Letters to the Editor
Primary Elections are Important
It’s hard to believe, but very soon it will be time once again to head to the voting polls. Ohio’s primary election will be held on Tuesday, May 8, with early voting starting on April 10.
Voters can request an absentee ballot or they can show up at the Geauga County Board of Elections and vote there.
Most voters still prefer the traditional method, by voting in person at their precinct polling location on Election Day.
While the Nov. 6 general election decides who will serve as our government representatives, the primary is also important because it affiliates registered voters with a political party.
Political affiliation is determined by the party ballot a voter requests in a primary election. And, in Geauga County, primary elections are only held in even numbered years.
You will also be given the opportunity to vote in the primary for a Central Committee member who, if elected by a majority, will represent your voting precinct in the county political party.
If you’re not sure if you’re affiliated with a political party, you can look up your voting record online at the Geauga County Board of Elections website. There is still time to change your registered voting address if you’ve recently moved or if you have changed your name. But you’ll need to take action soon, as the deadline to do so, April 9, is fast approaching.
April 9 is also the last day to register to vote in the primary. Teenagers can vote in the primary election as long as they are 18 years old by the general election date on Nov. 6. However, they are excluded from voting on issues and for Central Committee members in the primary.
Sometimes, there is extremely low voter turnout in primary elections, which is unfortunate. This year, there are contested primary races locally, regionally and at the state level that will decide which candidates will move onto November’s general election. If you like to have choices, you certainly will have some this primary election.
I hope that you have a better understanding of the importance of primary elections and I encourage you to do your civic duty by voting in the May 8 primary.
Nancy McArthur
Geauga County Republican Party Chairman
Claypool is True Conservative
Our Nation’s founders believed personal freedom and liberty were so important they established the Constitution and Bill of Rights to protect these blessings, allowing Americans to achieve the highest standard of living the world has ever known. These are conservative core values.
True conservatives clearly define their positions based on these values. Like President Trump, they live up to their word, performing in their elected office. Self-described conservative candidate’s positions on issues are generally not stated, particularly on their websites, despite assertions that they are conservatives.
Seeking re-election, Commissioner Skip Claypool is a rock-ribbed conservative, not a “Johnny come lately.” He’s an outstanding commissioner, producing results and not tolerating failures, especially failures “with good intentions,” as we see from “Democrat machine” politicians.
Skip’s excellent leadership and job performance has helped:
- Manage Geauga’s budget with NO sales tax increase.
- Obtain $800K road funding from NOACA while challenging their wasteful and misguided policies.
- Support law enforcement investment.
- Battle opiate abuse.
- Modernize Veterans’ offices.
- Aggressively improve road safety (new stop lights, ODOT safety plan).
- Implement investments generating returns (Salt Building).
- Strongly support Geauga County businesses.
May’s Republican primary pits Jim Dvorak, a longtime Democrat, against incumbent conservative Republican Commissioner Skip Claypool.
Dvorak voted in the Democrat primaries in 2008, 2010 and 2012, when Democrats featured the “No-God” party platform and ultra-liberal candidates (Obama and Brown).
After losing his own 2014 election to a Republican, he jumped ship. He was quickly appointed to the Republican executive committee. He now challenges fellow Republican, conservative incumbent Skip Claypool in the May primary.
This is inconsistent with being a conservative, Republican or team player. The Geauga Republican leadership’s naivete is astonishing, facilitating the squandering of candidate resources on an in-house primary battle that should never have occurred. Never!
Vote for Skip Claypool. We need his demonstrated competence to keep Geauga running like a well-oiled machine.
Commissioner is a big, high stakes job. This is not the place for a nice guy with a “conservative learner’s permit.”
James R. MacNeal
Troy Township
Support Hilltopper Nation
When I walk around our school building each day and see the bright and shining faces of our students, I know that the future holds endless possibilities for their success stories to be written.
Alongside these energetic, young learners are the teachers, secretaries, tutors, custodians, bus drivers and cafeteria workers who believe in them and their potential to make a difference in this world.
The power that resides within our school district to make a difference and open the doors to an empowering path of exploration, development and growth grows in capacity and sustainability with the support of our community.
With your “Yes!” votes for Issue 3 on May 8, we gain the momentum and ability to foster an even stronger and more impactful Hilltopper Nation and make you all the more proud.
Kelly Moran, Principal
Maple Elementary School
Disappointed in West Geauga Schools
Are West Geauga Schools progressive and sensitive to students’ needs?
