Leaf Thursday, August 1, 2024 Vol. 30 No. 31 • Chardon, Ohio www.geaugamapleleaf.com $1.25
City of Chardon
Homeless Shelter Gets Conditional Use Permit By Allison Wilson editor@karlovecmedia.com
Following informal discussion at the Chardon Planning Commission’s June 25 meeting, Geauga Faith Rescue Mission Executive Director Nathan Long requested a conditional-use permit for a women’s homeless shelter during the commission’s July 23 meeting. Per the June meeting, the women’s shelter would operate out of the house next door to GFRM’s men’s shelter at 339 Washington Street. The facility would house up to four women and would provide emergency shelter, food and case management.
‘I Am Not a Rubber Stamp’ Prosecutor Pushes Back On Property Purchase By Amy Patterson amy@karlovecmedia.com Last November, Geauga County Commissioners moved to purchase about 17 acres on state Route 6 in Chardon for a future senior center. The sale has since languished and in recent weeks, commissioners complained Geauga County Prosecutor Jim Flaiz was holding things up. During their regular session July 9, Commissioner Tim Lennon said outside legal counsel found nothing wrong with the sale contract and it was ready to move forward. “I mean, we can just maybe ask for an explanation in writing? A letter? Email?” Lennon said. “If (Flaiz) wants to come in public session and explain … why we're not moving forward and signing this agreement, but to just go quiet and silent on See Flaiz • Page 5
INSIDE
“Thank you for considering this. We’re excited about the opportunity to be able to meet the needs of our community by expanding our services to women.” — Nathan Long GFRM previously sought to convert a building in Munson into a women’s shelter able to house up to 10 women. However, following backlash from the community, they made the decision to look elsewhere. “This house is located next to their current facility at 339 Wash-
ington Street,” Community Development Administrator Steve Yaney told the commission. “If you recall, planning commission approved of that facility under a use variance back in, I believe, 2019. Since the (city zoning) code has been rewritten, this use has been now defined See Shelter • Page 3
Opinion page 17 ALLISON WILSON/KMG
Geauga Faith Rescue Mission Executive Director Nathan Long speaks before the Chardon Planning Commission July 23.
Emilia Effner on Her Way to Pony Finals in Kentucky
Obituaries pages 18-19
Sheriff’s Sales & Legal Notices start on page 20
Classifieds start on page 23
By Ann Wishart ann@karlovecmedia.com
Emilia Effner, 12, of Chardon, competes next week at the United States Equestrian Federation Pony Finals at the Kentucky Horse Park. She and her partner, a red roan pony she calls Nicky, qualified to ride in the annual A-rated show by winning the small pony hunter championship at the Chagrin Hunter Jumper Classic in July. Emilia has been a student of Carol Lewis and Amanda Lyerly at Madison Hills stable in Gates Mills for two years, said Alissa Effner, her mother, in a phone interview July 26. While Emilia became enamored of horses before she was 6, her young career had its ups and downs, Alissa said. “She fell into this on her own,” she said, recalling the day she and Jason Effner took their young daughter to Lake Metroparks See Effner • Page 6
SUBMITTED
Emilia Effner, 12, of Chardon, and Picturesque Knick Knack (Nicky) won the small pony hunter championship at the Chagrin Hunter Jumper Classic in July, qualifying them to compete in the United States Equestrian Federation Pony Finals at the Kentucky Horse Park near Louisville, Ky., Aug. 6-11.
Single Edition $1.25