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Trustees approve juvenile curfew

Monday, Monday may have been good for The Mamas and the Papas.
But Munn day — a discussion about a section of a Newbury Township road — took place last Wednesday.
And the roughly 40 residents opposing proposed county ownership of the road said it wouldn’t have been good for them at last week’s trustees meeting.
Currently, the 2.13-mile section of Munn Road between Bell Road north to the road’s terminus at Route 87 is owned and maintained by the township. The section of Munn Road south of Bell Road to the Auburn Township border is already owned by the county, Fiscal Officer David Lair said.
Trustees said county ownership of the road would ease the township’s maintenance costs, while residents argued county ownership — and a related project widening the road’s shoulders and berms — would destroy the character of the road.
In June, the board received a letter from County Engineer R.L. Phillips. He told the Geauga County Commissioners some roads in the county needed to be re-evaluated in terms of ownership and maintenance responsibilities. The various roads needed to be switched from county to township roads and vice-versa.
• County roads to township roads: Messenger Road and Music Street.
• Township roads to county roads: Clay Street, Hemlock Point, Caves, Pettibone and Munn roads.
“The commissioners are sensitive to the needs of the trustees,” Lair said of the proposed changeover.
Although all but one resident opposed the switch to a county-owned road, the trustees said they would not vote on the issue right away, he said, adding the proposed road changes also included input from road superintendents from around the county.
“I’d like to think we’ll discuss this issue at the next trustees meeting,” Trustee David Snively said.
Both trustees and Lair said the county widening the road and taking it over would make it safer for residents. They also said upgrade costs, which would total about $500,000, would drain their entire road and bridge operating budget. However, if the county spends the funds, they argued, then the township could utilize those funds and pave the other 36 miles of township roads.
Although many residents protested the proposal, Lair told them a similar project had been undertaken on Georgia Road in Burton Township over the past three years. So far, that road upgrade has not generated complaints since the renovation was completed last year.
Resident Dave Vanderwist said truck traffic and speeding residents are a big issue on Munn Road. He said he needed to install a sign warning drivers of a slight curve near his property.
“The trucks are doing 50 (mph) and roll through the stop sign (near the Music and Munn intersection),” he added. “Why do we allow truck traffic to go through there that fast?”
Vanderwist also said Munn Road contains several industries to the south that may be the cause of the truck traffic. The trucks use Munn Road as a cut-through from Route 422 and Washington Street to the south to Route 87 and the township’s trucking plants in the north.
Trustee Bill Skomrock, a former dispatcher for Manfredi Trucking Co. and the current DistTech Director of Safety, said he used to ask truck drivers not to use Munn as a cut-through.
“I’d chew their a-- out,” he said, adding the township unsuccessfully lobbied for a lowering of the current speed limit from 45 mph down to 40 years ago. “When I go down route 44 at 6:30 a.m. in the morning, I’m the only one going 45 mph, which is that road’s speed limit. I’ve even been on Munn Road and the residents speed themselves.”
Snively said the township even assessed a similar road construction project on Pekin Road, in which the shoulders and berms were widened. Data from the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office revealed average driver speed did not increase after the road was rebuilt.
However, Munn Road resident Kathleen Reinker argued Pekin did not have near as much truck traffic as Munn Road.
Lair and Snively said they could ask the sheriff’s office to specifically patrol the road, paid for with township funds, and get “dedicated coverage,” according to Lair.
“We’ll lose the character of this road if the county takes it over,” resident Jeff Brinkerhoff said.
Brinkerhoff asked if trustees could poll the residents via a show of hands whether or not they wanted the county to take the road over. All but one resident, Fire Chief Doug Zimperman, voted no.
Trustees told the residents they also didn’t know to what degree the road would be widened and said they would ask Phillips for more information.
“There may be a trade-off of some of the character of the road, but there’s a safety issue involved,” Snively said. “We can’t call all of the shots here, but we can adjust them.”
Trustees next meet 7 p.m. July 21 at the town hall.

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Snively describes the effects of the proposal to residents.

Newbury Township trustees passed a resolution last Wednesday to clean up a section of Pekin Road affected by a road-paving project.

