Letters to the Editor (Political)
October 20, 2018 by Submitted

Rock the Boat

As a lifelong registered Republican, I support Candace Loyd for commissioner. She offers a clear vision of enforcing fiscal accountability and transparency on county departments: requiring departments to publish quality financial data on OhioCheckbook.com or face consequences.

In a Geauga Maple Leaf interview (www.geaugamapleleaf.com/news/candidates-geauga-voters-matter/at the county fair, her Democrat-flipped-Republican opponent Dvorak offered this platform: “I don’t want to reinvent the wheel, I just want it to run smoother.” In other words, more of the same. That is literally the exact opposite of what we need after Geauga taxpayers were soaked with a $1.8 million embezzlement scandal.

Let’s send a message to those who stand complacent in the face of scandal at your expense. We can’t maintain the status quo. We need radical change.

Please join me in rocking the boat with financial transparency and accountability by voting for Candace Loyd.

David Mooter
Parkman Township

Support Health Renewal Levy

Vote YES and support the Geauga County Health Levy on the November ballot.

The Geauga County Health Department is asking your support on a 0.2-mill renewal levy. Since this is a renewal levy, it would not increase taxes, but would continue to generate $600,000 per year to help fund operations at the Health Department.

The levy would continue to cost property owners $6.13 per every $100,000 in home value. This renewal is a continuation of a current levy that has been in place for the past 20 years.

Even though costs have increased and mandates from state have increased, the health district is finding ways to do more with less. The Health Department provides a vast array of health services for approximately 94,000 residents of Geauga County. Services for infants, children and adults include immunizations and clinics, school programs, monitoring communicable diseases, water well and septic inspections, emergency preparedness and restaurant and food service inspections.

The Health Department has recently hired a new Health Commissioner and Director of Nursing, and is positioning itself for a very successful future in health services in Geauga County.

We are looking forward to state accreditation and securing cost-effective shared services with other counties as well as addressing community issues affecting the provision of excellent health services to all of Geauga County.

Your vote in support of the Health Levy will help insure the continued provision of the much needed health services for the future. Thank you.

David Gragg, President
Geauga County Board of Health

Dvorak Has Unique Abilities to Lead

Jim Dvorak would, in my view, make an outstanding Geauga County Commissioner. I’m urging everyone in Geauga County to vote for him this fall.

Township government is as close to the people as it gets in Ohio, and that is where Jim has spent his public service to date. As trustee in Burton Township, Jim has developed a keen sense of how to work purposefully with other local political subdivisions to accomplish the greater good. That is largely what a successful county commissioner needs to do.

Jim has served as a member of the Geauga County Township Association for many years, which has exposed him to the particular issues each of our 16 townships face; the fact that he has served as president of that organization reflects his unique abilities to lead and the extent to which other Geauga leaders rely upon him to do it well.

Navigating the relationship between the state and a county’s issues is key for any county commissioner. Having worked with Jim on a number of township issues as your state senator, I can personally vouch for his responsible approach to government and his ability to effectively pursue the common good.

Finally, Jim and his family are Geaugans who have lived firsthand what that really means. I want people leading our county whose roots are firmly planted in its soil.

Please join me in voting for Jim Dvorak for Geauga County Commissioner this fall.

John Eklund, R-Munson Township
Ohio State Senator, 18th District

Rambo Fair, Listens

My friend Matt Rambo is running for Common Pleas Judge in Geauga County.

As a rule, I never endorse candidates for office because I am a township trustee in Russell, and I feel that people need to make up their own minds based on their knowledge of the candidates.

But Matt is such an outstanding candidate and unfortunately people often pass over the down ballot candidates such as judges, and don’t vote for these lesser known offices because they don’t know about the candidates backgrounds.

Matt is the only candidate that is a magistrate now and presides over hundreds of cases a year.

He is fair, listens respectfully to both sides, and applies the law in a way that seeks justice.

Everybody get excited about who is on the Supreme Court, but I doubt anyone in Geauga County will be a direct party to any action before the Supreme Court in the next year. But hundreds of your friends and neighbors may have interaction with the local courts in the years ahead.

Clearly you want fairness for your family and a judge who makes reasonable decisions.

If that is important to you, join me in voting for Matt Rambo. He’s your guy!

James Mueller, Trustee
Russell Township

Two Qualified Women

It’s rare in Geauga County that we have the opportunity to elect not one but two highly qualified women to the 11th District Court of Appeals.

The Court of Appeals is the next step up from the local common pleas court. They hear both criminal and civil cases. It’s an important job that requires extensive knowledge of the law. Everybody wants their decision to be fair and consistent with the law.

