Those Who Foot the Bill Ask the Questions
The League of Women Voters of Geauga (LWVG) believes citizens have a right to know what their government bodies are doing, for what reason and at what cost.
The Geauga Park District recently exercised its right under ORC 1545.07 to hire its own Treasurer, thereby forgoing the FREE accounting and financial services provided to the GPD by the elected County Auditor and Treasurer. To be crystal clear, taxpayers already pay county personnel to provide fiscal services to the various county departments and agencies.
Under the GPD’s new arrangement, the county retains control over annual budget approval. However, day-to-day oversight of accounting and financial transactions moves from the locally elected County Auditor to the State Auditor in Columbus. The GPD should explain how this arrangement benefits taxpayers.
As to why the GPD made this decision, nowhere in their 2020 meeting minutes do we see complaints or discussion about county services. There is no deliberation in open session about the need to self-manage fiscal operations. It is completely unclear why, after exiting the Executive Session during their Dec. 18, 2020, meeting, the GPD passed a resolution to advertise for a Treasurer. The GPD should explain its rationale — and its deliberation process.
Although we don’t know what the total cost will be to provide the GPD with all of the accounting and financial services that county employees now provide for FREE, we do know the GPD’s new Treasurer is costing taxpayers an extra $69,014.40 plus benefits that they were not paying before. The GPD should provide justification for the extra burden to taxpayers.
LWVG believes those who foot the bill get to ask the questions. To that end, we have offered to host a public forum where constituents can engage productively on this topic with their government leaders. Follow us at www.lwvgeauga.org for updates.
Shelly Lewis, President
League of Women Voters of Geauga
Liberty and Justice for ALL
Mr. Joyce, thank you for following your conscience and the U.S. Constitution in voting ‘yes’ to investigate the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at and in the U.S. Capitol. Others may disagree and think otherwise. Others may truly incorrectly believe that a congressman must remain true to the Republican Party or the Democratic Party, ignoring his oath to the U.S. Constitution.
If any political party requires that an elected representative must always follow its directives that party’s loyalty is dangerously corrosive to our representative democracy. The U.S. Constitution is the ‘prime directive’ for elected representatives in America.
The fact that we pay you a salary does not require that you leave your judgement and conscience on the steps of the Capitol and vote the party line.
The Jan. 6 investigation is absolutely needed. You are correct. We cannot just get on with our lives as long our democracy is threatened. An investigation will cost money. Not to worry. Every American soldier in every national cemetery has paid the ultimate price to preserve our representative democracy.
Citizens ideally vote for the democratic principles embedded in the U.S. Constitution, not for a political platform. Elected representatives ideally vote for liberty and justice for all, not a political party.
Sheldon Firem
Hambden Township
Joyce Letter
I found it distressing to read the open letter to Congressman Dave Joyce published in your June 24 edition. The letter is based upon a fallacy. While the author states that “anyone with half a brain could see right through this sham of an election,” the reality is that President Biden’s election was legitimate. It is deeply troubling that, without any credible evidence supporting this conclusion, so many people have chosen to believe the rigged election narrative created by President Trump.
In response to the election fraud claims, state and federal courts (some with judges appointed by Trump) dismissed over 50 lawsuits challenging the election results. None of them found any evidence of election fraud.
Moreover, numerous state election officials and governors, many of them Republicans, have defended the election process as fair and legitimate.
Last week a Republican-controlled Michigan state senate committee issued a report concluding that there was no evidence of widespread fraud in the election and asking the Michigan Attorney General to consider investigating some of the persons who pressed false claims of fraud “to raise money or publicity for their own ends.”
In addition, former United States Attorney General William Barr, a staunch ally of Trump, said in December of 2020 that there was “no evidence of widespread voter fraud that could change the outcome of the 2020 election.”
And, just this week in a recorded interview for an article in “The Atlantic” written by Jon Karl, Barr stated as follows:
“My attitude was: It was put-up or shut-up time. If there was evidence of fraud, I had no motive to suppress it. But my suspicion all the way along was that there was nothing there. It was all b— s—.”
Finally, in states where recounts were conducted, nothing changed the results. Trump’s lawyer Rudy Giuliani has been suspended from the practice of law for making “demonstrably false and misleading statements” about the election and Dominion Voting (whose machines were used in 28 states) sued Fox News, Giuliani and others for spreading false conspiracy theories about their machines.