The section of Pekin affected spans the Russell-Newbury Township border eastward to the Pekin-Sperry Road intersection. Over the past year, controversy occurred between trustees and a few property owners with regards to property right-of-way, erosion and paving construction issues. The controversy increased to the point where lawyers were brought in, representing both the township and several of the homeowners. Last fall, work was halted as both sets of attorneys engaged in legal wrangling related to those issues, especially a right-of-way issue involving homeowner Pam Maurer.

Trustees voted to clean up the road after attorneys gave them the green light, according to Trustee David Snively.

"We put (Road Superintendent) Randy (Hollis) on hold, due to the threat of potential lawsuits and claims," Snively said. "He'll go in and make repairs to the road as is normal practice after a paving project."

The $420,00 project, funded with $120,000 joint funds from Russell and Newbury Townships as well as a $300,000 Ohio Public Works Commission grant, was supposed to be fully completed last August. Its goal was to straighten the road.

He said Hollis will began cleanup operations once the weather improves and his schedule allows.

"You can't do this work in pouring down rain," the trustee added.

The actual work will consist of brush cleanup, berm repair and culvert work near a trouble spot by Maurer's property. Snively said the road department's goal is for water runoff to head off road and under driveways the proper way. The road department also said it would attempt to mow the area in a way that it would not inconvenience the homeowner's mowing.

Although the road department will perform post-construction cleanup duties, it will not do specific repairs for private homeowners at their request.

"Their job is to help bring the road into the service and condition the road the way it should be," Snively said of Hollis and his crew. "We're not going to come out and say, 'Is there anything we can do for you?' to the homeowners. We're not doing private work; we're just making sure we've restored things to where they should be."

Maurer, who did not attend the meeting, said she was disappointed nobody from the township contacted her regarding the fact discussion was scheduled to take place at last week's meeting.

"It's disappointing they wouldn't inform the homeowners they were going to talk about it," she said of the trustees. "I'm still wondering what's going on. Also, the runoff issue on my property is getting worse.

"I know they can't come out right now," she conceded, acknowledging the presence of the recent heavy rains. "But if they were going to do something, they should let us know."

Last year, she contended the Geauga County Engineer's Office was to blame for most of the problems related to the road paving and road-straightening project.

However, unusually wet weather and snow cover may have made a minor problem worse, County Engineer R.L. Phillips said earlier this year.

Phillips told trustees in March it was not unusual for heavy rain and snow to wash out a berm.

The first erosion issue started in February 2010, when Maurer and her husband approached trustees after seeing red Xs marked on trees lining her property the road. At the time, the couple said it was receptive to having a few trees removed, because they understood the road had to be widened.

But 35 trees on her property were removed, which was one of the contributors to the erosion problem, she said last year.

Newbury Township trustees passed a resolution last Wednesday to clean up a section of Pekin Road affected by a road-paving project.

The section of Pekin affected spans the Russell-Newbury Township border eastward to the Pekin-Sperry Road intersection. Over the past year, controversy occurred between trustees and a few property owners with regards to property right-of-way, erosion and paving construction issues. The controversy increased to the point where lawyers were brought in, representing both the township and several of the homeowners. Last fall, work was halted as both sets of attorneys engaged in legal wrangling related to those issues, especially a right-of-way issue involving homeowner Pam Maurer.

Trustees voted to clean up the road after attorneys gave them the green light, according to Trustee David Snively.

"We put (Road Superintendent) Randy (Hollis) on hold, due to the threat of potential lawsuits and claims," Snively said. "He'll go in and make repairs to the road as is normal practice after a paving project."

The $420,00 project, funded with $120,000 joint funds from Russell and Newbury Townships as well as a $300,000 Ohio Public Works Commission grant, was supposed to be fully completed last August. Its goal was to straighten the road.

He said Hollis will began cleanup operations once the weather improves and his schedule allows.

"You can't do this work in pouring down rain," the trustee added.

The actual work will consist of brush cleanup, berm repair and culvert work near a trouble spot by Maurer's property. Snively said the road department's goal is for water runoff to head off road and under driveways the proper way. The road department also said it would attempt to mow the area in a way that it would not inconvenience the homeowner's mowing.

