LWVG Reaches New Heights
As the retired president of the League of Women Voters of Geauga, I want to commend our new president, Shelly Lewis, who has taken our League to new levels of activity for voters and residents of Geauga County.
She has been instrumental in setting up a website, Facebook page and Observer Core to cover county commissions, departments and agencies.
Under her leadership, LWVG hosted a booth at the Geauga County Fair to meet with residents and explain about the current redistricting process going on at the state level, as required by law following the 2020 census.
Ohio will lose a congressional seat, so a process is underway for a commission to reapportion the remaining 15 districts fairly to assure that all voters’ votes will matter.
Many people stopped by to ask questions, voice their opinions and sign postcards to Gov. DeWine and Secretary of State LaRose about the redistricting process currently underway.
Thank you, Shelly, for all of your hard work this past year and, thank you, too, to all the other Leaguers who are working with Shelly for the civic betterment of our county, state and country.
Rosemary Balazs
Chester Township
Inhumane Events at Fair
I am contacting you in regards to some inhumane events occurring at The Great Geauga County Fair.
As a Geauga and Lake County local, I have been attending the fair for as long as I can remember. Unfortunately, this year, it is apparent that there are some new so-called “shows” being featured, one of which is the “Sea Lion Splash.” This show features Sea Lions performing unnatural activities and behaviors for the sake of entertainment. Besides being kept in a very small tank, they are also being forced to take photos with fair guests.
I am looking to raise awareness of animal cruelty that is occurring right in our backyard. By displaying this type of treatment toward animals, we are showing our local citizens that it is OK to treat animals in such an inhumane way.
This abuse is being disguised as a fun “show,” but in reality, this is an animal’s life.
I am urging those who attend the fair to avoid enabling this behavior to help prevent shows like the “Sea Lion Splash” from returning in the upcoming years.
Catherine Becker
Painesville Township
Geauga Learn Returns
The Geauga Learn Program returned to the Great Geauga County Fair this year for 370 sixth-grade students from Kenston and West Geauga schools.
With the help of many dedicated volunteers, Geauga Learn provided these students with lessons in agriculture, natural resources, Geauga County history and military history.
The Hambden Grange, once again, provided free meals for the students.
Mike Blair from the Fair Board was instrumental to the success of this wonderful educational day at the Fair.
Special thanks to the superintendents and teachers of the Kenston and West Geauga schools, Fair Board, staff from the Geauga County Probate/Juvenile Court, and Sheriff’s Office for being a part of this special program – started over 10 years ago by then-state Rep. (now Judge) Tim Grendell and then-judge (now state Rep.) Diane Grendell.
All in all, it was a great learning opportunity for the kids, and a fun day for all at the Great Geauga County Fair.
Judge Timothy J. Grendell
Geauga County Probate/Juvenile Court
