Leaf Thursday, April 6, 2023 Vol. 29 No. 14 • Chardon, Ohio www.geaugamapleleaf.com $1.00
Despite Threats, Drag Events Go Smoothly Large Police, Security Presence as Protesters Face Off
PHOTOS BY BILL FUGATE/KMG
A protester April 1 in Chardon holds a sign in opposition to a drag brunch hosted at Element 41, and a drag story hour held later that day at the Community Church of Chesterland. RIGHT: Drag queen Veranda L’Ni performs during a drag story hour held at the Community Church of Chesterland Saturday.
The only drag show drama happening April 1 was inside Element 41, where three queens sang and danced for two crowds of brunch-goers. Both the restaurant performances and an afternoon story hour at the Community Church of Chesterland went off with no signs of trouble after weeks of build-up and threats to organizers. The event drew press from across the country and around the world, with CCC Pastor Jess Peacock telling a reporter from By Amy the UK it was important to push back against protests inPatterson tended to inspire fear and silence people. “We didn’t intend this to be a cause or a movement, or a social justice thing, but it became that,” Peacock said. Event organizer Mallory McMaster said she and others were happy to have support in the weeks leading up to the event, including well-wishers who sent flowers to drag queens Veranda L’Ni, Carmen La’Shon, Monica Mod and The Empress Dupree. “Love is outshining hate in every way,” she said. Security was ratcheted up at both drag show locations after an Alliance man was arrested See Drag • Page 5
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After Gun Incident, West G Parents Demand Change By Brian Doering brian@karlovecmedia.com After a student’s arrest for firearm possession April 3 raised fears of another school shooting, parents crowded the West Geauga Schools Board of Education meeting that evening to express concerns about how the situation was handled. That morning, West Geauga High School was put on lockdown after an 18-year-old student was found to be in possession of a firearm while on campus. The student was taken into custody by the Chester Township Police Department while an investigation was conducted, and high school students were dismissed for the rest of the day. Board Vice President Christina Sherwood read a statement to the public at the start of Monday’s meeting thanking teachers, staff and local law enforcement for their help that morning. “The events of today have reinforced that West Geauga is not insulated from the troubles that surround
Student Arrested for Firearm Possession By Brian Doering brian@karlovecmedia.com
SCREENSHOT
Resident April Orloski, mother of the student who found a bullet in the restroom at West Geauga High School, questions school board members on safety protocols during their meeting April 3.
us. The events of today have also reinforced that our kids, staff and administration understand the absolute need to communicate concerns to one another,” Sherwood said. Recent headlines make school safety the gravest concern of any school district, she said, adding efforts to maintain safety and security would continue. “I would like to thank the student
Alliance Man Arrested for Church Attack
who initially alerted an adult,” Sherwood said. “Without his immediate action, this could have ended very differently.” However, Chester resident April Orloski, who said her son was the student who found a bullet in the high school bathroom Monday morning, criticized the district’s response to the situation. See West G • Page 6
West Geauga High School closed its doors for two consectutive days as school officials continued to work with law enforcement on their investigation of an 18-year-old student who brought a firearm to school Monday. The student was taken into custody by the Chester Township Police Department, according to an emergency alert sent out to parents at about 10 a.m. April 3. “There is an elevated police presence in our schools. No threats have been made against any of our buildings,” said Superintendent Richard Markwardt in the email to parents. Out of an abundance of cauSee Firearm • Page 6
McMullen Accused of Bias Against Munson Fire Dept. page 9
Opinion page 10
Obituaries pages 11
Sports pages 12-13
Sheriff’s Sales & Legal Notices start on page 16
Classifieds start on page 18 Single Edition $1.00