‘How About No’
I’m sure most of us feel we should be able to question our public officials, get a response and express our views on relevant issues. Wishful thinking folks?
If you’ve ever called the Washington office of Sen. Portman, you may recall his answering machine tells you to “leave your phone number and we will get back to you.” I’ve phoned his office many dozens of times in the last year to ask questions and leave comments with just about no luck receiving return calls and answers to my queries.
Among local public agencies our Geauga Park District should get an award for disinterest in the public’s views or answering questions about park plans and operations. They have paid many thousands of dollars for a recent professional public survey, yet have made no effort to publicize the results or use them as a guide in the parks operations.
At the May park commissioners meeting I asked Commissioner Lah for a video interview, which would hopefully be available for the public to view on the Protect Geauga Parks website (www.protectgeaugaparks.us). Frankly , I was rebuffed in a rather discourteous manner — “how about NO” — as he quickly turned and walked away. One would think he would be glad to share his views on park-related matters.
Frankly, his attitude fits in well with a board that refused to allow public comment during commissioners meetings and typically refuses to allow citizens to ask questions. What gives? Is he afraid of being interviewed by individuals with backgrounds in science, natural history, conservation? Afraid his responses to queries would look foolish and indicate ignorance of knowledge one might expect of a park commissioner?
One might well ask why people would be interested in a park commissioner position that pays no salary. Prior to the Grendell era people were chosen as commissioners because of a background in natural history, conservation or science, often coupled with experience in law, business or other skills of value to folks in such leadership positions.
These folks were honored to volunteer. Nearly all of them were wise picks and were left to do their job by wise probate judges.
However, since the Grendell era began, appointees typically have evidenced little past interest in parks, preserving natural areas, conservation, science or the like.
Park district commissioner appointees with no previous interest in parks, in general, often take these positions because they feel the position will benefit them personally in some way. Maybe the publicity would be good for the commissioner’s private business endeavors? Maybe the position will allow them to give favors to friends? Maybe the title would look good on a resume? Running for a political office?
Mr. Johnston was appointed as commissioner by Judge Grendell at the same time he was running for county commissioner. An individual is not allowed to hold both positions at the same time. On the day before election, I received a special mailing from the park district, paid for at taxpayer expense, presumably, with action photos of Mr. Johnston. A coincidence?
Once again I publicly invite Commissioner Lah to be interviewed on videotape. The tape will be offered to Protect Geauga Parks to be put on their website, only if they agree to leave it completely unedited.
In fact, this offer extends to all three of the park commissioners. The public wants and deserves to know about you, your background and your views on parks and natural areas. What do you say? If your response is, “How about NO,” then SHAME ON YOU!
John G. Augustine
Parkman Township
Remembering Judge Henry
It was six years ago that Geauga County tragically lost one of its most revered public servants.
The Honorable Charles E. Henry was the victim of a fatal auto/bicycle accident on that beautiful spring night, which suddenly turned cold in so many ways for so many people.
Judge Henry was a humble introvert whose primary aspiration was to do the right thing by the children and families of Geauga County. During his 18-year tenure on the bench as probate/juvenile judge, Judge Henry introduced the Court Appointed Special Advocate program to Geauga County; he spearheaded the Reclaim Ohio initiative statewide; he incorporated creative dispositional alternatives in his day-to-day rulings; he enabled staff to secure and utilize cutting-edge surveillance and drug testing techniques; he divested the operation of the county youth center to improve treatment services to youth; and his cooperative collaboration resulted in a greatly improved location for the probate/juvenile court and positive, productive relationships with all county agencies and administrators. These are only a few of his accomplishments.
Judge Henry was a quiet government servant who felt no need to broadcast what he perceived as simply upholding his judicial oath.
He was a fair, impartial and dedicated jurist, in addition to being a loving son, brother, husband, father and a Big Brother.
Most important, Judge Henry recognized that the role of a judge is to resolve controversies, not create them.
His demonstrative example of selflessness, dedication and ethics lives on.
Michele Schroeder, Retired CPO
Geauga County Juvenile Court
So Much for Honor
During the late summer of 2013, I donated my father Edward W. Maltry’s WWII medals and photo to the VFW Post 6519 in Chardon. The reason for this was he was a lifetime member of that post. All I wanted was for his photo to be placed on their wall with the other veterans.
On March 18, 2017, I went to the VFW Post 6519 for a dinner/raffle. I looked and could not find his photo. I inquired to the commander to whom I had given his photo and medals as to why his photo was not on display with the others. The response was that he needed to be a member.
I contacted the new commander of the post to please return his property to me if they were not going to use them. The new commander contacted me on March 28, 2017, and informed me that they could not find his photo or medals, that they were probably put out in their storage garage.
On May 5, 2017, the new commander called to inform me that my father’s photo and medals have mysteriously disappeared. So much for honoring a lifetime member. I thought I was doing a good with his medals and photo by donating them to a place where they are supposed to honor the veterans of this country.
So now the medals and patches my father was awarded during his time fighting overseas in WWII have been lost by the VFW Post 6519. It’s now June and I have not heard anything for the VFW Post as to how we can resolve this problem.
My father was a lifetime member of Post 6519. You would think that they would show him some respect.
Diana Finazzo
Painesville
