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Lorain County Community Guide - Sept. 28, 2023

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Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023

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Volume 10, Issue 38

Sheriff Phil Stammitti won’t seek reelection DAVE O’BRIEN THE COMMUNITY GUIDE

Lorain County Sheriff Phil Stammitti will not run for a seventh term as sheriff when his current term ends, the veteran law enforcement officer announced Monday. Stammitti’s term ends Jan. 5, 2025. He said he made the decision to finish out his current term and not run for another after consulting with his wife and family. Instead, he is attempting to pass the baton to a subordinate

as former North Ridgeville Police Chief Rick Thomas has thrown his name into consideration in the Democratic primary in March. STAMMITTI Stammitti has been Lorain County’s elected sheriff since 2000, making him the longest-serving sheriff in county history. In total, he has been with the sheriff’s office for 37 years. Stammitti is the only Lorain County sheriff to serve as presi-

dent of the Buckeye State Sheriffs’ Association, which he did in 2022 after his fellow sheriffs elected him to that role. Those are honors “I will always cherish,” Stammitti said. Stammitti, who will turn 73 next month, said in a news release that his “recent differences with two Lorain County Commissioners has absolutely nothing to do with this decision of mine.” “I want to thank all my family, friends and supporters, my longtime treasurer John Malanowski, my wife Mary Jo, and all of the employees of the Lorain County

Sheriff’s Office (former and present) that I have worked alongside,” he wrote. “The employees that are here now are tremendous people and hard workers, no matter what division they are in at the sheriff’s office.” Stammitti also thanked his predecessor “and mentor,” former Sheriff Martin Mahony, who was his partner in the Lorain Police Department Narcotics Bureau. “I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for him,” the sheriff said, also thanking his former campaign managers Herbert Jacoby, a former Lorain County

commissioner, and Gary Mead, a businessman “who helped me tremendously in my first campaign back in 2000.” Stammitti further thanked the residents of Lorain County who supported him and the sheriff’s office. “I have enjoyed my tenure as Lorain County Sheriff and I want to thank everyone for their support through the years,” Stammitti said. “This job has not always been an easy one, but I have always strived to do my best and the ‘right thing’ by the citizens STAMMITTI PAGE A4

County marks National Day of Remembrance KEVIN MARTIN THE COMMUNITY GUIDE

An antique roadshow

THOMAS FETCENKO | The Community Guide

TOP: The Wellington home tour and antique transportation show was hosted throughout the city of Wellington on Saturday morning, Sept. 23 where several antique cars were parked on the square for visitors to tour. LEFT: Lester McCormick, of Columbia Station, speaks about his 1934 Delux Coupe.

ABOVE: Jim Hanobik, of North Olmsted, viewed several of the antique cars parked on the square on at the Wellington home tour and antique transportation show.

ELYRIA — The families and friends of victims lost to homicide gathered at Ely Square Monday. In 2007 U.S. Congress designated Sept. 25 as the National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims. Robert and Charlotte Hollinger of Cincinnati formed Parents of Murdered Children following the Sept. 25, 1978 death of their 19-year-old daughter Lisa. “The annual National Day of Remembrance gives us all an opportunity to remember those lost to homicide and honor their memories. The purpose of this event is to focus on the impact that these tragic crimes have had on families, the community and as a way to support our survivors,” said Garrett Longacre, lead investigator for the Lorain County Prosecutors Office. Lexii Champe is the girlfriend of CJ Sayers who was killed while dropping off his daughter at the LaGrange home of his ex-girlfriend’s boyfriend. “CJ Sayers was shot and murdered by his baby mom’s boyfriend by walking into the house and dropping off his daughter. Chris Pierre did his job. And we are so thankful for him,” Champe said. Sayers perpetrator Cody Rutledge was sentenced to 11-15 years for voluntary manslaughter as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors. Champe said Chief Lorain County Assistant Prosecutor Chris Pierre had helped guide her and the Sayers family through a difficult process. “We are so thankful for that. He worked night and day for us, he answered VICTIMS PAGE A4

INSIDE THIS WEEK County

Derailment training ● A3

Oberlin

Sports

Mural nearly complete ● A5

Black River wins homecoming game ● A6

OBITUARIES A2 • CLASSIFIEDS A4 • CROSSWORD A7 • SUDOKU A7 • KID SCOOP A8


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