Letters to Editor
An Insult to Citizenry
I have just received a flyer from our most honorable Judge Grendell, paid for by our taxes I’m sure, and am just flabbergasted by the the absolute lack of “honor” and integrity contained in the words within.
We are invited to come have “coffee and donuts” — repeated several times throughout as if this is somehow lacking in the diet of the citizen and its repetition will draw everyone in.
But the coffee and donuts are just the precursor to having a chat and telling the judge “your views on our parks.” If I’m not mistaken, there was a survey put out in the spring that over 1,600 people replied to, in which citizens gave their “view on our parks.” The same survey that has been unilaterally ignored because citizens responded that they would like to see our parks “preserved, conserved and protected” rather than turned into an amusement park.
Every month many citizens attend the park board meetings to attempt to voice their “views on our parks” and give suggestions about what they would “like about the parks and what (they) would like to see more of.” These citizens are begrudgingly given a modicum of time at the beginning of each meeting, with no response required from the board to address the issues brought up. Perhaps Judge Grendell would like to bring his coffee and donuts there and listen to the citizens.
And finally, we are reminded that, yet again, we will have a new face on the board. This announcement on the heels of Mr. Orndorff’s dismissal, after only seven months. I know of no better way to break the continuity of knowledge of how a board works or what is vital to the parks than to constantly change board members.
In addition, it is a definite way to make sure the board always has someone that will parrot the views of the court.
To treat the citizens of the county — who own the parks and who have repeatedly stated their opinions, both with their vote on continuing levies and in words on surveys and petitions, that we want our parks to remain what they have been for the past 54 years — as unintelligent sheep that will follow anyone who continues to repeat the same mantra of “recreation, recreation, recreation” (not to mention coffee and donuts) is beyond insulting.
Anyone who does not “honor” the opinion of the citizens over his own does not deserve to be in such a position, be that judge or protector of our parks.
Ani Karetka
Hambden Township
Amish Not to Blame
To the Amish families and Community Members of the Cardinal Local School District:
Unfortunately, an article posted in the Maple Leaf on Oct. 22, 2015, discussing our third-grade reading scores was upsetting to many in the community. Specifically, the article inaccurately described district personnel as blaming our Amish students as the cause for low reading scores.
The article describes a community member stating concern about low test scores. In fact, 80 percent of the students taking that test passed. There were only 14 students in the grade that were below proficiency standards. Of those 14, only three were Amish students. I would not describe our scores as low.
I don’t believe that the article accurately describes the care we take with all of our students. I sincerely apologize that this has offended so many and hope this will help to describe more accurately what is happening in the district.
My door is always open. Please don’t hesitate to contact me directly at 440-632-0261 ext. 1000.
Dr. Scott J. Hunt, Superintendent
Cardinal Local Schools
Editor’s Note: The Maple Leaf stands by the accuracy of its reporting in the story, “Preston Questions Cardinal’s Third-Grade Reading Scores.” First, however, nowhere in the article does the Maple Leaf reporter suggest, infer or imply that district personnel blamed Amish students as the cause for low reading scores.
Following a discussion that took place in the Oct. 14 board meeting between Superintendent Scott Hunt and former board member Alan Preston regarding the reading scores, Treasurer Merry Lou Knuckles said: “Well, also, two factors that we have here at Cardinal that you don’t have at Ledgemont and Newbury that you also have to take into consideration, particularly from kindergarten through third grade, is the Amish population. The Amish population will affect those grades.”
Knuckles added Cardinal has a larger number of special needs children. Each year when the tests are taken, if, for example, there are 100 special needs children taking the tests, the district can only exempt 10 of the students. “So, their scores, whether they comprehend the test or not, have to be included with the others.”
Knuckles then reiterated that Ledgemont and Newbury did not have those “outside factors that are affecting those grades.”
The treasurer told Preston she was not using those factors as an excuse or blaming the scores on anybody. Instead, she mentioned those factors as an explanation for the reading scores.
Worthwhile Endeavor
Special thanks to Bob Sage and Sage’s Fruit Farm in Chardon for their generous donation of apples for the Kenston Red Ribbon Celebration.
The Sage Family represents the good in our county.
The Red Ribbon program teaches young students about the dangers of unlawful drug use. This year’s theme is “Respect Yourself — Be Drug Free.”
Mary Alice Bell, from Ravenwood Mental Health Center, Bethany Matthews, from Geauga County Board of Mental Health and Recovery Services, Matt Petersen, from Lake/Geauga Recovery Centers, and Ann Mlinar, from the Geauga County Juvenile Court, did a great job in planning and facilitating this year’s program.
D.A.R.E. officers Brian Reardon, of Bainbridge Police Department as well as Roy Lundstrom of the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office deserves recognition for their ongoing commitment to teaching students the dangers of unlawful drug use.
The Kenston Intermediate School fifth-grade Cchorus, under the direction of Mrs. Kathleen Bowers, rocked the gym with their energetic singing.
And, of course, thank you to the many parents who took the time to support their children in this worthwhile endeavor.
Judge Timothy J. Grendell
Geauga County Juvenile Court
