Leaf Thursday, April 25, 2024 Vol. 30 No. 17• Chardon, Ohio www.geaugamapleleaf.com $1.25
Troy Trustee Backtracks On Road Contract
INSIDE
Local Contractor Raises Ethical Concerns By Allison Wilson editor@karlovecmedia.com
Troy Township Trustee Len Barcikoski chose to scrap bids for four road resurfacing contracts he had previously signed off on after trustees were split on a motion to retroactively accept the bids during their April 16 meeting. Trustee Sharon Simms had agreed to allow Barcikoski’s motion, while Trustee Donn Breckenridge wanted to table the matter. Ultimately, a vote was not required nor cast, as Barcikoski had already signed the contracts, each for less than $75,000, on April 4. However, Barcikoski decided to nix the contracts — which he originally signed with New York-based paving contractor Suit-Kote — and instead put them out for public bid, he said in a followup interview April 19. On April 10, John Bojec, owner of Geauga Highway Company based in Troy Township, sent a letter to the Geauga County Maple Leaf raising ethical concerns about the road resurfacing contracts. “It was brought to my attention See Contract • Page 3
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Geauga County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Thomas Rowan points to migrants making their way alongside the Rio Grande on the Mexican side of the border with the U.S. during a recent trip to New Mexico and Texas.
Sheriff, Chief Deputy Visit Border Trip to New Mexico, Texas ‘Informative’ and ‘Eye Opening’ By Rose Nemunaitis editor@karlovecmedia.com In an effort to stay abreast of national safety concerns, Geauga County Sheriff Scott Hildenbrand and Chief Deputy Thomas Rowan recently traveled to the United States borders in New Mexico and Texas to learn about the capabilities of the United
States Border Patrol and how they can assist with migrant investigations. Hildenbrand and Rowan joined neighboring sheriffs and Toledo Police Chief Michael Troendle as part of a nationwide effort by counties to collaborate with federal, state and local governments to better meet the needs of residents.
“The border trip was paid for by our law enforcement partners … to educate the sheriff’s office on the activities along the border and the effects on our local community, and our efforts to deal with law enforcement issues that come along with an unsecure border,” Rowan said. “Over the last two years, we have had roughly 18 See Border • Page 5
Ed Ryder Remembered as ‘Rarest of Individuals’ Memories Shared of Longtime Public Official By Ann Wishart ann@karlovecmedia.com
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Ed Ryder told his wife, Diane Ryder, right, he was hoping to leave his gun collection to their grandson, Jack Young, whom he taught to shoot.
Best known for his four terms on the Geauga County Board of Elections, his time as chairman of the Geauga County Republican Party, as well as his love of travel and the law, the late Ed Ryder left behind many fond memories among friends, family and colleagues.
Ed, 75, passed away April 7 after a seven-year battle with cancer. His wife of 52 years, Diane Ryder, recalled in a recent interview how dedicated Ed was to his roles in the community, especially his position on the board of elections. “He wanted to depoliticize the board of elections,” she said. He knew the positions on the See Ryder • Page 6
Maple Syrup Hall of Fame Honors 2024 Winners page 4
Opinion page A14
Obituaries pages A15-A17
Sports pages B1-B3
Sheriff’s Sales & Legal Notices start on page B9
Classifieds page B12 Single Edition $1.25