township
Taxpayer-Paid Survey Says
In February-March, the Geauga Park District Board of Commissioners, with the assistance of TRIAD Research Group, conducted a survey to aid in the Geauga Park Board’s long-range planning.
TRIAD concluded the 1,611 returned surveys out of a possible 33,500+ households were a true representation of Geauga Park users. TRIAD stated the surveys clearly showed a concern for preserve, conserve and protect.
When asked to choose the three things the respondents thought were most important for the Geauga Parks to do, the four items rated as most important were: protect wildlife habitat (66 percent), protect areas of natural beauty (47 percent), protect our watershed and ground water quality (40 percent) and preserve open space (39 percent).
Providing recreational opportunities garnered only 22 percent. Less than 1 percent wanted mountain bike trails, trapping, shooting, playgrounds, volleyball, bocce, etc.
Even though TRIAD felt the surveys were a true representation of the taxpayers, Judge Grendell and his Park Board began the mantra that the results were not significant enough to consider. That is except for former Park Commissioner Jeffrey Orndorff. He stated he felt it was a compelling articulation of the direction taxpayers wished the park district to move, that their suggestions had a lot of validity and the park commissioners should try to implement them.
Disagreeing with the judge does not bode well for anyone and, in October, after only seven months on the Park Board, Orndorff lost his position.
After the removal of Orndorff, Judge Grendell made the announcement on a colored, glossy two-sided mailer that he wants to meet with the citizens of Geauga County at four different times to hear what they want from their park system. These meetings would be with individuals (not groups) and, of course, free coffee and donuts.
I have several questions about these four meetings:
1. Why is the judge and not the Park Commissioners meeting with citizens of Geauga County about park district matters? Are the commissioners not supposed to be running the Geauga Park District and, if not, then let us remove the redundancy and allow the judge to handle all matters.
2. Why is Judge Grendell meeting “one-on-one” with citizens instead of in groups? The only group he has ever met with in regards to park matters is the tea party. It’s the judge afraid of groups of people? You can get more opinions and ideas from groups than with a small number of individuals.
3. If the 1,611 surveys that cost the Geauga Park District $9,700 are considered too insignificant a number to consider, then how is it that the 50-60 people the judge will meet during these personal meetings a better representation of the wishes of county taxpayers?
4. How much did this countywide mailing cost? Why is the county court spending large amounts of money on special mailings instead of making an announcement in various county newspapers? Didn’t the judge state he was running out of funds and wanted more from the county?
If Judge Grendell wants to know the wishes of the Geauga County residents, then all he has to do is look at the results of a survey that was already paid for with taxpayer funds.
Katherine Malmquist
South Russell Village
‘Don’t Kill the Messenger’
This is about the report given by the Cardinal Schools treasurer. We are all subject to “being on a list.” Very soon I’ll be on the “elderly” list.
Merry Lou was only giving a report that she was asked to give. I’ve known her for a long time and she would never intentionally insult or single out anyone. She was just trying to do a thorough report.
I know a number of people working at Cardinal Schools. They care deeply about all students, even if they don’t attent Cardinal.
Please be understanding and “don’t kill the messenger.”
Neomi Campbell
Huntsburg Township
