Letters to the Editor
Worthy of Our Votes?
Sir, the delay or even the rejection of the USGS groundwater study, first implemented in 1978, because $23,000 might be too expensive is perhaps one of the greatest follies this current Board of Commissioners has committed — at least two of them.
This study helps to preserve our large lot zoning, assists property buyers in making a decision as to where to buy or build, and assists planning and zoning efforts on the township and county level.
Basically, it is part of a quality of life issue in Geauga County.
Since there is an election in November, perhaps it makes sense to ask the candidates for commissioner how they stand on this critical issue and, if I may be so bold, if they are not for the expenditure of $23,000, then perhaps they are not worthy of our votes.
Keith Douglass
Hambden Township
Portman Position Right
U.S. Sen. Rob Portman’s position on the President’s recent Supreme Court nomination is the right one.
The recent history of Supreme Court nominations leading up to or during presidential elections demonstrates that they become unduly politicized, contentious and, in the end, demeaning to the nominee and the process. (See, for example, Fortas, Thornberry, Bork and Ginsburg.)
President Obama should have heeded the counsel of then-Sen. Joe Biden, who advised then-President George Bush in an election year, to follow “the practice of a majority of his predecessors and not — and not — name a nominee until after the November election is completed.”
Obama did not, so the only way to avoid an unseemly side-show is the principled path Sen. Portman has chosen.
Sen. John Eklund, District 18
Munson Township
Ground Water Study
It is disturbing to read the articles in the papers about the USGS (U.S. Geological Survey) ground water study. I hesitate commenting on the motives of those involved, but there is a lot of misinformation, so I’d like to set the record straight.
Geauga County has spent over $300,000 with the USGS over approximately a 20-year period to conduct a water level assessment. It is a longitudinal trend study designed to establish a baseline and determine whether development would negatively impact Geauga County aquifers.
The study, as contracted for, does not provide water quality information. The good news is that we have a 20-year historic profile, which provides some useful information. Our aquifers are stable and our existing development has had little impact.
In Geauga County, we have a lot of water testing/monitoring being done: municipalities and water service providers are required to monitor their wells. Citizens do quality testing across the county. The EPA tests a variety of wells for a variety of reasons.
When the USGS contract was brought to my attention, I started asking questions as a responsible elected official should do. I oppose doing something just because it has always been done that way. (This is a long term study; therefore, delaying approval has a nominal impact.)
In our last commissioner meeting, the director of the county water department and the director of our county planning department both stated the questions being asked are reasonable and it is good and proper to ask these questions: What are the parameters, goals/objectives that were set 20 years ago? It’s there a better approach providing more value? Are the results useful, by whom, and in what way? Can we leverage some of the existing testing already performed and paid for, can the county set up our own monitors and provide data to the USGS for their purposes?
I began a conversation with the USGS in late 2015, which continues today. The USGS has provided useful information and a number of revised options for continuing. The Geauga County Water Department has provided a proposal with options to replace the USGS. I have updated the commissioners a number of times in session and I provide regular updates to our county administrator, who serves as a communication conduit.
I will be meeting with a group of subject matter experts this week that includes the USGS, the Geauga County water department, County Planning, Soil and Water, and the County Health Department. The plan is to review our current situation and then return to the board with a full report and a set of recommendations. This approach involves all the key subject matter experts.
There has been no effort on the part of a small group of critics to have a professional conversation, which would lead to a better understanding. This may serve the political interest of those involved, but it does not lead to good outcomes and it does not serve the interest of the citizens of our county.
Walter “Skip” Claypool
Geauga County Commissioner
