Leaf Thursday, February 2, 2023 Vol. 29 No. 5 • Chardon, Ohio www.geaugamapleleaf.com $1.00
Mental Health Board Director Resigns
Cardinal Schools
Search for Executive Director Continues By Amy Patterson amy@karlovecmedia.com
The Geauga County Board of Mental Health and Recovery Services continues its search for leadership, as Associate Director Amie Martin-D’Arienzo turned in her resignation Jan. 23. “This email serves as my formal resignation. My last day will be Feb. 3, 2023. Thank you for the opportunity,” Martin-D’Arienzo wrote to Steve Oluic, board chairman. Martin-D’Arienzo initially resigned from the interim executive director position last June and was re-hired to the associate director position last July. The board has been in the process of finding a replacement for longtime Executive Director Jim Adams after his termination last July, which led to a $212,000 settlement. See Director • Page 4
City of Chardon
Safety Committee Considers Dispatch Consolidation By Amy Patterson amy@karlovecmedia.com A Chardon Safety Committee agenda posted Jan. 27 contained only a few agenda items, but one —asking the committee to consider closing the police dispatch center — caused an uproar in the city. One Chardon resident took to Facebook that evening to alert his neighbors, saying the consequences of a decision to consolidate the city’s dispatch with the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office could put more stress and a higher workload on local officers and make 911 response times longer. “I must ask, in February of 2012, where would Chardon have been without the Chardon police See Dispatch • Page 4
SUBMITTED
This screenshot from a choreography video shows the cast of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” practicing for the musical the Cardinal Schools Board of Education canceled during an executive session Jan. 25.
School Board Drops Curtain on Musical: ‘Not Family-Friendly’ By Ann Wishart ann@karlovecmedia.com After weeks of rehearsing and set-building, the curtain came down on Cardinal Schools’ spring production before audience members could even get their hands on a playbill. On Jan. 25, following a lengthy executive session, Cardinal Schools Board of Education told musical director Vanessa Allen the drama department’s show, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” would not go on. “We received a complaint from a resident on Jan. 11,” board President Linda Smallwood said Jan. 27, adding several other families registered concerns about the production. A public records request for the complaint was filed Jan. 30,
SCREENSHOT
Above, a graphic that has been circulating on social media since the Jan. 25 announcement Cardinal Schools would be cancelling the spring production.
but the document was not produced prior to press deadline. The musical comedy is based on a book by Rachel Sheinkin, with music and lyrics by William Finn. See Musical • Page 6
“Cast members have invested hours of their time in rehearsals, characterization lessons, and group and individual voice lessons. The crew has spent equal time creating and building set pieces, scenery and props. The decision to shut this production down is heartbreaking.” – Mandy Matchinga
Artist’s Longtime Dream Comes to Fruition Craft Cocktail Bar to Take Auburn Art District to New Heights
Sports starts on page 12
Geauga Public Health Continues Admin Search page 5
Geiss Replaces Gaspar as Chardon Fire Chief page 9
Boost Mode Offers Hydration Infusion Therapy page 10
Obituaries pages 15-16
By Cassandra Shofar cassandra@karlovecmedia.com
Sheriff’s Sales & Legal Notices
A longtime vision to create an arts district that celebrates all things local and handmade is finally manifesting for Jason Wein. It only took 30 years, the right location and a global pandemic. Wein, a glassblower and woodworker who owns Cleveland Art in Auburn Township, has always wanted to build an arts community that served as an “alternative events space.”
start on page 21
See Reithoffer’s • Page 7
Classifieds start on page 22 Single Edition $1.00
SUBMITTED
From left, Debby Wein, Jason Wein and their son, Morris, are gearing up to launch their new cocktail menu at Reithoffer’s Art, Spirits & Entertainment in Auburn Township in February.