Leaf Thursday, February 27, 2025 Vol. 31 No. 9 • Chardon, Ohio www.geaugamapleleaf.com $1.25
Dog Warden Suspended for Three Days By Allison Wilson wilson@karlovecmedia.com Geauga County Commissioners ordered Dog Warden Matt Granito be suspended without pay for 24 hours, amounting to three working days, during their Feb. 20 regular meeting.
Bainbridge Township
Developer Shows Housing Plan for Geauga Lake By Ann Wishart ann@karlovecmedia.com A proposal to build a high-end housing development of 78 lots on the shore of Geauga Lake was presented to Bainbridge Township Trustees Feb. 24. Developer and builder Jeff Smul said Lakeview Villas at Geauga Lake, an Epcon community, has been on the drawing board for a while. “We’ve been working with various Bainbridge officials for the last two years. Hopefully, we are going in the right direction,” he said. 20th Century Construction, of Painesville, is partnering with Epcon Communities to develop an See Geauga Lake • Page 4
During the public comment portion of the meeting, a resident asked what Granito had done that required three days of penalty. While commissioners confirmed the actions are in writing, they did not publicly say what happened. A reporter asked Spidalieri why he did not have enough information
Commissioners voted 2-1 on the motion following an executive session for the purpose of discussing the discipline of a public employee due to conduct violations. Commissioner Ralph Spidalieri abstained, saying he hadn’t had a chance to review some of the details of the matter.
to vote. Spidalieri replied he did not see the items on the write-up and did not feel comfortable voting on it. Granito’s notice of discipline, which the Geauga County Maple Leaf obtained Feb. 23, gave two reasons for the suspension — one dealing with a mishandled case and See Granito • Page 5
Jesenovec Moving Thompson PD Forward By Ann Wishart ann@karlovecmedia.com A new broom is sweeping through the Thompson Township Police Department in the hands of Chief Jeremy Jesenovec. Hired last May, Jesenovec, 53, installed a new lieutenant — former township Police Chief Bill Holbart, who is also chairman of the Geauga Safety Council and a former Montville Township fire chief — to replace Bob Marshall after he resigned. The chief then began an ongoing search for new officers. Josh Miley, who has been with the department for seven years, and the recently-hired Kristen Wheeler are certified officers, the chief said during an interview Feb. 21 inside the department’s new station at 6757 Madison Road. See Jesenovec • Page 5
pages 11-15
Ice Wine Festival pages 16-17
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Thompson Township Police Chief Jeremy Jesenovec, hired in May 2024, works with township trustees to modernize his department’s operations in the recently-renovated township administrative building and to establish good community relations.
Sports pages 18-19
Obituaries Parkman Township
Residents Petition Trustees For Agler Road Repairs By Ann Wishart ann@karlovecmedia.com
ANN WISHART/KMG
Rod Zeigler, right, complains to Parkman Township Trustee Lance Portman about the potholes on Agler Road. He and several neighbors attended the Feb. 18 meeting to ask trustees to prioritize repairs on their road.
Half a dozen residents pelted Parkman Township Trustees Feb. 18 with complaints about ditch-toditch potholes along Agler Road. Rod Zeigler aimed his observations at Trustee Lance Portman, who serves as liaison for the road department. Zeigler said he knew the gravel road was in trouble last fall.
“I sent pictures in November. Nothing was done. A truck did show up, but they didn’t do anything to repair the holes,” he said. Zeigler agreed the road has been frozen for much of the winter, so repairs couldn’t be made, but said some proactive work would have ameliorated the damage. “In November, Agler wasn’t frozen,” he said. See Parkman • Page 5
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Sheriff’s Sales & Legal Notices start on page 24
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