‘Twas the Night Before Christmas
Twas the night before Christmas,
And all through our town,
Empty school buildings sat,
On the cold frozen ground.
The children were scattered
At different county schools,
Since former school board members
Had acted like fools.
Then out on the school top,
Two drones had just landed,
The “Task Force” appeared
Near the buildings abandoned.
They were angry and sad,
This didn’t seem nice,
Their plans crumbled quickly
About buying land…twice!
The West Geauga Board
Had hired a team,
To verify the numbers
From the Task Force it seemed.
The dollars were different,
The cost much much higher,
To demolish the buildings
And then find a buyer.
But this didn’t sway them
Not one little bit,
The Task Force got angry,
And then threw a fit.
“Not Fair!” they would say
“Your numbers – off base”!
But we all knew the truth,
And their scheme…a disgrace.
The NHS President,
Ran for Newbury Trustee,
But she was defeated
It was easy to see.
The township’s not stupid,
They remembered the lies,
They didn’t get fooled,
As their taxes did rise.
Incumbents are back
But one learned a lesson,
His margin had narrowed,
He squeaked by this election.
But now, as the buildings
Sit dormant and cold,
With no kids within them,
The properties sold.
It’s Christmas in Newbury
Elections are done,
We should all be with family,
Give thanks and have fun.
My wish for all citizens
On this cold winter’s night?
Merry Christmas to all,
And to all a good night!
Phil Paradise Jr.
Newbury Township
Public Service, A Genuine Reward
It is with a humble, and very grateful heart, that I bid you adieu from my role as your public servant.
When I became an Assistant Geauga County Prosecutor in 1992, I couldn’t have begun to imagine where the path would lead. I represented many county offices, but above all, my first love grew to be my township clients. I learned from the brightest and worked with the best.
Moving on from that position yielded me the opportunity to serve on our township’s zoning commission and then our board of zoning appeals, with a stretch on our county’s planning commission as well. These all culminated with the last 12 years as one of your township trustees. I thank you all for your wonderful support, encouragement and communication during all of these years.
Public service is not an easy endeavor, but it’s one of the most rewarding experiences that I’ve been blessed to know. My children grew up in this wonderful community knowing that there are days when the phone never stops ringing, and times when people call you very not-so-nice names.
They knew when the phone rings in the early morning hours or very late at night, and the call is from a first responder chief, it won’t be good news.
They learned that paving and plowing local roads, and the size, use or appearance of buildings on property can generate very strong emotions. They heard the words “Ohio Revised Code” way more than any child should.
And, they saw how we at the township level work with one another: listening, asking, brain-storming, exploring ideas outside the box, seeking your input — how all of these people and all of these ideas flow in directions that enhance our home. Our township.
My fellow elected officials, our department heads, our employees and our incredible volunteer board members take great pride in working for you. I’m sure I’m biased, but I kinda’ think we’ve got the best crop of people there could be. I thank them all from the bottom of my heart for the service they provide to you: for the unending hours, the hurdles and problems that you never hear about, the attention to detail that drives service above self. Ya’ got good people, Bainbridge, and I love every one of them.
Thank you all for the chance to serve you. I wish you continued success as this amazing township is presented with new challenges, new promises, new successes, and both the new, and well-seasoned, residents who call Bainbridge Township our home.
And about that course of public service — it’s a genuine reward, in and of itself.
Lorrie Sass Benza
Outgoing Bainbridge Township Trustee
