Letters to the Editor
Conservative, Pragmatist
I am reading a recently published book by two former United States senators entitled “Crisis Point: Why We Must – and How We Can – Overcome Our Broken Politics in Washington and Across America.”
They come together from opposite sides of the political aisle to sound an alarm on the current polarization that has made governing all but impossible; never before has the people’s faith in government been so dismally low.
They state that people come to Washington to try to either be something or do something. Fortunately for the people of Ohio’s 14th Congressional District, I believe our congressman, Dave Joyce, went to Washington to try to do something for our country and region.
I also believe that most Americans are either center left or center right. The demographics of our diverse seven county district epitomizes this belief.
What I have always liked about Dave Joyce is while he deeply believes in conservative principles he is also a pragmatist who recognizes that, at times, people from all political positions must work together for the American people.
A demagogue grabs occasional headlines when espousing extreme positions that attempt to pander to narrow constituencies. However, demagogues rarely get anything accomplished, even if elected.
A leader respects divergent views but never forgets that he was elected to help break the gridlock that often exists in Washington while, at the same time, trying to move this country forward again.
Locally, he has been a leader in trying to protect Lake Erie and the Great Lakes against harmful governmental initiatives including some by the Obama administration.
That is why I continue to support our Congressman Dave Joyce.
Bob Paulson
Bainbridge Township
I Appreciate Your Service, But …
In Ohio, the appointment of township park board members by the county probate judge is governed by Ohio Revised Code Section 1545.05. That law limits the length of each court appointed term to 3 years.
Ohio law does not require reappointment. If the state legislature wanted township park board members to serve for 20 years, the law would provide for longer terms. Indeed, Ohio voters have limited the terms of state legislators to a total of 8 years.
No one person has a monopoly on good ideas. Allowing other township residents the opportunity to participate in their community is a good thing. For that reason, as probate judge, I believe as a general rule, that township park board members should serve no more than two to three terms (6-8 years).
While Russell Township has had these good park board members for 20 years, the township has many good and qualified residents who also can provide leadership for the township’s excellent park system. Bestowing lifetime or 20 plus year tenure on a select few park board members precludes such broader township resident participation.
Moreover, it is appropriate to include at least one woman on the Russell Township Park Board, which has included only men since the last millennium.
I really appreciate Mr. Ries’ 20 plus years of service on the Russell Park Board, but it is time to give another hard working Russell Township resident the opportunity to serve the community.
Timothy J. Grendell
Geauga County Probate Judge
An Asset if Elected
I am writing in response to comments in an editorial and letters written regarding Linda O’Brien.
What I know about Linda O’Brien is that she is a doer. She has hosted a fundraiser for Rescue Village. She has helped to feed the homeless.
This past summer, she organized Liberty Camp for children in grades 1-6. She is now organizing Liberty Camp 2016 at Camp Chickigami this summer.
It is in her heart to make things better and she works very hard to accomplish this. I am sure she will be an asset in her position on the Russell Park Board.
She will also be an asset if elected to the State of Ohio Republican Central Committee for District 18. Vote for Linda O’Brien on March 15.
Debra Lieberman
Bainbridge Township
Honest and Hard-Working
I would like to express my support for the re-election of Sharon Gingerich for Recorder.
I have known Sharon for approximately 16 years. She has been a member of the Republican Central Committee, had worked for a local news service, a local attorney and has served the residents of Geauga County as Recorder for the past seven and a half years. I have known her to be an honest and hard-working person.
She has proven herself to be a progressive elected official by implementing E-Recording in the Recorders Office. This saves time and money by eliminating paper and not having any bounced checks when filing a mortgage.
As of Nov. 20, 2015, she has issued over 1,000 veterans ID cards, working together with the Veterans Services Commission.
She had started the Century Farm Program, recognizing the owners of farms which have been in their families for over 100 years.
In conjunction with the Probate Court and the Geauga County Bar Association, in 2012, she started the Good Deeds Program, personally reviewing over 30,000 deeds for residents. The purpose of the program is to get landowners to look at their deeds and take care of their estate matters before losing a loved one. The program will be continuing on March 7, 9 and 10 as Good Deeds Week.
Sharon Gingerich works well with all of the elected county officials. She and I serve on the Microfilm Board, Records Commission and ADP Board together. She has Geauga County’s best interest at heart and I believe she deserves another four years to serve the Residents of Geauga County.
I am proud to call her my friend and colleague.
Denise M. Kaminski
Geauga County Clerk of Courts
“Just Dave” is No Choice
“Just Dave,” the Establishment Republican primary candidate for District 14, is just the not the person to represent constituents’ values and needs.
We need strong, principled leadership in District 14 and Matt Lynch can provide it.
No establishment politician seriously addresses our security and economic messes such as unsecure boarders, low job growth and financial fears of senior citizens. There are 90 million able bodied people out of work and over $18 trillion in debt. It is the Obama economy.
The U.S. House of Representatives also owns this mess. The House is supposed to control how money is spent.
Dave Joyce voted for the trillion dollar Omnibus Bill, funding Obama’s illegal amnesty program and adding $112 billion to the deficit.
Dave has voted to raise the national debt limit six times, yet sadly our military power grows weaker while our adversaries are modernizing at a faster pace. The last eight years are a disgrace.
We are looking for a real choice, someone who has been among us and with us, someone who is not with the status quo Establishment and someone who is strong, articulate and not influenced by the ruling class. In District 14, that person is Matt Lynch.
Lynch is the real deal, someone who represents us and reality, not the mythical conservative establishment Dave Joyce. We need someone to speak and work for us. That person is Matt Lynch.
Bill Winans
Newbury Township
Library Approves Poker
The Geauga County Public Library board has approved using vacant tables at their Chardon location for poker games on a trial basis. The board made the move citing the need to get the maximum use of tables and to take advantage of the quiet as it is required during intense card games. The move was made to support the library’s mission of “meeting the changing needs of a diverse community.”
Of course, THIS NEWS IS NOT TRUE and unlikely to happen unless the library board was assembled by a single public official who enjoyed poker and he picked board members who thought poker should be played anywhere.
Fortunately, four of the library’s board members are appointed by county commissioners and three by common pleas judges which should help prevent something crazy from happening. Those appointed appear to be dedicated to protecting and enriching the library resources available to Geauga County residents.
Perhaps a similar approach to selecting leadership would work for the Geauga County Parks.
Barry Jereb
Bainbridge Township
