Claridon Trustees Ask Prosecutor for Injunction against Ballish
Claridon Township Trustees voted unanimously to ask Geauga County Prosecutor Jim Flaiz to file an injunction against Kurt Ballish for refusing to clean up around his home on state Route 608 just north of state Route 322.
Claridon Township Trustees voted unanimously to ask Geauga County Prosecutor Jim Flaiz to file an injunction against Kurt Ballish for refusing to clean up around his home on state Route 608 just north of state Route 322.
“He moved some stuff around, but there is still clearly as much junk,” said Trustee Jonathan Tiber, showing a picture of the property on his cell phone. “He has not made an effort to clean anything up.”
Tiber said the last warning from the zoning inspector gave Ballish until May 15 to make significant progress on disposing of the items on the property he rents from his parents, Martha and Robert Ballish, who live in Huntsburg Township.
Zoning Inspector Harry Jacob, who was not at the May 18 meeting, has given Kurt Ballish numerous warnings in the last three years to no avail, Tiber said, adding Kurt Ballish has apparently started a business in his driveway repairing Dumpsters.
“Ultimately, the property owner has the legal responsibility. That’s unfortunate,” Tiber said.
Kurt Ballish said after the May 4 meeting he plans to move out this summer.
In other business, Tiber and Trustee Cooper Sherman agreed to work on a separate application for an agricultural exemption with more details on the proposed building’s use.
“The Ohio Revised Code is very loose,” Tiber said. “The application will require an explanation for why (the applicant) needs an agricultural exemption.”
Generally, an outbuilding that will be used for agricultural purposes is exempt from zoning regulations. Townships often require that livestock, such as cows, chickens or horses, are housed in the building before exempting it from zoning regulations. The ORC also allows viticulture as grounds for issuing an agricultural exemption.
“We have a responsibility to make sure that rules are being followed,” Tiber said.
He informed trustees someone dedicated a U.S. flag to the memory of local historian and public figure Jeanette “Teeter” Grosvenor, who died in November at age 95.
“She served this community for a long, long time. She was a great asset,” Tiber said.
The flag will be up at the cemetery on Memorial Day and Tiber proposed adding a page on the township website dedicated to people who have lived in the township for many decades.
At the end of the meeting, Tiber asked Sherman and Trustee Roger Miller if they would support holding a special meeting during which residents can voice their opinions about Gov. Mike DeWine’s plan to monitor restaurants and bars during the COVID-19 crisis to ensure people are maintaining social distancing and sitting down while they are eating. The residents who have talked to him have said they are afraid the government is stripping away their civil liberties, Tiber said.
Miller suggested the trustees revisit that idea in 30 days and no motion was made.
“I’m for (a special meeting), but I bow to the wishes of the board,” Tiber said.
