Letters to the Editor
December 1, 2022 by Submitted

Corrosive Movement

The Geauga County Tea Party recently distributed a flyer to its members asking all moral, patriotic parents who love their children to attend the Nov. 28, 2022, Chardon Board of Education meeting in support of Todd Albright.

In the recent past, Mr. Albright targeted female students as to their clothing choices (“areolas” and “bustiers”) and created a video which gave the impression that his personal opinions were those of the board of education’s. Without any evidence, he also alleged that a Chardon teacher presented “obscene” information to students.

The Chardon Board of Education rightly censured Mr. Albright’s behavior in September for violating the board’s bylaws, policies and procedures. The board also recommended an education class for Mr. Albright as to a board member’s responsibilities.

The Tea Party’s flyer gives the impression that the Tea Party and Mr. Albright are acting from a unique platform of morality and patriotism. ALL Chardon citizens and parents, it is assumed, are motivated and acting from a foundation of morality and patriotism, plus a vested interest in the best education for their children.

Of course, any Chardon resident or parent can voice any opinion as to a board member’s actions at a board meeting.

When any organization or individual comes to the public forum coveting their monopoly on morality and patriotism, and stereotyping those who disagree as “liberal,” the community needs to be wary and respond to that corrosive movement. Corrosive to representative democracy, corrosive to respectful public dialogue and corrosive to the future of the high level of educational excellence in Chardon Schools.

Sheldon and Patricia Firem, Hambden Township
Judson and Beverly Elliott, Chardon Township
Sara Haueter, Chardon
Rebecca Bennett, Chardon
Kim Greene, Chardon Township
Madelon Horvath, Chardon City
John Fitts, Chester Township
Nicole Meyer, Chardon Parent, Chardon
Laura and Tom Sterlekar, Chardon Township
Cheryl Sekura, Hambden Township
Janice and Clyde Evans, Russell Township
Dan and Nancy Best, Chardon City
Dave and Barbara Partington, Munson Township
Kathleen and Rick Webb, Munson Township
Carolyn Morrow, Chardon
Rosalind Kvet, Parent and Educator, Chardon

Editor’s Note: In the print edition, this letter was submitted with the incorrect names Laura and Tom Albright as signers. The correct names are Laura and Tom Sterlekar, of Chardon Township.

Is Support Deeper than a Sign?

Here in Northeast Ohio I see lots of those “thin blue line” signs indicating, I assume, support for the safety forces. Question is, is their support any deeper than putting up a sign?

For many retired police and fire individuals, that thin blue line has turned into a great big shaft. For many in the safety forces, while they were working, they were not allowed to pay into Social Security or Medicare. They had no choice but to pay into the Police and Fire  Disability and Pension Fund.

To my knowledge, since its inception, this fund has covered medical coverage for retirees similar to Medicare, but about three years ago the fund decided not to cover the equivalent of Medicare for hundreds of retirees over 65 years old. Basically, these folks now have to pay the full cost of Medicare, around $8,000 per year, out of their meager pensions — or do without any medical insurance.

The last time I checked the Ohio Police and Fire Fund was the only one of the six public pension funds in Ohio to treat literally hundreds of retirees this way as second-class citizens. The other funds have stated to me that they cover the equivalent of Medicare for retirees that do not have enough Social Security or Medicare credits.

Police and fire individuals die 10 years sooner than other typical Ohio citizens on average. They deserve to be treated as retirees better than others, but would settle for being treated at least as good as the worst of the other six pension funds regarding health care.

The Police and Fire Pension Fund is presently supporting a bill in the Ohio House (HB512) that would require employers of the safety forces to increase their contributions to the fund. I am opposing this bill unless it is amended to require the fund to cover the equivalent of Medicare for retired individuals who do not have enough credits for Social Security or Medicare. If you really support the thin blue line perhaps you should contact your Ohio House rep and Ohio senator and urge them to join me. Likely they will be shortly holding hearings on HB512. You are encouraged to testify, as I will.

Police officers and/or fire personnel in many cities are retiring or resigning in droves because the jobs are dangerous, difficult and officers are often are not well supported. Cleveland Police, for example, has hundreds of openings they have not been able to fill with competent personnel.

Unless the safety forces are treated better, we will get more individuals in these jobs that like to be bullies, kneel on people’s necks and get enjoyment hiding around corners waiting to give tickets to folks that may not come to an absolute complete stop at stop signs. Not a good sign for the future. So sad.

John G. Augustine
Parkman Township

Failed Newbury Community

This letter goes out to Newbury Trustee Bill Skomrock and his “select” committee of good ole’ boys and good ole’ girls.

You blew it! Newbury could have had a great community center and township offices in the former Newbury Schools intermediate building.

You and your handpicked committee went into the talks with West Geauga with preconceived ideas and were not willing to change  your thoughts and negotiate.

For over two years, you had a chance to save that building and make it a great community asset. Now that building is a pile of rubble.

Don’t try to blame West Geauga for your failure. You failed this community.
I will not forget your actions in the next election and I hope others in Newbury feel the same.

Wally Waldbauer
Newbury Township

Thank You Voters

On behalf of the local youth and the adults using our facilities, the members of the West Geauga Community Joint Recreation District Board (a.k.a. The Commons) would like to thank the voters for passage of our renewal levy at last month’s election. This will enable us to continue to maintain the soccer and baseball fields, playground, volleyball and basketball courts, walking trails and pavilion for the next five years.

The Commons Board
Evan Byrum, Ed Curtis, Frank Formicelli, John Gromek, Rick Izant, Linda Palchick, Greg Poe, Sara Sustin