Darya Klammer and Mary Jane Trapp are women who will do just that. Together they have years of experience both as trial lawyers, judges and magistrates. Clearly they know the law.

Moreover, they will apply it fairly.

Both received the endorsement of the Plain Dealer on Sept. 16.

It’s important that cases be decided fairly, not on the basis of ideology. Fair decisions that follow the law are exactly the way Klammer and Trapp will make their decisions.

Most of us won’t ever stand before the 11th district bench, but every day decisions are made there which impact our lives.

A vote for Darya Klammer and Mary Jane Trapp is a vote to uphold the law.

Cris Takacs
Chardon

Lynch Able to Stay Impartial

I was surprised to learn recently in the race for Judge of the Court of Appeals that one candidate has received tens of thousands of dollars in campaign donations from attorneys.

Frankly, I assumed it was illegal for lawyers to give money to a judge’s political campaign. Apparently it’s not illegal — but it should be.

According to her own finance records, candidate Darya Klammer’s campaign for judge has already received over $30,000 from attorneys. That amounts to over 60 percent of all of the money she has raised. You can check it out for yourself at www.sos.state.oh.us/campaign-finance/search/.

While I’m sure most judges try to avoid any bias, the appearance of impropriety is hard to ignore.

Her opponent Matt Lynch has refused to accept any financial support from attorneys. Matt has said that if elected he will propose new rules of ethics that would forbid judges from taking campaign money from lawyers and law firms.

The public deserves judges who avoid even the appearance of favoritism. I’m voting for Matt Lynch who has the integrity to refuse campaign money from attorneys and will be able to stay impartial.

Denver Sallee
Russell Township

Rambo Will Start Drug Court

Judges are former attorneys that say they will be impartial if elected. We all know it’s human nature to give the benefit of the doubt to people we know and have relationships with, especially if those people have been clients that pay legal fees putting food on your table and paying your mortgage.

That’s the position Dave Ondrey finds himself in.

The average Joe could never hope to get a fair shot if they are involved in litigation with one of Ondrey’s former clients. If Ondrey becomes Judge of the Geauga Common Pleas Court, you better watch out. Ondrey has long established business ties with many Geauga clients and, even if he actually believes he can be fair to all litigants, he is more than likely to be partial to those former clients he knows and trusts even if his prejudice is subliminal.

Ondrey is the only candidate for Judge that has these conflicts. Neither of the other two candidates, Matt Rambo or Bob Umholtz, have the conflicts of interest that Ondrey has.

Personally, I’m supporting Matt Rambo because he has the interest, knowledge and the energy to start and maintain a drug court in Geauga. Rambo agrees with the Ohio Supreme Court that drug courts work and he knows that drug courts save taxpayers money.

Ondrey is over 65 years old and anyone my age knows that’s not the time in life to start a new career as a Judge in a county seeking answers to an addiction crisis.

Ohio is the number one state in the country for overdose deaths and our Geauga County has had more than its share of tragedies. We can do something about the drug problem, right here, right now, by electing Rambo as Judge.

Terry Carson
Bainbridge Township

A Leader with Compassion

Geauga County residents can feel good on Tuesday, Nov. 6. We have the opportunity to vote for the best man, the man who has run a positive campaign, a man with a long list of accomplishments in public service, the candidate whose only goal is to make life better for county residents.

Jim Dvorak’s work with Burton-Middlefield Rotary, as a Burton Township Trustee, organizer of the Red Tulip project, and the Geauga County Township Association have proven his leadership ability.

His compassion in creating a fishing event for special needs kids is something I look forward to every May.

A leader with compassion. We cannot lose with Jim as our county commissioner.

Bill Koons, Mayor
South Russell Village

Rambo Favors Specialized Drug Docket

On various Saturday nights for 30 years I’ve gone to the Geauga County jail and met with inmates about their addictions. We talk about their families, their problems and their progress.

During that time, dozens of inmates have overdosed and I end up visiting them in the hospital. I’ve also gone to many of their funerals.

The drug situation in Geauga isn’t getting better. I know we need better tools to successfully combat substance abuse. I know Matt Rambo and he believes Geauga needs a specialized docket to monitor defendants. I agree. Abusers can change and get clean. We can do this. I did.

Ron Wiech
Middlefield Village

Defeat Issue 1

If Issue 1 passes, it will limit the ability of the State of Ohio to confront very real dangers now and in the future in battling substance abuse — a severe, deadly and seemingly intractable problem.

Issue 1 must be defeated.

Issue 1, on its face, appears to be a compassionate approach to reducing jail time for minor offenders reducing the costs to house and feed many allegedly “small time” criminals by a 25 percent reduction in sentences for existing prisoners and elimination of jail time for similar cases in the future.

In fact, Issue 1 will increase our substance abuse problems.

