Leaf Thursday, March 21, 2024 Vol. 30 No. 12 • Chardon, Ohio www.geaugamapleleaf.com $1.25
Cannabis Operator Hopes For Future in Chardon Public Speaks Out Against Allowing Dispensary By Allison Wilson editor@karlovecmedia.com Despite a temporary moratorium still in place on issuing zoning certificates for cannabis and marijuana production, Scott Halloran, of Buckeye Relief, appeared before Chardon City Council March 14 to ask them to consider allowing his dispensaries in the future. Buckeye Relief is an Ohioowned and operated cannabis cultivator and processor based outside of Cleveland, according to its website. Halloran emphasized the locality of the business, noting he is a Geauga resident. “We are the largest medical marijuana company in Ohio, by volume and by product distribution,” Halloran said, noting they have dispensaries in Columbus, Bedford and Cleveland Heights. Ohio’s Division of Cannabis Control is aiming to have applications for dual-use licenses — allowing medical marijuana dispensaries See Cannabis • Page 6
Newcomer Brakey, Incumbent Spidalieri Clinch Commish Spots
Bainbridge Bans Adult-Use Cannabis — For Now
unofficial results of the Geauga County Board of Elections. Brakey, who ran for Commissioner Tim Lennon’s seat after he chose not to run again, defeated her opponent, former Commissioner Walter “Skip” Claypool, with 7,684 votes to his 5,893 — a 14% margin.
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By Amy Patterson amy@karlovecmedia.com
Geauga County voters selected newcomer Carolyn Brakey and incumbent Ralph Spidalieri in the March 19 Republican primary election for Geauga County commissioner, according to the final
Reached via text Tuesday night, Brakey said she is honored to receive the support of Geauga Republicans and will carry the party’s message into the general election. “When I announced I was running for commissioner, I promised See Election • Page 3
City Adopts Template to Rent Geauga Theater By Allison Wilson editor@karlovecmedia.com
READ MORE: Waiting in the Wings, Fine Arts Assoc. Moves into Annex, p.4
ALLISON WILSON/KMG
In light of both the Geauga Lyric Theater Guild and Thrive Performing and Visual Arts dissolutions, as well as the number of organizations vying for the space, the city is set to make the historic Geauga Theater rentable rather than designate it to one group.
Between two theater companies vacating Geauga Theater in the last five years and several groups expressing interest in the historic building, Chardon City Council believes a rental agreement is the best solution for its future use. During its March 14 meeting, city council approved a template for a rental agreement — subject to revisions by the law director — similar to that used for the Heritage House on Chardon Square. “Based on the history of a single group trying to operate the theater and the number of groups that have expressed interest in usSee Theater • Page 5
West G BOE Makes Settlement Agreement With Ames page 9
Opinion page 10
Sports pages 13-14
Obituaries pages 15
Sheriff’s Sales & Legal Notices start on page 20
Classifieds page 23
Middlefield Mayor Urges Collab with Cardinal Schools Garlich Explores Making Village a ‘Charter Government’ By Ann Wishart ann@karlovecmedia.com
ANN WISHART/KMG
Two new Middlefield Village police officers were sworn in at the March 14 village council meeting. Pictured are, from left, village Mayor Ben Garlich, full-time police officers Brooke Daughters and Cody Naftzger and police Chief Joe Tucholski.
Middlefield Village Mayor Ben Garlich proposed several actions March 14 to ensure the healthy growth of the community following a year-in review presentation. Most notable was Garlich’s hope to build a partnership between the village and Cardinal Schools leadership, a position he has not held in the past. When neighboring Berkshire Schools was in the process of cre-
ating and funding a new, all-grade school several years ago, Garlich urged Cardinal to merge with Berkshire. “I was a strong proponent of consolidation,” he recalled. Village residents were opposed and Garlich ceased his campaign for consolidation, but last Thursday, he said the district still has problems. “My concern is Cardinal is too small now to function. The kindergarten class is half the size of the See Cardinal • Page 3
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