Recently, President Trump stated his need to promote/fund high school industrial arts programs so “his” soon to be booming industry will have trained employees for hire. At the March 12 West Geauga school board meeting, the WG high school principal and superintendent presented to the board of education the 2018-19 course offerings for the next school year. It eliminated all technology education courses. The West Geauga BOE approved it.
Over the past 20 years at the high school, program offerings included: Black and White Photography; Digital Photography; Woods and Metals levels I-IV; Electricity; Digital Electronics; Architectural Drafting; Engineering Drafting; and Drafting/Intro to AutoCAD.
Over time, these classes have slowly been eliminated from course offerings and staff reduced along the way. Staffing was reduced to one at the middle school and one at the high school, to then closing the middle school program approximately eight years ago, to then cutting the one high school staff member to a part-time position two years ago and now eliminating the program completely for the 2018-19 school year. By the way, they also eliminated the business department at the end of last year. This is preparing for the upcoming economical boom?
While many think kids that are interested in these courses can simply take them through the Excel TECC Consortium that West G is part of, they need to understand that only two juniors and two seniors from the school district get to participate in each of the programs offered through Excel TECC. That is certainly not going to meet the needs of the many students that still have an interest in these course offerings that allow them to be hands on and learning practical skills.
I ask, is this progressive thinking and an attempt to meet the needs of all students?
Being in the education field myself as a teacher, administrator and an advisor at the collegiate level for 40-plus years, and having had four children attend and graduate from West Geauga, you cannot tell me that the student numbers and the importance of technical and life skill courses do not exist.
I am extremely disappointed in the school system that I have supported for 46 years as a resident, that it does not see the value of offering technology education experiences to our children anymore.
Rich Chiseler
Chester Township
Re-Elect Walter “Skip” Claypool
I would like to express my support for the re-election of Skip Claypool for Geauga County Commissioner.
In my opinion, Skip has fully demonstrated his commitment to fight for “responsible and accountable government,” consistent with the values represented by our constitution and founding fathers.
He has been a life-long member of the Republican Party and has shown that he can work effectively with his fellow commissioners.
Skip’s opponent in the May primary is Jim Dvorak, a life-long registered Democrat and a progressive who is ready to spend our tax dollars. In 2014, he switched from being a Democrat to becoming a Republican after he unsuccessfully ran for Geauga County Commissioner as a Democrat. Realizing that Geauga County has a Republican majority, he must have thought that if he labeled himself a Republican, he may have a better chance to win.
Personally, I am troubled by someone who, after 60 some years, would make a change in order to try to win an election. Does anyone really believe that he has changed his Democratic philosophy?
Skip Claypool is a hard worker. He researches issues, makes sound decisions and wants the best for our community. He is looking out for your tax dollars, the people in this county and will not bend to political pressure.
Please vote Skip Claypool for Commissioner on May 8, 2018. He is the only conservative Republican in the May primary.
Dal Lanese
Chester Township
Geauga Needs Claypool, Not a New Horse
If isn’t broken, don’t fix it. Don’t change horses in midstream.
These adages may be old, but they have meaning for the May Republican primary for Geauga County Commissioner.
Skip Claypool has been our Geauga County Commissioner for the past four years and he has done so much good for our county. Why would we want a change?
Before you cast your vote in the Republican primary ask yourself is there a need for a change when things in the county are running well?
It isn’t broken so why fix it. Why would you vote for Jim Dvorak, a lifelong Democrat who lost when he ran for commissioner five years ago, changed his party in 2014 and is now running for commissioner as a Republican. This is not the horse you would exchange for Skip.
Skip Claypool has done so much for our county in the past four years and he is asking to finish the job he has started.
Before Skip ran for commissioner, he was heavily involved in issues that affect our county. He did this by being a regular fixture at commissioner meetings. He also attended NOACA meetings and learned how our precious transportation tax dollars were being diverted to projects benefiting Cuyahoga County. When he was elected, he already was experienced.
As a commissioner, he continues to fight against NOACA encroachment on our county. Through his efforts, Skip obtained $800,000 in funding for roads this year from NOACA. He has helped to pay off the county debt and staying on budget has managed to keep the county in the black with no increase in sales tax.
He has supported investing in law enforcement to help combat the opioid drug crisis. He aggressively advocates improving county road safety.
Geauga County needs Skip Claypool, not a new horse!
Elsie Tarczy
South Russell Village