Issue 1 requires a judge to sentence an individual convicted of drug possession to probation only, not jail time even if the probation is violated. Drug Courts now effectively handle many drug cases because they have the option to place defendants on probation and if probation is violated the court can then impose jail time for the violation. This carrot and stick system has been very effective in moving defendants from drug use to a more productive life.

Passage of Issue 1 will emasculate the effectiveness of these Drug Courts in the future and encourage defendants to ignore any terms of probation.

Issue 1 will create the most lenient drug crime laws in the nation. The State and each of our communities will become a magnet for substance abuse activity (use, possession and sale) because there will be little consequence to engaging in such behavior. It will enlarge not reduce our drug problem.

Under Issue 1 an offender charged with possession of 19 grams of fentanyl (enough to kill 10,000 people!) would automatically receive probation and would be charged only with a misdemeanor. Drug traffickers will flock to Ohio.

Don’t be fooled by the apparent compassionate or faulty economic reasons behind Issue 1. Passage of Issue 1 would be very bad for Ohio. It will only escalate our drug problem.

Vote NO on Issue 1.

Pat and John Leech
Munson Township

Dvorak Has Energy for Public Service

I, like Jim Dvorak have been a resident of this area my entire life. I know Jim has been here all these years because he believes like me it is the best location in the nation. Jim has a genuine love for the area and the people.

I’ve known Jim for years and considered him an acquaintance until I became the Mayor of Middlefield Village in 2012. Over the last six years, I’ve brainstormed with Jim on issues that impacted our area and residents. In all of our discussions I knew without a doubt that Jim would be honest, transparent and make decisions and provide opinions that were based on what is best for the people and area he was elected to serve.

His energy for public service has always amazed me and evident it is driven by a desire to improve the area where he has and plans to spend his entire life.

I consider Jim a friend first and colleague second. I have full confidence that Commissioner Dvorak will work tirelessly for the county he is elected to serve.

I will be voting  “Jim Dvorak for commissioner” on Nov. 6 and trust you will vote for Jim as well.

Ben Garlich, Mayor
Village of Middlefield

Rambo Has Right Temperament

I was the presiding Judge of the Ohio Court of Claims where Matt Rambo served as a Court Magistrate. I have had an opportunity observe Matt Rambo and his work product.

Prior to being appointed by Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas Moyer as a Judge of the Ohio Court of Claims, I served my country and community as a Navy General Courts Martial Judge, a prosecutor and over 20 years as a common pleas court judge.

I have also been a member of the faculty of the Ohio Judicial College and the National Judicial College.

During my 52-year career as a lawyer and judge, I presided over hundreds of multi-million dollar personal injury, property damage, contract, labor/management claims in the private sector as well as for state government. I have learned there is no substitute for quality knowledge and professional experience. That’s why I’m sending this letter to the editor.

Matt Rambo has quality judicial experience. Matt Rambo has the right temperament to be a Judge of the Geauga County Common Pleas Court. I have the highest regard for Matt Rambo and I would encourage your readers to support and vote for Matt Rambo as Judge of the Geauga County Common Pleas Court.

Judge Joseph T. Clark (Retired)
Lancaster, Ohio

Ondrey Brings Best Background

During the past several weeks I have been reading letters to this newspaper in support of the candidacy of David Ondrey for the Common Pleas Court. I wish to add my own expression of support.

I have known David at least 20 years, both professionally in his capacity as an attorney, and personally. He has always conducted himself competently and ethically.

As someone who has supported and led many local organizations and boards myself, I am pleased that David has done likewise for years in our county.

And, as a local businessman who has employed David and his firm regularly, I appreciate his skills at addressing a variety of legal issues. He’s both a litigator and trusted business advisor.

Of the three candidates, David is going to bring the best background to the widest range of cases facing the court. I urge Geauga County voters to vote for David Ondrey.

Howard W. Bates
Burton Township

Ondrey for Judge

I am writing to express my public support for David Ondrey for Geauga County Common Pleas Judge.

I have known David Ondrey for more than 10 years and in a variety of capacities. He has served as both my personal and business attorney from time to time over the years.

I have also served on a board with Mr. Ondrey for several years.

During our diverse discussions on a variety of matters, I find Mr. Ondrey’s thought process to be well reasoned and objective; characteristics that are important in any judicial position.

We don’t pay attorneys to provide us the answer we want to hear, but rather to provide us the advice we need. I am confident David Ondrey will serve the people of Geauga County honorably, respectful of the responsibilities that come with the office of Geauga County Common Pleas Judge.

Ken Radtke Jr., Trustee
Chester Township

Betsy Rader for Congress

I am voting for Betsy Rader for U.S. Congress and urge you to consider this extremely qualified and worthy candidate.

