Wednesday, November 10, 2021
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WGEF Offers Thanksgiving Breakfast at Home Submitted West Geauga Educational Foundation continues its 33-year community tradition of offering a Thanksgiving Day pancake breakfast - at home. The cost is $25 to receive the supplies to make breakfast at home. Purchasers will receive a WGEF reusable logo tote bag, Fowler’s Mill Easy Morning pancake mix, Richard’s 1/2 pint maple syrup, Fig Leaf 4 oz. Costa Rica ground coffee and a WGEF car magnet for the first 70 orders. To order, visit wgef.org or text 216-780-4842. Include one’s name, email address and number of packages when ordering. Pay by cash or check when picking up at the Geauga West Public Library, Ekyn Room, on Nov. 23 from 2-5 p.m. or Orchard Hills Park Lodge on Nov. 24 from 4-7 p.m. Light refreshments will be served at pickup locations. The West Geauga Educational Foundation (WGEF) is a non-profit organization that provides funds to enable new ways of teaching and learning in the West Geauga Local School District.
Richter Outvotes Claypool, Mazzurco Hangs onto Seat By Samuel Hummer editor@geaugamapleleaf.com Incumbent Chester Township Trustee Walter “Skip” Claypool lost his seat Nov. 2, with Craig Richter and incumbent Joe Mazzurco garnering the most votes. Richter received 956 votes and Mazzurco, 888 votes. Candidate Michael Petruziello had 820 votes and Claypool, as well as candidates Eric Wittine and Anthony Peto received 784, 761 and 757 votes, respectively, according to the final unofficial results of the Geauga County Board of Elections. “I would like to thank all the candidates in this trustee race,” Mazzurco said Tuesday night, adding he is looking forward to working with Richter. Mazzurco also gave a special thanks to his supporters for their backing during a difficult year and their confidence to stand behind him and vote. Richter also thanked his supporters. “I would also like to thank every Chester resident that came out to vote and was involved in the democratic process,” Richter said
in an email Nov. 3. “I hope all the people who spoke up will continue to remain involved in the township. It is a privilege and honor to be chosen by the residents as trustee. I look forward to serving you Mazzurco all again and will always be available to have an open discussion about any issues. Thank you again and the work begins today.” Claypool said he believed there were two main reasons he lost. Richter “First of all, you had a lot of people running. There were people who were friends of mine who chose to get in the race and we probably split the vote,” Claypool said, adding the ongoing controversy in the fire department was another factor. “The three of us (trustees) got along well. Chesterland had a history of a lot of drama and I don’t think — outside of the nonsense that is going on with the fire department right now — we did not have a lot of drama,” he said.
Claypool’s comments referred to trustees recently placing longtime Fire Chief John Wargelin on paid administrative leave and Assistant Fire Chief Karen Moleterno threatening to sue the township, trustees and a human resource management and consulting firm for sex discrimination, sex harassment, retaliation and violation of Ohio’s Open Meetings Act. Claypool said he saved the township $30,000 in phone and internet reconfiguration costs, and he is very proud the township is working through a lot of challenges within the fire department, which will probably lead to improvements before the end of the year. “What is going on in the fire department is going to work itself out and is necessary. It was not something we chose, it was something that was thrust upon us and we had to deal with it,” Claypool said. See Trustees • Page 6
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CHESTERLAND NEWS
Community Meetings Listed are public meetings and executive sessions for the coming two-week period, unless otherwise noted. These meeting notices are NOT legal notices. To find out whether a government meeting is in person or virtual, contact the appropriate township or school district office for meeting information. Chester Township: Nov. 17, 7 p.m., Zoning Commission; Nov. 18, 6:30 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings are held at the Township Hall, 12701 Chillicothe Road, unless otherwise noted. (Meetings are open to public, but seating limited to 10. Trustees, fiscal officer and department heads, if in attendance, are practicing social distancing.) Russell Township: Nov. 16, 7 p.m., Zoning Commission; Nov. 17, 6:30 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings are held at Russell Town Hall, 14890 Chillicothe Road, unless otherwise noted. West Geauga BOE: Nov. 15, 7 p.m., regular meeting. All meetings are held at the BOE Community Room, 8615 Cedar Road, unless otherwise noted.
Sherwood, Coleman-Walsh Beat Ramey in West G Race By Samuel Hummer editor@geaugamapleleaf.com West Geauga Schools Board of Education President Chester Ramey was defeated Nov. 2 as candidates Mary-Michelle Coleman-Walsh and Christina Sherwood emerged victorious. Ramey, Coleman-Walsh and Sherwood were competing for Ramey’s and board member Dan Thoreson’s
school board seats, which expire Dec. 31 of this year. Sherwood garnered 3,200 votes, Coleman-Walsh followed with 2,739 votes and Ramey received 2,380 votes, according to final unofficial results of the Geauga County Board of Elections, Sherwood “It was a taxing race at times, Coleman-Walsh but I feel like the community has and I am happy to be that person for clearly decided that I align with what them,” Sherwood said in a phone inthey’re hoping to see in the schools terview Tuesday night.
Sherwood said she is looking forward to what the board can accomplish as a team and that she can work with anybody. “I am really, really happy to be back in the West Geauga family because I used to teach at West G, so it really is like coming home,” Sherwood said. When asked what her vision was for her four-year term, Sherwood See Schools • Page 7
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