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Community News from Middlefield, Parkman, Huntsburg and Surrounding Areas
PreSort Std U.S. Postage PAID Middlefield, OH 44062 Permit No. 77
Middlef ield Wednesday, November 26, 2025 • Vol. 18 No. 14 • FREE
Mike Cipolla Recognized for Plant Management By Ann Wishart ann@karlovecmedia.com
The Ohio Rural Water Association recently awarded Mike Cipolla with an award for his management of Middlefield Village’s water and wastewater treatment plants. Mayor Ben Garlich presented Cipolla with the wastewater operator of the year plaque during the Middlefield Village Council meeting Nov. 13. Garlich credited Cipolla for his behind-the-scenes efforts that keep households flowing. “Everybody in the village turns on the faucet and flushes the toilet and doesn’t think about it,” the mayor said. Garlich also commended Cipolla for the 33 years he has been with the village, which began with him mowing village properties while in high school and working his way up to management. “That’s unheard of today – longevity and dedication,” Garlich said, noting Cipolla, 53, was involved in building and improving both the water and wastewater treatment plants and is helping plan the development of the village’s eastern-most water well in Burton Township. “You can’t buy that kind of talent,” Garlich said. “We’re fortunate to have a home-grown person doing a great job.” The audience applauded Cipolla and council gave him a standing ovation after the presentation. In a phone interview Nov. 15, Garlich praised Cipolla for taking ownership of both operations, responding at all hours and being tied to his phone in case of emergencies. Learning how water and wastewater treatment plant operations worked always intrigued Cipolla growing up, he recalled in a recent interview, adding he eventually attended Kent State University to study chemistry and biology and See Cipolla • Page 3
ANN WISHART/KMG
U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno, second from left, visits the Growscape facility in Middlefield Village Nov. 18. Also pictured are village Mayor Ben Garlich, left, and to the right, Manufacturing Manager Brian Cunningham, Chief Product and Marketing Officer Bill Lucas, Carson Cook, regional representative for Moreno, and River Kale representing U.S. Congressman David Joyce.
Sen. Moreno Tours Growscape Operation By Ann Wishart ann@karlovecmedia.com
U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno toured the Growscape production facility and recently-completed 750,00-square-foot warehouse in Middlefield Village Nov. 18. Before the walk-through, Moreno asked Growscape Chief Product and Marketing Officer Bill Lucas if President Donald Trump’s tariff policy is affecting Growscape’ s business of producing horticultural containers and garden and décor solutions for growers.
“A lot of our retail customers are concerned about the volatility of the market,” Lucas said, adding the industry would like to see fewer imports from China, but will have to fill the demand with U.S.made containers. “That’s our opportunity,” he said. Manufacturing Manager Brian Cunningham said the Middlefield plant can produce 2.4 million flower pots in 24 hours. Moreno asked about Growscape’s progress in hiring workers and about housing availability. Growscape is partnering with
Cardinal Schools to have high school students job shadow and is implementing a paid internship program, said village Mayor Ben Garlich Cunningham answered the senator’s question about wages, saying new hires start at $18.50 per hour and those with technical training can begin at $20 per hour. Moreno focused on the affordability of living and working in the state. “We’ve gotta crack the code on housing,” Moreno said. “If I’m making $25 an hour, I can’t afford See Growscape • Page 3
Village Council Honors Youth Football Team
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Members of the Middlefield Cardinal Youth Sports program 7- and 8-year-old flag football team were recognized at the Middlefield Village Council meeting Nov. 13 for winning their championship game.
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