Geauga County Maple Leaf 4-25-2024

Thursday, April 25, 2024 Vol. 30 No. 17• Chardon, Ohio www.geaugamapleleaf.com $1.25

Troy Trustee Backtracks On Road Contract

Local Contractor Raises Ethical Concerns

By Allison Wilson editor@kArlovecmediA com

Troy Township Trustee Len Barcikoski chose to scrap bids for four road resurfacing contracts he had previously signed off on after trustees were split on a motion to retroactively accept the bids during their April 16 meeting.

Trustee Sharon Simms had agreed to allow Barcikoski’s motion, while Trustee Donn Breckenridge wanted to table the matter. Ultimately, a vote was not required nor cast, as Barcikoski had already signed the contracts, each for less than $75,000, on April 4.

However, Barcikoski decided to nix the contracts — which he originally signed with New York-based paving contractor Suit-Kote — and instead put them out for public bid, he said in a followup interview April 19.

On April 10, John Bojec, owner of Geauga Highway Company based in Troy Township, sent a letter to the Geauga County Maple Leaf raising ethical concerns about the road resurfacing contracts.

“It was brought to my attention

Sheriff, Chief Deputy Visit Border

Trip to New Mexico, Texas ‘Informative’ and ‘Eye Opening’ SUBMITTED

By rose nemunAitis editor@kArlovecmediA com

In an effort to stay abreast of national safety concerns, Geauga County Sheriff Scott Hildenbrand and Chief Deputy Thomas Rowan recently traveled to the United States borders in New Mexico and Texas to learn about the capabilities of the United

States Border Patrol and how they can assist with migrant investigations.

Hildenbrand and Rowan joined neighboring sheriffs and Toledo Police Chief Michael Troendle as part of a nationwide effort by counties to collaborate with federal, state and local governments to better meet the needs of residents.

“The border trip was paid for by our law enforcement partners … to educate the sheriff’s office on the activities along the border and the effects on our local community, and our efforts to deal with law enforcement issues that come along with an unsecure border,” Rowan said. “Over the last two years, we have had roughly 18

Ed Ryder Remembered as ‘Rarest of Individuals’

Memories Shared of Longtime Public Official

By Ann WishArt

Best known for his four terms on the Geauga County Board of Elections, his time as chairman of the Geauga County Republican Party, as well as his love of travel and the law, the late Ed Ryder left behind many fond memories among friends, family and colleagues.

Ed, 75, passed away April 7 after a seven-year battle with cancer. His wife of 52 years, Diane Ryder, recalled in a recent interview how dedicated Ed was to his roles in the community, especially his position on the board of elections.

“He wanted to depoliticize the board of elections,” she said. He knew the positions on the

Edition

Geauga County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Thomas Rowan points to migrants making their way alongside the Rio Grande on the Mexican side of the border with the U.S. during a recent trip to New Mexico and Texas.

West Geauga Inks Agreement With Teachers Union

By BriAn doering BriAn@kArlovecmediA.com

Superintendent Richard Markwardt expressed gratitude April 22 after West Geauga Schools Board of Education approved an agreement with the West Geauga Educa tion Association.

The terms of the contract are expect ed to begin July 1, 2024, and end June 30, 2027, according to the agreement.

“I am grateful that the board and the teachers’ union were able to come to such a speedy agreement,” Mark wardt said, adding the agreement between the teachers’ union and the school board was a rollover of the existing contract with minor

language housekeeping edits.

“We did not actually commence full negotiations,” he said. “The board and the teachers' union have had a strong positive relationship for the last several years and I think that history of cooperation is what made the rollover possible without reopening the contract.”

Contract

from page 1

that trustee Barcikoski met with a company out of New York called Suit-Kote and subsequently entered into an immediate contract for the chip sealing of multiple township roads,” Bojec wrote. “As you know with public agencies, there is a protocol of advertising the bid and, at the very least, receiving multiple quotes to assure the taxpayers that their money is being properly spent.”

Bojec, who has in previous years quoted the township on the roads in question, took issue both with the lack of transparency and the solicitation of a company out of state when there was local interest.

“If the township chooses to bypass the bidding process to contract with an outside entity, they should at least offer it to a contractor within the township whose taxes go toward road improvements, as well as its many tax-paying employees also located within the township,” he wrote. “The unsettling issue here is local tax monies are being dispersed to an out-of-state entity that will deposit those proceeds in their home state, whereas a portion of Geauga’s (Highway’s) will go back into the township as tax collected.”

The Maple Leaf reached out to Barcikoski and township Fiscal Officer Jane Grudowski via email to verify the accuracy of Bojec’s information. Neither responded, though Barcikoski later said he had not seen the email until late in the evening, at which

The base salary for teachers will increase by 3.2% during the 2024-2025 school year, 3.3% during the 2025-2026 school year and 3.5% during the 2026-2027 school year, according to the agreement. The teachers’ current base salary is at $45,830.

Markwardt said the annual raises for the next three years are healthy ones that reflect the effort and success of teachers in raising the bar on instruction.

“They are deserved raises,” Markwardt said.

He acknowledged not knowing of any other Ohio school district that has matched the academic gains of West Geauga in recent years.

point it was easier to discuss the matter in person at the trustees meeting the next day.

The Maple Leaf also requested and obtained a copy of the contract with Suit-Kote, which detailed subtotals for the resurfacing of Stafford Road, Agler Road and Hoover Road.

At the April 16 meeting, Barcikoski accepted responsibility for signing the contracts without a trustee vote, explaining his initial reasoning.

“On the road report, you heard what’s going on on Hoover Road,” Barcikoski said, referencing earlier statements by road contractor Bob Humr about the road’s rough condition.

Barcikoski noted Hoover’s issues required quick action before they worsened, adding the township is two years late in chip sealing.

“There was a fellow that claimed he could help us out by some of the methods he has. So he came out here, he gave us a ride (on) all of our roads, he explained various practices we could take to help prevent problems in the future,” Barcikoski explained. “He did a good job selling himself and his product.”

Barcikoski acknowledged signing the contract was the wrong decision.

“I felt I had support, even though support is not an acceptable vote,” Barcikoski said, adding he wanted to get on the chip sealing list as early as possible.

“I’d like to ask for a late motion, if there’s such a thing,” he said, referring to a retroac-

“The board and administrators are appreciative of our teachers' work,” he said.

In other business, school board members passed a resolution for the donation of former Newbury Schools memorabilia to the Geauga County Historical Society and Century Village Museum.

“Much of the memorabilia is still here because we are going to be showcasing it in our athletic department and some of our showcases,” Markwardt said. “This was material that we agreed could be placed with the Geauga County Historical Society and Century Village Museum.”

A total of 197 items will be donated to the historical society and CVM, which include photos, yearbooks, chairs, knight statues, floor mats, a certificate, a teacher contract from 1928, uniforms, programs, and a building cinderblock and plaque, according to the resolution.

tive motion to accept Suit-Kote’s bids.

He also emphasized the bids were below the allowable amount for competitive bids, meaning, they came in under the amount that would require them to be put out for public bid. That threshold was previously $50,000. Ohio House Bill 33, which went into effect July 4, 2023, raised the monetary requirement for bidding on township projects from $50,000 to $75,000.

Per state law, the $75,000 threshold will increase by 3% every subsequent year after 2024. The law prohibits subdividing projects or purchases to avoid competitive bidding requirements.

While each road is an individual contract, and thus below the threshold, the overall cost of the project is above $75,000. The Geauga County Prosecutor’s Office was contacted regarding the legality of the bid in relation to HB 33, but was unable to comment, as they serve as legal counsel for Troy Township.

“Well, we’re kind of between a rock and a hard spot because normally, you’d bring it up with us and then we all decide,” Trustee Sharon Simms said.

Simms added they all make mistakes in life and the project needs to be done.

“I think maybe we should table it,” Breckenridge countered.

Barcikoski said April 19 his signature on the contract had not been authorized, and he called Suit-Kote to let them know the project would instead be put out for public bid, allowing them and others to bid.

Community Meetings

Listed are public meetings and executive sessions in the county for the coming week, unless otherwise noted. To have a public meeting included in this section, fax information to 440285-2015 or email editor@geaugamapleleaf. com no later than Monday noon. These meeting notices are NOT legal notices.

Chardon Township: May 1, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings are held at Township Hall, 9949 Mentor Road, unless otherwise noted.

Chester Township: May 1, 7 p.m., Zoning Commission; May 2, 6:30 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings are held at the Township Hall, 12701 Chillicothe Road, unless otherwise noted.

Hambden Township: May 1, 6:30 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings are held at the Town Hall, 13887 GAR Highway, unless otherwise noted.

Geauga County: April 30, 9:30 a.m. – Board of County Commissioners, 2 p.m. – Geauga Trumbull SWMD, Warren District Office. All county meetings are held at the Geauga County Administrative Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive (Ste. #), Claridon, unless otherwise noted. County commissioners’ meetings are held in Suite 350.

Newbury Township: May 1, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings held at the Town Hall, 14899 Auburn Road, unless noted.

Russell Township: May 2, 2 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings are held at Russell Town Hall, 14890 Chillicothe Road, unless otherwise noted.

Thompson Township: May 1, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees. All trustees meeting will be at Town Hall at 6741 Madison Road. Troy Township: May 2, 7 p.m., Zoning Commission. All meetings are held at Troy Community Center, 13950 Main Market Road, unless noted.

Markwardt

How Sweet It Is …

Maple Syrup Hall of Fame Honors

By rose nemunAitis editor@kArlovecmedi

The sweetest festival in all of Geauga County is almost here.

Excitement abounds as carnival rides and tents set up on Chardon Square for the an nual four-day Geauga County Maple Festival, April 25-28.

Kicking festivities off the weekend prior, an exclusive community gathered inside the Lennah Bond Activity Center at Century Vil lage Museum in Burton for the 2024 Maple Syrup Hall of Fame breakfast April 20.

Jen Freeman, of the Richard’s Maple Products, and last year’s hall of fame induct ee, offered the post breakfast invocation, giving thanks to the maple tree and all it pro vides.

2024 Winners

2024 MAPLE MAPLE CONTEST RESULTS

Master of Ceremonies Bob Rogish welcomed everyone to the annual event, honoring 2024 hall of fame inductee Paul Newman and revealing this year’s best-of-best maple syrup producer awards with a larger than normal attendance.

“I want to recognize all the hard work that every one of our producers does here in Geauga County,” maple festival board President Angie May said. “I admire all of your dedication.”

Over the years, the maple syrup contest has evolved to include a host of sweet confections, including sugar cakes, maple spread and maple novelty.

Years ago, producers would enter their best quart of maple syrup.

This year’s contest had categories for Delicate, Amber and Dark grades of maple syrup.

The syrup samples are judged according to class by International Maple Syrup Institute standards.

After breakfast — which was catered by The Back 40, of Middlefield, and included pancakes, as well as a sampling of the top seven syrups in the Golden and Amber categories — Newman’s portrait was unveiled.

“We are excited to honor our new hall of fame inductee,” Rogish said, as cheers and applause filled the banquet hall for Newman.

His portrait will join the elite club of hall of famers in the basement of the Patterson Center of the Geauga County Fairgrounds. Hambden Township’s Sara Brougher, a past festival board president and current Pancakes in the Park organizer, said she was “so, so happy” for Newman.

“I am very proud of Paul,” she said.

Longtime friend of Newman’s, Mike Tvergyak, who was the 2022 hall of fame inductee, was also thrilled.

“It’s so deserving,” Tvergyak said. “He’s a one-of-a-kind person. Paul is unique and so well respected. He’s a kid at heart, like myself.”

There were 131 entries to the contest this year, which marked another of many recent abnormally warm maple seasons for the area. “Anyone tapping after January more than likely did not get a full crop,” said James Miller. “As happens quite frequently in the last decade, we do get a warm spell in March that brings the season to an abrupt end. There was a lot of dark syrup made throughout Northeast Ohio. (It was) challenging to make gold delicate. However, like always, Northeast Ohio maple has outstanding flavor.”

The Burton Chamber of Commerce, whose log cabin and sugar camp is less than a football field away from the event, earned Grand Champion of the Producer Class.

Scott Adams accepted the award.

His father, Paul Adams, was inducted into the Maple Syrup Hall of Fame in 1997, along with Leslie and Albert Haskins, and Bob and Jan Haskins.

“Dad, we did it,” Adams said, moments after the announcement. “(Dad) chased this for years. It’s really a great team effort that we did.”

Madison High School students were all smiles as they earned first place in this year’s Grand Hobby Class for their Golden syrup.

“The breakfast was incredible,” said Kev-

PRODUCER CLASS

Grand Champion:

Burton Chamber of Commerce

GOLDEN

Paul Janoske

Bob Freeman

Nick & Joan Tomaselli

Marvin & Cindy Miller

Bill Rist

Curtis Cook - Haskins Farm

Roger Roseum

Burton Chamber

Curtis Cook - Haskins Farm

Bob Freeman

Century Village

Alan Miller

Bill Rist

Carl & Karen Defilippo

1st Curtis Cook - Haskins Farm

2nd Marvin & Cindy Miller

3rd Paul Janoske

4th Bill Rist

5th Barnes Family

6th Justin Geiss & Erik Hart

7th Roger Roseum

HOBBY CLASS

Grand Champion:

Madison High School

GOLDEN

1st Madison High School

2nd Gary Tabaj

3rd Chris Powell

AMBER

1st Walt Pleva

2nd Chad Knisely

3rd Gary Tabaj

4th David Gauch

5th Madison High School

6th Mike Coleman

7th Rosies Sweet Geauga Gold

DARK

1st Walt Pleva

2nd Lloyd Tuplin

3rd Matt Toth

4th Troy & Bev Bonneman

5th Dean Peska & Kayleigh Peck

OUT OF COUNTY CLASS

Grand Champion:

Goodell Family Farm

1st Nathan Goodell

2nd Mike & Judy Stahl

- SweetWater's

3rd John Allin Family

4th Mike & Judy Stahl - SweetWater’s

5th Austin Mattison

6th Nathan Goodell

7th Teri Haupt

JUNIOR CANDY CONTEST

Grand Champion: Parker Reese

TWELVE SUGAR CAKES

1st Parker

2nd Grady

3rd Granger

4th Levi

MAPLE STIR SWIRL

1st Parker Reese

2nd Granger

3rd Grady

MAPLE NOVELTY

1st Parker Reese

ADULT CANDY CONTEST

Grand Champion: David Gingerich Jr.

MAPLE CREAM SWIRL

1st David Gingerich Jr.

2nd Penny Timmons

Paul Janoske

GRANULATED SUGAR

Butternut Maple

Jake Gingerich

SweetWater's

David Gauch

Teri Haupt

7th Paul Janoske

MAPLE NOVELTY

1st Claudia Estrada

2nd David Gingerich Jr.

in Holy, Geauga Maple Committee chairman. “Record attendance for the new venue at the great Century Village.”

The annual award-winning Maple Syrup Auction kicks off at 12 p.m. April 28 at the Entertainment Stage during the maple festival in Chardon.

“This is the chance for someone to bid on and purchase some of the best syrup Geau-

SUGAR CAKES

1st David Gingerich Jr.

2nd SsweetWater’s

3rd Penny Timmons

4th Tom Salo

5th Claudia Estrada

6th Sara Brougher

Old Mill Maple

MAPLE SPREAD

Claudia Estrada

Cole Wise

Old Mill Maple

SweetWater's

Tom Salo

Richard's Maple

Paul Janoske

INFUSED SYRUP

Jim Timmons

Capt. Jack's Maple

MAPLE COATED/COATING

Richard's Maple

SweetWater's

Sara Brougher

MAPLE NUTS/GRANOLA

SweetWater's

Claudia Estrada

Carl & Karen Defilippo

SweetWater's

SweetWater's

Claudia Estrada

SweetWater's

EVERYTHING ELSE MAPLE

Richard's Maple

SweetWater's

ga County has to offer,” Rogish said. “Each season, syrup producers save their best jug of syrup to enter into the maple festival contest and the top seven entries in each color grade are auctioned off. So, you are truly able to purchase the best-of-the-best in the county. All proceeds go back to the maple festival to offset the costs associated with putting on the four-day event.”

Paul Newman with artist Helen Gilmore, who creates the annual portraits.

Parkman Township

FD Offers Advice on Amish Youth Center

By Ann WishArt Ann@kArlovecmediA com

Parkman Township Fire Chief Mike Komandt told township trustees April 16 the group creating the Amish youth center on Tavern Road has reached out to the fire department for safety advice while planning the facility.

“They are meeting with a civil engineer who told them to reach out to the fire chief. The civil engineer wanted the fire department requirements,” he said, adding the 12.36-acre site may need a fire protection pond.

The Parkman Township Board of Zoning Appeals approved variances for the construction of the youth center project March 12.

The Haven Youth Center Board of Directors is considering three preliminary prints for a building that may be 25,000 square feet in size with one or two inside basketball courts, Komandt said.

“They don’t know if they will have bleachers or seating on a mezzanine,” he said.

Board members have visited youth cen-

ters in Holmes County, Ohio, Indiana and Pennsylvania to gather ideas for a center at 18040 Tavern Road, Komandt said.

“They seem extremely cooperative. It’s their community money going toward this project and they want to spend it in the most feasible way,” he said, noting he is willing to help them comply with the fire code.

The HYC board had previously bought a former deer farm property on Hosmer Road with the intention of putting a youth center there, but after push-back from the public, they withdrew their proposal and plan to clean it up and sell it, Komandt said.

In other business, trustees also heard a presentation from Kristi Pinkley — an environmental health specialist who works out of the Geauga Public Health office — regarding sampling of some septic systems in the township.

Pinkley said septic systems that discharge into a stream, river or above-ground spray types are required to be tested in the current operations and maintenance program.

“In Parkman Township, there are less

than 100 of these types of systems,” she said.

Owners of those systems will receive notices that explain about the program and will get result letters once the samples have been collected and processed, she said.

Cost for the sampling is $155, said GPH Administrator Adam Litke.

“We charge $155 and that barely covers the cost of staff time and the sample,” he said. “We have the lowest cost in the state.”

A previous effort to have homeowners voluntarily participate in the program resulted in only 8% compliance, he said, adding those numbers are concerning and could lead to more state involvement.

“It’s only a matter of time before the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency gets in the picture,” he said. “We’re trying to make this as painless as possible. There should be minimal impact to the homeowner.”

If a system does not pass, the reason will be determined and repairs must be made, he said, adding it is rare the entire system has to be replaced.

Border

from page 1

overdose deaths in Geauga County. Most of these can be traced back to drugs crossing the border.”

The law enforcement activities the sheriff’s office undertakes involve more than just the county border, he added.

