Letters to Editor
Freedom of Speech
As Americans we have a constitutional right to express our opinions.
This right to freedom of speech allows individuals to express themselves, except in Chesterland.
When political signs are displayed for one candidate or party, then all candidates and parties have the same right to display signs on the public property, except in Chesterland.
The Obama signs that were placed at different times alongside Mayfield Road prior to Election Day were removed shortly afterwards. Apparently, some Chesterland residents are unaware that it is unlawful to deface, vandalize, tamper with, or remove lawfully placed political campaign signs prior to the election without the permission of the candidate or party.
On my way into the building at Patterson’s to vote on Nov. 6, I witnessed a group of residents discussing the campaign signage in Chesterland. One of the male participants shared that he had removed a number of Obama signs and would continue to do so if necessary. Someone else said there should only be Romney signs. They apparently do not know that if you knowingly or intentionally exert unauthorized control over property of another person, you commit criminal conversion. They must not believe in freedom of speech.
We have brave Americans fighting to protect us in different countries all over the world, and cowards, under the cover of night, stealing signs, right here in Chesterland.
Ann Gelehrter
Chester Township
GPD Post-Election Update
Geauga County Issue 28 passed on Nov. 6 by a margin of 55 percent to 45 percent. The Geauga Park District should be very grateful that its lavish campaign paid off in the end.
What is noteworthy about this experience for the electorate, GPD commissioners and GPD employees is that it has provided a wondrous opportunity for everyone to grow and learn.
We trust that the electorate has had plenty of time to examine the real issues and the confusion of language and syntax as they examine other issues that will come down the pike.
We honestly believe that GPD employees have come to understand that this county, as well as this nation, is deeply divided about spending unnecessary funds that have the potential to create a privileged class on the backs of the voters.
Most importantly, we are sure that the Geauga Park Commissioners have had the light bulb grow bright as they examine the importance of trust, credibility and answerability to the voters. They have temporarily won their most fervent current wish — continued funding through 2019.
With this vote, however, comes the responsibility of maintaining transparency and the willingness to be under the microscope. The Geauga Park District has promised not to replace or renew a financial issue in 2013. We look forward to their commitment to this promise.
We are certain that there will be requests for more funding as other GPD levies expire before 2019, so integrity, honor, accountability and transparency become the highest priorities.
Therefore, please know, Geauga Park District, that you have awakened a new segment of Geauga voters who are delighted to help you maintain your integrity, credibility and transparency by monitoring your fiscal activities on a continual basis. We are delighted to help you understand that “Promises Made [MUST BE] Promises Kept!”
We are exhilarated by this opportunity to improve and grow, as we know that you are. We look forward to the ride with you.
Diane J. Jones
Auburn Township
Hard Work Continues
We are humbled and thankful for the continued overwhelming vote of confidence we received from the voters in Geauga County on Nov. 6.
As Probate/Juvenile Judge and Court of Appeals Judge, we will continue to work hard with our respective outstanding staffs to protect the residents of Geauga County and their children and property.
Judges Tim and Diane Grendell
Chester Township
Extremely Rewarding
I am very thankful for the people of Geauga County for having the faith in me to elect me to a second term as their County Recorder. Your vote and the percentages were extremely rewarding to me.
I am so glad that the voters returned me to office so that I can continue the work that was started both in the office and legislatively. I am very much looking forward to serving you for the next four years.
I would like to thank all the people who helped on my campaign — those who made person to person phone calls, went door to door with me, put up and took down signs for me, encouraged me, supported me, prayed for me, helped with fundraisers, and contributed financially to my campaign. I could not have done it without your help.
I am humbled by your support. Thank you.
Sharon C. Gingerich
Geauga County Recorder
Thanks for Support
Thank you to the citizens of the West Geauga School District.
The board of education, administration, teachers, and staff of the West Geauga Local Schools thank you for your support of our schools. We are optimistic that when the final provisional and absentee ballots are counted later this month the 5-year permanent improvement levy, which will not raise taxes, will be passed. In January the West Geauga school part of your tax bill will decrease by approximately one-quarter of a mill since the district has paid off the bonds from our 1994 building project five years early.
Many people made this daunting task much easier by contributing money to finance the printings and mailings, endorsing the levy in advertisements, providing information at community meetings and events, designing literature, allowing us to put a sign in their yard, and by urging friends and neighbors to support the levy.
On behalf of the levy steering committee: Bill Beers, Becky Finnick, Diane Gasdick, Sally Gillmore, Megan Petronsky, and Michele Tullai.
Geoff Palmer, Superintendent
West Geauga Schools
Difficult Choices Ahead
I would like to thank the community members who supported Ledgemont Schools. A big shout out goes to Maggie Fuentes for doing a great job leading our campaign, along with the volunteers including teachers, staff and the board of education who helped get our message out.
