Middlef ieldPOST Volume 9 ~ Issue 9
Nov. 12, 2014
www.middlefieldpost.com
Neighborly News from Middlefield, Parkman, Huntsburg and Surrounding Communities
Inside ...
Chem Tech Expansion in Middlefield
Middlefield Village Page 5
Cardinal Schools Page 10
By Kim Breyley
Berkshire Schools Page 11
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ince August of this year, construction crews have been preparing the expansion site on 15 acres southeast of Routes 528 and 87 for Chem Technologies. Chem Tech is a privately owned, stateof-the-art custom mixer of rubber as well as a chemical dispersion and blend manufacturing company. The corporate offices and a seven-line production facility are housed on Bonner Drive near the northeast end of the Village of Middlefield. “Our objective has always been to stay ahead of customer demands,” said Randy Vancura, COO of Chem Tech. “In fact, before
we finish building the first phase, industry needs may call for the installation of two production lines and we might have to jump right into building the second Chem Technologies’ (l-r) VP Kevin Cohill, VP Donna Decker, attaching facility.” Chem Tech, in CEO Jim Schill and COO Randy Vancura broke ground for operation since 2001, experienced new facility early 2014. (Post Photo/CT) their best month on record this past June. south of their current facility. But due to When Vancura and Chem Tech founder, topographical issues, building there was CEO and chairman of the board, Jim Schill, ruled out. initially began contemplating expansion, Aware of Chem Tech’s expansion needs they looked to secure acreage inside Village and determined to facilitate job growth boundaries directly across the street just Continued on page 6
Jessica Boalt: Directing Services for Seniors By Christina Grand Porter
J
credits the Department’s great work to an essica Boalt is the new director of the impressive bank of volunteers who help Geauga County Department on Aging, both day to day and but knows that seasonally, such as with hard work and with spring and fall enthusiasm, she will cleanups and holiday efficiently serve both meals. She said she’s seniors and the entire grateful to have Geauga community. steady volunteers, She said she feels both individuals fortunate to inherit a and groups, that position in an agency enthusiastically rally with such great workers. to help seniors. “I couldn’t have hand Boalt is picked a better staff,” she passionate about added. Her philosophy building relationships is that teamwork and with area colleges collaboration are and universities and the building blocks hopes to implement for success, so she is social worker, working with her staff as a team in an effort to Jessica Boalt, the new director of the activity professional absorb their expertise, Geauga County Department on Aging and other human services internships understand the history (Post Photo/Christina Grand Porter) and educational of all of the Department’s opportunities to programs and offer hands-on skills and experience organically experience everything before to young students and graduates. She jumping in to implement any significant feels it’s important for young people to growth and change. “It’s all about teamwork build customer service skills and develop and collaboration. The more you know, the empathy, compassion, tolerance and more you can help,” Boalt said. She also
patience. She is also interested in continuing to foster intergenerational programming to help children learn appropriate interaction skills they will use their entire lives while giving seniors the opportunity to share their wisdom with today’s youth. A class from St. Mary’s Parish in Chardon recently visited to help fold the Geauga Senior News and interact with the seniors. Boalt is willing to explore every opportunity and is excited about creating relationships and partnerships, such as the ones the Department has with University Hospitals, Ravenwood, Catholic Charities, Job and Family Services and United Way, to name a few. Her goals are to use her passion and expertise to increase access to the Department on Aging and better fill the needs of seniors in the community by refining and marketing services that meet the needs of today’s seniors. She wants seniors to be aware of available resources in the area, and for the Department to interact with them to discover their changing needs. Her focus is on the heath, wellness, safety, independence and dignity of Geauga’s Seniors. The Department’s Medicare program, this year alone, has saved area seniors over $22,000 by helping Continued on page 2