“We rely on partners with local, state and federal agencies to tackle these issues,” Rowan said. “We are committed to using all the tools available to keep our community safe.”

Immigration attempts at the southwest border of the U.S. are “quickly becoming one of the most important issues, if not the most important issue for 2024,” according to a Feb. 29 Brookings Institute article titled, “Fixing the border: Four reasons the immigration crisis isn’t going away.”

Relatedly, 80% of Americans believe the country is doing a bad job handling the migrant influx, according to a Feb. 15 Pew Research Center article titled, “How Americans View the Situation at the U.S.–Mexican Border, Its Causes and Consequences.”

Hildenbrand and Rowan visited the El Paso Intelligence Center on the army base at Fort Bliss, which is home to one of the nation’s largest military posts, America’s tank division and a multiagency intelligence center led by the Drug Enforcement Administration.

“We learned of (the border patrol’s) intelligence capabilities world-wide and how they can assist us any time we may need them,” Hildenbrand said, adding examples of assistance may include lost people, acts of violence or a terror attack.

A local DEA supervising agent and border patrol supervisor escorted the sheriff and chief deputy on the trip, providing intelligence training and linking them with federal and state government connections.

“This trip was meant to inform us and demonstrate what their capabilities are and show us firsthand how it works,” Hildenbrand said, adding they toured the Patrol Special Operations Group headquarters.

“It was extremely informative and en-

If untreated sewage is discovered in a ditch or waterway, the next step is to track it back to its source, Litke said, adding that could lead to OEPA involvement.

“We’re trying to protect the community as much as we can,” he said.

Homeowners with systems that don’t discharge into streams should have their tanks pumped every five to seven years, Pinkley said.

“Save your reports — make sure you get one,” she said.

“When the average resident sees a problem, they do the right thing,” Litke added. “I don’t want to be Big Brother — I just want to make sure no one is poisoning someone and to make sure the OEPA doesn’t come in.”

The systems being targeted should have a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit, which limits what can be discharged, requires monitoring and reporting and other provisions to ensure the discharge doesn’t affect water quality or people’s health, according to the USEPA website.

lightening,” he said. “We all gained a lot of intelligence and also made great contacts, witnessing firsthand what is going on there and what happens.”

Hildenbrand said there is a big difference between how the border is patrolled in each state.

“All of the Texas wall also has razor wire and New Mexico does not. Texas also has the National Guard assisting,” Hildenbrand said.

While they were there, the sheriff and chief deputy witnessed several men, women and children crossing the border to gain entry into the U.S.

“Some were successful and then transported to the processing center,” Hildenbrand said. “At the processing center that has a capacity of 3,500, they are fingerprinted, photographed and DNA taken before they are issued a court date. They then can travel wherever they want in the United States. We learned that the Mexican Cartel, which deals in all kinds of illegal activity, controls most of the movement into the United States.”

He said the processing center in El Paso is extremely clean and well organized.

“The immigrants are well cared for,” Hildenbrand said. “This center costs the taxpayers about $2 million dollars per day to operate.”

He said they also learned there is a need for more border patrol agents and tougher policies regarding entry into the U.S.

It is very hard to hire border patrol agents. The southwest border jobs are in geographically remote places, consisting of miles and miles of isolated deserts and small towns, among other reasons, according to the Brookings Institute article.

“Daunting as they are, the hiring problems at the border are likely to get worse,” the article said.

Hildenbrand reiterated the trip was “extremely well organized, informative and eye opening.”

“We all see short clips on TV of what they want to show us, but it is nothing like seeing it in person,” he said. “I think we all gained a lot of intelligence to help us do our jobs as we are the first defense for problems in our county and our country.”

Geauga County Sheriff Scott Hildenbrand and Chief Deputy Thomas Rowan talk to border agents by the New Mexico border wall on a recent trip.

Ryder

from page 1

board were considered “political plums” usu ally given to party cronies, which caused a good deal of infighting and maneuvering, Di ane said.

“He wanted it to be non-political so they could get the job done and work together,” she said. Democrats Joe Weiss, Greg Studen and Republican Dorothy Stange worked with him to get the county’s house in order, Diane said.

“They did a very good job,” she said.

Dennis Pavella, current chairman of the board of elections, praised Ed for his stabiliz ing efforts, saying the change “made a much more peaceful and harmonious atmosphere.”

Ed became one of 20 trustees for the Ohio Association of Election Officials, noted Aaron Ockerman, OAEO executive director.

“He was in a position to influence policies that impacted not just the voters of Geauga County, but every voter around the state,” Ockerman wrote in an email. “He brought a conservative and sensible approach to his governance of the association.”

Ed’s expertise and understanding of fi nances helped put the association on solid financial footing, the director said.

“Many of the advances that serve to make Ohio’s elections a model for other states were developed with Ed’s assistance and in sights,” he said.

Over the last decade, the county elec tions board saw a lot of changes, such as the new county office building on Ravenwood Drive and advanced cybersecurity upgrades, Pavella said.

During Ed’s time on the board, he chaired the Geauga GOP and worked as a defense litigator, primarily in civil trials, all over the country, until retiring in 2016.

Early Days

as he tackled corruption in the department and cleaned up gambling in the county, Diane said.

finished his last term on the board of elections as a commuter, despite the onset of cancer.

A memorial Mass for Ed Ryder was held April 12 in St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Spartanburg, S.C. A second memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. June 29 at St. Helen Catholic Church in Newbury Township.

An Irish Celebration of Life will be held at DeJohn Funeral Home in Chester Township. His obituary is on the website for DeJohn Funeral Home at www.dejohnfuneral.com.

ing me we had wonderful wives, great kids, good jobs … (to) be grateful we have what we have. He’d say, ‘You can’t let people throw you off your game.’”

Tom related tailgate parties at Cleveland Browns’ games, including a memorable impromptu wrestling match Tom lost, and many other events they shared

“We had a great time together. We had a lot of fun, had a lot of laughs. Good to have someone in your life you can share things with,” he said. “I miss him. He was a close confidante.”

Tom and Todd visited Ed and Diane in South Carolina a few weeks before Ed’s death.

“We stayed up late in the night talking about stuff and drinking (Bushmills Irish whiskey). It was the most worthwhile trip I’ve spent in some time. It was really special,” Tom recalled.

Ockerman summed up his feelings for Ed in a few sentences.

Diane and Ed first met at Cleveland State University in 1969 and married in 1971.

“Ed immediately ran for Euclid City Council,” she recalled, adding he lost by 151 votes.

He was appointed to replace state Rep. George Voinovich when Voinovich became Cuyahoga County auditor, Diane said, adding they were in their early 20s during those campaigns, driving to and from Columbus and rubbing shoulders with VIPs.

“We were newlyweds and having a really good time,” he reminisced.

When he was defeated for state represen-

In 1984, Ed started a law firm with Tom Mazanec and Todd Raskin, renting office space next to a funeral home in Solon.

“His office was so small, he couldn’t fit around his desk,” Diane recalled. “The secretary made more than the partners did that first year.”

At one point, the firm had 100 employees and four offices in two states.

“Ed was all over Ohio — he knew every judge in the state. He absolutely loved it,” Diane said.

While living in Newbury Township, they

Fond Memories

Former partner Tom Mazanec was a close personal friend of Ed’s for 40 years.

They would drive and fly around the state meeting with clients and growing the firm, Tom recalled.

Ed was meticulous, organized and evenpaced.

“Ed had a long fuse. He rarely lost his temper,” Tom said. “If something didn’t go right with a client, I could get more upset. Ed would always bring me back to Earth, remind-

“Ed was that rarest of individuals who was simultaneously direct and yet understanding and compassionate,” he said. “You always knew where Ed stood on matters, but you knew that, even if he disagreed with you, he valued your viewpoints. He took his personal and professional responsibilities seriously, but never took himself too seriously. “The result was a man who was intensely engaged yet witty, hardworking yet funny, self-assured yet curious-minded,” he added. “He was a true friend, husband, colleague and so much more to so many people.”

South Russell Amends Agreement with ADP

By BriAn doering BriAn@kArlovecmediA com

South Russell Village Council voted April 22 to amend a joint agreement with the Geauga County Automatic Data Processing board for additional data services, with an amount not to exceed $49,950.

“This was a motion to amend it because they (ADP) are going to run cable lines,” village Mayor Bill Koons said. “This was for an additional cost that we didn’t originally know about.”

Council members adopted an ordinance last September to enter into a joint agreement with ADP for data processing services. The original agreement had the village paying $38,000 for the transition to ADP, with yearly payments of $14,000 after the transition, Koons said.

The higher initial expense was for chang-

ing and replacing equipment the village currently has that is not recommended to run on ADP’s system.

SRV Police Chief Michael Rizzo, who has been the stand-in IT representative for the village, explained the reason for amending the agreement.

“We had to up the total amount because of some additional work they (ADP) recommended. The additional work is just a matter of installing a fiber line between village hall and the service buildings,” Rizzo said.

The agreement with South Russell is the same agreement ADP is currently participating in with Bainbridge, Chester, Russell, Hambden and Auburn townships, Chardon City, Burton Village, the Geauga County Soil and Water Conservative District, the Geauga-Trumbull Solid Waste District, the Geauga County Veterans Administration and Geauga Public Health, according to ADP Chief Depu-

ty Administrator Frank Antenucci. Koons explained the situation has gotten to be a little too much for Rizzo.

“He has been great, but it is time,” Koons said. “It’s probably been past time to upgrade.”

Rizzo said he has been maintaining the village’s IT system for a number of years and that technology has been changing on a daily basis.

“It’s going to be a sense of comfort for all of us to know that we have ADP watching over us and taking care of any potential (harm) that may come our way,” Rizzo said.

Koons said the move to ADP will be better because everything from equipment to security will be better.

“We will have somebody we can contact versus, ‘Hey, call your police chief and have them look into this,’” Koons said.

Chardon High School Changes Bell Schedule

By Amy PAtterson Amy@kArlovecmediA com

Chardon High School parents recently received an email informing them of changes to the school’s schedule beginning this fall.

Chardon Schools announced April 11 it will be eliminating the mid-week “late start” period and restricting open-campus privileges to only seniors with at least a 3.0 grade point average and qualifying attendance records.

Instead of seven daily class periods, CHS will have eight periods and will retain the hybrid two-day block schedule currently in use.

Wednesday and Thursday block periods are 95 minutes long, versus the standard 44-minute periods on non-block schedule days.

The schedule changes come on the heels of a grade-tampering scandal involving former Principal Doug Murray that rocked the district. Murray resigned in February after allegations surfaced he had changed grades for his two daughters.

Chardon Schools Superintendent Michael Hanlon said only a few people had contacted the district regarding the schedule changes.

One parent of a Chardon senior — who spoke to the Geauga County Maple Leaf on condition of anonymity — believed the changes came out of nowhere.

“As a parent of high schoolers, all of the communication on the changes for next year is very confusing and disconcerting. It is not a 'minor' change as the administration has suggested,” the parent said, adding students were not consulted and the changes have come during a time when the building is under the leadership of an interim principal.

“This just further erodes trust in the district and high school,” the parent said.

Hanlon and Assistant Superintendent Ed Klein explained the district’s decisions in an April 19 interview. Building schedules are

complex and changes are ongoing, they said.

An update to next year’s CHS schedule was considered even at the beginning of the current school year, Klein added.

“What we've done in years past is going to be different to what we may look at for next year because it's ever-evolving,” Klein said. “We do that with all of our buildings — the high school happens to be the most complex.”

With over 100 elective courses available that must be limited to specific periods, Hanlon said it was not always easy for students to schedule their preferred electives alongside required classes.

Next year’s schedule will provide more class time, which should make scheduling a smoother process, he said.

“I'm sure that this could have been communicated differently,” Hanlon said. “As Ed described, it's a process that we undergo every year, to look at schedules and look for ways to revise those schedules. And this year has been a unique and challenging year in respect to communicating changes and developments that are happening in the school district.”

The district’s mission remains the same — high achievement for all students, the superintendent said.

Late start Wednesdays and expanded access to open campus were brought about after district reconfiguration in 2018, when eighth graders were moved to the building, Hanlon said, adding at that time, CHS had about 1,200 students, making it more crowded than previous years.

Late start and open campus helped relieve the perception the building was crowded after reconfiguration and allowed for fewer students in the building during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, enrollment at CHS has since dropped by over 9% and many students do not or cannot take advantage of late start, often for transportation reasons, he said.

“I’m sure that this could have been communicated differently. ... It’s a process that we undergo every year, to look at schedules and look for ways to revise those schedules. And this year has been a unique and challenging year in respect to communicating changes and developments that are happening in the school district.”

— Superintendent Michael Hanlon

“So, we have a group of students that come to school basically (at the) regular time on Wednesdays that we have a supervision responsibility for,” Hanlon said. “While we try to see that those students have productive time while they're there, you know, it still creates a challenge.”

In an email to parents April 15 aimed to clarify the scheduling changes, Klein said the reasons for restricting open campus include minimizing safety and security concerns. The district recently announced plans to construct a new, secure entry vestibule at CHS.

“I'm just looking at this purely from a safety issue, without even talking about overcrowding or anything else,” Hanlon said April 19. “If you look at all the districts around us, nobody does (open campus).”

Having students leaving and returning to the building during the course of the school day creates a management and safety concern, especially without knowing the frame of mind a student is in when they reenter the building, he said.

“That, to me, is a primary concern from a school safety and school administrative perspective,” he said. “If, you know, heaven

forbid, we were to have an incident occur, the first issue to be raised is — you're allowing students to leave and come back.”

Klein said the schedule was discussed at a Chardon Schools Board of Education meeting in December when the high school was the focus of a building showcase presentation.

While a board of education approves the district’s annual calendar, it does not approve changes to an individual building’s bell schedule, Hanlon added.

On April 15, the board unanimously approved updates to the CHS Program of Study. Included in the approval were updated courses of study and textbooks for World Language, Health and Physical Education, Music, Art, English Language Arts and Psychology and Sociology classes.

Board member Todd Albright noted teachers who participated in the curriculum update represented every grade.

Klein said the district is working toward aligning programs across all grades, from kindergarten to grade 12.

“I think it was really effective,” Albright said. “I imagine you’re going to have bilingual students some time in the near future.”

Election Board Moves Forward on Camera Installation

By Amy PAtterson Amy@kArlovecmediA com

The Geauga County Board of Elections can move forward with plans to place cameras in elevators at the county administrative building on Ravenwood Drive after Geauga County Commissioners approved a request April 16.

The cameras are necessary to ensure the chain of custody as BOE workers transport ballots from an outside dropbox, according to a security assessment by the Department of Homeland Security, BOE Director Michelle Lane said.

“We have to be able to view our ballots at all times that are being transported by a bipartisan team … going in and out of the building,” Lane said.

The BOE asked commissioners to approve a request to the county Automatic Data Processing board to obtain quotes for the camera installation.

Commissioner Ralph Spidalieri asked Lane if there were delays or holdups in getting authorization for the camera installation. She said it was the board’s understanding ADP had approval to do it.

“How much (will) this cost?” Commissioner Tim Lennon asked.

“Well, it depends on what ADP has asked

for,” Lane said. “We thought it was already totally completed and then they asked us to come to you.”

In response to a question from Spidalieri as to whether the cameras would also capture audio, BOE Chair Dennis Pavella said they would only capture video — like the cameras already used in the building.

The cameras would not be on a closed network and would be accessible to others in the building, Pavella said.

“We (at the BOE) can view the hall cameras downstairs, but so can the sheriff’s (deputy) at the front desk,” he said.

The conversation shifted to a discussion of plans for the outdoor ballot dropbox which, according to state law, must also be monitored by cameras. Initial estimates for the dropbox came in higher than expected, Lane said.

However, Commissioner Jim Dvorak said it’s possible those costs could come down if the box is located in an area that could be covered by cameras on the building’s exterior, instead of further out into the building’s parking lot.

“If we move the box … 12, 15 feet away from the building, going towards the Clerk of Courts drive-in area … we wouldn't have to change the traffic and it would be closer to the building,” he said.

Pavella reiterated the requirements for the dropbox, including the need to ensure chain of custody as ballots move through the building, are requirements handed down by the state legislature and Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose.

“That target's always moving,” Lennon said.

“Yes,” Pavella replied. “I mean, every time the legislature reconvenes, there's a possibility that the laws that govern our operations can change.”

Although the BOE and commissioners have faced off in legal battles over recent years, including regarding specific changes to the county administrative building, Spidalieri said his office and the elections board should continue to work together.

Commissioners understand the necessity of having a ballot box, but the departments should work in partnership, efficiently and to serve the public, he said.

“But, at the same time, we got to get to a middle ground that makes sense, fiscally,” he said. “We just can't throw stupid money out there because, you know, we just think it should be here.”

Lennon echoed Spidalieri’s comments.

“We all need to, as a group, kind of put our heads together … take the commonsense approach and make sure we're all together on

it,” he said. “You know, saying hey … is there another way to skin this cat and still get the job done?”

Burn Simulator Ribbon Cutting A Blazing Success

Cirino: ACC Helps Bridge Workforce Shortages

By Allison Wilson editor@kArlovecmediA com

Sunny skies greeted Auburn Career Center’s students and staff April 16 as they gathered to watch Director of Public Safety Education Sean Davis snip through a ribbon to open the new Public Safety Burn Simulator and Training Building with the jaws of life.

ACC’s burn simulator is only one phase in a larger plan for fire and EMS training –visitors also passed by the construction site of what will soon be a 1,200 square foot first responder training facility. Once the building is complete, renovations will begin on the campus’s health wing.

Fires in the multilevel building are sim-

ulated by burning pallets, with the temperature reaching up to 800 degrees.

The building is intentionally left dark inside for training. Rooms include bedrooms, a kitchen and closet, as well as an open area on the roof for rooftop rescues and rappelling.

Following a number of thanks, ACC Superintendent Brian Bontempo provided background on the development of the building.

“What you’re looking at is about a $600,000 project, which starts basically from the asphalt and the gravel all the way to this burn simulator,” he said. “We were able to secure $350,000 of that from the capital budget to make this happen, and without that we wouldn’t have been able to do (this).”

Bontempo described the process to se-

cure funding as an example of everyone working together.

“We had our community partners, our fire folks saying ‘we need this,’ our public servants saying ‘let's get together and make this happen;’ we partnered with Lakeland Community College to help us get the resources. And so at the end of the day it’s everybody pulling together to make this happen,” he said.

ACC students also worked together to pull off the ribbon-cutting event. In addition to a number of speeches, the event included tours of the new building and demonstrations by fire and EMS students, showing the firefighter standard agility test. Culinary arts students prepared the event’s food, while criminal justice students directed traffic.