Voters were asked to approve an estimated 3.4-mill emergency levy. The owner of a home valued at $100,000 would pay about $105 more annually. The levy did not pass, and as a result further reductions will be made during the 2012-2013 academic year.
The district is in state receivership because Ledgemont lost two full years of income tax revenue when the old income tax expired on Dec. 31, 2008, and the new tax did not take effect until Jan. 1, 2011, resulting in the district losing $1,000,000, about one-fifth of the total budget in 2009 and 2010.
At that time, Ledgemont was placed into fiscal emergency by the Ohio Department of Education in the fall of 2010. A Fiscal Oversight Commission was appointed to oversee the district’s finances. Ledgemont received a loan from the State Solvency Fund for $2.17 million in the fall of 2010. This loan will be repaid in full in fiscal year 2013.
In October 2011, the Fiscal Oversight Commission directed the Ledgemont Board of Education to devise a fiscal recovery plan detailing how revenues would exceed expenditures for 2012-13 and beyond. The recovery plan necessitated cutting $600,000 — a little more than 10 percent of the total budget — from the 2012-13 budget.
A second loan was issued by the Solvency Fund in spring 2012 for $1.667 million. The payback period is fiscal year 2014 through fiscal year 2017.
During fiscal year 2013, the district will take an additional $1.14 million interest free loan from the Ohio Department of Education. The payback of this loan has not been determined.
Our community will not support a tax increase at this time, so we will look closely at our programs and make the cuts we need to for the 2012-2013 year. The immediate reductions that will be considered by the school board and the fiscal oversight commission are eliminating bus transportation for high school students as well as implementing the state minimum for transportation which impacts students who live within two miles of the district. Students who live within a two mile radius will not receive transportation.
Starting in the spring all sports will be revenue neutral.
For the 2013-2014 academic year all supplemental activities and extracurricular activities will be revenue neutral. Additional staffing cuts will be made as well to meet state minimum requirements.
We will need to make some very difficult choices moving forward. However, we are committed to running the best educational program we can at state minimums.
Julie Ramos, Superintendent
Ledgemont Schools
Strong Support
To the voters and residents of Chester Township, we would like to thank each of you who voted in the election, and a special thank you for the strong support you have once again shown for our township departments in passing the Fire and Police levies.
We appreciate your continued support of these important township services.
Judy Caputo
Mike Joyce
Ken Radtke
Chester Township Trustees
Ideas and Philosophy
Following the election, much was said concerning the campaigns’ strategies and the campaign workers that turned the tide one way or the other. Kudos went to the winning campaigns and their workers.
What seems to be missing in these columns and letters is the important aspect of the candidate’s ideas and philosophy. Isn’t this what we really vote for or against, or should? Not whether or not we were phoned or visited on our front porch, or if his TV commercials made you think he was better or worse than the other guy or how many you were forced to watch and listen to.
This is not to degrade the work and devotion that campaign workers should be proud of, but let’s give credit where it’s due. If the candidate states clearly what he’s for or against, or makes one or more stupid statements, no number of phone calls or personal visits will change the voter’s mind. If his political party has as its major philosophy ideas that run counter to societal standards, he’ll be rejected as he should be. If his opponent espouses things that sound right to you, you’ll accept that candidate.
Now let’s talk about the billions of dollars spent on advertising that could have been spent far more wisely to benefit the nation, it’s students, teachers, police and firefighters, etc.
Elliot Berenson
Chester Township
Unselfishly Gave
On the 6th day of November, 2012, Northeast Ohio lost one of the most dedicated individuals to the legal education and profession of our time.
James Flaherty’s appreciation for his fellow man was initially given through his service to our country’s armed forces in occupied Japan. His legal career started with the huge task of maintaining the existence of a private law school and merging it with Cleveland State University.
His compassion and commitment to educate the less fortunate was shown by his establishment of the United States’ first law school federal work-study program, as well as trial procedure and practice clinics.
He furthered his desire to provide opportunities for all people to obtain higher education with the implementation of affirmative action admissions programs for women and minorities.
James unselfishly gave over three decades of his time, knowledge, and expertise to many organizations throughout Northeast Ohio.
I will miss him.
Judge Diane V. Grendell
11th District Court of Appeals
Long Journey
I want to sincerely thank the Geauga County residents for their faith and trust in re-electing me for my third term. This has been a long journey to the culmination of the election and I am grateful, honored and humbled by their support.
A special thanks to the many individuals who have helped me put up signs and distribute literature, especially my husband Frank who never let me down in the most difficult and trying times.
Thank you to my family and my three daughters, son-in-laws and relatives who never lost faith in me. Also, thank you to all the well-wishers who have sent me so many emails, letters and support funds. I could never have accomplished this win without you.
To all those who ran, won or lost, thank you for putting yourself in the public eye. No one will ever know and appreciate the kind of effort you had to put forth.
Mary Samide
Geauga County Commissioner
