Tropf, Paradise for Newbury Trustee
As we get closer to the November election, it’s important that we vote for the candidates that have expressed the best concerns of compromise and what’s best for all.
We all have experienced the consequences of special interests and have to accept the notion that campaign“promises” are just rhetoric (not sincere/not meaningful). Decisions need to be made with input by all. Even the far-out scenarios (what if?) help to make better decisions, as well as reviewing past actions/results.
Examples:
1) The complete rejection of a business who wanted to expand in Newbury led to the predictable doom of thelocal businesses that needed that pedestrian (walk-in) business, possible increase population, infrastructure improvements, the loss of volunteers who had to follow their jobs, etc., and other businesses following suit to avoid the anti-business climate here.
2) The closing of our law enforcement. Township taxes did not go down, but our expenses increased for the police presence needed for school and community events.
3) The Great Giveaway. Let’s not continue down this destructive path. We have to learn from the past to avoidsimilar mistakes in the present on the way to future prosperity.
Three of the candidates running were instrumental in the last two decision-making processes. Mr. Tropf in his first term has proven his dedication to the citizens in spite of the lack of regard and indifference with his fellow trustees. Mr. Paradise has all along pointed out the ludicrousness of The Great Giveaway in his public letters showing his dedication and sincerity for Newbury. They can’t get back what’s already done (can’t negotiate with absolutely nothing
to negotiate with), but they have a better chance of moving on carefully, responsibly, and making our beloved township respectable again.
Jeff Munn
Newbury Township
Chris Hare: A Worthy Candidate to Consider
Election Day is approaching and we have some important decisions to make.
While I live in an adjacent community, I feel that it is important for me to share with you what I have observed about one of your candidates for Russell Township trustee: Christopher Hare.
I had the pleasure to work with Mr. Hare and found him to be a breath of fresh air. He is extremely articulate and mature beyond his years. Most significant though was the level of honesty that he brought to our project, acknowledging opportunities for improvements while encouraging the free exchange of ideas and mutual respect.
His motivation has pushed him to complete every task presented to him. He is a problem-solver and a thoughtful, responsible young man. He brings to the table a fresh outlook as well as vibrant energy to his community.
Russell Township deserves his leadership. Give him a chance. You will not be disappointed. He is the future of Russell Township.
Vote for Christopher Hare on Nov. 2.
Dal Lanese
Chester Township
Yes on Issue 22 for Chardon Schools
Please consider supporting the Chardon Schools Bond Issue (#22) on Nov. 2. Here’s why you should vote YES.
This plan is in response to the community telling the district to work with the facilities we have rather than build new. Security vestibules at CHS and CMS, along with window replacements at Maple Elementary and CHS, have long been needed. Some of the windows at CHS are original to the building’s construction (1950s).
This plan addresses long-time parking and traffic problems all around the CHS/CMS/Maple Elementary campus. Anyone attending conferences, a concert, athletic practices or an athletic event can attest to the terrible parking and routing issues. New parking south of Memorial Field will help significantly at CMS and at Topper sporting events.
This plan includes parking on the north side of CHS (something the building had prior to the area becoming a bus garage) that will provide badly needed parking and restore access to CHS lost many years ago. Relocating the bus garage and antiquated (1950s) vehicle maintenance building not only makes this possible, but also eliminates the long-standing problem of bus fumes in the high school.
This plan helps respond to the Ohio Office for Civil Rights complaint against the district related to the lack of handicap parking, seating and access at Chardon Memorial Field. This summer the district constructed a handicap ramp and created handicap seating in the north seats. The west seats, rusted and old (used seats bought from Nautica when that complex was removed +15 years ago) have no handicap seating or access. The district has no choice but to address the west side seats or have no seating there.
Since the move from the old Chardon Memorial Field to the “new” location in 2000, the stadium has never had a press box that can properly accommodate game operations, visiting coaches/staff or any media. Memorial Field’s 18-foot box is the smallest in N.E. Ohio. It’s dangerous. This plan would provide a safe, useable press box suitable for a school Chardon’s size.
The district continues to fix up, repair, replace things like boilers, sidewalks, roofs (major repairs on all buildings) through operating funds. This plan lets the operating budget continue to address those needs. The community has said that is the preferred route and the district has listened.
It is very doubtful there has ever been a less “expensive” bond issue presented to the community in the history of Chardon Schools. At an annual cost of $28+ per $100,000 home market value, the annual cost is less than one’s monthly cellphone, cable or internet bill.
This is an inexpensive, logical and responsive answer to the community’s insistence that the district work with what we have rather than build new. They’ve listened. It’s now our time to step up.
Please vote YES – For Issue 22.
Go Hilltoppers!