State Senator Jerry Cirino expressed his support for the work done at ACC, which he described as fitting into the broad range of post-secondary education needed in Ohio.

“We have some horrendous needs in post-secondary education before us in Ohio if we’re going to meet the workforce needs of this state,” he told the crowd. “We do have a great network of community colleges, 23 in Ohio. We have a great network of 14 public universities. But not everybody needs to go to those universities or community colleges, and not every workforce requirement that we have is going to be provided for with students going to the four-year or two-year institutions.”

According to Cirino, ACC is trying to communicate with students earlier in order to better educate them on their future options, and is also working to cut down long waiting lists for programs.

“This is a very, very important part of the entire network that we’re looking at around the state to enhance a variety of post-secondary educational opportunities. I’m delighted that Auburn is in my senate district and in my home county of Lake County,” he said,

noting as well the many communities outside of Lake County the school serves.

In a separate statement to the Geauga Maple Leaf, he once again emphasized how investment into schools like ACC can help bridge workforce shortages.

“At the state level, we continue to focus on a variety of post-secondary educational opportunities – not just higher education, which is also important – but we have to fill workforce needs around the state, and paramedic firefighters is an area where we’ve seen tremendous shortages around the state,” he said.

ACC Board of Education President Roger Miller expressed gratitude to everyone who has supported the school, allowing the project to happen.

“We had the need and everybody got together to make it happen,” he said, noting his excitement for the future.

Concord Township Fire Chief Matt Sabo emphasized the skill of students entering emergency services from ACC.

“As an employer, a fire chief, it’s important to note that the caliber of students coming out of these programs is bar none,” he said. “The amount of people that are coming out of these programs ready to work, that are trained, is a testament to not only the administration of the school, but especially of the educators and the programs, and it’s reflected in the students.”

Fire stations, Sabo noted, seek out ACC students.

“That’s a direct reflection of the commitment to public safety that ACC has in the tri-county area,” he concluded.

Davis, who has spent significant time working on the project, described the pride he feels for it.

“We’ve built a facility that is going to service this tri-county area for the next 30 years,” he told the crowd.

ALLISON WILSON/KMG

Sean Davis cuts through the ribbon with the jaws of life, with Auburn Career Center Board President Roger Miller, Sen. Jerry Cirino and Superintendent Brian Bontempo April 16.

Geauga Park District Considers Fleet Agreement for Vehicles

By BriAn doering BriAn@kArlovecmediA com

The Geauga Park District is exploring the idea of a fleet management program for all 37 of its vehicles.

Executive Director John Oros told GPD Board of Commissioners during their April 15 meeting the district is looking at a possible lease and management agreement with Enterprise Fleet Management for the procure ment and maintenance of GPD’s vehicles.

“GPD currently has a fleet of 37 vehicles consisting of cars, trucks, sports utility vehicles and transit vans,” Oros said. “The fleet serves a variety of op erational needs including transpor tation, trailering, material handling, snow plowing and safety/law enforcement patrols.”

The program will also reduce the amount of time park district staff spends managing vehicle procurement, repairs and disposition, he said.

“Lease management services will provide Enterprise Fleet Management buying and selling power in areas of vehicle procurement and fleet quality for resale,” Oros said. “And maintenance management services through Enterprise will provide repair claim negotiations and ensure competitive pricing for vehicle repairs.”

Oros said the program is currently being utilized in Summit MetroParks, Toledo MetroParks and other government agencies to control costs associated with fleet management.

“Lease management services will lower the age of the existing fleet, establish a routine replacement plan for vehicles, ensure a modern fleet conducive to effective and efficient day-to-day operations and is forecast to reduce overall operating costs in areas of fuel economy and vehicle repairs,” Oros said.

If park commissioners approved the agreement, it would be renegotiated yearly and subject to annual budget appropriations, Oros added.

“We are only committed on an annual basis. (The agreement) is dependent on the fiscal year budget and annual appropriations,” he said.

After asking more questions about how the program functions, park commissioners voted to table the resolution until more information is available.

“I asked the commissioners to table the resolution in order to give us time to consider whether this is a viable option for Geauga Park District,” Oros said.

Park commissioners hope to vote on the resolution at their next regular meeting May 20.

Daughter of Ghost Army Soldier to Speak Memorial Day

By BriAn doering BriAn@kArlovecmediA com

Chester Township’s Memorial Day Ceremony May 27 will be a little extra special this year as Pamela Pastoric shares the story that earned her late father a Congressional Gold Medal.

In an interview April 10, Pastoric expressed a desire to share her father’s medal with others during the service at Chester Township Cemetery.

“There are so many stories from every branch of the military, and just today, all the

Rosie the Riveters were recognized, as well, with a Congressional Gold Medal at the capital,” Pastoric said. “Everyone did their part at that time and many younger people do not understand the history of the time.”

The nation’s capital honored a secret World War II unit called the Ghost Army, as well as one of its members — Marion “Pat” Pastoric, of Chester Township — posthumously with the medal March 21.

The 23rd Headquarters Special Troops staged more than 20 deception operations — often dangerously close to the front — in France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany, said the Ghost Army Legacy Project in a Jan. 22 press release.

Pastoric, who attended the event representing her father, called her experience in Washington, D.C amazing, yet very surreal.

“To see the leaders of both parties, representatives, senators, generals and chairman of the joint chiefs of staff was not the everyday gathering,” Pastoric said. “I was very proud of my father, of all these men and his friend, now mine, Bernie Bluestein, who received the Gold Medal on behalf of the whole unit. My brother, Ray, joined me in receiving Dad’s medal at the dinner, as well as all the other families that did so for their fathers.”

After more than 50 years of keeping it top secret, the existence of the Ghost Army was declassified in 1996 when the public first SUBMITTED

See Memorial Day • Page 11

Pamela Pastoric, the daughter of Ghost Army member Marion “Pat” Pastoric, of Chester Township, poses with replicas of the Congressional Medal at the recognition ceremony in Washington, D.C March 21.

Memorial Day

from page 10

learned of the creative, daring techniques they employed to fool and distract the enemy about the strength and location of American troops, according to the GALP.

The army’s techniques included the use of inflatable tanks, sound effects, radio trickery and impersonation.

“For what this group of men were asked to do, and traveled very far across Europe to do so, it was amazing that so few were lost being the diversions that they actually were,” Pastoric said. “I guess I feel that there was a part of Dad we never got to know the full story of as many families also said. All these men were just regular guys and went on with their lives afterwards, but I learned they had been given a letter to keep their secrets.”

Chester Township Trustee Ken Radtke said April 15 he had been in contact with Pastoric and asked if she would be interested in speaking at the ceremony.

“She came to a trustee meeting recently to meet the board, introduce herself, gave a brief summary of her father’s work, brought some of his service commendations and a bronze replica of the Congressional Gold Medal the members of the Ghost Army received,” Radtke said.

He recalled Pastoric mentioning some Ghost Army men were still alive and a few of them had attended the recognition ceremony.

“It is such a very unique story that more people need to learn about and Ms. Pastoric telling her father’s story, because of his local ties to Chesterland, will help bring some of that to light,” he said.

Pastoric said she looks forward to honor-

ing all who have served throughout the years and are still serving the country.

“I have a much greater appreciation for all of them,” Pastoric said.

It is difficult to fully appreciate the meaning of a person giving their life in service to others, Radtke added.

“There are many ‘regular Americans’ who did extraordinary things in service to their country, much of it unknown, unheralded or secret,” he said. “Thousands died in sacrifice for others and Memorial Day is an opportunity to publicly acknowledge that.”

He said he is looking forward to gathering with citizens to pay respect to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of the country’s freedoms and values on Memorial Day.

“We are blessed to live in the United States and need to think about the sacrifice of others every day,” he said.

SUBMITTED

Pamela Pastoric displays her fathers Congressional Gold Medal.

Hip Hop Dance Group to Hit Stage at Maple Fest

stAff rePort

Ryan Rosinski is excited to showcase his Adult Hip Hop Dance Team during this year’s Geauga County Maple Festival on Chardon Square.

Created two years ago, Rosinski wanted to “give people an opportunity to dance/perform and live a dream that they may have not had the opportunity to experience before.”

“It's also a great way for people to make friends and meet new people all around the state,” he said of the group, which currently has 65 members.

A professional dancer for several years, Rosinski has performed on the hit Fox show, “So You Think You Can Dance,” as well as in

live performances around the country. He currently teaches at seven different locations in the Ohio area.

“This group stands out because there really isn't another group like this. We accept any and everyone,” he said of the hip hop group. “No experience needed and not a huge time commitment. You get to make new friends, learn top notch dance skills/techniques and become a true performer.”

Rosinski hopes his group’s performance at noon April 27 inspires people to continue to chase and accomplish their dreams.

“No matter what age you are or who you are, it's never too late to accomplish amazing things,” he said. “I also hope it inspires (people) to reach out to me and possibly join this awesome team.”

Ryan Rosinski, front, poses with members of his Adult Hip Hop Dance Team. The group will be performing at this year’s Geauga County Maple Festival at noon April 27 on Chardon Square.

GPD Land Stewards Make Good on Big Promise

By rose nemunAitis editor@kArlovecmediA com

If Mother Nature could smile, she just might after witnessing Geauga Park District’s reforestation efforts at Veterans Legacy Woods in Newbury Township.

On the crisp and clear morning of April 20, two days before Earth Day, volunteers toting shovels journeyed down the entrance steps of the park to make good on a promise to plant 1,000 trees on the land.

“Every Earth Day is a time to reflect on our obligations and ethical responsibilities to care for and steward the future health of our planet,” said GPD Biologist Paul Pira, leader of the event. “I try to think of what kind of a place I want to leave to my children and their children. It is a time to connect with nature and enjoy teaching others about the importance of healing and caring for both the land and water we rely on so much.”

The 1,000 Trees Earth Day initiative took root at the park in 2022 and has gained momentum over the past two years.

“Geauga Park District is excited to hold our annual Earth Day event at Veterans Legacy Woods,” GPD Executive Director John Oros said. “The day is a culmination of our goal to plant 1,000-trees at this park. This new park is at the top of our list for reforestation. The trees coincide with a project currently underway to create cold-water streams and habitats.”

Pira — who welcomed volunteers Saturday alongside Andy Avram, GPD naturalist and volunteer coordinator — said people generally love to plant trees.

“And when it is for a really good cause, like healing the land and improving water and wildlife habitat, it is undoubtedly a popular event,” he said. “We could not have accomplished all this meaningful work without the help (both physical work and monetary donations) of so many great folks. Our groups range in size from just a few individuals (like a single family) to schools, Scout groups, Rotary clubs, conservation organizations and very large corporations with many employees all giving their time to Geauga Park District.”

Matthew Rambo, of Russell Township, arrived early with his family at the shelter ready to help.

“Many hands made short work of the trees that needed planted and deer fences installed to protect them,” Rambo said. “GPD's efforts to ‘re-wild’ what was once a golf course are to be commended and the results are becoming quite evident as my family and I walked around the park. GPD has done a great job engaging the public in park educational activities and my family and others around the county are privileged to be able to participate.”

GPD Commissioner Jolene Carnabuci showed up early, pushing a wheel barrel and

Day 2024.

helping with pre-event organization.

“We have reached the goal of planting 1,000 trees,” Carnabuci said. “It was wonder ful to work with the passionate and dedicat ed GPD staff and all of the volunteers who helped us reach our goal.”

Glenn Snodgrass, of Chardon, was one of the first to check-in at the volunteer picnic table and afterward, said he had a great time volunteering at the park and learning some new things about trees.

Prior to the planting event, a native plant giveaway drive-through took place.

“Over the years, we have been giving away thousands of beautiful native wildflow ers and small trees,” Pira said, adding this year, they charged a small $5 fee.

“These plants are grown by Geauga Park District’s natural resource management staff at Kent State University - (Geauga)’s green house over the winter,” he said. “We are so very grateful to the generosity of KSU for al lowing us to do this. It has been a great part nership over the years.”

More recently, GPD switched the for mat of the plant give-away to a sign-up event where they take up to 200 cars over the course of two hours.

Pira said the intent is to have participants take these plants home and plant them in their home landscape, learning how to make their own backyards more attractive for local wildlife and provide important food/habitat for them.

“While parks are really important to have collectively, Geauga Park District only manages a small fraction of the land here in habitat planting), collectively, this will add up and pretty soon we can make a real difference for the future of our planet’s health and wildlife.”

Many groups have volunteered in the past tree-planting.

This year included The Pattie Group; the land; nPower; and Gilmour Academy. Sponsors included The Pattie Group; Thrive Lawn & Plant Healthcare; In Memory of Frank Murzynski; and VLW of Middlefield. In-kind donations were also provided by Sunrise Springs and the National Wild Turkey Federation.

HB 344 Wouldn't Affect Local Zoning Control

A recent article in the Geauga County Maple Leaf suggested that Ohio HB 344 would strip township control over zoning. Respectfully, this assertion is incorrect.

HB 344 does not touch zoning oversight at any level. Instead, it is a tax bill aimed at providing greater transparency for property tax levies and property tax assessments.

The bill aims to enhance transparency for voters and property taxpayers by prohibiting replacement property tax levies. This measure helps prevent unexpected property tax hikes often associated with replacement levies compared to new or renewal levies.

Furthermore, HB 344 refines provisions passed during the last General Assembly, closing loopholes for when school districts can challenge property tax assessments or engage in private payment agreements to resolve assessment challenges. These adjustments close loopholes used to circumvent state law and create uncertainty for property taxpayers.

In essence, HB 344 seeks to improve transparency on tax levy costs and establish clear guidelines for both school districts and taxpayers, promoting stability.

While we've heard concerns from constituents about potential changes to local zoning oversight, it's important to clarify that such matters are not part of this legislation. Our offices remain available to address questions and concerns on this or any other issue.

Steve Demetriou, State Representative

Ohio’s 35th House District

Sarah Fowler Arthur, State Representative

Ohio’s 99th House District

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Maple Leaf received incorrect information during a trustees meeting. The correction eliminating reference to HB 344 was made on the Geauga County Maple Leaf website and a correction was published in the following week’s issue.

Ohio Needs Fair Voting Districts

For a long time, our Ohio General Assembly (GA) has not accurately reflected the political make-up of our state. That’s a problem, because our GA, with its Republican supermajority, regularly passes laws that negatively impact our quality of life in Ohio. We deserve better.

Currently, Ohio’s voting preferences are about 56% Republican and 43% Democrats. Our elected representatives in our State House are: 67 Republicans and 32 Democrats. In our State Senate, the split is 26-7, Republicans to Democrats.

One doesn’t need to be a math expert to see how lopsided and unfair that is. Our current voting districts are gerrymandered, created by the majority party — Republicans — to the detriment of the minority party — Democrats. Or to put it another way, the viewpoints of one party and its lobbyists prevail. All the time.

For example, the Building Industry Association of Central Ohio recently helped the Ohio Senate Select Committee on Housing (four Republicans, one Democrat) draft recommendations to the Ohio General Assem-

bly that propose, in part, to remove zoning authority from townships and give it to the state. What that means for you is your local township zoning authority, that welcomes input from citizens (you), will no longer be able to decide local zoning issues that directly impact you. (Viewpoint: The Importance of Township Zoning Authority, Maple Leaf March 21, 2024). Another example is the school voucher program which defunds our public schools. Most citizens do not want this program.

If you want to restore fair voting districts, then please sign the Citizens Not Politicians Petition. It will put a constitutional amendment on November’s ballot that takes politicians out of the district-drawing process and puts it into the hands of a citizens-only bipartisan commission. To sign the petition, look for Fair Districts volunteers at the Geauga County Maple Festival in Chardon, April 2528, from approximately 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Anne Houdek

Fair Districts Volunteer

Burton

Chardon BOE Deaf to Student Voices

Dear Chardon Board of Education, my Name is Jack Bennett. I am a freshman at Chardon High School. I am writing this to address the new “bell schedule” changes that were recently communicated.

First, l would like to say that being a high schooler has many challenges. One of the biggest challenges that my peers and I have experienced is balancing sleep with sports, clubs and maintaining a good GPA.

With the new bell schedule, one of the main points is there will no longer be a late start day on Wednesday. In my opinion, this is a very unfortunate decision and will not at all benefit students. Having a late start in the middle of the week is one of the best schedule privileges our school has to offer and can give students a break in their stressful week.

The reasons the school board gave for these changes are “safety and security,” but there are many studies that show a later school start time is better for students. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a start time of 8:30 or later.

According to Judith Owens, director for the Center for Pediatric Sleep Disorders at Boston Children's Hospital, “Teens typically can’t fall asleep until 11 PM and require 8 1/2 to 9 1/2 hours of rest, so they’re biologically programmed to wake up at about 8 in the morning, the time at which many of them are already in school.”

Chronic sleep deprivation can lead to increased risk for obesity, depression, poor academic performance, substance abuse and driving accidents. A 2014 study by the University of Minnesota showed that car crashes for drivers aged 16 to 18 dropped by 70% after a Wyoming high school pushed back its start time from 7:35 to 8:55 a.m.

Another privilege this new schedule takes away is open campus for students until senior year. Open campus offers students time to go home and study in a place that is not loud and difficult to focus in. Many students have a hard time focusing in loud, crowded and unclean places such as the cafeteria.

One of the reasons that open campus was extended to all students was to help

overcrowding when the 8th grade was added to the building. With no open campus, the school will have more overcrowding problems and less space for focused study.

One of the hardest things to watch is to see these privileges leave our school when the students, who this policy directly affects, don't even get a say in what happens. Also, only one out of five of the members of the Chardon Board of Education has students at Chardon High School. It makes no sense to me why those with no personal ties to the high school get to make this very impactful decision.

Overall, I completely disagree with this new bell schedule, and I believe it will harmfully impact students and cause GPAs to drop, or students to leave Chardon High School to go to Lakeland.

Please reconsider your decision and in the future allow students' voices to be heard when making impactful decisions.

Thank you for your consideration,

Jack Bennett Chardon

County Owes Chester Residents

Fact: A 34.07-acre parcel at 8200 Cedar Road is listed on the Geauga County (GC) Auditor’s website as being owned by the Geauga County Board of Commissioners (GCBC).

Fact: This parcel in Chester Township is zoned residential and is legally required to adhere to Chester Township zoning regulations.

Fact: The Metzenbaum Foundation placed deed restrictions on the property when it was donated to the GCBC in the 1970-1980s.

Fact: In 2023, a Chester resident’s letter to the editor questioning the “for- or not-for profit” use status prompted me to research a governing body paying property tax versus being exempt from property tax.

