Claypool’s Service No Longer Needed
Last winter, I attended the Geauga County Tea Party’s meeting where County Commissioner Walter “Skip” Claypool spoke. It was my first time attending one of these strange gatherings, and I wrote about it in a letter to the editor.
At this meeting, Skip Claypool warned, “Public schools indoctrinate children.” He told the crowd to “Go to West Geauga High School and see what they’re teaching in history.” He went on to declare, “Our universities are disgusting.”
The audience, which was almost entirely senior citizens, nodded their heads in unison like a herd of white-haired bobbleheads.
My letter inspired a lot of reaction from all sides. Some residents wrote letters of support, thanking me for going to the meeting and publicizing what was said. Others said I lied or I was just crazy. Even Skip responded to my letter, in a condescending tone, letting me know I must have misunderstood what was said at the meeting.
I certainly didn’t have any misunderstandings when — at the end of the meeting — Claypool asked if “anybody had the cojones” to stand against him and his agenda. These are his words, not mine.
Apparently, somebody does have the “cojones.” Claypool has a Republican challenger in the primary election to be held on May 8: Jim Dvorak.
Let’s use this primary to make a statement. Let’s make a statement that extremist politics are no longer welcome in Geauga County leadership. Let’s make a statement that our excellent schools are a source of pride and should be celebrated, not scorned. Let’s tell Skip Claypool his services are no longer required.
Remember, every single person who attended that Tea Party meeting is going to vote. Their anger and fear will have them at the polls first thing in the morning, casting their ballots. So, make sure you are at the polls, too. Primary Election Day is May 8. Mark your calendars, set your alarms and let’s bring Geauga County back from the fringe. We deserve better than Skip Claypool. Vote for Jim Dvorak for Geauga County Commissioner.
Nicole Mulloy
Russell Township
Building Berkshire’s Future
On May 8, voters in the Berkshire School District will have the opportunity to shape the future of their community. A “Yes” vote on Issue 2 will enable the district to replace the existing school buildings, that the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission has deemed more cost effective than continuing to maintain, repair or renovate them.
The Ohio General Assembly passed House Bills 148 and 438, which offer a unique, once in this school district’s lifetime opportunity, to secure 55 percent of the total co-funded school building costs. The United States Department of Agriculture will loan the district the remaining funds needed for construction at a 3.5 percent fixed interest rate.
The proposed Pre-K through 12th grade school will be built on the grounds of the Kent State University Geauga Campus.
The Berkshire community is fortunate that members of PRIME had the foresight and have been hard at work for years. They have been planning, developing partnerships and collaborating with Berkshire, KSU-Geauga, Geauga Growth Partnership and Auburn Career Center in order to make this new school a reality.
Key Bank and University Hospitals have committed to partnering with the district to provide additional support and educational opportunities.
The success of these cooperative partnerships has served as inspiration and motivation for Burton village and township officials to work together to ensure plans for zoning, sewer and water needs, and uses for the existing school buildings will not be barriers to the success of the new proposed school.
The youngest of my three sons will be graduating from Berkshire in a few weeks. Although my children will not realize the educational benefits this new facility could offer, I could not be more excited for students in the district. They deserve all this new school will offer. Whether a child is college bound, prefers to enter the workforce right out of high school, has plans to serve the country in the military or has other educational needs, the innovative concepts and 21st Century educational models this new school will have the opportunity of providing will meet the needs of all Berkshire students.
I am so grateful and proud I live in a community where the importance of each child’s education is foremost in the minds of its leaders, business owners and residents. The future is now. Please take an active role in building Berkshire’s future. Attend a school district informational presentation to learn more and, on May 8, vote “Yes” on Issue 2.
Karolyn Squire
Burton Village
Dvorak Offers Service, Compassion, Leadership
Geauga County Republicans are urged to vote for Jim Dvorak for county commissioner.
Jim is the kind of leader we need to help improve the quality of life in the county. He is presently serving the public as a Burton Township Trustee. He served three terms as the president of the Geauga Township Association, vastly improving communication and cooperation among county leaders. He is also a past president of the Burton-Middlefield Rotary.
Jim Dvorak brings no hidden agenda, only a history of quality community service.