Although the road department will perform post-construction cleanup duties, it will not do specific repairs for private homeowners at their request.

"Their job is to help bring the road into the service and condition the road the way it should be," Snively said of Hollis and his crew. "We're not going to come out and say, 'Is there anything we can do for you?' to the homeowners. We're not doing private work; we're just making sure we've restored things to where they should be."

Maurer, who did not attend the meeting, said she was disappointed nobody from the township contacted her regarding the fact discussion was scheduled to take place at last week's meeting.

"It's disappointing they wouldn't inform the homeowners they were going to talk about it," she said of the trustees. "I'm still wondering what's going on. Also, the runoff issue on my property is getting worse.

"I know they can't come out right now," she conceded, acknowledging the presence of the recent heavy rains. "But if they were going to do something, they should let us know."

Last year, she contended the Geauga County Engineer's Office was to blame for most of the problems related to the road paving and road-straightening project.

However, unusually wet weather and snow cover may have made a minor problem worse, County Engineer R.L. Phillips said earlier this year.

Phillips told trustees in March it was not unusual for heavy rain and snow to wash out a berm.

The first erosion issue started in February 2010, when Maurer and her husband approached trustees after seeing red Xs marked on trees lining her property the road. At the time, the couple said it was receptive to having a few trees removed, because they understood the road had to be widened.

But 35 trees on her property were removed, which was one of the contributors to the erosion problem, she said last year.

Trails through parks in Geauga County don't just appear.

They have to be hacked out of the undergrowth, built up with gravel to withstand foot traffic, landscaped to avoid erosion and maintained annually.

If horses are being ridden on bridle trails, branches have to be chopped higher, footing needs to be more solid and it all needs to be wide enough to accommodate horses passing hikers with dogs and children.

Dedicated trail riders understand and appreciate the 16 miles of trails in six of the Geauga Park District's open parks. No one is more supportive of the system than the local chapter of the Ohio Horseman's Council (OHC), which recently raised more than $6,500 in three months to help build more trails and defray the cost of maintaining those that already exist.

"I'm not 100 percent sure how the whole thing started," said Carol Donaldson, owner of Hunter's Creek Farm on Music Street and former member of the Geauga Park District Foundation. A member of the Chagrin Valley Trail Riders Club, she sees the parks and trails as vital for the preservation of wildlife and native flora as well as recreation for people and horses.

When the opportunity to open or maintain access for riders in the parks arose, she saddled up. The district had received a generous donation toward bridle trails and Donaldson wanted to make it go as far as possible for a long time.

"The first donation wasn't enough to open an account," she said, so she joined forces with a handful of other OHC members - Nora Stanton, Stella Gravelsek, Rocheele Garrett, Catherine Ullman, Rahcel Vanek, Joy Keco and Connie Rosborough to name a few -- to increase the seed money. They put articles in newsletters, made phone calls, got on Facebook and e-mailed everyone they could find in their address books.

"We reached a huge number of people," Donaldson said. "Donations started rolling in. Some came from unexpected areas."

Other chapters of the OHC, one from southern Ohio, chipped in and the word spread. An especially generous donor matched the first few thousand dollars raised, she said, giving the project a terrific boost.

"People are still talking about it," Donaldson said. "It's a wonderful way to start a trail fund."

OHC members are aware the district has been tightening its belt, buying fewer properties and concentrating on improving those it holds. By investing the funds in a Donor Designated Fund under the auspices of Geauga Park District Foundation, the 501c3 supporting organization of the park district, the Geauga County OHC is assured the money will be spent on building new bridle trails and maintaining old ones. The council hopes to add $1,000 a year to the fund, she added.

Many members of the local OHC aren't satisfied writing checks, Donaldson said, crediting Stanton and many volunteers with clearing trails with clippers and handsaws every year. They are very involved with the park district, she said, and the local OHC hopes to consult with the district on the use of the fund.

"The park district is very frugal in the way it spends money," Donaldson said. "They're not going to be dipping into the fund helter-skelter."