Fact: The Chester Township Board of Trustees filed a complaint with Geauga County Auditor Chuck Walder questioning the rental space on the Metzenbaum parcel

that was generating income but was exempt from taxation.

Fact: According to court rulings, a government body owning property is not automatically exempt from the community’s zoning regulations. (See Mentor vs. Laketran, and State vs. Brownfield).

Fact: On Sept. 21, 2023, I submitted the court’s rulings on both these cases to the Chester trustees at their public meeting.

Fact: County Auditor Chuck Walder informed the GCBC that they owed Chester Township property taxes from previous years of renting and generating income.

Fact: County Auditor Chuck Walder provided over 20 pages to the Ohio Department of Taxation detailing the errors in applications for “tax-exempt status” that resulted in generating revenue from publicly owned property.

Fact: The GCBC are appealing Mr. Walder’s findings to the State Board of Taxation.

Fact: In 2024, the Metzenbaum tax levies at 100% collection will generate approximately $1.6 million from Chester Township property owners.

Fact: Ignorance of the laws is not an excuse to receive a waiver or exemption. Classifying the Metzenbaum parcel rentals as “tax exempt” created the errors and loss of property taxes to Chester Township of over $700,000 from a publicly owned property.

I encourage the Chester Towsnhip Board of Trustees to send a letter supporting Mr. Walder’s findings.

I encourage residents to contact our Trustees to provide further information to the Department of Taxation regarding our zoning, the deed restrictions and of never having been notified that the GCBC was violating our zoning, and object to them granting or waiving the property taxes due to Chester Township.

Pat Mula Chester Township

Ohio Statehouse Update

Ohio's local governments do an impeccable job maintaining essential services, including keeping our communities safe. The Ohio Senate is proud to assist them in this mission.

Public safety is the most important service our local governments provide. The state budget gives our locals more tools to continue and enhance this work.

House Bill 33 provided $46 million to upgrade counties to the Next Generation 9-1-1 system, which will improve emergency response systems throughout the state. This new technology will allow Ohioans to contact 9-1-1 via text message, smartwatches, home security systems and vehicle systems, and will also better direct calls made from cell phones and

voice over internet protocol systems to the correct jurisdiction to improve response times.

House Bill 33 also allocated $75 million to support the construction and renovation of county jails, $80 million for law enforcement training, and $24 million for school safety training grants to improve public safety in Ohio’s neighborhoods, schools and communities.

All of these resources will help keep you, your family and your neighbors safe and secure.

Sen. Sandra O’Brien is currently serving her first term in the Ohio Senate, representing the people of Ashtabula and Trumbull counties and most of Geauga County. She previously served three terms as the Ashtabula County auditor.

State Sen. Sandra O'Brien

32nd Senate District

614-466-7182 O'Brien@ohiosenate.gov

By State Sen. Sandra O’Brien

Elizabeth Hamilton

Elizabeth “Betty” Hamilton (nee Burke) passed away peacefully at her home on April 10, 2024.

She was born on Dec. 18, 1932, in Belfast, Northern Ireland, to Robert and Susan Burke (nee Walsh).

On Jan. 2, 1957, in her beloved Belfast, she exchanged vows with the love of her life, James Hamilton, and together they shared a life of love and companionship until James' passing in 1998, leaving behind treasured memories that would forever reside in Betty's heart.

In 1957, their path led them to Ohio and in 1966 they moved to Geauga County where they raised their family.

Betty was very talented with needles and thread as an avid knitter and seamstress. Yet, her greatest joy lay in the warmth of family and friends gathered around her. She embodied hospitality, finding immense pleasure in hosting those dear to her heart.

She leaves behind a legacy of love and devotion in the hearts of her children, Wendy (Jeff) Schwall, Craig Hamilton, Brian Hamilton and Beth (Tom) McCaffrey. She was also a doting grandmother to Kelsey Hamilton, Molly (Ryan) Hofmann, Katie Hamilton and Clare Hamilton, whose lives were enriched by her gentle presence and unwavering love.

Betty now joins her beloved parents and her dear husband, James Hamilton, finding solace in the reunion with those who went before her.

The family invites all who knew and loved Betty to join them in a celebration of her life at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 27, 2024, at Chardon United Methodist Church, 515 North St., Chardon. Following the service, a luncheon will be held, offering an opportunity for friends and family to share cherished memories.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the Berkshire Education Foundation, 14155 Claridon Troy Road, Burton, OH 44021, ensuring that her spirit of generosity and compassion continues to touch the lives of others.

Arrangements entrusted to Burr Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Chardon. Condolences may be shared at www.burrservice. com.

Ann Rebecca Phipps

The world lost a fierce advocate for education, history, and literacy on April 16, 2024, when Ann Rebecca “Becky” (nee Corey) Phipps died peacefully at 101 years young in Albany, Ohio.

She was born Ann Rebecca Corey on Aug. 13, 1922, to the late Walter “Doc” Corey and Mary Torrence Corey in Chardon.

She is preceded in death by her wonderful husband, Chuck Phipps, and her daughter Susan (Phipps) Sedlack.

She is survived by her daughter Elizabeth (Phipps) Stills, of The Plains, Ohio.

Becky was Grammy to four grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and One great-great-grandchild, and Mrs. Phipps to hundreds of Chardon High School and Edgewood High School students.

She had an amazing life; she grew up as happy as you could in the depression and graduated from Chardon High School at just 16 years old. She went to Stephens College in Columbia, Mo., for her first two years of college. She transferred then to Denison College in Ohio to graduate from college in 1942. Let’s think about that . . . she graduated college in 1942!

She traveled to her college years on a train, with everything she needed packed in a trunk. This skill came in handy when packing for numerous camping vacations with her grandchildren.

Becky met her husband, Chuck Phipps, in high school. They married in 1942, but Chuck was back and forth in the service (as, of course, there was a war going on). They lived in Biloxi, Miss., that first year as Chuck was stationed there, but Becky moved home to Chardon when it was time for her first daughter Susan to be born in 1943. Elizabeth was born in 1947 after Chuck was home more permanently.

She raised the girls in Chardon and helped run the Corey Hospital until her mom, Mary Torrence Corey, who was on the school board, asked her to be a substitute teacher at Chardon High School. Becky went back to college at nearby Hiram to get her teaching certificate and soon she was teaching full-time at Chardon.

Becky and Chuck moved to Ashtabula, in 1963, where Becky started teaching at Edgewood High School. She taught English and American History for the next 19 years until her retirement in 1982. Somewhere (somehow) in there, she also received her master’s degree from Edinboro University.

(and probably would have red-lined this obituary!) and opened doors to other ideas and other cultures. The world is a better place because she was in it.

Private family services will be held.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Burr Funeral Home in Chardon. Information and condolences online at www.burrservice. com

Babic, Martin David (Denise) Babic, Lee Ann (James Burkhammer) Babic, Christine Susanne (Mark) Moore and Marcia Lynn (Jerry) Ondo.

She was a favorite with students, and we have heard many stories over the years of her advising the Yearbook, the National Honor Society and AFS (American Field Service, now known as AFS Intercultural Programs).

Becky was a strong female educator before we had very many role models. She was a feminist before definitions. She told stories, corrected the grammar of total strangers

His legacy lives on through his cherished grandchildren, Jessica Chesney, Ronald (Hannah) Brehm, Adam (Courtney) Babic, Allison (Ryan) Miller, Maddie Moore, Tyler (Cassie) Ondo, Katie Moore, Ryan (Corrine) Ondo, Morgan Ondo, Brianna (Randy) Bulman, Rachel, Megan, and Grant Babic; great-grandchildren, Tatum, Calvin, Alex, Ethan, Aiden and Lucille. He is also survived by his sister, Nancy (Chuck) Kuhn.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Billy Babic; and his furry companion “Charlie.”

Private family services will be held.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to a charity of one’s choice in honor of Lee's memory.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Burr Funeral Home in Chardon. For those who wish to share their condolences and memories, please visit www.burrservice. com.

Lee Edward Babic, age 87, peacefully passed away on April 12, 2024, at TriPoint Medical Center in Concord Township.

Lee was born on Sept. 28, 1936, to his parents, Edward and Marian Babic (nee Oinonen), in Painesville.

From his earliest days, Lee embodied the spirit of diligence and perseverance. His work ethic was instilled starting as a young child of 5 years old with his father and, in the 1950s, when he began working for the family business, “Ace Cement Floor.” Through his dedication and commitment, he not only contributed to the family legacy but also cultivated a deep-rooted passion for teaching others.

After his retirement, Lee continued to find fulfillment in sharing his knowledge and skills with others. His love for teaching shone brightly when he and his beloved wife, Susan, embarked on an unforgettable journey to Alabama. For 11 years, they lived life to the fullest in their RV, pouring their hearts into building the Alabama Gold Camp in Lineville. Lee's enthusiasm for panning gold was infectious, as he shared his expertise with eager learners, leaving an indelible mark on countless lives.

Lee's adventurous spirit and thirst for knowledge were boundless. His recent appearance on "America’s Backyard Gold" on the Discovery Channel is a testament to his zest for life and his unwavering commitment to sharing his passions with the world.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Lee's most cherished role was that of a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and brother. He was a devoted teacher to his grandchildren, always eager to share his knowledge and skills. From building treehouses to digging wells, he made learning an adventure.

His legacy will live on in the cherished memories of those he taught, leaving behind a legacy of love, learning and joyful exploration.

Alan Robert Haitsch

Alan “Al” Haitsch, age 63, passed away peacefully on March 26, 2024, at his home in Chardon.

He was born on Feb. 13, 1961, in New Fairfield, Conn., to the late Robert and Elizabeth Haitsch (nee Healey).

In 1994, Al embarked on a new chapter of his life when he and his fiancée, Karen Lucchesi, relocated to Ohio. They settled in Chardon, in 1998, where they built a life filled with love and cherished memories.

Al dedicated 47 years of his life to Aerocontrolex, where he worked as a skilled lab technician. His commitment and passion for his work were evident to all who knew him.

Beyond his professional life, Al found joy in the simple pleasures of tinkering around the house and indulging in his passion for computers and gaming. However, his greatest source of happiness was his family. He treasured every moment spent with his loved ones, creating lasting bonds and unforgettable experiences.

Al is survived by his devoted fiancée, Karen; his children, Michael (Tonya) Haitsch and Arthur; and Karen’s children, Heather Vater and Eric Vater, whom he embraced as his own. He also leaves behind eight grandchildren who held a special place in his heart.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Kevin Haitsch.

Al’s warm smile, generous heart and unwavering love will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. His legacy of love and laughter will continue to live on in the hearts of those he leaves behind.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Burr Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Chardon. Condolences and memories may be shared online at www.burrservice.com Notices

Lee touched the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know him.

Lee is survived by his loving wife, Susan, and their five children, Robert Alan (Lora)

Dr. Edwin A. Hissa II

Dr. Edwin A. Hissa II, age 70, peacefully passed away on April 17, 2024, at his home.

He was born on Oct. 20, 1953, in Cleveland, and grew up in Burton.

He attended medical school at the Uni versity of Cincinnati and worked for the Cleveland Clinic for 35 years as an orthopedic surgeon.

For the past 18 years, he lived in Jackson, and worked at Holzer Medical Center until his recent retirement.

He was a lifelong Catholic and attended St. Helen Catholic Church in Newbury Township and Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Jackson.

He is survived by his wife, Evelyn Woolman Hissa; sisters, Ann (Mike) Humphrey and Alisa (Guy) Humphrey; brothers Michael Hissa and Mathew (Jennifer) Hissa. He is also survived by his children, Erin (Jason) Cunningham, Edwin (Jordan) Hissa and Julia (Chris Ilacqua) Hissa; as well as stepchildren, Thomas Enerva, Samuel Enerva and Joseph Enerva. He had five grandchildren and many, many nieces and nephews.

Edwin is preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Joan (nee Bartek) Hissa; and brother Mark Hissa.

Visitation for friends and family was held April 23, 2024, at Burr Funeral Home, 116 South St., Chardon.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held April 24, 2024, at St Helen Catholic Church, 12060 Kinsman Road, Newbury. A burial followed at Welton Cemetery in Burton.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Burr Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Chardon. Condolences and memories may be shared online at www.burrservice.com

Edna Louise Barnes Davis

Edna Louise Barnes Davis, 90, passed away peacefully on April 12, 2024, at her daugh ter’s home in Toledo.

Edna was born May 30, 1933, and raised on a dairy farm in Huntsburg Town ship.

She was the third of four children, to Ar chie and Caroline (Pelton) Barnes. She mar ried Robert Charles Davis on September 27, 1953, and together they raised one daughter.

Edna is remembered for many talents and accomplishments, including her poetry, jour nalism, civic service, public affairs and family history heritage and research.

When home remodeling was in order, her farm-learned carpentry skills helped her later build many cabinets, closets, and bookcases. She started a small business, built her own darkroom and learned how to develop the pictures she took. She enjoyed sharing many of these pictures of various scenes in Geauga County. She loved to sing in church choirs and especially enjoyed singing in a benefit concert presenting Handel’s Messiah.

Obituaries

Edna loved her family and friends so much. Using excellent cooking, baking and old-fashioned traditions, she created happy memories for holidays, birthday celebrations and numerous other family and friends’ get-togethers.

Growing up on a farm taught her the value of gardening and eating homegrown food. She and her sister were dedicated seasonal canners for fruits, jellies, jams and vegetables. She endeavored to continue to grow a few of her own vegetables well into her later years.

Her Christmas Cactuses and African Violets were rather legendary. Edna had quite the green thumb.

Never a sit and do nothing for long kind of gal, Edna made special friends and admirers even during her time living in long-term care. She stayed busy playing Bingo, quite a variety of games and crafts, and use notebooks to take various meeting minutes.

She would often be seen offering another resident kind words or a hand to hold when she felt it was needed. A number of staff felt honored to have known her. When illness and decline helped initiate the final leg of her life journey, she still wanted to be a part of things even if just watching the world go.

Another favorite activity became the drives around the countryside admiring the farms and seasonal crops, and watching the trains go by.

Edna held a lifelong belief in her Savior, Jesus Christ, and was still trying to share his love and “the word” until a few weeks before her passing. She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints most of her adult life, having also served on a mission with her husband, Bob, until his passing in November 1993. She still attended services in Wauseon, Ohio, until recently. Before her move to Northwest Ohio, she attended the Chardon Branch of the church for many, many years.

Edna will be sorely missed by so many surviving family and friends, including her daughter, Patti; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and other extended family: Heather (Derek), Trevor, Alex, Jeff (Nicole). Timothy (Amanda), Kyla, Jude, Tracy; Amber, Demetri; Robby (Paige), Henry, Raelynn; nephews and niece, John, Carol, Dave, Rick.

Family and friends near and far remained close through Zoom, phone calls, visits, cards and letters. Those meant the world to Edna and especially in these last few years. We can share joy for her that she is finally reunited with Bob; her parents; sister, Betty; brothers, Ken and Harold; and numerous other family

A viewing will be held at 11 a.m., followed by a service at 12:30 p.m., on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at Sly Family Funeral Home, 15670 W. High St., Middlefield. Local clergy will officiate. A private burial service will take place immediately after at Middlefield Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, family and friends are invited to consider a donation towards making Memorial Day more meaningful this year, something that was always important

Arrangements entrusted to Sly Family Funeral Home, 16760 West High St., Middlefield. Online condolences may be left at www. slyffh.com.

Janice Marie Koster

Janice Marie Koster (nee Sanislo), age 71, of Burton Village, for merly of Chester Town ship, passed away peacefully at Maplev iew Country Villa in Chardon.

She was born Sept. 7, 1952, to the late Robert and Cather ine (nee Breznay) in Cleveland and lived in Geauga County for much of her life.

William Roger Fisher

Janice worked for the adult education for Mayfield Schools in programming and was also very involved in community service. She volunteered for many organizations, doing fundraising, including The American Heart Association, The American Cancer Society and Geauga Community Hospital.

An avid flower gardener, she was a member of the Garden Club of Ohio, Ohio Judges Council, Ohio Council of Nationally Accredited Flower Show Judges, Cleveland Flower Arrangers Guild, and Perennial Garden Club of Chester Township.

She was a member of the Governing Board of Geauga County Educational Service Center (2005-2021) and a member of the Ohio School Boards Association for 20 years.

Janice also was a Life Member of the Geauga County Historical Society and a longtime member of the Cortland Conservation Club.

Janice’s extensive career in community-based businesses included Chesterland News (1973-89), part-time dispatcher for Middlefield Central Communications (198083), Central States Airlines, Chester Township Clerk (1990-92) and Educational Computer Consortium of Ohio.

Janice was a devoted Cleveland Indians and Cleveland Browns fan. She could be found in her spare time at a sporting event or watching a game on TV.

Janice is survived by her sisters Catherine (Preston) Moss, of Painesville Township, and Lori (David) Jirousek, of Edmond, Okla.; nieces and nephews, Cari Payne, Olivia Jirousek, Darla Jirousek, Jennifer Guarniere, Brian Guarniere, Nicholas Guarniere, Heather Hills, Christopher Koster, Joseph Koster and Stacey Tabraue.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 41 years, James Koster; and sister Susan Sanislo.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, April 25, 2024, from 4-7 p.m., at Burr Funeral Home, 116 South St., Chardon.

Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Helen Catholic Church, 12060 Kinsman Road, Newbury, followed by private family entombment at All Souls Cemetery in Chardon Township.

Memorial donations in Janice’s memory can be made to Garden Club of Ohio Scholarship Fund, 10356 Ramm Road, Whitehouse, OH 43571, care of Cornelia Wagener; American Cancer Society; or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Burr Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Chardon.

Information and condolences online at www.burrservice.com.

William Roger Fisher, age 89, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family on Thursday, April 18, 2024.

He was born in Burton, on March 16, 1935, to Arthur and Freida (nee Fobes) Fisher.

Bill married his high school sweetheart, Joyce Guark Fisher, on June 4, 1955. Together they were blessed by three children, Diane Fisher Goodwin, Linda (Ken) Humphrey and Roger (Una) Fisher. He has eight grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Bill was a machinist and die maker with Geauga Industries and Clark Rubber in Mentor. He also mowed for 20 years for Cardinal Schools, where he was affectionately called “Mower Bill.”

Bill also served as a volunteer firefighter for Middlefield Fire Department, for 20 years. He also enjoyed coaching boys and girls little league teams.

Committed to the community, he reorganized the Cardinal Band Boosters, along with designing the cross-country course for the schools where his grandchildren ran. Bill also enjoyed working on his woodworking projects.

His hobbies were making all the wood objects for the Christmas display at his home, which was an ongoing 40-year project! Bill also collected salt and pepper shakers, and was a proud member of the International Shaker Club.

