Leaf Thursday, March 23, 2023 Vol. 29 No. 12 • Chardon, Ohio www.geaugamapleleaf.com $1.00
Drag Show Draws Attention to Chardon Restaurant
Majority of GPH Staff Laid Off Officials, Public Criticize Cooperative Agreement with Lake County By Amy Patterson amy@karlovecmedia.com
By Jamie Ward jamie@karlovecmedia.com
The owner of Element 41 on Chardon Square has long had Pride in his restaurant. So, his decision to raise money for a local church with a private, drag show-themed brunch came easily. The day after dozens of harassing messages — phone calls, emails, social media posts — he just as easily added a second brunch. “Someone said they hope my business burns down,” said Paul Mendolera, who will host the events April 1 with the Community Church of Chesterland. “In that same breath, ‘I can’t wait to see the restaurant (that comes in) after you fail.’ ” See Drag Show • Page 3
Part III Dave’s Decade in D.C.
‘It Was Just Heartbreaking’
Joyce Reflects on Chardon Shooting, Addresses Gun Violence Issues By Amy Patterson amy@karlovecmedia.com Dave Joyce was sworn into his first term as congressman Jan. 3, 2013, but the day that changed his life occurred alJoyce most a year prior. Joyce, who served as Geauga County prosecutor since 1992, said Feb. 27, 2012 — the day of the fatal Chardon High School shooting — was the day he decided to move on from that role. “I came home and told my wife See Joyce • Page 5
AMY PATTERSON/KMG
Geauga Public Health Director of Nursing Carol Straniero watches as employees and the public react to an announcement during a special meeting March 15.
All five members of the Geauga County Board of Health approved a cooperative agreement with the Lake County General Health District last week — the termination of a majority of GPH employees effective March 31. The special meeting, held 4 p.m. March 15 — three hours before the annual meeting of the Health District Advisory Council — was announced March 10, but a draft of the Cross-Jurisdictional Cooperative Agreement only became available to the public March 14 and did not include dates or a See GPH • Page 7
From Therapy to Trophy Hambden Native Jeffrey Carver Wins Cutting Horse Championship By Ann Wishart ann@karlovecmedia.com What started as riding therapy for brain cancer survivor Jeffrey Carver more than 12 years ago has carried the teen and his parents down the horse show trail to trophies and fame across the nation. Jeffrey, 18, of Hambden Township, and his Quarter Horse gelding, Whiskey Cat, won the National Cutting Horse Association $15,000 Amateur World Championship in December. Their story began more than three years ago, when Jeffrey had a young mare in training with Tyler DeLange in Michigan. The
Sports page 19
Auburn Trustees Charged for IRS Penalties, Interest page 5
Mueller Spearheading Recall of Four GPH Board Members page 6
When Duty Calls, Gender Doesn’t Matter page 18
Opinion pages 12-13
Obituaries pages 16-17
See Carver • Page 9
Sheriff’s Sales & Legal Notices pages 24-25
Classifieds pages 27-28 Single Edition $1.00 Jeffrey Carver, 18, of Hambden Township, owns a filly he would like to train as a cutting horse. He and Whiskey Cat won the National Cutting Horse Association $15,000 Amateur World Championship in December.