"We've worked with Geauga Park District for a long time to show our support - helping on the trails, planting trees, picking up garbage. We've always tried to be actively involved," said Geauga County OHC Interim President Rochelle Garrett. "Our plans are to schedule several things each year to raise more for this cause."

Tom Curtin, park district director, said he expects the district and the council will be working closely together to decide the best use of the funds. While it won't go too far in its present state, as it grows it will be more valuable, he said. Building a new trail costs about $80,000 a mile and maintaining an established trail costs about $2,500 a mile a year, he said.

There are some trails on private land where riding is permitted and furthering that partnership for trail riders is part of the district's long-term plan

Current bridle trails can be enjoyed, free of charge, at at The West Woods in Newbury and Russell townships, Headwaters Park in Huntsburg and Claridon townships, Beartown Lakes Reservation in Auburn and Bainbridge townships, Big Creek Park in Chardon Township, and Swine Creek Reservation in Middlefield and Parkman townships.

There are literally thousands of reasons to build and maintain trails throughout the state. In 2010, members of Geauga County's OHC rode 3,355.9 miles on Geauga Park District trails. Ohio ranks sixth in the country in the number of horses owned, nearly 307,000, according to the American Horse Council, a recent park district press release states.

Anyone interested in setting up a Donor Designated Fund with a $1,000 initial contribution or contributing to this one should contact development officer Emilie Gottsegen directly at (440) 279-0835.

Jodie Swartwout was shot down, but she wants to get back up again.

On March 22, the Newbury Township Board of Zoning Appeals denied the opening of a proposed shooting range operated by Swartwout and other shooters at Newbury Business Park.

Swartwout and her partners -- Dan and Angela McNish of Newbury and Ronald Hopkin of North Royalton -- filed an appeal regarding the BZA decision with the Geauga County Court of Common Pleas last Wednesday.

No date has been set and, if they can work with the township to achieve an agreed judgment entry, the case will never get to court, she said.

Swartwout, a township resident, said she is very hopeful that an agreed judgment entry will clear the way for financing and renovation of a warehouse the business park into "The Shooting Range Inc." by the end of the summer.

The building, which has access off Route 44 just south of Route 87, is about 100 feet long by 40 feet wide. This will allow for 10 stalls and a 75-foot-long range -- long enough for anything except a machine gun, she joked.

Swartwout describes herself as an avid shooter who likes to practice all year around. Consequently, in northeast Ohio, an indoor range is necessary. For years, she has traveled to North Royalton for practice. She and other friends in the county have discussed the need for an indoor range for a long time.

"We've been talking about (setting up a range) forever," Swartwout said. "We finally said 'Let's just go for it.'"

So she and her shooting partners started looking for a location and found the building they can retrofit with armor shielding and a machine that collects the spent ammunition, as well as soundproofing and other amenities.

They also investigated the market for a range and found the Geauga County Sheriff's Office will make good use of an indoor range. Sheriff Dan McClelland attended the BZA hearing and testified the noise control design was consistent with other ranges. He also offered to consult with Swartwout and partners on any safety issues.

"The Sheriff's people have to go out of the county to qualify on three of four parts," Swartwout said.

The BZA recognized the range would be beneficial to the department. However, her request of the BZA did not meet the use variance criteria as a shooting range and is not a permitted listed use in the township zoning code, according to the board's finding of facts when it denied the use variance.

Minutes from the hearing show there would be no sale of firearms at The Shooting Range, only rentals for on-site shooting. The armor plating will be sufficient to withstand .45, .308 and .30-06 caliber shot and the windows will be changed to glass-block design. Security will include smoke alarms, corner surveillance, instructor-monitored cameras, gun storage in a separate office building and safety officers on duty. Swartwout said they plan to offer classes on gun handling, safety and, of course, shooting at targets.

"We want people to learn safety, feel comfortable with guns and ask questions," she said.

After a year of working on the project, Swartwout said she and her team are anxious to get started and are happy to take the agreed judgment entry route to get the project moving. If all goes well, they hope to open for business before winter sets in and start selling memberships, as well.

But, mostly, she wants to have a range handy for her own use.