He was a devoted family man and was involved in all his children’s activities and supporting his grandchildren wherever and whenever he could.

Bill is survived by his wife of 68 years; children; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and a sister, Ardythe Ashley.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Glenn, James, Phillip; a sister, Donna Ross; and a great-grandson, Eric.

Calling hours were held April 22, 2024, at Sly Family Funeral Home, 15670 West High St., Middlefield, where a funeral service was held April 23, 2024, with Fr. Jacob Bearer and Pastor Roger Kruse officiating. Burial followed at Middlefield Cemetery.

Memorials in his name may be made to the Cardinal Athletic Boosters, P.O. Box 41, Middlefield, OH 44062. Please put Cross Country in the memo.

Arrangements entrusted to Sly Family Funeral Home, 16760 West High St., Middlefield. Online condolences may be left at www. slyffh.com

Obituaries

Loretta A. Jones

Loretta A. Jones, age 82, of Chardon, peacefully passed away on April 20, 2024, at Mapleview Country Villa.

She was born on Dec. 19, 1942, to Norman and Florence (nee Zimmer) Kirshner in Cleveland.

Loretta was an immensely gifted seamstress, creating everything from doll dresses to elegant wedding gowns.

She harbored a profound affection for horses, finding solace and joy in their graceful presence and admiring their strength, beauty and gentle nature.

She wanted to thank Kathy Hunter, whose friendship and unwavering support brought comfort and companionship to Loretta throughout her last days. The love for her daughter Lisa remains in her heart always and forever.

Her gentle spirit and caring nature touched the lives of many, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of all who crossed her path.

As Loretta is laid to rest at All Souls Cemetery in Chardon Township, let us remember her with fondness and gratitude for the warmth and light she brought into the world.

In honoring Loretta's wishes, a private service will be held at All Souls Cemetery.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Burr Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Chardon. Condolences and memories may be shared online at www.burrservice.com.

Emil J. Saloka

Emil J. Saloka, age 95, of Munson Township, formerly of Claridon Township, peacefully passed away on April 20, 2024, at Maplewood of Chardon in Munson.

Born Oct. 28, 1928, in Johnstown, Pa., to the late John and Johanna (nee Piroch) Saloka, Emil moved to Cleveland in 1953 and then off to Geauga County in 1974, where he built the family home.

Emil was a self-employed finish carpenter who, in addition, subcontracted for Snyder Homes, Living Homes, Williamsburg Homes and Payne & Payne Builders. He was one of the hardest working guys you’ve ever met, and everything was a “piece of cake.”

Emil was the personification of the American Dream. He was the son of a Pennsylvania coal miner, knew what hard work was and started at an early age. His famous saying was “measure twice, cut once.”

If you don’t count polkas, he loved four things: faith, family, country and work. He proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, stationed in Germany.

Post retirement, Emil volunteered at St. Helen’s Catholic Church as a carpenter/ handyman. His hobbies were fishing, deer bow hunting, bowling, gardening, apple orchard, cigar chewing and teaching his children how to dance the polka.

Emil is survived by his wife of 68 years, Margaret (nee Zahuranec) Saloka; children, Joseph Saloka, Teresa (Jim) Adamic, Annemarie (Jeff) Wenner and Susan (Marc) Pillot; grandchildren, Jay Adamic, Gregory Wenner, Mary Adamic, Tim Pillot, Heather (Max) Beukeman and Donald (Tabatha)

Adamic; and great-grandchildren, Alexandra, Willow, Fern and Trevor.

He was preceded in death by his siblings, Frank, John, Edward, Genevive, Ethal and Mary Jane.

The family will receive family and friends on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at 9:30 a.m., at St. Helen Catholic Church, 12060 Kinsman Road, Newbury Township. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. at the church. Burial will follow at All Souls Cemetery, Chardon Township.

The family wishes to thank extended family, staff at Maplewood of Chardon, Assisted Living and Hospice of the Western Reserve for the care and help afforded them.

The family requests donations to St. Helen Catholic Church, 12060 Kinsman Road, Newbury, OH 44065.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Burr Funeral Home in Chardon. Information and condolences online at www.burrservice.com.

Robert Charles Chapek

Robert “Bob” Charles Chapek, age 76, died April 20, 2024, at University Hospitals Lake West Medical Center.

Born Nov. 9, 1947, in Eau Claire, Wisc., he has been a lifelong Geauga County resident. He was born to the late Charles and Florence (nee Harris) Chapek.

Bob was a very active member of both Thompson Township, as captain, and Hamb den Township fire departments. He started his journey with the fire service at the age of 16 as a fire cadet. He served more than 50 years with Thompson Fire Department before his retirement but is semi-retired from Hambden Fire Department.

Geauga Sheriff’s Report

The following is a sampling of the calls handled by the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office April 12 to April 18, 2024.

CITIZEN ASSIST

April 12

3:26 a.m., Merritt Road, Sheriff's Office, Munson. Male at lobby at Ohio State Highway Patrol Chardon requesting a deputy to file a complaint. Wanted it documented that he was asked to leave Wal-Mart's property and the Chardon police who told him to leave broke the law, felt that due to Wal-Mart being a public place he had a right to be there. Deputy attempted to explain that the business can refuse on the property. Wanted this documented as he plans to take civil action against Wal-Mart.

CITIZEN DISPUTE

April 18

6:02 p.m., Shasta Drive, Chardon. Caller was riding her bike and suspect tried to hit her with his car. He threatened her verbally and told her she was done. She asked him if he was crazy and he became very verbally aggressive. Stated she was riding her bike eastbound on Wilder Road while suspect was driving white Hyundai and she stated he started to come into her lane. She followed him to his residence and confronted him. He denied going towards her and stated he turned about 60 feet in front of her. Advice given to both parties.

SUSPICIOUS

April 15

Bob proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, in Vietnam.

He was a self-employed plumber and electrician for 60 years.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Susan (nee Vansant) Chapek, of Willowick; son, William J. Richardson, of San Diego, Calif.; siblings Nancy Chapek Hawley, of Thompson, Jill Chapek (Larry) Morse, of Thompson, Chris Chapek (Mel Sanders), of Geneva; nieces and nephews Emmy, Tami, Jason, Hillary and Cameron; great-nieces and great-nephews, Abby, Jesse, Harris, Oliver, Case, Harrison, Charlie, Collin and Carter.

He was preceded in death by brothers William and David; niece Kelly; and nephew Jeremy.

The family will receive friends on Friday, May 3, 2024, from 4-7 p.m., at Burr Funeral Home, 116 South St., Chardon. The service will follow at 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

Burial will take place on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at 10 a.m., at Maple Grove Cemetery in Thompson.

The family requests donations to St. Jude Hospital, www.stjude.org, in Bob’s memory.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Burr Funeral Home in Chardon. Information and condolences online at www.burrservice.com.

and the caller then heard people in his back woods. Caller thinks the people in the woods are affecting his Ring camera. Complainant would like a deputy to check his property and speak with him. No one suspicious observed on property. Complainant advised to reset cameras.

THEFT

April 12

10:26 a.m., Crackel Road, Auburn. Male in lobby to report theft of registered plates. Caller sold his 1978 Chevy van to some unknown male from out of state. The seller's license plate was on the vehicle and the buyer was supposed to mail them back to the seller. The license plate is still being used. The seller is getting bills from toll booths in Pennsylvania and New york from the buyer not paying the tolls. Seller sent a cancel registration form to the Ohio BMV.

April 17

12:30 p.m., Newcomb Road, Middlefield. Came to the store and took a bottle of Nivea cream valued at $2.39. A deputy responded to her residence at Woodin Road and advised her she is no longer welcome in the store, per staffs request.

THREATENING

April 12

1:36 a.m., Bean Road, Munson. Caller says (name redacted) is at the house and is supposed to be at the jail. Outside the home at the moment, drives a maroon ram truck, thinks he will try to burn the house down. Caller says the patio door is open, which she believes the suspect opened. Deputies checked the perimeter, no footprints observed in the grass. Ccurrently confined in the jail. Complainant believes she may have been dreaming.

April 17

9:40 a.m., Munn Road and Sablewood Drive, Auburn. Kenston bus driver is reporting a van that is frequently parked on Munn Road southbound lanes, directly across from Sablewood. It's an older white van possibly a vagrant. It's currently on the west side backed into a driveway access of an old dilapidated barn. Caller advised this is a daily problem, the van moves around to different locations. Male checked OK and advised he lives out of his van. The property the van is parked on is his grandmother's.

April 17

11:33 p.m., Pekin Road, Newbury. Caller thinks someone hacked his ring camera as it plays soft music occasionally, the infrared lights will come on and stay on,

10:38 p.m., McCall Road, Parkman. Husband has threatened to slap her kids so hard there head will spin around. Husband is at work now. Would like officer to stop by to discuss and give advice. Caller was looking for advice as to how to leave her husband. Advice was given. Caller stated that she did not think that her husband would really hurt her son, but does not want to stay married to him either.

April 13

6:53 p.m., Plank Road, Huntsburg. Caller was attempting to prep so he can move out of his ex-girlfriend's house. Father then entered the home and stated: "I should have killed you when I had the chance." Also, was advised that property dispute was a civil issue.

VANDALISM

April 13

2:20 p.m., Burlington Ridge Drive, Munson. Someone poured a lot of maple syrup on their mailbox in the last two hours. Homeowner had maple syrup dumped on top of his mailbox. The maple syrup leaked inside the mailbox through the open screw holes. Unsure when the syrup was dumped on the mailbox. The homeowner can not think of anyone that would dump the syrup and has no current problems with anyone. Checked with neighbors for camera's but did not have any. Checked other mailboxes on the street and did not notice any other mailbox with syrup on it.

Chagrin Valley Farms Jumping to Pony Club Status

By Ann WishArt Ann@kArlovecmediA com

Chagrin Valley Farms in Bainbridge Township is growing its riding academy program and its standing as a United States Pony Club riding center, educating dozens of youth on the care of horses, and the finer points of riding and competition.

Justin Klein, director of operations at CVF, wants to take the renowned equestrian facility to the next level by forming a recognized Pony Club for riders young and old.

For decades, CVF has been one of the premier teaching and showing barns where hunter/jumper and dressage lessons are available from in-house and local trainers.

The farm features shows, camps, events and clinics throughout the year.

The USPC is a nonprofit organization that has a formal curriculum to educate young riders, giving them a foundation of teamwork and sportsmanship.

This includes learning how to care for horses and ponies, and develop leadership, confidence and responsibility through a community effort, according to blog.ponyclub. org.

Youth, eligible until their early 20s, advance through the levels toward certification over a span of 10 years.

“USPC’s educational standards continue to be instrumental in curriculum development for schools, universities, equestrian professionals and organizations across the United States. Many of the nation’s top equestrians, including Olympic team members, as well as successful business professionals and leaders in a variety of fields, have roots in Pony Club,” according to the blog.

As a Pony Club Riding Center, CVF’s

“Pony club is for kids who want to get more involved and enjoy what they are doing. It’s about learning life’s lessons through horses.”

– Justin Klein

Flooding Causes Russell Woman to Seek New Cemetery Plot

By Allison Wilson editor@kArlovecmediA com

The perpetually flooded headstone of her husband brought Melinda Redding to the Russell Township Trustee’ April 18 meeting, projector in hand to provide video evidence of the issues.

Following the passing of Redding’s husband in December of 2021, a headstone was placed for him at Riverview Memorial Park Cemetery on Fairmount Road, said Trustee Kristina Port, providing background on the issue.

“What’s happening now is that there just is a pool of water that is collecting over the top of the headstone base and also is very muddy and very soggy in that area where her husband is buried,” Port said.

Using her projector, Redding showed a short video of the headstone in order to better illustrate the flooding. Her husband’s grave has been surrounded by water for a long time, which makes it difficult for her to reach on her daily visits, she said.

The marker, installed in 2023, is a granite bench upon a 4-inch deep granite base, which is level with the ground. The foundation had

to be redone after issues were discovered in the base, which Redding said were initially blamed for the water problems.

“After I called to express my concerns regarding the excessive water, I was made to feel that I caused the problem by making them redo the foundation,” she said.

Redding keeps a large amount of equipment in her car, including tall boots, towels and a long squeegee in order to maintain the grave.

“I try to keep it nice, but the water keeps increasing and gets worse. Not to mention the mud and ice in winter months,” she said, noting she believes there may be a spring in the area causing the flooding.

“It’s always wet, even when the other graves are dry,” she said. “I have walked the whole cemetery many times to compare his plot. I haven’t found any other graves that hold the water like his does.”

Redding said the water is bad for the granite, which was ordered specially from Africa, as well as for her husband’s military plaque.

She is considering having the grave moved, an action that requires a court order, she said, adding she was previously offered the option of raising the foundation at her

own expense.

“If the base and bench would be raised in its present location, the bench would be much higher to sit on and (I’m) not sure how that would look. Also, it wouldn’t work for me, a short person,” she said.

Port commended Redding for her devotion to her husband and told her the township’s road department is willing to work with the headstone’s monument company to raise the grave’s base, adding she was previously unaware of Redding’s desire to move to a new plot.

It has also been an unusually wet spring, Port noted.

“We’ve gotten eight calls just even this weekend with respect to the rain and almost had a washout at one of our roads due to excessive rain,” she said.

Trustee Matt Rambo said while Redding may want the plot moved, that isn’t a power the trustees have.

“I don’t see why we wouldn’t be able to raise it up and maybe even put fill dirt in,” Rambo said, acknowledging he isn’t part of the road department and doesn’t know if that would create a bigger, muddy mess.

“What I’m trying to do is make sure the

gravestone itself is not muddy, I think that’s our responsibility,” Rambo said.

Redding said she was fine walking through mud to reach the grave, but didn’t want to be sitting on the bench with her feet in deep water. She expressed her fear of putting a lot of time and effort into fixing the grave, only for it to continue flooding.

“If you wanna move the grave, we can’t do it,” Rambo said. “That’s going to have to be something you figure out with a lawyer.”

Following her phone call with Redding, Port said she discussed the issue with Chagrin River Watershed Partners, which said there are federal grants available that may help her.

“They were going to suggest maybe bioswales, some other plants that absorb more water,” she said.

Port suggested vegetative plants in the short term and working on drainage via channels or swales in the long term.

No action was taken on the matter. Port encouraged Redding to remain in contact with the monument company while the township consults with their landscaper and road superintendent.

Pony Club

from page 18

tering the program, assisting with events and ensuring participants become familiar with all the challenges involved with caring for and competing with horses, he said.

Klein said Pony Club will bring quality control to the lesson program at the farm and enhance its reputation in the equestrian community.

He envisions CVF as an equestrian campus for riders of all ages by embracing the Pony Club mission.

“We want CVF to become the best beginner-intermediate riding school in the region,” he said. “We want to train not just riders, but

good people.”

Klein learned to ride while in high school and before coming to CVF, he rode with the Bull Run Hunt Club for a couple of years, he said.

Since Christmas, he has been meeting with horse professionals in the tri-state area and is encouraged in his efforts with longrange plans.

“My goal is to have a student riding for the U.S. internationally at the Olympic level in the next 10 years,” Klein said.

The farm is an ideal location for a Pony Club, with 85 acres of pastures, arenas and a cross-country course used for informal events at the intersection of Washington and Snyder roads.

The Schneider family, which owns Schneider Saddlery in Bainbridge Township, has invested in new arenas and numerous upgrades since acquiring the facility in 2018.

It is the venue for the Chagrin Hunter Jumper Classic, celebrating its 75th anniversary in July.

When Klein picked up the reins at CVF last summer, he was aware the owners wanted someone who could handle the full program of shows, boarders and the scheduling challenges involved with 96 students and a string of school horses.

The Pony Club creation is another facet of the job, he said.

“The Schneiders have dreams for this place,” he said, adding they want to revitalize

the local riding culture through Pony Club.

“They are trying to address underlying issues in the equestrian industry,” he said.

Owning a horse or pony is not a requirement, Klein said.

Members at the lower levels can lease a horse until the right one comes along, he said.

A CVF Academy and Pony Club member receives lessons, mentoring and education in horse care, as well as access to various social events (for fees, visit www.chagrinvalleyfarms.com/ride/).

“Pony club is for kids who want to get more involved and enjoy what they are doing,” Klein said. “It’s about learning life’s lessons through horses.”

S P O R T S

Leo-Led Toppers Beat WRC Rival Riverside

By Rich Kelly spoRts@KaRlovecmedia com

Two seasons removed from winning a state championship, this year’s version of the Chardon Hilltopper baseball team still has many players who were part of that team and know what it takes to win at the top level.

They also want to use all the basics of the game to get back to the finale of state com petition.

On a great baseball-weather day April 16 at Munson Township Park, Chardon took a solid 4-2 victory in Western Reserve Confer ence action from rival Riverside.

Good fundamentals keyed the win, with sev eral players making huge contributions to the victory, as they are expected to do the same all season long by Head Coach Brian Long.

“Pitching and defense keep you in games, and timely hitting will usually help get the win,” he said. “Today we got all of those things, and having Austin back from a football injury was a key thing as well. Add in some of the regular things our guys do all the time, and it adds up to today’s win.”

He referred to the return of senior Austin Leszynski. After a serious knee injury from football, his return was a great thing for him and his teammates to enjoy.

“This was a huge thing for me today,” Leszynski said. “Just to be back with my teammates again was good. I have tried to put in the effort to get back, to maintain my confidence along the way, and to put in the time, as I was directed by everybody, to take my time to get it right. I feel great, and today was really exciting.”

Eyes on the Plan, Badgers Beat Mustangs 10-0

By Rich Kelly spoRts@KaRlovecmedia.com

Coming off a successful season that didn’t fulfill expectations well enough, this year’s version of the Berkshire Badgers baseball program has a great blend of experience and talent that Head Coach Nick Burzanko sees going deeper into the season.

The team took a huge step in that direction April 15 on its home field, using great defense, situational hitting and stout pitching to take a 10-0 Chagrin Valley Conference contest from the Grand Valley Mustangs.

“We will have four key things to work for this season,” Burzanko said. “First, we have to put the ball into play. You have to outscore the other team, and situational hitting can do that. It puts more pressure on the other team as well, forcing them to look at multiple situations.

“Secondly, you need to be aggressive in

Zaumeyer Victorious in 1600 Meters, Shaffer Wins High Jump

Badgers Host First Berkshire Invitational

By alan KoRnspan spoRts@KaRlovecmedia com

The Berkshire Badgers track and field program hosted its inaugural Berkshire Invitational on April 19.

In addition to the home teams, six more schools also participated: Andrews Osborne, Cardinal, Conneaut, Edgewood, Fairview and Fairport Harding.

Badger boys finished third, and the Badgers girls finished fourth.

