Experts Agree: Nassau Telescope Will Operate Correctly
I was very disappointed to read the recent comments made by Mr. John Augustine in regards to thermal issues related to our newly restored 36-inch telescope at Observatory Park’s Nassau Astronomical Station.
Nearly two years ago, Mr. Augustine approached us with concerns about thermal issues that he said would dramatically affect the quality of the view through the telescope. His claim that we have ignored the problem is off base.
We took into serious consideration Mr. Augustine’s concerns and sought advice from regional experts, who all came to the same overwhelming consensus: this is only a very minor issue and, given the measures already planned to minimize the impact, we should proceed with the project.
Personally I am very proud of the hard work that staff and volunteers have put into the restoration of this marvelous facility and telescope. Our goal is not to make the Nassau Station a “tourist attraction.” We do, however, hope to attract people to learn more about astronomy and be inspired by our amazing night sky!
If you are interested, I encourage you to visit the reopening on Aug. 19 and set your sights through this tremendous telescope. I promise that you won’t be disappointed!
John Kolar
Chief Naturalist
Geauga Park District
Open Letter to Sen. Eklund, Reps. LaTourette and Patterson
Geauga Family First Council is so appreciative of the role each of state Sen. John Eklund and state Reps. Sarah LaTourette and John Patterson played in helping significantly increase the funding available to protect Ohio’s children.
The $15 million in the state budget for child protective services and the additional $15 million for kinship families will make a huge difference. This funding is even more important in light of the opiate issue all of Ohio is facing.
In particular, we want to thank Rep. LaTourette for the leadership role she played in helping ensure that children — not just in Geauga but all over the state — receive the care and protection they deserve.
Our Council often helps fund services/activities/placements for children involved with Geauga JFS’s Child Protective Services Division, which, unfortunately over the past five years, increasingly includes children impacted by the opiate crisis. We know each of you spent a great deal of time helping secure this funding which will have a significant impact on children in our county.
The Geauga community is extremely fortunate to have the three of you working on its behalf.
Thank you for making such an important and meaningful difference in the lives of children not only in Geauga, but throughout Ohio.
Nancy Seelbach, Coordinator
Geauga Family First Council
Don Rice, President
Geauga Family First Council
Celebrating 20 Years
I completely agree with the recent letter commenting on the value of the CASA for Kids of Geauga County volunteers, and the tremendously positive impact that the program has on outcomes for children in the Geauga County Juvenile Court.
Nothing short of special describes the nearly 70 CASA volunteers who donated over 8,000 hours of their time in 2016 alone.
This year we celebrate the 20 anniversary of CASA, a Geauga County Juvenile Court program which was instituted in 1997 to provide Court Appointed Special Advocates to defend the best interests of children suffering from abuse, neglect and dependency. Our goal is to help create a safe and supportive environment for our county’s most vulnerable.
New to the office in 2011, Judge Grendell recognized the dedication of the volunteers and the quality work they produce to advocate on behalf of children inside the courtroom, so he continues to choose the volunteer-based program as opposed to restructuring it to use paid guardians ad litem, as neighboring counties do.
Not only did Judge Grendell continue the volunteer-based structure, but he has since expanded the program to incorporate the Launchpad and Restorative Justice Leadership Circles programs.
Launchpad assists children aging out of foster care as they transition into adulthood. Through much work of CASA Supervisor Susan Ebersbacher and volunteer Scott Wayt, two children aging out of foster care received full scholarships to Cleveland State University this year.
Launchpad will continue to grow as we work collaboratively with other community agencies and schools to provide opportunities for our youth.
Restorative Justice Leadership Circles works with Geauga County schools to teach leadership skills to their students.
I have to say that I am thrilled and honored to be a part of this program as it continues to grow, and there is much room to grow, since the court has sought additional non-tax-based funding through the VOCA grant.
We are always in need of volunteers as well as individuals and companies who wish to aid in the positive development of our youth. If you are interested, please email me at mshumway@geaugacourts.org, or call me at 440-279-1697.
Mary Ruth Shumway
Interim CASA Director
CASA for Kids of Geauga County
New Park District Mission?
In its 2007 Report to the Public, the Geauga Park District, under the leadership of then Board President Bob McCullough, stated: “It is our responsibility to protect the beauty of Geauga County and enhance the quality of life of its residents by preserving and conserving the most unique and sensitive natural areas.”
Oh my, how things have changed. With no announcements in the local papers, no town hall meetings and, for over a year, no public comment permitted at Geauga Park District Board meetings, our Geauga Park District has completely changed its philosophy and mission. The new mission? Build, build, build.
This change was evident at the July 6 Park Board meeting. The Executive Director of the parks, John Oros, and current Board President Jackie Dottore, spoke about the new philosophy and mission of the Park District. Mr. Oros stated, “there are properties out there that are not accessible to the public . . . and we would like to build out those properties.”
In response, Mrs. Dottore stated, “I totally agree. I would much rather build the parks that we have.”
What do these statements mean? Unlike our former Executive Director and Commissioners, Mr. Oros and Mrs. Dottore do not value our unique and sensitive natural areas and do not wish to use public funds to protect natural areas in Geauga County by purchasing more parkland. Instead, their priority is to use our money to build shelters, parking areas and active adventure attractions on land that the park district already owns.
Since the Park District no longer prepares a Report to the Public, look instead at the budget projections and planning documents for the Park District and you will see expensive building projects planned for a long list of park properties. Why? The Park District’s desire to build and develop land that they already own is likely being driven by criticism that they received last year from the County Budget Commission because the Park District was holding a total of over $8,000,000 in its General Fund, Land Improvement Fund and Capital Projects/Land Acquisition Fund.
They’ve created unnecessary projects, such as an unwanted and unneeded Music Street entrance to West Woods, to spend down the money that was originally accumulated to permit the acquisition of unique natural areas when they became available.
Without consulting or even tell us, they have passed on purchasing a number of unique and beautiful properties, and instead, they are using tax dollars to build, build, build. They no longer take responsibility for protecting our quality of life in Geauga County by preserving, conserving and protecting natural areas. What a huge change from the mission and philosophy of the Park District in 2007!
Ultimately, we should be having a conversation as a community about what we want from the Park District and how we want our tax dollars spent. The Park District should hold town halls that are open to everybody so that all our voices can be heard on these important policy decisions. The Board should allow public comments at their meetings.
The change from the original mission of conservation to build, build, build is simply too big a change for just a few people to make for all of us.
Shelley Chernin
Russell Township