Dave Jevnikar
City of Chardon
Chris Hare New Face for Russell
Who is Mr. Rambo? Mr. Rambo is seldom seen. No one has observed him at trustees meetings observing the process of operating the township business.
He stated at candidates night he has attended one zoning meeting, apparently to be appointed (not an elected position).
Mr. Rambo has run for county office twice, each time defeated. (Once as a Republican, once as a Democrat.) Opportunist?
Mr. Rambo’s signage as Mr. Mueller’s can be found at stop signs, power line rights-of-way, vacant lots and traffic pull-offs. Seldom on private residents’ property. I assume this is how they get to know what the residents are thinking and they of them. Is this lack of effort indicative of what we may expect of a trustee? Would this be simply an opportunity to build a resume to run for judge again in two years?
He and Mr. Mueller have taken the safe route for campaigning — strong policing, full-time EMS. Who isn’t? Mr. Mueller’s speech was about the distant past not the future of Russell Township. Same old, same old, how great living in the past.
Personally, I see a new face Mr. Chris Hare attending meetings, knocking on doors, talking to residents, getting to know the community citizens and they him. Fresh new ideas making Russell parks inviting to all — not Geauga Park District — ways to make tax spending more efficient from both inside millage and outside millage.
Mr. Chris Hare deserves our support on election day. He is earning it everyday.
Charles Campbell
Russell Township
Vote Ramey & Coleman Walsh for West G School Board
West Geauga Schools has two open school board seats and three candidates running. Candidates Chet Ramey and Mary-Michelle Coleman Walsh are the most qualified and well-rounded of the three.
Ramey is the current board president and running for his second term. He is a long-time resident of Russell Township, a parent to two West Geauga graduates and has a 30-year career in IT at CWRU.
Ramey has been an integral part of many positive changes the district has undertaken, including the grade-leveling of the elementary schools, a successful and timely re-opening during COVID, and the Newbury territory transfer.
Ramey is eager to continue to work in good faith with Newbury Township trustees and residents to resolve the remaining issues surrounding the Newbury school property. He understands the importance of safe, in-person schooling and its role in student success.
Mary-Michelle Coleman Walsh is a current parent of three West Geauga students, she has a JD from CWRU and master’s degrees in both Non-Profit Administration (JCU) and Communication (KSU), and she is the director of graduate studies at Lake Erie College.
Coleman Walsh brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that will benefit our schools and students. She understands the importance of competence in interpersonal and intercultural communication, and how those skills will benefit our students and families.
She also has her sights set on several areas of improvement in both academics and extracurricular activities. Coleman Walsh is determined to keep our schools a valuable anchor of our community.
Both Ramey and Coleman Walsh understand the importance of academic excellence, cultural competence and fiscal responsibility. They’re both committed to continuing to follow subject matter experts when it comes to COVID-related policies. Sadly, the same cannot be said of the third candidate, who has scoffed at West Geauga’s own masking policy and who runs ads demonstrating a complete misunderstanding of, and opposition to, diversity, equity and inclusion in education. This is an obvious effort to pander to a political base, despite the fact this is a non-partisan race.
Do not send West Geauga back in time.
Vote Chet Ramey and Mary-Michelle Coleman Walsh for West Geauga BOE this Nov. 2.
Rachel Hazelwood
Russell Township
McArthur for Chardon Mayor
Chardon City has two candidates for Mayor. Nancy McArthur has the qualities our city needs — leadership, open communication and she listens to the citizens of the city.
In 2018, Hannah served with Nancy on the City Charter Review Committee. The committee made a recommendation that the City Council members ignored, except Nancy. Each and every other council member at that time, including Chris Grau, voted to have the city oppose the ballot issue to allow a directly elected mayor. This included spending tax payers dollars in pursuing, drafting, publishing and printing media in opposition to the issue and not wanting to allow the people to directly elect the mayor.
Chris specifically cited concerns he did not trust that the people voting for the Mayor would be able to elect the best person for the job. We believe that ourselves and other citizens can vet candidates for their experience and qualities to determine who is best for the position.
If Chris was so against having an elected Mayor, why is he now running for the position?
Nancy listened to the committee and citizens, and supported what the people wanted from the beginning. Instead of fighting against having a directly elected Mayor, she worked with the community, ourselves and other citizens.
Nancy is well qualified and has the experience to be Chardon’s Mayor. She has served in numerous leadership positions, including as the city’s vice mayor and mayor and on many of the commissions and committees of the city.
Most importantly she listens to the citizens, understands the concerns we have, and shares our desire to keep the Chardon community stellar.
We would be proud to have her serve as Mayor and be the representative of this wonderful community.