Besides having the leadership skills to work with the other county commissioners, Jim Dvorak has the everyday compassion to care about all residents. For the past seven years, he has organized a day of fishing for special needs kids from the entire county. When he saw a need to improve safety for Amish residents, he solved the problem.
Jim Dvorak will bring knowledge, energy and common-sense leadership to Geauga County. He has the personality to bring people together to work for the greater good.
You will not read or hear negativity coming from Jim Dvorak, his many supporters or those who know him.
Jim Dvorak is the kind of man needed to lead Geauga County to realize its potential.
Please cast your vote on Tuesday, May 8 for Jim Dvorak for county commissioner.
Mayor Bill Koons
South Russell Village
Claypool Will Keep Geauga Great
Voting day is fast approaching and we need to make our voices heard and our vote count.
We need someone who is dedicated, has integrity and puts the residents of Geauga County first.
Walter “Skip” Claypool is one who has proven to have these qualities.
On May 8, please vote to re-elect one who really cares and is up to the task of keeping Geauga County great. Vote with me to re-elect Walter “Skip” Claypool as Commissioner of our county.
Ven Paoletto
Chester Township
Claypool: A Staunch Conservative
Winston Churchill said, “The longer you look back, the farther you can look forward.” In any election, very rarely is a candidate truly an “unknown.” Just look at his past and, rest assured, you’ll have an adequate picture of what to expect once elected.
Walter “Skip” Claypool’s record speaks for itself. For the last four years as Geauga County Commissioner, he has served us well as a staunch conservative, never wavering, always vigilant of our tax dollars and those who would betray Republican ideals. Plainspoken and committed, he’s got my vote.
Ben “Doc” Alvarez, M.D.
Chester Township
Berkshire Doesn’t Deserve New Building
I am against the levy for the Berkshire schools, not only because it will increases taxes, but because I don’t think we deserve a new building. Have you seen the report card for 2016-2017 for Berkshire Local School District?
I am completely appalled by the grades the district received. Our educators are failing our children and yet we’re more concerned about getting a new building?
Will a new school building make teachers teach better? I haven’t found any studies that show that correlation.
Then there is the time out of school that kids don’t spend in school. Not only does Berkshire still have the weekly, early Thursday release, but the district keeps tacking on extra days off during cold weather months and stretching their holidays. Not to mention the NEOEA days for teachers as well.
Am I to understand we’re going to build a new school building just to have it mostly sitting there looking empty and pretty?
Several have expressed how a new school building could improve land values and stimulate community growth. Well, with a bad report card no one in their right mind will want to move to this community. Higher taxes mean less affordable homes. Home values will not improve with a poor school report card.
How about before building a new school Berkshire Local School District revamps its education approach and improves its report card status. That’s something I can stand behind.
M. Wood
Troy Township
Clean Water is Everyone’s Business
Water is our most precious and threatened resource and we rapidly approach a time when water becomes perilously scarce worldwide.
The time is now to protect the natural systems that protect our water. Nature does water purification better, more efficiently and cheaper than any man made system and creates beauty and biodiversity while doing it.
With great dismay, I have heard from a number of regulators, officials and individuals that they feel they can do nothing to halt a logging project with great potential to damage the watershed around the Upper Cuyahoga River and the LaDue Reservoir. Logging on a sensitive area that has been acquired specifically to protect clean water is ridiculously shortsighted no matter who owns the land.
In the recent past, Akron, the owner of this land, seemed to understand the value of protecting the water. In September of 2015, Akron joined five other cities in a suit to prevent residents near city owned reservoirs from removing trees and other vegetation that protects drinking water from pollutants that can cause algae problems.
In August of 2017, Akron sent a letter to residents (in the exact area they now plan to log) a letter prohibiting ATV use on the land held for water protection saying, “ATV use significantly increases the amount of sediment and pollutants that can make their way to Bridge Creek as well as destroys valuable sensitive natural areas.”
So, this plan to bring in heavy machinery and remove trees that hold the soil and prevent erosion is quite puzzling. Akron’s plan for the logging is not protective as they represent. Don’t believe their marketing – look at what they asked for in the contracts. Look at the lack of oversight they have shown at each step so far.
As for local, county and state officials, the idea that proper protection of this important watershed of the Cuyahoga River is somehow off limits because it is privately owned by the City of Akron is unacceptable. Clean Water is everyone’s business.
Kathryn Hanratty
Chardon Township