"We just want to shoot!" Swartwout said.

The U.S. Postal Service is getting ready to streamline mail delivery throughout the country, including here in Geauga County.

Beginning June 4, carrier delivery operations for the Novelty and Newbury post offices will be moved to the Chesterland and Burton post offices, respectively, as part of a nationwide effort to cut costs and consolidate services, according to USPS spokesman Victor Dubina.

In addition, the Bainbridge Post Office might close or have its delivery services moved to the older and smaller Chagrin Falls post office. Postal officials are mulling over both options, although the closing of the post office could not occur until after a public hearing is held in order to allow residents to voice their concerns, he added.

The Newbury Post Office has three carriers serving the 44065 ZIP code, while the Novelty Post Office has four serving the 44072 ZIP code. The Bainbridge Post Office has 22 carriers handling the 44023 ZIP code, which includes Bainbridge and Auburn townships.

Postal carriers from Novelty and Newbury will continue to have the same delivery routes, although mail will be trucked to and sorted at the Chesterland or Burton facilities.

The Novelty and Newbury post offices will continue to provide retail or "front end" services for the mailing of packages and the purchase of stamps, Dubina said. In addition, post office boxes will remain in each building.

The Bainbridge Township post office is a branch of the Chagrin Falls post office, even though it is a newer and larger facility.

"If we were to put (Bainbridge) carriers in Chagrin Falls, that may not be a problem because, with less mail going to both, there may be enough room in Chagrin, if putting the Bainbridge carriers there is the way we decide to go," Dubina said.

No ZIP code changes are planned as part of the consolidation effort, he added.

"What we're doing behind the scenes is much like our competitors (UPS and FedEx). They don't have delivery operations in every city -- they centralize it," said Dubina. "We're slowly shrinking our footprint wherever we can by moving or centralizing carriers to make things more cost efficient and save money."

But Novelty Post Office clerk Nikki LoCoco told Russell Township trustees and residents last week the consolidation would cost them money.

"I don't see how we're saving money when everyone has to go get gas and drive farther. So, somebody who lives all the way in Westwood, they can't go to the Novelty Post Office. They have to go all the way to Chesterland to go get their mail or certified mail, or so on," she said at the April 6 trustees meeting.

"They actually said it is only going to save us less than 1 percent to this. That's why we don't understand why this is actually happening," she added.

LoCoco also said that beginning May 2, her post office will be closing for lunch from noon to 12:30 p.m.

River Glen Drive resident Charlie Butters asked LoCoco how his mail would be handled, for instance, because his personal mail is delivered to his residence and business mail to a post office box.

"You're going to have a big problem," she said, noting all mail currently is separated in the Novelty post office. "This is going to be the biggest problem with our P.O. box customers, because I think we are going to lose a lot of revenue.

"What's going to happen is, right now all the mail goes to Novelty. We sort the mail there. If your River Glen address is on there, I can actually put it in (your post office box). But all the mail is going to be sorted in Chesterland, so I can't do favors anymore."

She warned residents that improperly addressed mail would be returned to sender, because people in the Chesterland office don't know the Russell customers.

The postal service has been affected by the continuing growth of e-mail, as well as economic conditions, Dubina said. There is less mail to deliver, partly because large banks and financial institutions encourage customers to pay bills online. In other cases, customers have opted to pay their utility bills through an automatic withdrawal from their bank account.

"When the economy went south, that hurt us big time because it also affected the revenue we get from advertising mail," added Dubina. "With major financial institutions and an awful lot of other companies encouraging people to transact online, that just accelerated our first-class mail decline."

Dubina noted 213 billion pieces of mail were delivered in 2006. That number dropped to slightly more than 170 billion in 2010 -- a more than 20 percent decline, equating to an approximately $14.3 billion loss in revenue.

"People are not going see any change, not physically. The mail will still be delivered six days a week," he added. "It just means our delivery trucks from Cleveland will have less stops at post offices to deliver mail to, but outgoing mail from Newbury and Novelty will be picked up and get to where it is going."

Dubina also said while carriers will be traveling more miles and there will be an increase in fuel costs, overall consolidation will save the postal service money.