I have known Betsy for 20 years. We worked together from 1998-2002 at the Geauga County Juvenile Court with CASA for KIDS (advocacy for child abuse and neglect cases) and remained good friends. I have always admired Betsy for her supreme intelligence, integrity and compassion. She has been a very successful attorney but chose jobs that offered opportunities to make a difference. She has also volunteered much time to civic causes.

Betsy knows how to work hard to cause change. She put herself through Ohio State and Yale law school with jobs and scholarships, and graduated top in her class. Her desire has always been to empower people by giving them a voice. She has only accepted campaign funds from individuals — no corporation PACs or businesses — and pledges never to do so.

Betsy’s life experiences have provided great preparation for serving the constituents of the 14th Congressional District. She knows business from working in large law firms. She understands healthcare from practicing as Senior Counsel at the Cleveland Clinic, and recently worked in D.C. at Medicare and Medicaid, helping to design cost-effective, high-quality health care. She understands the needs of families and children from her experience as a court appointed advocate.

Betsy and her husband Dave have raised three outstanding children who reflect their values and integrity. Now as an employment lawyer, she represents the rights of those who face discrimination in the workplace.

All of this has influenced Betsy’s desire and commitment to serve in Congress. She plans to work to get big money out of politics, invest in quality education from early childhood through career transitions, and create good-paying jobs through business incentives.

Betsy will fight to ensure everyone has access to affordable healthcare; she is not proposing a government healthcare takeover costing trillions, as her opponent accuses. Betsy plans to start with small, incremental changes that would receive bipartisan support and immediately help people.

I am confident that her strong, rational approach will be effective and work in the best interest of Northeast Ohio.

Christine Steigerwald
South Russell Village

Rambo is Tough, Fair

Your first impression of a guy whose name is Rambo could be a little distorted.

Matthew Rambo is not the Rambo of the movies. He’s a 40-year-old dad of two sons, Charlie and James. His wife Stephanie is a part-time prosecutor in Lake County. Together they have set down roots here in Geauga County.

Rambo has accomplished a great deal in his life. Not only is he an experienced attorney, he also holds a degree in electrical engineering.

Rambo served as a magistrate for seven years, deciding cases at the Court of Claims and then five years in the trenches at the Common Pleas Court. That’s hundreds of cases a year. He is now in private practice. Rambo has a long record of writing court decisions, based on Ohio and U.S. law. It is rare for a person this young to have such extensive and wide ranging experience.

A big concern for Rambo is the duration of cases. Cases should not be long running, hurting both sides.

Another concern is drug courts. Drug courts give a second chance to those who have a sincere and genuine interest into turning their lives around.

Matthew Rambo is a man who has extensive experience in the law. He has new ideas to work on solving the current opioid crisis. No, he is not the Rambo of the movies, but Matthew Rambo is both tough and fair. And that’s what the folks of Geauga County expect.

Patty Varanese
Chester Township

Dvorak Right Choice

Years ago, we met Jim Dvorak; he was running for Burton Township Trustee. He told us of his ideas and plans of how he could serve our community. He has done everything he had told us he was going to do and then some.

Jim is now running for Geauga County Commissioner and we have had many opportunities to meet with Jim face to face, as he is very approachable and listens to concerns we have. We also always want to hear what his plans are for our future. Not only will he discuss the future, but the past as well and all that he has accomplished as a township trustee.

As with anyone in office, you would like them to take both a common sense approach with how to handle issues, but you want them to be fiscally responsible. We have found that both these qualities are within him.

We have not heard Jim bad mouth his opponents at any time and, in our opinion, mudslinging tells us you don’t have a good record, or ideas for you to sell yourself on, just trashing your opponent.

If you would like to see someone who thinks outside of the box and has a proven record of making sound, fiscally responsible decisions that affect all us as a community, our recommendation would be to vote for Jim Dvorak for Geauga County Commissioner. Jim has a proven track record and has trusted leadership, and he is the right choice for Geauga County.

Michael and Amy Kalal
Burton Township

Ondrey Offers Best Combination

We are longtime residents of Munson Township.  We are urging voters to support Republican candidate David Ondrey for the Court of Common Pleas.

David and his wife, Ellen, have called Geauga County home for nearly 40 years. His commitment to the community and his profession is reflected in his leadership roles as past Chair of Geauga Hospital, Geauga United Way and the Geauga Bar Association.

He has been law director for three different Geauga County municipalities. He has extensive trial experience, not only in this county, but in the surrounding counties.

It is hard to imagine a better combination of experience, skills and personal temperament for this very important job.

We need David Ondrey as our next Common Pleas judge.

Suzanne and Jeff Fisher
Munson Township