Brad and Hannah Sekas
City of Chardon
McArthur Right Choice for Chardon
The 2018 Charter Review committee recommended to city council that the charter be changed to allow the citizens of Chardon to directly vote for Mayor. All council members but one (Mrs. McArthur) voted NOT to allow this change. During the discussion, Mr. Grau stated that the Mayor has an important role and he believes that Council members have the best assessment of the qualified candidates for the position of Mayor. Meaning we residents aren’t smart enough to vote for the most important position in our city government.
Now, Mr. Grau is running for Mayor of Chardon. My question to him is why are you running for a position you did not want the public to vote on?
I believe the citizens of Chardon are very wise and will make the right decision to vote for Nancy McArthur for Mayor of the City of Chardon.
Victoria Nicholas
City of Chardon
Skomrock, Zock for Newbury Trustee
In the race for Newbury Township Trustee, there are only two candidates who have a proven record in providing positive results for Newbury residents: Bill Skomrock and Maggie Zock.
Having served alongside Bill during my time as Newbury Township Fiscal Officer, I repeatedly observed his ability to work with his fellow trustees in a fiscally-responsible manner.
I also served alongside Maggie Zock on the Newbury School Board for the final six months of the school’s existence. Maggie was part of a board majority who made hard choices leading to West Geauga’s acquisition of the Newbury District. The result of that action was the ability to offer our community a far superior educational experience, and a net property tax reduction of 14.75 mills.
We have a once in a lifetime opportunity to shape growth in the very center of our town through township acquisition of the former Newbury School property. The volunteer property advisory committee has calculated realistic costs and revenues, and lined up potential tenants. West Geauga appears receptive.
It is disappointing to me that the other three candidates for Trustee have exhibited an apathetic public response to this most important issue, and I see this indifference as a warning that making the wrong choice in this election could endanger our chances to take Newbury to the next level by creating a community center to make our town as a recognized destination for recreation, arts, athletic competition and community events.
Please join me in voting for the only two candidates who represent experience, fiscal responsibility and a positive vision for Newbury’s future: Bill Skomrock and Maggie Zock.
David J. Lair
Newbury Township
Best Choices for Munson, Russell Trustee
Years ago, then speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Tip O’Neill said, “all politics is local.” That’s certainly true and we’re lucky here in Geauga to have four excellent local candidates. Each bring a special knowledge and a wealth of experience to public service.
Moreover, it’s their dedication to public service that’s impressive. Jim McCaskey and Andy Bushman from Munson Township are two such men.
For years, Bushman has attended almost every public event in Munson and Jim has an incredible knowledge of the township’s land, roads and bridges. He has worked with nearly every local business. Both have demonstrated a deep knowledge and long-standing commitment to Munson Township.
In Russell Township, there are also two great candidates for trustee. Jim Mueller has a wealth of experience with state, county and township government. He understands how to make government work and constantly strives to make it work better.
A new face on the scene is Matthew Rambo. Rambo, an attorney, has 15 years of legal expertise that will help Russell Township work effectively with county and state government. His 15 years of experience in the law will be a great asset to Russell.
Geauga County is fortunate to have four individuals who will serve the public in the capacity of township trustees. If you live in Russell or Munson townships, you are indeed lucky to have these dedicated thoughtful people who are willing to serve. In my opinion you can’t make a better choice.
Dave Partington
Munson Township
McArthur for Mayor
I have lived in Chardon the past seven years and got involved in elections to better understand issues and candidates.
Recently speaking with Nancy McArthur and hearing her views and concerns about the City of Chardon, I believe she will best represent us as our elected Mayor. Her plans are to improve economic development by attracting retail and commercial businesses, and working with other elected officials in Geauga County and Ohio to achieve those goals. Nancy listens to the residents and business owners in Chardon and wants what is best for our city.
I recently attended the League of Women Voters forum in Chardon to hear from all the candidates on the ballot. I was very disappointed to hear Chris Grau say that he voted against allowing the citizens of Chardon to elect their own Mayor, citing that someone could enter the race with no experience. Nancy McArthur did support the ballot issue and respected the Charter Review Committee’s recommendation.
Looking at the Mayor candidates, I found these quotes from LinkedIn about Nancy McArthur:
“Nancy is a contributor, a creative participant in moving projects forward. Her energy is infectious and her enthusiasm makes positive things happen. Getting her involved in a project assures a successful outcome, even if the final outcome was not apparent at the start. ” – Henry Penttila
“Nancy McArthur exhibits a proactive approach in support of the local business community. She also keeps the best interests of Chardon at the forefront of her deliberations in her dealings as a member of City Council.” – Stephen Turpin
If experience and respect for the voters qualify who should be our Mayor, it’s clear that Nancy McArthur deserves to be the People’s Choice. I hope that you will join with me in supporting her as Mayor on Nov. 2.
Phyllis Cooper
City of Chardon
