Letters to the Editor: December 8, 2022

As a bystander, it appears the First Amendment and the right of citizens to be vocal about the safety of our children is something this group does not understand or appreciate. I want to thank them for letting everyone know who they are: intolerant bullies. I would suggest to those signing the letter that anyone wanting respectful public dialogue should begin by being respectful and not lobbing attacks.

Their attacks on Todd Albright and the tea party are typical. The woke cancel culture often accuses others of what they do. I am not clear how supporting a school board member is corrosive or acting in a “unique” claim for morality.

I personally want to thank Mr. Albright for his willingness to serve on the board and to stand up for the children. Chardon needs more board members like Mr. Albright. It is the board that should step back and review its policies/practices. Board members have a duty to the constituencies they represent. Their duty is to the public, not the board. Any board policy, bylaw or practice that interferes with a board member’s right to be heard publicly, to gather information or to voice their opinions publicly is interference with their duty and their First Amendment rights.

While formal action (spending money, board action, setting school policy) can only be taken by the board in public meetings, every board member has a right to act independently, to include communicating with their constituents. To the best of my knowledge, Mr. Albright has never said he represented the board in any independent action taken.

The board censure appears inappropriate and appears to be the result of a board that misunderstands its duty or that lacks the conviction to do what is right. It is my understanding that Mr. Albright was seeking to ensure that the policies created by the board (a dress code) was adhered to. As a new board member, it could be assumed that the school would enforce the rules. Not enforcing the rules encourages misbehavior. The portrayal that Mr. Albright targeted female students is wrongheaded.

It appears that this group would intimidate folks from being involved, but the children and their futures are too important to cower in a corner. We all agree concerned parents and citizens should be involved and speak up – loudly, quietly, respectfully, as the situation requires. The key is being involved. We all must work for good schools.

As a side note, I get a chuckle when I hear bold statements about our “democracy” or “representative democracy,” because it is a clear distortion of facts and a demonstration of ignorance. Our constitutional form of government is a “republic” for very good reasons. Quote: “What have you given us Mr. Franklin? A Republic if you can keep it.” Our republic is worth defending.

— Skip Claypool, Chester

Inflation is genuine problem

Wait, a higher-than-normal Inflation rate is not a concern?

A guest column by Dave Lange in the Times’ Dec. 1 edition was at best confusing; at worst it was talking points with data presented that disproved the original thesis.

I’ll take your thesis as being that you “can’t open up a daily newspaper or switch on the evening news without being exhorted that inflation is gobbling up everybody’s money.” I think you meant being “told” inflation is a problem; exhorted means “to strongly urge someone to do something.” What was the media telling you to do about it?

As I read your column, what struck me was your statement that, “According to the media … inflation and the economy were the two biggest issues facing voters,” but you thought inflation was part of the economy, so it wasn’t a problem at all. You are right that “inflation is part of the economy.” Jerome Powell, chair of the Federal Reserve, has said as much when he stated that “an inflation rate goal of 2% per year” is very acceptable for the U.S. economy.

Next you stated that October’s rate was 7.74% but that the rate had declined since June. Look at all of 2022, one month over 9%, six months over 8%, three months over 7%. I’m not sure one month shows progress with numbers like that. Then you go on to disprove your theory.

You state that ”The ... inflation rate for the 10 years beginning 2013 was 25%.” That averages of 2.5% per year. You state that “Over the previous decade 2003 to 2012, it was 24.7%,” close to 2.5% per year. You state that “from 1993 to 2002 it was 25.3%” close to an average of 2.5% per year. These numbers seem to support the Fed chair but not your thesis that 7%-8% is not a problem.

My neighbors on fixed incomes cannot afford to fill their oil tanks heating their homes. They are looking at cutting down on food costs, and possibly medications, because costs have risen so much this year they cannot afford what they could last year.

Do the math, Dave, the average household with oil heat uses 275 gallons of heating oil per month in the winter. At $5.50 per gallon, that’s about $1,500 per month. According to the Social Security Administration, the average Social Security check starting at age 62 is between $1,400 and $1,500 pe month, $2,500 per month starting at age of 65.

How about food, prices are expected to be up 11.5% this year. The average in-home food cost for a family of two is $8,200 per year. An 11.5% increase is only about $1,000 more per year, probably not much for someone like you that deals in talking points not backed up by facts or logic.

Inflation is a problem that is negatively affecting the living standard for most of America’s middle class. Please do your homework before you write another column that has so little basis in fact and logic.

— James Kadunc, Chagrin Falls

Beware of zoning resolution

Chester homeowners, what kind of accessory storage buildings do you want to see in your neighborhood?

A public hearing scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 15, at 6:30 pm. will decide for you. The proposed zoning amendment Z-2022-4 will become law in 30 days, if passed. Come and be heard.

As written, it will double the amount of ground floor storage area for a detached accessory building for a storage shed or private garage but does not exclude a lean-to, a 20-foot high, open-sided, roofed structure or other unsightly buildings. The key is in the definitions contained in the Township Zoning Resolution:

“BUILDING” means a temporary or permanent structure, other than a mobile home, affixed to or resting on the ground and designed or intended for the support, enclosure, shelter or protection of persons, animals, chattels or property.

“BUILDING, COMPLETELY ENCLOSED” is a building separated on all sides from adjacent open space or from other buildings or structures by a permanent roof and by exterior or party walls, pierced only by windows and usual doorways.

The proposal almost doubles the maximum amount (size) of total ground floor area from the present 1,280 square feet to 2,500 square feet permitted for a detached accessory building but does not accurately describe the type of accessory building that should be permitted, allowing for a loose interpretation.

Two key words are omitted – “Completely Enclosed” – buildings with four walls, a permanent roof, pierced only by windows and usual doorways. (This description includes a building with an overhang roof that protects, for example, firewood.) What a difference a phrase makes “completely enclosed detached accessory building,” as opposed to “detached accessory building.”

Further, the amendment increases maximum height to 20 feet for all accessory buildings and structures, irrespective of their use (i.e., not just storage).

To consider an increase in storage size and related height of an accessory building may be appropriate in order to accommodate the growing number of recreational vehicles and travel trailers, boat trailers and tractors as well as other indoor-storage uses involving personal property owned by our residents.

However, this proposal is loosely written and does not consider storage and height appropriate for the approximately 1,900 residential lots – including yours – that will be affected.

I base the above remarks upon my 25 years of experience on the Chester Township Zoning Commission and Geauga County Planning Commission.

— Margaret Muehling, Chester Township