Volume 54, No. 10
Wednesday, September 28, 2022
Your Community Newspaper Since 1967
Over 90 Days in, New Chief Passionate About Role
By Brian Doering brian@karlovecmedia.com
Since being sworn in last spring, Chester Township’s new police chief, Craig T. Young, knew he would have some big shoes to fill after the retirement of long-time Chief Mark Purchase. Young said leading a police department in a community like Chester is both an honor and a privilege. “Each day that I come to work is a new challenge and a new opportunity,” said Young. “That is perhaps what I love most about this profession. We are continuing to progress as an agency and working with such a great group of officers has made this transition much easier.”
“Law enforcement is the most fulfilling and rewarding profession because it is so dynamic, unique and ever-changing. The ability to help others through stressful and often life-changing events is a feeling that can’t be put into words.” – Craig Young Young was appointed as chief of police in May, taking the place of Purchase, who spent his entire 35year career as a police officer working in Chester and the last 16 years serving as chief. Young said as is the case with
any change in leadership, there are always new ideas, goals and philosophies concerning the day-to-day operations of the police department. “We have made physical changes within the police department, See Chief • Page 7
Dahlhofer Resigns as WGMS Principal By Brian Doering brian@karlovecmedia.com
a statement Sept. 16. “My resignation was due to my participation in and forming of a company, VapeEdFollowing a two-month inves- ucate, which seeks to provide edutigation into possible misconduct, cation and training to students and the West Geauga Schools families on the dangers of Board of Education votvaping. The company was ed Sept. 15 to accept the founded a few years ago resignation and related and works with schools separation agreement and and communities across release of Middle School the nation. Principal Ron Dahlhofer. “At the end of last “As many may school year, it was brought know, I have recently re- Dahlhofer to my attention that the signed from my position at West Geauga. It has been a great West Geauga high school principals pleasure serving the students and were using VapeEducate as a refamilies of West Geauga for the source to help with student vaping past 22 years,” Dahlhofer said in concerns,” Dahlhofer continued,
adding he immediately informed the district of his ownership in VapeEducate. “Despite the actions that have led to this, I just want to thank Mr. Dahlhofer as a former employee under him and as a parent. He showed dedication to our students and for that, I am grateful.” said board member Christina Sherwood during the meeting Thursday. Since July 11, Dahlhofer had been on a paid administrative leave. Dahlhofer was ordered to work remotely on home assignment, according to a letter from Superintendent Richard Markwardt obtained See Dahlhofer • Page 3
Jay Bishop Resigns from West Geauga Schools By Brian Doering brian@karlovecmedia.com West Geauga Schools Board of Education will be looking for a new director of operations and capital improvements after the Sept. 12 school board meeting. School board members passed a resolution accepting the resignation of Jay Bishop and adopted a related separation agreement and release.
According to the resolution, Bishop submitted a letter to the board indicating his intent to resign from his position with the district effective immediately due to personal reasons. A Bishop representative acting on behalf of Bishop negotiated the separation agreement and release with board representatives and Bishop accepted the terms.
A source familiar with the situation said Bishop and Middle School Principal Ron Dahlhofer allegedly were involved in a side business that created a potential conflict of interest with West Geauga Schools. Dahlhofer was put on paid administrative leave in July for a pending investigation into possible misconduct. The Geauga County Maple Leaf See Bishop • Page 3
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