LoCoco said she is encouraging customers to contact U.S. Rep. Steve LaTourette's office or Novelty Postmaster Christopher Cooper.

She added similar issues arose with the Gates Mills and Windsor post offices.

"All the customers got together. They called everyone; they called Congress, they called the news, the called the TV (stations). Everyone complained, everyone stuck together, and Gates Mills is still there," LoCoco said, adding Windsor will be merging.

Russell Township Trustee Dickinson suggested inviting Dubina or another postal service representative to a future special meeting of trustees and township residents to explain plans for the Novelty Post Office.

"Let's get him on the record as to what his plans are," Dickinson said. "We don't want to get ahead of ourselves. We don't know, but this is a big bureaucracy and I want to get them on record in front of a group of people -- tell us what your plans are, so then we know how to react."

Trustee Jim Mueller asked LoCoco to contact people in Gates Mills and Windsor to learn what tactics they used and what was effective. She said she would report back.

Editor John Karlovec contributed to this story.

The U.S. Postal Service is getting ready to streamline mail delivery throughout the country, including here in Geauga County.

Beginning June 4, carrier delivery operations for the Novelty and Newbury post offices will be moved to the Chesterland and Burton post offices, respectively, as part of a nationwide effort to cut costs and consolidate services, according to USPS spokesman Victor Dubina.

In addition, the Bainbridge Post Office might close or have its delivery services moved to the older and smaller Chagrin Falls post office. Postal officials are mulling over both options, although the closing of the post office could not occur until after a public hearing is held in order to allow residents to voice their concerns, he added.

The Newbury Post Office has three carriers serving the 44065 ZIP code, while the Novelty Post Office has four serving the 44072 ZIP code. The Bainbridge Post Office has 22 carriers handling the 44023 ZIP code, which includes Bainbridge and Auburn townships.

Postal carriers from Novelty and Newbury will continue to have the same delivery routes, although mail will be trucked to and sorted at the Chesterland or Burton facilities.

The Novelty and Newbury post offices will continue to provide retail or "front end" services for the mailing of packages and the purchase of stamps, Dubina said. In addition, post office boxes will remain in each building.

The Bainbridge Township post office is a branch of the Chagrin Falls post office, even though it is a newer and larger facility.

"If we were to put (Bainbridge) carriers in Chagrin Falls, that may not be a problem because, with less mail going to both, there may be enough room in Chagrin, if putting the Bainbridge carriers there is the way we decide to go," Dubina said.

No ZIP code changes are planned as part of the consolidation effort, he added.

"What we're doing behind the scenes is much like our competitors (UPS and FedEx). They don't have delivery operations in every city -- they centralize it," said Dubina. "We're slowly shrinking our footprint wherever we can by moving or centralizing carriers to make things more cost efficient and save money."

But Novelty Post Office clerk Nikki LoCoco told Russell Township trustees and residents last week the consolidation would cost them money.

"I don't see how we're saving money when everyone has to go get gas and drive farther. So, somebody who lives all the way in Westwood, they can't go to the Novelty Post Office. They have to go all the way to Chesterland to go get their mail or certified mail, or so on," she said at the April 6 trustees meeting.

"They actually said it is only going to save us less than 1 percent to this. That's why we don't understand why this is actually happening," she added.

LoCoco also said that beginning May 2, her post office will be closing for lunch from noon to 12:30 p.m.

River Glen Drive resident Charlie Butters asked LoCoco how his mail would be handled, for instance, because his personal mail is delivered to his residence and business mail to a post office box.

"You're going to have a big problem," she said, noting all mail currently is separated in the Novelty post office. "This is going to be the biggest problem with our P.O. box customers, because I think we are going to lose a lot of revenue.

"What's going to happen is, right now all the mail goes to Novelty. We sort the mail there. If your River Glen address is on there, I can actually put it in (your post office box). But all the mail is going to be sorted in Chesterland, so I can't do favors anymore."

She warned residents that improperly addressed mail would be returned to sender, because people in the Chesterland office don't know the Russell customers.