Those who continue to promote this election sham fallacy do so based upon unproven conspiracy theories. We have heard about the rigged voting machines, the Italian satellite, the quest to find evidence of bamboo in AZ election ballots and the purported thousands of anecdotal stories of fraud (if you’re interested, watch the video of the pitiful testimony by a Michigan election worker seeking to make the case).
It is hard to understand how people can accept these conspiracy theories. To do so demonstrates a complete lack of trust and confidence in the state election process, the representations and conclusions of our elected and appointed officials, and the fairness of our judicial system.
Amid this rancor and disinformation Dave Joyce had the courage to tell his constituents the truth about the election results. He also voted for the Jan. 6 commission that was designed to create an independent bipartisan commission to study the events of Jan. 6 so we can understand what happened and avoid it from happening in the future.
The Jan. 6 insurrection was a fundamental challenge to the basic pillar of our democracy; that the people decide who governs them and power is transferred peacefully. To sweep it under the rug or dismiss it as one congressman did as just another group of tourists visiting the capital is wrong and short-sighted.
Congress and the public should understand fully what happened that day, the contributing factors, which individuals and organizations incited and participated in the attack on the capitol, how the administration reacted, and why the Capitol Police were so unprepared.
Dave Joyce was elected to represent the people, not the Republican party, and he took an oath to support and defend Constitution. Being honest about the results of the election and voting for the Jan. 6 commission were actions that are consistent with his oath.
Congressman Joyce conducted himself with honor and integrity and he should be supported for his actions.
John Fitts
Chester Township
Support Chester Police Levy
Recently, I have had the occasion to speak with several residents about the current fiscal state of the police department. As I responded to their questions, they seemed surprised with my answers and suggested that I share this information with all of you.
The operation of the Chester Township Police Department is 100% funded by your tax dollars. This has been the objective established by the Board of Trustees: To have each individual department “live within their own means.” We receive no annual supplemental revenue from the township and it has been this way for several decades now.
After much research, discussion and deliberation, the board of trustees recently approved a 0.5-mil levy to be placed on this November’s ballot for your police department. This levy would generate approximately $205,000 annually, which amounts to $17.50 annually per $100,000 of market value, $1.46 per month. For a $300,000 home, this levy would cost a property owner less than $5 per month.
It is a FACT the Chester Township Police Department in 2009 recommended reducing the millage of a police renewal levy from 2.44 mils to 1.77 mils. Over the past 12 years, this millage reduction has saved Chester taxpayers more than $1,800,000.
It is a FACT our state legislature, in order to balance the state budget, has reduced financial support to county and local governments across the state. These changes resulted in an annual loss to our department of approximately $47,000 per year, which over the years amounts to a loss in funding of approximately $437,000.
It is a FACT that for the Chester Police Department there has been no request for a tax increase in 19 years.
We have achieved this record of fiscal discipline by managing staffing levels, contracting with the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office to provide dispatching services and prolonging the longevity of our cars and equipment. We have a duty to be fiscally responsible with your tax dollars and I believe our record reflects that effort.
Without one-time support from the Board of Trustees using CARES Act funds to cover wages, the police department would be in an even greater and more urgent state of need.
This fall I will be asking you to approve a new 0.5-mil levy for your police department. This levy is about timing and about planning for our future. This proposed increase does not add more staff; its purpose is to add longevity to our agency and maintain the quality men and women that we currently employee.
As Police Chief, I also have a responsibility to plan for the future in serving our residents and will not compromise the expected level of service from our professional and dedicated law enforcement officers each of you deserve as a resident of our community.
You, the residents of Chester Township, have always been there to support your police department and this November I will be asking for your support with this levy.
Thank you for your time, consideration and loyal support of your police department. If you have questions, I can be reached at 440-729-1239.
Mark A. Purchase
Chief of Police
Praying
I read your article regarding the LGBTQ flag being stolen from Mayfield UCC church property. I think they should also have flags to invite adulterers, murders, robbers and blasphemers. A church should be open and inviting to all sinners. This is the place for all people to realize their individual sins and be led to repentance. Who among us is without sin?
This church needs to teach God’s law through the gospel. If this is their intent, may God bless this congregation abundantly. If it is condoning a particular sin, homosexuality, I feel they are preaching a false gospel.
It is the duty of a church to teach righteousness. I pray this is the case at Mayfield UCC.
Margaret Duffies
Bainbridge Township
