Letters to the Editor
Experience and Knowledge in Newbury
How lucky I was several years ago to be elected to the Newbury Board of Education. As a rookie, I joined four highly experienced school board members, including Richard Endres.
During my four years working with Rick, I saw firsthand the background and dedication he brought to the many tasks put before us — all of his experience working for the benefit of the citizens of Newbury.
In fact, we in Newbury were so impressed with Rick’s abilities that we reelected him again for another term.
Now Rick has decided to bring his experience and knowledge to the position of Newbury Township Trustee. Again, Rick’s background in finance will serve us all well as he uses our tax dollars wisely and carefully.
Rick’s ability to see a project through to completion will result in our pride as the details of each new site enhances our township.
Rick’s innovative ideas and perspectives regarding Newbury’s assets will improve our community for the benefit of all.
This year we are all lucky to be able to vote for Richard Endres for Newbury Township Trustee. Let’s put Rick’s experience to work for us.
Sue Nelson
Newbury Township
Keep Newbury Schools
In 2010, we lived in Euclid. We decided to look for a safe community with a good school for our kids — and we found Newbury.
As I sit and listen to people complain about the school district (and board), and say, “It’s time,” I have a few questions for you.
Have you ever lived in another school district that had severely depressed schools and still had to send your children to them? Have you ever had to send your children to school every day and worry about their safety? Have you ever sent your children to school where they had 35+ kids in every class and your child was just a number?
Well, I have and Newbury is far better for educating children than any big school out there.
The “It’s Time” people keep saying how high our taxes are and how they will go down if we merged with another school. Do you honestly think if you send our students to another school, that district isn’t going to come back in two or three years and ask for a levy?
There is no long-term solution for decreasing taxes. You’re very naive if you believe low taxes are a given.
We are so grateful that we found this school family. I am looking forward to the day I have grandkids that go to Newbury.
Keep Newbury Schools —Vote Arnold, Kolenic, Mansfield for school board.
Christine Walker
Newbury Township
Vested Residents in Chardon Schools
My wife, Keri, and I write this letter with hopes that our show of support will encourage our neighbors and community members to vote in favor of the Chardon Schools’ 3.9-mil operating levy.
Though my wife and I don’t have children in Chardon Schools, we are proud, vested residents who understand excellent schools are an integral part of a successful community.
Chardon is a highly-ranked school system today, but given state cutbacks to communities like Chardon, continuing that lofty status will be very difficult. These cutbacks are estimated to be around $1 million per year. Without a new operating levy, the fiscal situation for the schools will be dire.
I am a graduate of Chardon and one of my biggest fears is to see our schools and community regress. I want my school system to remain among the best in the county and indeed the state.
We are proud of the forward momentum of our schools, but it is up to us to keep moving our schools and community forward. Please join us in supporting and do your part by voting for this levy.
Kevin C. Ash
Ash’s Mayfield Window Cleaning Co.
Chardon
No One Above the Law
Kneeling during the playing of our National Anthem violates federal law.
Title 36 United States Code Section 301 clearly states:
“During a rendition of the national anthem —
(1) when the flag is displayed —
(A) individuals in uniform should give the military salute at the first note of the anthem and maintain that position until the last note;
(B) members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute in the manner provided for individuals in uniform; and
(C) all other persons present should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart, and men not in uniform, if applicable, should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart …”
No one is above the law, including professional athletes.
Judge Timothy J. Grendell
Geauga County Juvenile/Probate Court
‘Take Back Your Neighborhood’
We would like to think that we, the voters, choose our politicians. However, in Ohio, it’s actually the other way around. The politicians are choosing their voters.
It’s called gerrymandering. It’s the process of drawing political districts with the intent of manipulating votes.
It doesn’t account for neighborhoods, or towns, or even city lines. Your next-door neighbor, who attends the same church and shops at the same grocery store, could very well be in different congressional district.
If you need evidence, look at Marcia Fudge’s 11th District on a map. It snakes through Northeast Ohio with no regard for community.
Look at Marcy Kaptur’s sprawling 9th District. These districts were not drawn to bring neighborhoods together; they were drawn to manipulate the numbers.
So, what can you do about it? Check out the proposed Bipartisan Congressional Redistricting Reform Amendment. This Amendment will take redistricting out of the ruling party’s hands and move it to a bipartisan committee.
After the next census, the districts will be redrawn fairly. The districts will be drawn to reflect communities, not politicians’ preferences.
For more information, check out www.fairdistrictsohio.org/.
If you would like to sign the petition to bring about redistricting reform, please email GeaugaDemocrats@gmail.com or call 440-669-6062.
Another option, simply drive up to Geauga County Democratic Headquarters, 12420 Kinsman Road, Newbury Township, on Saturday, Oct. 7 anytime between noon and 5 p.m. Volunteers will be collecting signatures in the parking lot. You don’t even have to get out of your car.
Do you think representatives should be able to choose their voters? Or should voters choose their representatives?
Take back your neighborhood and make your voice heard!
Nicole Mulloy
Russell Township
Control of Russell Park
Russell Township voters, let’s put Russell Township parks in the control of Russell residents!
On the Nov. 7 ballot, we will have the opportunity to vote to establish public parks that will be governed by Chapter 511 of the Ohio Revised Code.
Under Chapter 511, the park commissioners who make decisions about our parks will be appointed by our own elected Russell Township trustees.
The citizens of Russell petitioned the trustees for the establishment of this new park district and the Geauga County Court of Common Pleas accepted and approved the citizens’ petition. A final vote of all of the citizens of Russell Township is needed to complete the establishment of a locally controlled, citizens’ township park district.
The township parks issue — Issue 23 — is NOT a tax levy. The establishment of a new, citizens’ 511 park district will not increase your taxes.
Neither the old nor the new Russell Township park districts have levies on this ballot, and neither park district has immediate plans to place a levy on the ballot. We, the voters, will have a separate opportunity to vote for or against any future park district tax levies.
To see the Report and Recommendations of the Russell Township Citizens’ 511 Park Commission, visit http://twp.russell.oh.us/includes/uploads/Documents/Final_Submitted_Report_2017.pdf.
To see the most recent survey of Russell residents’ opinions regarding land use and parks, which shows our strong community commitment to our parks, visit http://twp.russell.oh.us/includes/uploads/survey_-_CSU_report_06-11-13_-_pdf_OCR_-FINAL.pdf.
Don’t be confused by mailings from outsiders. Don’t be confused by the ballot language (required by Ohio statute). This simple change will provide us with the necessary mechanism for taking control of our township parks.
Please vote for local control over Russell Township parks. Vote YES on Issue 23.
Shelley Chernin
Russell Township
Re-elect Arnold for Newbury BOE
The state of Ohio continues to squeeze small rural community schools, forcing administrators and board members to do more with less.
Geauga County is not immune to the impact state funding has on our local schools. As a result, school leaders are left to creatively find solutions to provide quality education for their students.
Challenging times like these require strong leadership, moral courage, tough decision making, creativity, passion for students and knowledge regarding state laws directly impacting our community.
Susan Arnold is a proven leader the last four years and she exemplifies all these traits along with commitment, dedication to relationship building, and integrity.
The issues facing Newbury Local Schools are broad and require board members who can make sound financial and administrative decisions to drive effectiveness and efficiency within our school system.
Susan Arnold has been instrumental in reinventing our school the last four years while also investigating options to dissolve it. She brings the right experience we need for such a critical time in education.
For these reasons, please cast your vote for Susan Arnold.
Denver Sallee
Russell Township
