A Final Word from Walter “Skip” Claypool
"Not everyone agrees with all our decisions and I sometimes would like a redo to be honest. But you never should question my dedication to you, the citizens of Geauga County."
The primary election is very close and I know everyone will be happy to return to the normal commentary in the editorial pages and to see all the political signs removed; no one more than me.
I feel it necessary to make a few comments about some of the campaign rhetoric you may have seen in the paper.
The record of the commissioners’ office and my personal record is clear and a matter of public record. We paid off the debt, we are managing the county budget in the black, we are working our way through a complex legal issue with the Auditor’s office, we are addressing the challenges of an aging infrastructure, we are addressing succession planning as some of our key staff make plans to retire, and we are continuing to support our Veterans, seniors, businesses, Geauga County Fair, agriculture, law enforcement, and other elected officials as their offices provide services to our citizens.
Much of the good stuff happening tends to get lost in the heated rhetoric surrounding a campaign. In some cases, the recent comments cross the lines into libel (lies). They speak to the character of the person making them and are unwarranted and uncalled for. I have always trusted the public’s judgment, so let me correct the record on a few things, which can be easily verified.
There are three commissioners and it takes two to decide any issue. Many of our decisions are routine; however, when faced with complex decisions, I do my homework and make the best case I can, as do each of your three commissioners. We respect each other, have healthy debate and make sound decisions.
Unlike many elected officials, the commissioners’ office operates in a bubble, meaning all decisions happen in the public view and are a matter of public record. The commissioners do not manage the affairs of other elected officials. We have budgetary oversight, influence and sit on collaborative boards.
In my experience there is mutual respect between your elected officials and we work for the best interest of the public. For example, considering the challenges with the Auditor’s office and the alleged theft. To be clear, I am not speaking for the commissioners’ office, but from my perspective. This was a legal matter and under the purview of the prosecutor. The commissioners offered our opinions, we funded the legal responses, we provided other necessary equipment and personnel, and we performed administrative support. That activity is unfolding as it should.
Any claim that the commissioners should or could have taken another action is absurd. A citizen recently made a false claim about an effort to shut down the senior center in Chesterland. The individual making that outlandish comment did a great disservice to seniors and our staff, who have taken time from their busy days to respond.
I won’t respond to every personal attack or false claim, but I will close with these comments. Personally, I work very hard to ensure your tax dollars are used responsibly. Your commissioners’ office and our staff work very hard to make good decisions in a very complex political and financial world. Not everyone agrees with all our decisions and I sometimes would like a redo to be honest. But you never should question my dedication to you, the citizens of Geauga County.
Skip Claypool
Geauga County Commissioner
