Letters to Editor
‘First-Class Mess’
By now, many of you folks may know that logging (forest desecration in reality) has started on the Akron Watershed property abutting LaDue Reservoir. This is only the start of what is likely to be the logging of much of their property in Northeast Ohio.
Many of us have been against this operation for reasons previously noted.
However, if there was any doubt about the promises made by Akron officials, and Division of Forestry (division of tree farming in reality) officials, go see for yourself. Drive down Bartholomew Road, that runs near LaDue, and you will see the desecraters idea of improving a forest, sustainability, preserving water quality, promoting biodiversity, etc.
In reality, what you will see is a first-class mess, a ravaged forest, silt and mud running into Ladue Reservoir.
Shame on those who have paid little property tax on this property over the years. Shame on those who have lied to us. Shame on those who care not about what they have destroyed.
So sad.
John G. Augustine
Parkman Township
Secret Plans?
The closing of the Geauga County Home will be a tremendous loss for our community.
It seems the County Commissioners don’t feel it is necessary to inform us of any future plans for this property. I do not believe that they would simply shut down such an important place for Geauga County, where people are living, without having an alternate use in mind for the site. Obviously someone has a plan.
Keeping this plan a secret from the public can only mean that it won’t benefit the seniors of Geauga County, but will most likely benefit certain individuals. Who will be reaping the rewards of this closing and unknown change? It certainly will not be the average citizen.
Rick Webb
Munson Township
Why?
We should keep the County Home as county property to serve the residents of Geauga County, as originally intended.
Current Geauga County Commissioners have decided to close our Pleasant Hill County Home on Aquilla Road, but no one knows why. I wonder if they paused to consider why their predecessors bought the land and established the County Home in 1839. Commissioners at that time were acting under authority granted to them by the Ohio General Assembly to build “poor houses,” to provide a measure of compassion and dignity for those residents who were in unfortunate circumstances or had fallen on hard times.
Look around, and as the Bible says, the poor are still with us, and there but for fortune go you or me.
I ask Commissioners Lennon, Spidalieri and Claypool to reconsider their puzzling decision in light of the original intent and purpose of the County Home. Why not keep this property in county ownership for the sake of the elderly or possibly those needing residential treatment for addictions.
Geauga County is in the throes of an opioid epidemic and maybe that is the pressing need of the present time.
Kathleen Webb
Munson Township