Highlights for the Badgers included senior Owen Zaumeyer winning the boys 1600-meter run and Kirsten Shaffer winning the girls high jump.

The boys 1600 event was extremely close throughout. In fact, it came down to the sprint to the finish, in which Zaumeyer edged out his opponent by .08 seconds.

Zaumeyer ran a 4:44.68, while his opponent from Fairview, who finished second, recorded a time of 4:44.76.

After the race, Zaumeyer, a Lake Erie College commit for both cross country and track and field, said he didn't expect anyone at the meet to give him competition. However, just before the race, the runner-up from Fairview told Zaumeyer that his seed time was similar.

This highlight motivated Zaumeyer.

“I'm like, ‘I can't let this guy beat me,' ” Zaumeyer said. “It was our first home meet. I really wanted to win this one.”

In the girls high jump, Shaffer said this being the first home meet motivated her, too.

However, she emphasized that her focus for the meet was not on winning, but rather on competing and doing her best.

Cardinal's boys team finished fourth, while Cardinal girls team finished fifth.

Cardinal highlights included Max Soltis winning the shot put by 10 feet past the second place finisher from Edgewood, plus win-

ning the discus with a throw of 122-11.

After the shot put event, Soltis talked about how he performed and how he mentally and physically prepares to compete.

From a physical perspective, he jumps around and gets his arms loosened up before he throws.

Mentally, he described how he focuses his thoughts once he enters the throwing area: “Once I get in that ring, it's just lightouts — like everything goes quiet — and I am

ready to roll, for sure.”

Soltis said the start of his season has been going very well.

“Today was my best day for shot put, and discus has been very good as well. I'm pretty happy with both performances,” he said. “Definitely to get to states is one of my big goals for either one.”

The Cardinal boys team also won three running events with athletes Ethan Bosh and Sam Gdovichin.

Toppers from page 1

were also missing our normal leadoff guy, Will Francis, who has a foot injury. We’ve missed our other top pitcher, too, in Mason Wolf. But the kids have worked so hard, I’m just so proud of that as well.”

With a core of nine seniors on this team, Long has a plethora of players with good experience in big games. They all contribute.

This contest, Colombi had that first-inning double and also walked twice. Beside his great catch in the first frame, he made a diving catch in the left-field corner to rob the Beaver hitter of extra bases, and that lifted everybody up a ton.

An infield chopper down the thirdbase line could not have been walked to its stopping point any better for a single, and Leszynski fanned the next trio of hitters and induced a fly ball to center that Ty Roediger easily corralled to end the threat.

The only error of the day, in the top of the fifth for Chardon, led to an unearned run for the Beavers, cutting the gap to 3-2. But again, Chardon responded accordingly with a manufactured run. Colombi led off with a walk, promptly stole second, and moved to third as Chad Prince dropped down a perfect bunt for a sacrifice. Then pinch hitter Tyler Gideon

Bosh won an extremely close 100-meter race in a time of 11.97; the second-place finisher finished in 11.98.

In the 200-meter, Bosh also won with a time of 24.64. Gdovichin won the 3200m with a time of 10:45.47.

For the girls team, Cardinal's Lily Ayer won the 800m with a time of 2:28.22; and Carly Ayer, Eve Kaminski, Ivy Kaminski and Lily Ayer also won the 4×400-meterm relay with a time of 4:21.63.

delivered a long fly ball to center for the final run of the game.

Joaquin induced three straight outs in the seventh to finish things up.

“I’m basically looking to use a five-man starting rotation for the season,” Coach Long said. “It all starts with Austin, moves on with Mason Wolf, and then we can go with Kyle McCoy, Charlie Clark, freshman Tim Robertson, who can be a good one, and if it works out, Tyler Noerr, who is hurt right now. And it’s just amazing that we can go to Daniel (Joaquin) like we did today.”

This game, the Hilltoppers started Roediger in center, Clark, Fawcett behind the plate, McCoy at second as Francis heals, Gunnoe in right, Buth at third, Colombi in left, Prince at first, and Justin Smith at short.

Everybody made plays and did things to help. The Toppers only managed five hits, but got a lead and held onto it.

With nine seniors on the roster, depth is at a premium for Coach Long. Look for another deep tournament run for this team as they smile and hustle their way through a tough league season as well.

“Every year is a tough road for us in our league,” Long said. “The competition is amazing, but the kids enjoy it and work hard to make it happen. They have a next-man-up mentality all the time, and that’s how you build a winning team.”

Mould Throws Gem, Rader Goes Yard, as Lions Win 7-2

By alan KoRnspan spoRts@KaRlovecmedia com

On a cold morning April 20, the NDCL Lions softball team turned up the heat to defeat the Beaumont Blue Streaks, 7-2, at home.

Beaumont took an early lead when the opponents scored two runs in the top of the first inning.

However, the Lions, behind the stellar pitching of Alex Mould, did not allow another run the rest of the game, then scored seven over the next six and a half innings to claim the victory.

Leading the way for the Lions offensively were seniors Lucy Joyce and Celia Anthony.

Post-game, Joyce and Anthony provided their thoughts about the excellent performances they both had at the plate.

Joyce said her strategy at the plate was to go after the first pitch, but if she did not get the right pitch, she waited for a pitch that she liked.

This worked well, as Joyce was 3-3 with two doubles, a walk and 3 RBI.

Anthony, who was 3-4 on the day, was happy with how she performed at the plate. She said she has been working on her swing at practice, so it was good to see that practice pay off.

After trailing early in the game, Joyce and Anthony would help the Lions make a quick comeback as they both put pressure on Beaumont's defense right away.

In the first inning, Joyce doubled to center field to drive in the Lions' first run of the game.

NDCL took the lead in the third inning

Badgers

from page 1

base-running. We’ve used some new techniques, and they’ve been successful so far there.”

“Thirdly, we have good pitching, so the pitchers need to keep focusing on letting their defense make plays behind them, without needing to strike out every hitter. That helps their concentration.”

“Fourthly, we need to play good situational baseball to compete with the tough teams in our league. The CVC is always tough; you have to look at Kirtland as one of the top teams, Cardinal is tough, even without having Jake Bean pitching now, and Crestwood will be right there as well.”

The strength of the Badgers (4-2) will be their pitching rotation and defense, but the hitting also will be on the money most of the time. Ethan Martin, a tall lanky righthander, is the top guy. He is joined by Patrick Brancel, Sam Barcikoski, Louis Filby and Jack Hastings. All play other positions, but are interchangeable at any time.

Against the Mustangs, Barcikoski led off while playing in left. Brancel was behind the plate, Martin hit third, Filby was the cleanup guy, Hastings patrolled centerfield, Jason Brent was at first base, Paul Brent was in right field, and freshman Oliver Miller plugged the middle of the defense from his shortstop position. Aiden Pollack filled the gap at second base.

With a sweet day for baseball, the previous rains of recent times left a calling card. Hasting made a diving catch in left-center on the first hitter of the game, a misplayed grounder for an error.

The final dagger in Mustang hearts may have come on the very next play. The hit-

when the home team scored three runs to make the score 4-2.

In the third inning, Alexander had a triple and Joyce doubled to ignite the Lions' offense, while pitcher Alex Mould singled to drive in two runs.

Then, in the bottom of the fourth inning, the Lions had the big hit of the game when

ter sent a soft blooper into no-man’s-land in right center, but the speedy Hastings got to it and made another diving catch, which ignited Martin's fastball. He fanned the next four hitters on his way to a one-hit, five-inning shutout that included nine strikeouts.

The Badgers' first-inning miscue was their only misplay in the field (4-2), and in the bottom of the first inning, they manufactured two runs as the four top hitters all reached base.

Barcikoski blooped a single to right-center, Brancel walked, and Martin sent a screamer to left. Barcikoski was picked off at third, but Brancel moved up and scored as Martin singled to left. A wild pitch moved Martin up, and Filby sent a shot at the second baseman that was too hot to handle for an error and the second run.

That was all Martin needed, as his fastball dominated, but the Badgers were not done with the aluminum sticks.

They tallied four runs in the third. Brancel tripled and came home on an infield out; Filby drilled a cannon shot off the scoreboard down the left-field line for a homer; and a hit batman, single from Jason Brent and three errors led to two more runs.

The Badgers put the exclamation point on the game with three more runs in the fourth. A Barcikoski single and back-to-back doubles from Brancel and Martin plated a pair, Hastings sent a shot into the hole at short that drove home the third run, and Barcikoski’s third hit of the game drove home the clincher in the bottom of the fifth.

“We’ve got four starters back this year in our lineup, five lettermen as well,” Burzanko said.

Berkshire was solid last season, going 15-10 overall and 9-3 in CVC action, but expect more this season.

freshman shortstop Lily Rader hit a home run over the right-field fence to make the score 5-2.

Post-game, Rader said her approach at the plate is to get a base hit and help drive in runs. She also emphasized that she looks to hit the first pitch if it is good — and that is exactly what she did. In the fourth inning, Raber hit the first pitch she saw over the rightfield fence.

“I saw it come off the bat and I'm like, ‘Please, please go over the fence,” she said. “And then I watched it go over and that was like the biggest relief, a lot of weight off my shoulders.

“My coach was really happy about it, and my teammates were just so excited for me because they know how bad I wanted to do something like that.”

The Lions added a second run in the fourth on an RBI single by Joyce to make the score 6-2, and their final run came in the bottom of the fifth.

In addition to its excellent offense, NDCL's pitching was phenomenal.

After throwing a combined no-hitter with Rader four days earlier in a 16-1 victory over Lake Catholic, and only giving up one earned run two days earlier against Wickliffe, Mould continued her dominance on the mound

against the Blue Streaks. Pitching a complete game, she gave up only three hits and striking out 12 batters.

Her success, she said, was related to her confidence.

“I felt really confident pitching, and it let me play the best that I could,” Mould said.

“After the first inning, I was feeling really good about my pitches.”

The Lions return to the diamond April 22 when they host the Walsh Jesuit Warriors.

Bulletin Board Geauga Public Library

Effective Aug. 1, 2023, for-profit and nonprofit organizations or groups will need to purchase a paid advertisement for an event anytime tickets are sold, a fee is charged or a freewill donation is taken. If an organization or group does not wish to buy an ad to promote their event and connect with our readers, Karlovec Media Group will print a simple liner-type ad identifying the event, date/time/place and a number to call for more information. E-mail submissions to: cbb@karlovecmedia.com

Food Pantry Open

April 26, 10 a.m. to noon

The food pantry at the Chester Christian Center church is open to anyone in the community in need of food.

One does not need to be a member of the church to attend. The church is located at 11815 Chillicothe Road in Chester Township.

Master Gardeners Helpline

Have gardening questions? A Master Gardeners Volunteers helpline is available via phone on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays by calling 440-834-4656, May through October, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Or email questions to mggeauga@ yahoo.com anytime. Planning a garden-related event and need a speaker or interested in learning more about MGV scholarships? Call 440-834-4656.

FGP Explorers Series

May 4, 10 a.m. to noon

Join Foundation for Geauga Parks to explore wildflowers and sugaring history along the Eagle Trail at Headwaters Park, 15052 Mayfield Road, Huntsburg Township.

For information or to register, visit foundationforgeaugaparks.org or call 440564-1048.

Meet Us in the Garden

May 4, 10 a.m.

The Lake County Master Gardener Volunteers, in partnership with the Mentor Public Library, hosts its next Meet Us in the Garden session at the library’s main branch, 8215 Mentor Ave.

Join for “Lawn Care Calendar,” an overview of turfgrass varieties commonly grown in northeast Ohio and the conditions that promote a healthy lawn. Common pest and disease problems will also be discussed. The session is free, but registration is required. Visit mentorpl.org or call 440-255-8811.

Grant-in-Aid Program

Perennial Gardeners Plant Sale

May 11, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Perennial Gardeners of Chesterland’s annual plant sale in the parking lot of Chester Town Hall, 12701 Chillicothe Road, features a large assortment of hanging baskets, perennials, natives, houseplants, herbs and annuals.

Check out the Garden Shed and the boutique for unique items related to home and garden. Gift certificates are available now. Sale will be held rain or shine. For more information, email perennialgardenerschesterland@gmail.com.

Auburn School Alumni Reunion

May 19, 2 p.m.

The Auburn School Alumni 116th Reunion will be held at Adam Hall on Washington Street. The event is open to anyone who attended Auburn School for any period of time as a teacher, student, staff member or other capacity from 1933 to the 1990s.

By reservations only, contact Patti Phillips at 440-343-0054 or Jake Trethewey at 440-991-7432, or email AuburnSchoolAlumni@gmail.com with one’s name, address and how many by May 12.

Have A Heart Spay/Neuter

Valley Save-A-Pet’s Have A Heart program offers cat and dog sterilizations at a discounted rate to pet owners.

Call 440-232-2287 any Monday, Wednesday or the first Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for information and to apply for a spay/neuter certificate. Spay/neuter services for feral cats to help reduce the feral cat population are also available.

For more information, visit www.valleysaveapet.org.

Schools

The Omega Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, a society of women educators in Geauga County, is offering a grant-in-aid to a female student who is entering her junior or senior year of college and is majoring in education.

The applicant must be a graduate of a Geauga County high school. The deadline for completed applications is June 28. Interested applicants should contact Mrs. Deborah Hofstetter, Grant-in-Aid Committee, Delta Kappa Gamma, P.O. Box 313, Chardon, OH 44024.

geaugamapleleaf.com

Programs require registration unless otherwise noted. Include an email and phone number when registering for programs to receive updates about all programs. Visit www.geaugalibrary.net.

Storytimes

Join for a storytime that is sure to engage, connect and inspire children with their imagination.

A complete list of upcoming storytime programs is available to view on the website’s programs calendar.

Discussion Groups

No registration is required.

• Geauga West, May 2, 2 p.m., “Citizen Kane” (1941)

• Chardon, May 10, 3:30 p.m., “Lawrence of Arabia” (1962)

• Chardon, May 11, 2 p.m., “The Elfstones of Shannara” by Terry Brooks

• Bainbridge, May 13, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing” by Matthew Perry

• Chardon, May 15, 7 p.m., “The Vanishing Half” by Brit Bennett

Crafting Nights

May 2, 7-8:30 p.m. • Chardon

Unite with other needle-based artists in a friendly environment where the night's goal is to laugh, have fun and craft.

New Passport Fair

May 4, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Bainbridge

GCPL has partnered with the Geauga County Clerk of Courts to provide a one-stop shopping experience to help one complete the necessary steps to get a passport. Visit the website for information. No registration is required.

200 Years of Fashion History

May 4, 2 p.m. • Middlefield

Kent State professor Sara Hume will discuss the major changes in fashion over the past two centuries while drawing from KSU’s world-class collection of historic fashion.

Continuum of Care Presentation

May 6, 2 p.m.

• Bainbridge

Join Assisted Living Locators for a free educational program featuring a panel of experts who can help answer questions about resources available for seniors and their families.

Human Trafficking Prevention

May 6, 6:30 p.m. • Middlefield

Laura Bartchak, executive director of the Harriet Tubman Movement, will discuss the Harriet Tubman Movement's mission to help human trafficking victims heal and achieve freedom.

Look & Learn Library Databases

May 10, 10-11:30 a.m. • Bainbridge

Learn how to use the library’s digital language learning resources, Rosetta Stone and Mango Languages, like a pro with help from trained library staff.

Book Donation Day

May 11, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. • Offsite

Drive up, drop off and donate unwanted books to the Geauga County Library Foundation. Bring any gently used or new books to the Geauga County Fairgrounds near Gate 1 and help the Foundation restock its book sale supply. Visit the website for more information.

“My Dear Mrs. Garfield”

May 11, 2 p.m. • Virtual

Log in through Zoom to learn about President Garfield’s death and hear excerpts from sympathy letters Lucretia Garfield received after his assassination.

Special Education Workshop for Parents

May 15, 6:30-8:30 p.m. • Administrative Center

Join The Learning Disabilities Association of Ohio and learn more about special education procedures, evaluations, IEPs and parental rights.

Seniors

Chardon Senior Center Happenings

470 Center St., Building 8, Chardon 440-279-2126

• Lunch and Speaker Series: May 3, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Join Kathie Doyle for “The Great Depression.” We will start with the presentation and follow with Lunch will follow the presentation. Registration is required for the free event.

• History of the Lake Branch of the B&O Railroad: May 7, 12-1:30 p.m.

Learn about the industries along the railroad that ran in the early 1900s through 1981 and hear about interesting things that

happened along the way. Lunch is included. Registration is required.

• Diabetes Support Group: May 21, 2 p.m. Ask A Pharmacist - Bring one’s medication list. The UH Geauga Pharmacy team will discuss diabetes medications, how they work, and how keeping blood sugar stable is important. For questions and to RSVP, call Sandy McLeod at 440-279-2137.

• Parkinson’s Support Group: May 21, 12:30 p.m. Speech Therapy - Catherine Mayer, speech therapist from UH Geauga, will talk about swallowing, voice issues and ways to improve speech. For questions and to RSVP, call Sandy McLeod at 440-279-2137.

On April 17, the Rotary Club of Bur ton-Middlefield (BMR) hosted its scholarship awards night to honor three deserving recipients. The winners are Anna Layman, a senior at Cardinal High School; Samantha Winter, a senior at Berkshire/Auburn Career Center, where she is studying radiology; and Caeley Powell, a senior at Berkshire High School.

other Rotary program last year, attending the Rotary's World Affairs Seminar in Wisconsin.

The recipients were awarded $2,500 each to be used toward their college expenses. These three bright and active young women are poised to represent their families, schools and Rotary admirably as they pursue higher education.

4-H News

Geauga Beef and Swine

The April 14 meeting for the Geauga Beef and Swine Club was called to order at 4:07 p.m. by vice president Addie Burnett at the Hambden Township Hall. There were 32 members present.

The meeting was focused on an opportunity to raise funds. Members welcomed representatives from the Buckeye Retriever Club. They discussed an amazing opportunity for club members to work at their events to raise money for the club. They discussed the jobs that they would do while attending their events and there was a lot of interest from club members and parents.

Six club members presented their report

topics at the April meeting. Faith presented parasites in cattle, Brayden presented his report on swine routine and Aiden presented his own turkey diseases. Coby, Coltin and Lauren also presented their reports. The vice president also assigned new reports for the May meeting.

Poultry members are awaiting their turkeys, and swine members are busy selecting their hogs. Mr. Calabrese shared information about swine tagging, which is due May 18. Lamb and goat tagging is also due then. For education, all members reviewed worksheets on medication inserts and labels.

