Vote Frank Hall for District 76 State Rep
I have to be honest when I heard current Chardon High School teacher and football coach Frank Hall was running for political office I was surprised. When I think of Frank, words like integrity, honor, bravery, commitment, sacrifice and humility come to mind among others. These are words not typically associated with most politicians, especially in these tumultuous times.
Most people reading this letter are somewhat familiar with Frank Hall and his history, but not the whole story. Frank and his amazing wife Ashley, currently a dedicated social worker, have adopted nine children who have the opportunity to live a normal life thanks to their incredible sacrifice.
He is most known for his action on Feb. 27, 2012. On that horrific day, he put the safety of the hundreds of students at Chardon High ahead of his own personal safety, a true sign of honor and bravery.
I personally am thankful he was there and chose to do what most normal people would never do, confront an armed killer. Both my daughters were in the building that day and who knows what might have happened had he not been there.
Because of Frank’s humility, he would probably not be happy that I am bringing this up. I believe his personal sacrifice shows his caring for his fellow man. These are the values we need in our politicians today, someone who will go to Columbus and serve his constituents, and drive policy that benefits those in Geauga and Portage counties — unlike the current politicians who serve only their own personal agendas and do what is best for them.
If you live in the 76th Ohio House District, I implore you to learn more about what Frank believes and support him in any way you can. Visit www.frankhallforohio.com to see how Frank plans to serve those in the district.
Terry Hegner
Hambden Township
Fair Decisions? Grendell?
It seems that virtually every letter to the editor promoting Judge Grendell comes from his honor’s employees, past employees or folks who have some vested economic interest in promoting the good judge. The latest is from Laura Cooke, an apparent past employee of the good judge at the probate court. It deserves a response.
As far as I know, none of us folks who are supporters of Protect Geauga Parks (protectgeaugaparks.us) have any economic interest in criticizing the judge’s actions. Criticizing the good judge typically has negative repercussions to the critic. Check out our website.
One might well wonder if the huge raises and bloated salaries the good judge pays to some of his employees (our tax dollars, of course) are paid with the understanding that they will promote him and contribute to this reelection campaigns. Check their salaries and see how they compare with employees of other similarly sized probate courts.
Ms. Cooke states his decisions have “always been fair.” Was it a fair decision for him to get into fights with the past and present auditor and county commissioners, with jail threats emanating from the good judge?
Was it a fair decision for Judge Grendell to appoint people as park commissioners who essentially have shown no past interest in parks, natural areas or conservation?
Was it a fair decision for him to appoint Mr. Johnston as a past park commissioner knowing that he was running for county commissioner and would have to resign as park commissioner if he won his election? Seems the real goal was publicity for Mr. Johnston, photos and the like in the park newsletter and other mailings to help his election bid.
Was it a fair decision for him to fire any park commissioners who by chance did evidence some concern for protecting endangered species?
Was it a fair decision of the good judge to plaster his photo in every park newsletter to gain publicity for himself?
Was it a fair decision for the good judge to allow the purchase of two large parcels by the park district at prices vastly over the appraised value?
We citizens are facing a “Y” in the road this March. March 17 is the primary election here in Ohio. Tim Grendell and Matthew Rambo will be the only two folks vying for the probate court judgeship on the Republican ballot. Whoever wins will be the next probate judge, as no opponent will be on the November ballot. So, the winner in March will be unopposed in November.
If you wish an opportunity to have your voice heard on this matter, you need to request a Republican ballot on March 17. A Democratic or Independent ballot will not give you that opportunity.
One path of the “Y” will lead to more wasteful spending, like $100,000-plus plastic climbing walls and $1,000,000-plus remodeling of the Nassau Observatory that did not allow the observatory dome to turn to all areas of the sky — and still does not enable disabled folks to actually look through the Nassau telescope.
That road will mean a probate judge who uses tax dollars for his own publicity and, thus, his own benefit.
The other path will mean bringing back honor to the probate court the likes of which Judge Henry aspired to and demonstrated during his many years in office.
Which path we take is up to you on March 17, so please do make your voice heard.
John G. Augustine
Parkman Township
Problem with EdChoice
At our last meeting, Chardon Schools Board of Education approved a resolution opposing EdChoice. It’s important that our community understand this legislation and the reason we oppose it.
The problem is the way it’s funded.
Here’s how it works. Generally, it costs about $11,000 per year to educate one student in Chardon. Of that amount, the State of Ohio contributes approximately $1,200; our local taxpayers pay the rest.
EdChoice vouchers cost $4,650 per student for grades K-8 and $6,000 per student for grades 9-12 per year. The difference — $3,450 for elementary and $4,800 for high school — would come out of our district’s own dollars. In other words, our local taxpayers would be paying for any students in our district who choose to go to parochial or private schools, like Hawken.
At this point, Chardon is not affected by this legislation because the voucher is based on the report card. One grade of “D” or “F” on one element of the report card in one year puts a district on the list.
We believe this is unfair in many, many ways. Throughout the state, in just one year the number of eligible districts has increased by 422 percent, affecting more than 70 percent of districts in the state because of changes to this law.
Vouchers threaten districts’ ability to serve their remaining students and jeopardize the quality of those students’ educational experiences. Public school districts are held to high standards and accountability, unlike many private schools that do not have to use the same state tests to assess student achievement and can determine their own enrollment and admission policies.
There is a reason this country created public education. It is to give all of our kids an equal chance. Public schools already provide busing to private schools and many other mandated supports — more subsidies than most other states. This will even give money to students who have never been enrolled in their local public school.
The legislature is looking to amend this legislation in the next couple of weeks to deal with some of these inequities. It’s called the Dolan Amendment. Please contact your state senator (John Eklund, District 18, for most of Chardon schools) and ask them to support this amendment. Tell them to stop draining funds from public school budgets. Tell them to stop funneling taxpayer dollars to private and parochial schools. Tell them it’s time to stop undermining Ohio’s system of public education, where every child is accepted and educated. You can find contact information for state legislators at ohio.gov.
Madelon Horvath, President
Chardon Schools Board of Education
Enough is Enough
Enough of Judge Tim Grendell’s use of our public money for blatant self-promotion shenanigans. Why are we paying to have his photo on local diner placemats, on church bulletins and on every piece of Geauga Park District literature meant to advertise park and nature programs?
Is this why the court budget for expenditures has increased over $1 million, according to the court’s own annual reports, since 2011?
Enough using our public money to publish “Quarterly Newsletters,” costing well over $50,000 mailed to all residents, filled with outdated quotes, self-aggrandizing articles and information easily found on the court’s own website.
Enough using our public money to pay for the big blue signs ($800) that have graced our county since April 2019 that say SAVE MONEY – FREE over the judge’s name, as if he is giving away candy at a carnival.
Enough using public dollars to, in essence, fund a perpetual political campaign. He can do that on his own dime, not on ours.
And, while I’m at it, enough yelling at people — at a policeman, at other public officials, at his own staff and even at myself.
Enough already.
We need a judge who is fiscally responsible and has a judicial temperament both on and off the bench.
We need a judge we can be proud of.
Vote for Matthew Rambo for Geauga County Probate/Juvenile Court Judge (R) in the March 17 Primary Election.
Barb Partington
Munson Township
