Eklund To Hold Geauga HoursState Sen. John Eklund, R-Munson Township,…

April 4, 2013

Eklund To Hold Geauga Hours
State Sen. John Eklund, R-Munson Township, will meet with Geauga County residents of the 18th Senate District April 19 from 2-3:30 p.m. at the Middlefield Public Library, 16167 E. High St., Middlefield.
“Keeping an open dialogue with my constituents enables me to hear their concerns about the important issues facing their communities, and allows me to best represent their views and opinions at the statehouse,” Eklund said.
The 18th district does not include the City of Chardon and Hambden, Claridon, Huntsburg and Thompson townships.
No appointment is necessary.

Absentee Voting Forms Available
A special Election will be held May 7 for Geauga County residents in the Ledgemont Schools, Kirtland Schools and Mentor Schools districts.
Voters in the Ledgemont school district who wish to vote an absentee ballot should submit a request to the Geauga County Board of Elections, 470 Center Street, Bldg. 6-A, Chardon, OH 44024.
Voters in the Kirtland or Mentor school districts shoud request an absentee ballot from the Lake County Board of Elections, 105 Main St., P.O. Box 490, Painesville, OH 44077.
Absentee applications may be requested by calling the Geauga County Board of Elections at 440-279-2030 or the Lake County Board of Elections at 440-350-2700, or by going to the Geauga County elections board’s website and downloading an application, filling it out, signing and mailing to the appropriate elections board.
Deadline for requesting an absentee ballot is noon May 4.

Child Abuse Prevention Race
@:Geauga County Job and Family Services is holding its fourth annual 5k race and Kids 1-mile Fun Run April 14 to promote increased awareness of National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
The races begin at 9 p.m. at Punder-son State Park.
Participants can sign up at www.geaugajfs.org or call Mark Clark at 440-285-9141.
The pre-registration entry fee is $20 per person and $10 for children under 12.
The race day fee is $25 per person and $15 for children under 12.
All proceeds benefit the Geauga Children’s Alliance.
“We have been so fortunate over the past few years to have received such a tremendous show of support from our community for this cause and we hope that it continues this year,” said Clark. “Unfortunately, child abuse is a problem that affects every community in every town, in every state across the country.”
Last year Geauga County Jobs and Family Services investigated 565 reports of suspected child abuse, Clark said.
“We feel that hosting events such as this is a healthy way to generate community awareness of this problem,” he said.
Trapp Joins Chardon Law Firm Of Counsel
Former Ele-venth District Court of Appeals Judge Mary Jane Trapp has joined the Cleveland off-ice of Thrasher, Dinsmore & Dol-an LPA as of counsel.
“We are plea-sed that Mary Jane has joined our firm after serving admirably as appellate judge,” said Dale Markowitz, the firm’s managing partner. “Her depth in litigation practice compliments our practice areas well, and the wisdom she has gained while on the bench will help further fulfill our clients’ needs.”
Trapp will focus her practice on appellate and trial advocacy in all areas of complex civil and criminal litigation, and on mediation and arbitration services for attorneys, businesses and governmental entities, according to a firm news release.
She also will offer appellate consultations to other attorneys and legal departments, including trial court record review and case evaluation, brief review and writing, and conducting mock oral arguments, the firm said.
Trapp is returning to private practice after completing a six-year term as a judge on the Eleventh District Court of Appeals in Warren.
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Montville Teen Involved in Fatal Crash
The Chardon Post of the Ohio Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash Saturday evening involving a Montville Township teenager.
OHP reported that Paul Widdowson, 33, of Painvesville, was traveling northbound on Route 608 in Concord Township when his 2003 Suzuki GSX 600 crossed over the centerline and collided head-on with a 2001 Toyota Camry driven by Erika Hebrock of Montville.
The Lake County Coroner’s Office pronounced Widdowson, who was wearing a helmet, dead at the scene. He was then transported to Cuyahoga County.
Hebrock, 19, who was not wearing a seat belt, reported no injuries, along with her passenger.
The crash occurred about 5:50 p.m. just north of the Geauga County line, in Lake County, and caused Route 608 to be closed for a period of time.
Concord Township Fire Department personnel and Ohio Park Rangers assisted at the scene.
Although the crash remains under investigation, Widdowson’s speed is believed to be a factor, Lt. Mark Neff said Monday, adding several witnesses reported seeing Widdowson’s motorcyce traveling at a high rate of speed.
@:Hebrock was not cited, he said.

Munson Park & Rec Board Openings
Munson Township residents interested in serving on the township Park and Recreation Board are requested to send a letter of interest and resume to Munson Township Trustees at 12210 Auburn Road, Chardon, OH 44024.
The appointment is a non-compensated public service.
Applications must be received no later than April 23 and can be dropped off at the township hall between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. weekdays.
The board meets the second Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m.
For more information, call the township office at 440-286-9255.