The next meeting is May 19 at 4 p.m. at the fairgrounds school building. (Submitted by Allie Stumph, 12, news reporter)

S C H O O L S

Kenston

Westervelt, Trey Wieland, Andrew Czernicki, Jack Miller, Adam Krupsa, and Ben Beaumont; middle row: Broden Bishop, Kenston High School Principal Mr. Tom Gabram, Breana Badley, Sophia Norris, Joy Zambataro, Adriana Maldonaldo, Addison Albrecht, Kade Miller, Helena Haar, Amanda Feeman, Teddy Kiel, Auburn Career Center Director of High School Chris Mitchell, and Auburn Career Center Enrollment Specialist Barb Gordon (Auburn); and seated: Jonathan Pozwick, Tay Cable, Gabriella Puzzo, Kolby Sowards, Gianna Giallombardo, Calli Jakacki, Zoei

Chardon

Sheriff Deputies

Address Students

Berkshire school resource officers and Geauga County Sheriff Deputies Joe Ray and Josh Mikolajski recently visited with Mr. Higgs’ U.S. Government classes. The deputies’ primary focus was to educate students on the procedures that take place during traffic stops.

During the discussion, students learned how to conduct themselves during a traffic stop to maximize officer and citizen safety. The deputies advised students of where and how to keep their hands in sight and encouraged all to put their car windows down at night if the windows are tinted.

After conducting a mock traffic stop, deputies fielded questions from each class.

Students asked questions about a litany of topics and Deputies Ray and Mikolajski shared some stories from their experienc es outside of the district. Students found answers to questions about the Fourth Amendment and the differences between probable cause and reasonable suspicion.

The government classes also asked questions about window tinting, speeding infractions and general questions about the role of police. On behalf of all the U.S. Government course students, thank you to Geauga County Sheriff Deputies Joe Ray and Josh Mikolajski for taking the opportu nity to educate our students in these key areas.

We hope this serves as the first of many presentations brought directly to students by the deputies.

Kindergarten Orientation Night

Parents and guardians of 2024-25 incoming kindergarten students are encouraged to attend Kindergarten Orientation Night on May 2 at 6:30 p.m. in the Chardon Early Learning Center gymnasium at 308 Maple Ave. in Chardon. The event is designed for parents and guardians only and will share pertinent information to help kindergarten families prepare for the new school year beginning on Aug. 14. Questions about the event can be directed to CELC secretary Lisa Loncar at 440-285-4066 or lisa.loncar@chardonschools.org. Register at www.chardonschools.org.

Questions regarding registration can be directed to the board office weekdays at

440-285-4052 or by emailing board secretary Christine Creviston at christine.creviston@ chardonschools.org.

CHS Bingo Night

The Chardon High School’s senior student council invites the Chardon community to attend an evening of bingo filled with prizes and food. The event will be held on April 29 at 6 p.m. in the school cafeteria located at 151 Chardon Ave. Admission is $10 per person.

The senior student council will donate half of the event’s proceeds to Sub Zero Mission in Painesville and the other half to the CHS cafeteria. RSVP in advance to CHS Guidance secretary Brandi Giddings at brandi.giddings@chardonschools.org or 440-285-4060.

Cardinal

Senior Citizens Dinner

The West Geauga Senior Citizens Appreciation Dinner will be held at 4:30 p.m. May 8 in the West Geauga Middle School cafeteria, 8615 Cedar Road in Chester Township.

Guest speaker is former WKYC and WEWS TV executive producer Terry Moir. The event is sponsored by West Geauga Local Schools and the Rotary Club of Chesterland.

Payment of $5 per person will be collected at the door. For reservations, call Diane Martin at 440-729-5913 by May 1.

WGMS Wolverines of the Month

Each month, West Geauga Middle School recognizes one student from each grade level as WolveRRRine of the Month. The students demonstrate the three R’s of being Respectful, Responsible and Ready to Learn.

Third quarter winners are: Sadie Henderson, Cara Borz and Jeremiah Frabotta for January; Emily Colella, Nick Misterka and Liam Magill for February; and Samantha Zontini, Gabby Atwara and Elijah Fesler for March.

SUBMITTED Cardinal Local Schools hosted the monthly meeting for the Middlefield Chamber of Commerce on April 16. Technology teacher Adam Boyle and students Deano D., Dominic N. and Jaiden F. presented the high school’s new manufacturing and engineering pathway, along with the

AUBURN TOWNSHIP

Tyler R. and Alyssa Hardman, 11330 Franks Road, to Kim Thomas Kuhnle, $190,000. (10.02 acres)

17248 Munn Road LLC, Munn Road, to WWJZ Properties LLC, $400,000. (24.38 acres)

BAINBRIDGE TOWNSHIP

Canyon Lakes Colony Co., Crescent Ridge (s/l 429), to Erick and Michelle Thomas, $290,000. (1.15 acres)

Premier Enterprises Group LLC, 16685 Kent Street (s/l 1255-1260), to Verna Cooper, $74,400. (0.30 acres)

Nicholas D. and Carol A. Timcisko, 8140 Stoney Brook Drive, to Kristen Jean and Brian Miller, $443,000. (0.50 acres)

Virginia DiPadova (trustee TOD), 17622 Walnut Trail (Unit 3A), to Julia Coming, $239,300. (0.00 acres)

Canyon Lakes Colony Co., Crescent Ridge

Real Estate Transfers

(s/l 427), to Cleveland River Partners LLC, $290,000. (1.37 acres)

Peter Michael Smith Howley, 7912 Country Lane, to Sophie B. Schoen and Matthew C. Meltzer, $425,000. (1.78 acres)

Canyon Lakes Colony Co., Canyon Ridge (s/l 340), to David E. Schreiner (trustee), $147,000. (0.26 acres)

Canyon Lakes Colony Co., Crescent Ridge (s/l 422), to Bradley A. and Sandra L. Blackburn, $285,000. (0.95 acres)

Canyon Lakes Colony Co., Canyon Ridge (s/l 383), to Bravo Homes LLC, $147,000. (0.28 acres)

BURTON TOWNSHIP

Sherrie L. Gutherie, et al., 16222 Paulette Drive, to KG Enterprises, $34,500. (0.57 acres)

CHARDON TOWNSHIP

Jan A. Sopko, 10157 Ravenna Road, to Katelynn Marie Humble and Steven Kalinoff, $430,000. (5.97 acres)

Charles B. Grasser (trustee), 10055 Woodview Drive, to Brett and Hannah Sroka, $362,000. (1.21 acres)

Charles B. Grasser (trustee), South Wintergreen Drive, to Brett and Hannah Sroka, $12,900. (0.35 acres)

CHESTER TOWNSHIP

Etalo N. Frate, 12990 Heath Road, to Jason Christopher Snyder, $242,000. (1.10 acres)

Brian Cobb and Lori S. Cobb Kreisman,

7992 Oxford Lane, to Brian Cobb, $134,300. (3.00 acres)

CLARIDON TOWNSHIP

Valerie Streble (successor trustee), 11110 Kile Road, to Stephanie Ramski Gabrish, $415,000. (5.02 acres)

Greta J. Price, 12901 Old State Road, to Gayland and Marilyn Moore, $25,000. (1.28 acres)

HAMBDEN TOWNSHIP

Jerry Tyler and Theresa A. McGrattan, 9410 S. Brown Road, to David Grebenc, $501,000. (5.00 acres)

Shane Quin, 8790 Sumner Road, to John T. Rath, $170,000. (6.59 acres)

HUNTSBURG TOWNSHIP

William A. C. and Amanda Miller, Durkee Road, to Joseph and Emma Kauffman, $25,000. (5.00 acres)

MIDDLEFIELD VILLAGE

NVR Inc., 15239 Timber Ridge (s/l 170), to Randy D. Clark and Cheryl Ann Finocchi, $368,570. (9.74 acres)

Daniel P. (TOD) and Mary D. (TOD) Nemunaitis, 15344 Knox Circle, to Raymond A. and Deborah A. Varcho, $42,900. (0.11 acres)

Middlefield Parkway, 15235 Timber Ridge, to NVR Inc., $64,600. (0.21 acres)

MUNSON TOWNSHIP

Garrett E. Purkapile Fox and Riane L. To-

voli, 11495 Woodiebrook Road, to Garret E. Purkapile Fox, $115,150. (1.05 acres)

David and Maria Kucmanic, Mulberry Road, to Mark and Bridgette Percassi, $40,000. (1.89 acres)

Karl T. and Joanne M. Kule, 10814 Butternut Road, to Gabriel H. Hansen and Shaun M. Lynch, $357,500. (1.62 acres)

NEWBURY TOWNSHIP

Adam A. Kirsch, 12207 Meadowbrook Drive, to First National Bank of America, $32,700. (0.18 acres)

PARKMAN TOWNSHIP

Andrew E. and Verna M. Schlabach, 16643 Madison Road, to Allen D. Burkholder and Christina M. Burkholder, $300,000. (7.03 acres)

Sugarhill Limited, Agler Road, to Aden N. and Margaret S. Yoder, $155,000. (10.33 acres)

RUSSELL TOWNSHIP

Robert and Mark Milstein, 7020 Kinsman Road, to Mark Milstein, $574,500. (9.74 acres)

SOUTH RUSSELL VILLAGE

Lazaro Lopez, 1429 Bell Road, to Gregory A. and Gillian Hanzel, $450,000. (1.01 acres)

Catherine Bassett (trustee), Bell Road, to Anne H. Burr (trustee), $33,000. (2.94 acres)

NOTICE OF SALE UNDER JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE OF LIENS FOR DELINQUENT LAND TAX

Revised Code, Sec. 5721.191

Case No. 19-F-000234

CHRISTOPHER P. HITCHCOCK, TREASURER OF GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO, Plaintiff vs. NICOLAS LINDIC, ET AL., Defendants

Whereas, judgment has been rendered against certain parcels of real property for taxes, assessments, penalties, costs and charges as follows:

Parcel No(s): 04-150703 - 3.57 acres.

Address: known on the tax duplicate as 04-150703 – 14716 ASPEN HILLS LANE, BURTON TOWNSHIP, OH.

Description: “As Geauga County has adopted a permanent parcel number system, it has been determined that publication of the complete legal description is not necessary to provide reasonable notice of the foreclosure sale to potential bidders. The complete legal description can be located in the Court’s file located at the Geauga County Clerk of Court’s office, located on the 3rd floor of the Geauga County Courthouse, 100 Short Court, Chardon, Ohio 44024.”

Last known owner: NICOLAS P. LINDIC, 14716 ASPEN HILLS LANE, BURTON, OH 44021.

MINIMUM BID: $26,053.69

Whereas, such judgment orders such real property to be sold by the undersigned to satisfy the total amount of said judgment; Now, therefore, public notice is hereby given that Scott A. Hildenbrand, Sheriff of Geauga County, Ohio, will sell such real property at public auction, for cash to the highest bidder of an amount sufficient to satisfy the judgment against each parcel at 10:00 o’clock A.M. at the door of the Court House in the City of Chardon, Ohio on THURSDAY, THE 23RD DAY OF MAY, 2024, at 10:00 o’clock A.M., and if any parcel does not receive a sufficient bid, it shall be offered for sale, under the same terms and conditions of the first sale and at the same time of day and at the same place, on THURSDAY, THE 6TH DAY OF JUNE, 2024 for an amount sufficient to satisfy the judgment against the parcel.

Public notice is hereby given that all such real property to be sold at public auction may be subject to a federal tax lien that may not be extinguished by the sale, and purchasers of any such real property are urged to search the Federal Tax Lien index that is kept by the County Recorder to determine if notice of a federal tax lien has been filed with respect to any such real property.

DEPOSIT: Pursuant to Geauga County Local Rule 13, the required deposit for this offering shall be $300 or 10% of bid, whichever is greater. Said deposit shall be CASH or CERTIFIED CHECK, payable to the Geauga County Sheriff.

Now, therefore, public notice is hereby given that Scott A. Hildenbrand, Sheriff of Geauga County, Ohio, will sell such real property at public auction, for cash to the highest bidder of an amount sufficient to satisfy the judgment against each parcel at 10:00 o’clock A.M. at the door of the Court House in the City of Chardon, Ohio on THURSDAY, THE 23RD DAY OF MAY, 2024, at 10:00 o’clock A.M., and if any parcel does not receive a sufficient bid, it shall be offered for sale, under the same terms and conditions of the first sale and at the same time of day and at the same place, on THURSDAY, THE 6TH DAY OF JUNE, 2024 for an amount sufficient to satisfy the judgment against the parcel.

Public notice is hereby given that all such real property to be sold at public auction may be subject to a federal tax lien that may not be extinguished by the sale, and purchasers of any such real property are urged to search the Federal Tax Lien index that is kept by the County Recorder to determine if notice of a federal tax lien has been filed with respect to any such real property.

DEPOSIT: Pursuant to Geauga County Local Rule 13, the required deposit for this offering shall be $300 or 10% of bid, whichever is greater. Said deposit shall be CASH or CERTIFIED CHECK, payable to the Geauga County Sheriff.

TERMS OF SALE: Cash if Purchase Price is $300.00 or less. If more than $300.00 Purchase Price is to be paid in accordance with the Rule of Court of Common Pleas, Geauga County, Ohio, governing Sheriff’s Sales.

SCOTT A. HILDENBRAND, Sheriff Geauga County, Ohio

Kristen K. Rine, attorney

Apr25May2-9, 2024

NOTICE OF SALE UNDER JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE OF LIENS FOR DELINQUENT LAND TAX

Revised Code, Sec. 5721.191

Case No. 23-F-000470

CHRISTOPHER P. HITCHCOCK, TREASURER OF GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO, Plaintiff vs. WALTER W. BATES, ET AL., Defendants

Whereas, judgment has been rendered against certain parcels of real property for taxes, assessments, penalties, costs and charges as follows:

Parcel No(s): 23-267600 - 0.07 acres; 23267700 - 0.07 acres; 23-267800 - 0.07 acres.

Address: known on the tax duplicate as 23-267600 – VACANT LAND ON ZENITH DRIVE, NEWBURY TOWNSHIP, OH.; 23-267700 – 14681 ZENITH DRIVE, NEWBURY TOWNSHIP, OH.; 23-267800 –VACANT LAND ON ZENITH DRIVE, NEWBURY TOWNSHIP, OH.

Description: “As Geauga County has adopted a permanent parcel number system, it has been determined that publication of the complete legal description is not necessary to provide reasonable notice of the foreclosure sale to potential bidders. The complete legal description can be located in the Court’s file located at the Geauga County Clerk of Court’s office, located on the 3rd floor of the Geauga County Courthouse, 100 Short Court, Chardon, Ohio 44024.”

Last known owner: WALTER W. BATES AND EILEEN BATES, 14681 ZENITH DRIVE, NEWBURY, OH 44065.

MINIMUM BID: $5,246.46

Whereas, such judgment orders such real property to be sold by the undersigned to satisfy the total amount of said judgment;

Now, therefore, public notice is hereby given that Scott A. Hildenbrand, Sheriff of Geauga County, Ohio, will sell such real property at public auction, for cash to the highest bidder of an amount sufficient to satisfy the judgment against each parcel at 10:00 o’clock A.M. at the door of the Court House in the City of Chardon, Ohio on THURSDAY, THE 23RD DAY OF MAY, 2024, at 10:00 o’clock A.M., and if any parcel does not receive a sufficient bid, it shall be offered for sale, under the same terms and conditions of the first sale and at the same time of day and at the same place, on THURSDAY, THE 6TH DAY OF JUNE, 2024 for an amount sufficient to satisfy the judgment against the parcel.

TERMS OF SALE: Cash if Purchase Price is $300.00 or less. If more than $300.00 Purchase Price is to be paid in accordance with the Rule of Court of Common Pleas, Geauga County, Ohio, governing Sheriff’s Sales. SCOTT A. HILDENBRAND, Sheriff Geauga County, Ohio Kristen K. Rine, attorney

Apr25May2-9, 2024

NOTICE OF SALE UNDER JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE OF LIENS FOR DELINQUENT LAND TAX

Revised Code, Sec. 5721.191

Case No. 23-F-000273

CHRISTOPHER P. HITCHCOCK, TREASURER OF GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO, Plaintiff vs. UNKNOWN HEIRS, IF ANY, OF SUZANNE M. GORDON, ET AL., Defendants

Whereas, judgment has been rendered against certain parcels of real property for taxes, assessments, penalties, costs and charges as follows:

Parcel No(s): 22-001700 - 3.51 acres.

Address: known on the tax duplicate as 22-001700 – 13115 HEATH ROAD, MUNSON TOWNSHIP, OH.

Description: “As Geauga County has adopted a permanent parcel number system, it has been determined that publication of the complete legal description is not necessary to provide reasonable notice of the foreclosure sale to potential bidders. The complete legal description can be located in the Court’s file located at the Geauga County Clerk of Court’s office, located on the 3rd floor of the Geauga County Courthouse, 100 Short Court, Chardon, Ohio 44024.”

Last known owner: SUZANNE M. GORDON AND RICHARD

Whereas, such judgment orders such real property to be sold by the undersigned to satisfy the total amount of said judgment;

Now, therefore, public notice is hereby given that Scott A. Hildenbrand, Sheriff of Geauga County, Ohio, will sell such real property at public auction, for cash to the highest bidder of an amount sufficient to satisfy the judgment against each parcel at 10:00 o’clock A.M. at the door of the Court House in the City of Chardon, Ohio on THURSDAY, THE 23RD DAY OF MAY, 2024, at 10:00 o’clock A.M., and if any parcel does not receive a sufficient bid, it shall be offered for sale, under the same terms and conditions of the first sale and at the same time of day and at the same place, on THURSDAY, THE 6TH DAY OF JUNE, 2024 for an amount sufficient to satisfy the judgment against the parcel.

Public notice is hereby given that all such real property to be sold at public auction may be subject to a federal tax lien that may not be extinguished by the sale, and purchasers of any such real property are urged to search the Federal Tax Lien index that is kept by the County Recorder to determine if notice of a federal tax lien has been filed with respect to any such real property.

DEPOSIT: Pursuant to Geauga County Local Rule 13, the required deposit for this offering shall be $300 or 10% of bid, whichever is greater. Said deposit shall be CASH or CERTIFIED CHECK, payable to the

and if any parcel does not receive a sufficient bid, it shall be offered for sale, under the same terms and conditions of the first sale and at the same time of day and at the same place, on THURSDAY, THE 6TH DAY OF JUNE, 2024 for an amount sufficient to satisfy the judgment against the parcel. Public notice is hereby given that all such real property to be sold at public auction may be subject to a federal tax lien that may not be extinguished by the sale, and purchasers of any such real property are urged to search the Federal Tax Lien index that is kept by the County Recorder to determine if notice of a federal

Whereas, such judgment orders such real property to be sold by the undersigned to satisfy the total amount of said judgment;

Public notice is hereby given that all such real property to be sold at public auction may be subject to a federal tax lien that may not be extinguished by the sale, and purchasers of any such real property are urged to search the Federal Tax Lien index that is kept by the County Recorder to determine if notice of a federal tax lien has been filed with respect to any such real property.

DEPOSIT: Pursuant to Geauga County Local Rule 13, the required deposit for this offering shall be $300 or 10% of bid, whichever is greater. Said deposit shall be CASH or CERTIFIED CHECK, payable to the Geauga County Sheriff.

above be required to answer and set up their interest in said real estate or be forever barred from asserting the same, for foreclosure of said mortgage, the marshalling of any liens, and the sale of said real estate, and the proceeds of said sale applied to the payment of Petitioner’s claim in the proper order of its priority, and for such other further relief as is just and equitable.

DEFENDANTS NAMED ABOVE ARE REQUIRED TO ANSWER ON OR BEFORE THE 20 DAY OF JUNE, 2024.

BY: Keith D. Weiner & Associates Co., L.P.A., Daniel C. Wolters (#0076521), 1100 Superior Avenue East, Suite 1100, Cleveland, OH 44114. Tel: (216) 771-6500, Fax: (216) 7716540. email: courtnotices@weinerlaw.com

Apr18-25 May2-9-16-23, 2024

RESOLUTION

OF THE GEAUGA PUBLIC HEALTH BOARD OF HEALTH CREATING CERTAIN FEES

WHEREAS, the Ohio Revised Code, Section 3709.09, permits the Board of Health to establish by Rule, a uniform system of fees to pay the cost of any service provided by the Board of Health for which no fee is prescribed by law; and WHEREAS, it has been determined by the Board of Health through a program cost analysis that the fees for certain services are needed to pay the cost of providing those services and;

WHEREAS, the Board of Geauga Public Health is determined to provide quality Public Health services to Geauga County residents in a cost effective manner.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED That, for the purpose of preserving and promoting the Public Health and Welfare, the foregoing fees are hereby enacted as follows:

1. One-year operational permit $30.00

A one-year operational permit will apply to NPDES systems, drip distribution systems and pretreatment systems.

1st reading February 28, 2024, 2nd reading March 20, 2024, and 3rd and Final Reading April 24, 2024. Published April 25, 2024, and May 2, 2024, and become effective May 6, 2024. Apr25 May2, 2024

PUBLIC NOTICE Passage of Ordinances & Resolutions City of Chardon Notice is hereby given that the Council of the City of Chardon, duly passed and/or adopted the following legislation:

RESOLUTION NO. 02-24

A RESOLUTION AWARDING THE CENTER STREET SANITARY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT TO THE LOWEST AND BEST BIDDER AND AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH DIGIOIA SUBURBAN EXCAVATING FOR PERFORMANCE OF THE PROJECT CONSISTENT WITH ITS BID SUBMISSION AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 8TH day of February, 2024.

ORDINANCE NO. 3263

AN ORDINANCE ACCEPTING CERTAIN PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS DEDICATED BY FLG-CHARDON, LLC FOR PUBLIC USE, AUTHORIZING THE RECORDING OF A DEDICATION PLAT, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 8TH day of February, 2024.

ORDINANCE NO. 3264

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING APPROPRIATIONS IN THE CITY OF CHARDON TREASURY FOR 2024 AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 8TH day of February, 2024.

ORDINANCE NO. 3265

AN ORDINANCE TO MAKE ANNUAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR CURRENT EXPENSES AND OTHER EXPENDITURES OF THE CITY OF CHARDON, STATE OF OHIO DURING THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2024 AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 7TH day of March, 2024.

ORDINANCE NO. 3266

AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A LEASE WITH THE FINE ARTS ASSOCIATION, INC. FOR THE USE OF 106 WATER STREET AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 14TH day of March, 2024.

ORDINANCE NO. 3267

AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING ALL ACTIONS NECESSARY TO ACCEPT NORTHEAST OHIO PUBLIC ENERGY COUNCIL

(NOPEC) 2024 ENERGIZED COMMUNITY

GRANT FUNDS AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 14TH day of March, 2024.

The complete text of these ordinances and resolutions may be viewed or obtained at the office of the Clerk of Council, 111 Water Street, Chardon, Ohio, during regular business hours.

By order of the Council of the City of Chardon, Ohio.

AMY DAY, CLERK OF COUNCIL

Apr25, 2024

NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING

Russell Township

Notice is hereby given that the Russell Township Board of Zoning Appeals will have one Public Hearing for an appeal for a variance to the Russell Township Zoning Resolution on Monday, May 6, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. at the Russell Township Town Hall. 14890 Chillicothe Road, Novelty, Ohio.

Variance Application #562 submitted by Travis Lemmings of 13730 Sperry Road. Parcel #26-214057. The Applicant is seeking to obtain a variance to construct an accessory structure/ three bay garage in front of the principal Building/front yard.

Laurel Schools Butler Campus: The property is located at 7420 Fairmount Road. Parcel #26707034. Environmental Management Plan (EMP) Annual Review.

The Board of Zoning Appeals welcomes factbased testimony to assist in making an informed decision.

C. Birli, Secretary Apr25, 2024

PUBLIC NOTICE

Passage of Ordinances & Resolutions

City of Chardon

Notice is hereby given that the Council of the City of Chardon, duly passed and/or adopted the following legislation:

ORDINANCE NO. 3268

AN ORDINANCE ENACTING THE DECEMBER 2023 REPLACEMENT PAGES TO THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF CHARDON AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 11TH day of April, 2024.

ORDINANCE NO. 3269

AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING PARTICIPATION IN ODOT COOPERATIVE PURCHASING PROGRAM AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 11TH day of April, 2024.

ORDINANCE NO. 3270

AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A MUNICIPAL PROSECUTION SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH THE OFFICE OF THE GEAUGA COUNTY PROSECUTING ATTORNEY AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 11TH day of April, 2024.

ORDINANCE NO. 3271

AN ORDINANCE ENACTING A NEW CHAPTER 751 “RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA” OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES CONCERNING THE SALE OF RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 11TH day of April, 2024.

ORDINANCE NO. 3272

AN ORDINANCE EXTENDING A MORATORIUM ON ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR ISSUING ZONING CERTIFICATES FOR ANY BUILDING, STRUCTURE, USE OR CHANGE OF USE THAT WOULD ENABLE THE CULTIVATION, PROCESSING, DISTRIBUTION OR SALE OF ADULT-USE CANNABIS, CANNABIS, OR MARIJUANA, FOR A PERIOD NOT TO EXCEED SIX MONTHS OR UNTIL ANY LEGISLATION GOVERNING THE SAME IS ENACTED, IN ORDER TO ALLOW THE CITY TO REVIEW APPLICABLE STATE AND LOCAL LAWS AND TO PLAN FOR REGULATIONS RELATING TO SUCH USES, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 11TH day of April, 2024.

RESOLUTION NO. 3-24

A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE COUNTYWIDE 9-1-1 PLAN PER ORC 128.08 AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 11TH day of April, 2024.

RESOLUTION NO. 4-24

A RESOLUTION TRANSFERRING FUNDS IN THE CITY OF CHARDON TREASURY FOR 2024 AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 11TH day of April, 2024.

The complete text of these ordinances and resolutions may be viewed or obtained at the office of the Clerk of Council, 111 Water Street, Chardon, Ohio, during regular business hours. By order of the Council of the City of Chardon, Ohio.

AMY DAY, CLERK OF COUNCIL

Apr25, 2024

NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING ON APPLICATION

PROPOSING TO AMEND THE TROY TOWNSHIP ZONING RESOLUTION

O.R.C. SECTION 519.12(G)

Notice is hereby given that the Troy Township Board of Township Trustees will conduct a public hearing on a motion which is amendment, identified as ZC2024-1VI to the Troy Township Zoning Resolution at the Troy Township Community House, 13950 Main Market Road, Troy Township at 6:00 o’clock p.m. on May 7, 2024.

The motion proposing to amend the zoning resolution with modifications will be available for examination at the Troy Township Fire Department, 14019 Nash Road from 7:00 o’clock a.m. to 6:00 o’clock p.m., at the Troy Township Community House, 13950 Main Market Road when open and on the Troy Township website https://www.troytwpgeauga.com/zoning (Departments/Zoning Department/Zoning Amendments/2024Amendments/ZC2024-

1VI ZC MODIFIED Amendment Draft Article VI 04.11.2024) from April 25, 2024 to May 7, 2024.

The ZC2024-1VI proposed amendment motion is requesting to amend the text in Article VI as modified by the Zoning Commission in the Troy Township Zoning Resolution.

Jane Grudowski, Fiscal Officer Apr25, 2024

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING APPEAL FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO THE CHESTER TOWNSHIP ZONING RESOLUTION

Notice is hereby given that the Chester Township Board of Zoning Appeals will conduct a public hearing on a conditional use permit renewal identified as number ZU-2024-3 on the 13th day of May, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. at Chester Town Hall.

The applicant, Rabbi Eric D. Lakatos requests a Conditional Use Permit renewal on behalf of Tikvat Yisrael Messianic Synagogue for the property located at 9319 Mayfield Road; Chester Twp, OH.

Kathleen McCarthy, Administrative Assistant Apr25, 2024

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING APPEAL FOR AN AREA VARIANCE TO THE CHESTER TOWNSHIP ZONING RESOLUTION

Notice is hereby given that the Chester Township Board of Zoning Appeals will conduct a public hearing on an application identified as number ZA-2024-5, on an appeal for an area variance to the Chester Township Zoning Resolution on the 13th day of May, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. at Chester Town Hall.

The applicant, Andrew Carcioppolo requests an Area Variance for his property located at 11680 Cambridge Drive. He proposes building a garage four feet to the front of the front building line of the primary residence. This is in violation of Section 5.01.03 of the Chester Township Zoning Resolution.

Kathleen McCarthy, Administrative Assistant Apr25, 2024

successors

office

said land

the

of said Township to use as a public square or commons unencumbered by any building or structure whatever except railing of a public walk.” The unknown heirs, devisees, legatees, executors, administrators and/or assigns of Simon and Nancy Perkins shall take further notice that they are required to answer the Complaint to Quiet Title within twenty-eight (28) days after this publication. By:

the conduct of the Board of Trustees. Michele A. Saunders, Fiscal Officer Apr25 May2, 2024

osi are requesting an Area Variance for their property located at 12654 Ward Dr. They propose building an accessory building with a proposed wall height of 15’ and a ridge height of 19’2”, which exceeds the maximum allowable. This application fails to meet Section 5.01.05 of the Chester Township Zoning Resolution. They would also like a portion of the driveway to be less than the required 10’ setback which fails to meet Section 5.01.06 F. 2.

Kathleen McCarthy, Administrative Assistant

Apr25, 2024

LEGAL NOTICE

The Asphalt Resurfacing of Various Roads Geauga County, Ohio

Bids will be received by the Geauga County Board of Commissioners digitally via Bid Express® or in a sealed envelope at the Geauga County Engineer’s Office, 12665 Merritt Road, Chardon, Ohio 44024 by 10:00 AM local time on May 10, 2024 and read publicly at 10:05 AM local time at the above address.

The bid shall be let upon a unit price basis. The estimated cost for this project is $900,000.

Proposal, plans, and specifications may be obtained from the following website: https:// www.bidexpress.com/. Bidders and subcontractors can view and download information free of charge. All digital Bidders must register with Bid Express® (allow time for processing).

Submission of a digital bid requires a fee paid directly to Bid Express®. This fee is charged on a per bid or monthly basis. Paper bid documents are also available free of charge at the Geauga County Engineer’s Office, 12665 Merritt Road, Chardon, Ohio 44024.

Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Chapter 153, the bid must be accompanied by an original sealed document (uploaded for digital bids) in the form of a bond for the full amount of the bid (100%). Otherwise, each bid must be accompanied by a certified check, cashier’s check, or letter of credit in the amount of ten percent (10%) of the total bid amount pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Chapter 1305. All digital Bidders must submit original documents within three (3) business days of the bid opening.

Bids may be held by the Geauga County Board of Commissioners for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days from the date of opening, for the purpose of reviewing the bids and investigating the qualifications of Bidders, prior to awarding the contract. The Geauga County

Board of Commissioners reserves the right to reject any and all bids, to waive any informalities or irregularities in the bids received, and to accept any bid or bids which are deemed most favorable to the Board at the time and under conditions stipulated, all in accord with the applicable provisions of laws of the State of Ohio governing the conduct of the Geauga County Board of Commissioners.

This legal notice is posted at the following website: https://www.geaugacountyengineer. org/projects-bids/legal-notices/.

BY THE ORDER OF THE GEAUGA COUNTY

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

Christine Blair, Clerk

Apr 25, 2024

LEGAL NOTICE

IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS

GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO

23-M-000466 – U.S. Bank National Association, not in its individual capacity but solely as Trustee for Merrill Lynch First Franklin Mortgage Loan Trust, Mortgage Loan Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2007-2, Plaintiff vs. John Doe(s) Unknown

heirs of William French, AKA William French, Jr., et al., Defendants

John Doe(s) Unknown heirs of William French, AKA William French, Jr., whose last known address is 16794 Huron Street, Chagrin Falls, OH 44023, John Doe(s), Unknown heirs of Linda French, AKA Linda K. French, whose last known address is 16794 Huron Street, Chagrin Falls, OH 44023, John Doe(s), Name(s) Unknown, the Unknown heirs, devisees, legatees, beneficiaries of Norman Thompson AKA Norman Curtis Thompson and their unknown spouses and creditors; and, the unknown spouse of Norman Thompson AKA Norman Curtis Thompson, whose last known address is 16794 Huron Street, Chagrin Falls, OH 44023, will take notice that on August 8, 2023, U.S. Bank National Association, not in its individual capacity but solely as Trustee for Merrill Lynch First Franklin Mortgage Loan Trust, Mortgage Loan Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2007-2 filed its Complaint in the Geauga County Court of Common Pleas at 100 Short Court, Suite 300, Chardon, OH 44024, assigned Case No. 23-M-000466 and

AUTOS & PARTS

For Sale: Truck Cap by Swiss: 6’ Fiberglass custom, off a 2014 Chevy short bed. Like new $550. 440-785-6877.

For Sale: 2008 Chevy Impala, 148k miles, runs and drives, needs work; $1,100. 440-313-1178.

2011 Ford F250: King Ranch, 4×4, 6.7L 196,000 miles, tuned, remote start, bluetooth, new front brakes, clean title. $17,999/OBO. 440-313-8461.

FOR RENT

Warehouse or storage building: Washington St. near Rt. 44 in Auburn. 32X56, 12X12 overhead door, concrete floor, electric, and additional parking. $790/month. 12-month lease. 440-552-0228.

Office Space in Chardon: second floor, Main Street, approx. 535 square feet. $600/month, includes HVAC and water. Call 440-285-2247.

FOR SALE

Antique wood window panes. Multiple sizes. $10 each. 440-313-6581.

Firewood: Seasoned Hardwood. Average length 17”. Free delivery within 10 miles of Chardon. 4’x8’x17” $120. Fresh cut firewood discounted now. 440-6875404.

John Deere Lawn Tractor: Model 314, 14-HP, hydraulic 3-blade 46” cutting deck, w/snow plow and trailer; $1,200/OBO. 440-564-1172.

Porta potty; $100. Sofa: floral design, very good condition; Free. Call 440-655-9999, leave message, will call you back.

Howard Rototiller: 42” wide, for compact tractor. Cat 1 three-point hitch. $1,800. 440-487-2955.

Classifieds

Pub Table: 42” round, cast aluminum, with 4 swivel chairs, 4 cushions and umbrella. Excellent condition; $350 firm. 440-223-6056.

Bolens model 5118H Heavy Duty Garden Tractor: 17HP, hydraulic, 48” direct-drive cutting deck and PTO; $1,300. 440-487-9001.

Western Reserve Memorial Garden Crypt for sale. Chapel Mausoleum. $10,000. Call 440-799-2136.

2013 Can-Am Spyder RTS/SE5: circuit yellow, mint condition, new tires, his/hers heated saddle seat upgrade, all maint. by dealer, 10,000mi; $11,200. 440346-2255.

Free horse manure: will load pickup truck or low trailer. Call Karl at 440-812-3392.

Solid Cherry Corner Desk: like new, 78” tall, 48” depth, 64” wide, paid $2,250, asking $1,480/OBO. Antique French round marble table w/4 chairs, $1,600/OBO. 440-338-3563.

1987 Crestliner Saber Open Bow Fishing Boat w/trailer: welded aluminum, 22.5 long 8 ft. beam, 305 200 hsp. Bow mount trolling motor with many updates, fish finders, marine radio, dual batteries with charger, mooring cover, helm cover. Big boat, plenty of seating. Runs great. $13,500. 440-228-6287 text/call.

GARAGE/ESTATE SALES

Trunk To You Garage Sale & Craft Fair: Sat. 5/18, 9a-1:30p. Metzenbaum Center, 8200 Cedar Rd, Chesterland. Support the Metzenbaum Foundation and score some great deals! Questions? 440-729-9406 x2502.

Second Hand Treasures. A unique shopping place. Something for everyone! Weekly Sales: Thursday, Friday, Saturday. 9a-5p. Many $1 bargains. 9098 Old St Road, Rt.608, Chardon.

Community-Wide Garage Sales on Saturday April 27 from 9a-4p at Winfield Park and Westwood, off RT 87, near Sperry and ASM Geodesic Dome.

HELP WANTED

Lawn Care Needed, Kiwanis Lake Community, 440591-3676.

Amish Housekeeper Wanted: Weekly house cleaning in Russell Township for small family. 203-907-7940.

Normandy Products in Middlefield has immediate openings on all shifts for Press Operators, Material Handlers, Mold Setters, and Process Technicians. Our highly competitive pay rates start at $17/hour for Press Operators with and additional $1/hour for 2nd and 3rd shift. We offer a complete benefits package including paid vacation and sick time in your first year. We are safety focused, and provide on the job training. Apply now at jobs.crh.com.

PETS & ANIMALS

Shih Tzu puppies for sale: registered, vet checked, vaccinated, and micro-chipped; $850 each. 440-218-0577.

Sammy needs an indoor home! Large, handsome, black & white 6-yr old cat. Very sweet. Loves being petted & brushed. Neutered, vaccinated. Rebecca 440321-2485.

MISCELLANEOUS

FREE fact: Surprise! More kids are trying pot in states where it’s legal. Ask them if they know its dangers. Help them understand.

SERVICES

Albert’s complete tree service, land clearing,