The postal service has been affected by the continuing growth of e-mail, as well as economic conditions, Dubina said. There is less mail to deliver, partly because large banks and financial institutions encourage customers to pay bills online. In other cases, customers have opted to pay their utility bills through an automatic withdrawal from their bank account.

"When the economy went south, that hurt us big time because it also affected the revenue we get from advertising mail," added Dubina. "With major financial institutions and an awful lot of other companies encouraging people to transact online, that just accelerated our first-class mail decline."

Dubina noted 213 billion pieces of mail were delivered in 2006. That number dropped to slightly more than 170 billion in 2010 -- a more than 20 percent decline, equating to an approximately $14.3 billion loss in revenue.

"People are not going see any change, not physically. The mail will still be delivered six days a week," he added. "It just means our delivery trucks from Cleveland will have less stops at post offices to deliver mail to, but outgoing mail from Newbury and Novelty will be picked up and get to where it is going."

Dubina also said while carriers will be traveling more miles and there will be an increase in fuel costs, overall consolidation will save the postal service money.

LoCoco said she is encouraging customers to contact U.S. Rep. Steve LaTourette's office or Novelty Postmaster Christopher Cooper.

She added similar issues arose with the Gates Mills and Windsor post offices.

"All the customers got together. They called everyone; they called Congress, they called the news, the called the TV (stations). Everyone complained, everyone stuck together, and Gates Mills is still there," LoCoco said, adding Windsor will be merging.

Russell Township Trustee Dickinson suggested inviting Dubina or another postal service representative to a future special meeting of trustees and township residents to explain plans for the Novelty Post Office.

"Let's get him on the record as to what his plans are," Dickinson said. "We don't want to get ahead of ourselves. We don't know, but this is a big bureaucracy and I want to get them on record in front of a group of people -- tell us what your plans are, so then we know how to react."

Trustee Jim Mueller asked LoCoco to contact people in Gates Mills and Windsor to learn what tactics they used and what was effective. She said she would report back.

Editor John Karlovec contributed to this story.

Joe Ciresi is spreading the good word about bringing a Zeppe's Tavern to Newbury Center.

"It's for real," the pizzeria's founder and president said Tuesday. "Enough of guessing."

Zeppe's is well known in northeastern Ohio for its pizza and, in Hudson, for Zeppe's Bistro. For months rumors have been swirling in Newbury that Zeppe's would be taking over the entire south end of Nacy Panzica's second building in Newbury Center, located at the intersection of Auburn and Kinsman roads.

Ciresi said he has been getting calls from people in the neighborhood wanting confirmation. Now he can finally tell them that, if all goes according to plan, Zeppe's Tavern will open this summer.

Ciresi completed zoning permit applications this week and has asked for several variances from the township. Until the board of zoning appeals approves his applications at an upcoming April 26 hearing, however, his plans are preliminary.

But Ciresi said he doesn't think any of his variance requests are deal breakers for the township. Plans have to go to the county building department for approval, he added, and light construction will begin in May, with an opening as early as late July.

Detailed drawings show Ciresi's project consists of three sections. The west end of the south-facing space will be dedicated to a standard Zeppe's Pizzeria for take out orders. The central area will enclose the kitchen, restaurant and a bar. He has added a third element to the east side: a 2,000-square-foot patio.

The bar will serve both the restaurant inside and the patio outside. Overall, he expects the approximately 6,000-square-foot eatery to seat about 140-160 people. A gas fireplace will add a cozy feeling during the cold months.

The Newbury tavern is going to be his prototype for many more in other cities, so Ciresi plans to keep a close eye on the operation for a while. Although there are Zeppe's franchises all over the region, that is not his immediate plan for the new store.

"I'm going to set up camp there in Newbury," he said. "It's a great location. It's the right market."

He first became interested in Panzica's development when he was working on a project in the area. The demographics for a Zeppe's were strong, so Ciresi called Panzica, who was looking for an anchor for his retail development. When the restaurateur discovered the developer is fond of dining at his bistro, a mutually beneficial deal was worked out.

"We're going to draw from quite an area. I want it to become a destination place," Ciresi said.

Menu ideas are still cooking with his corporate chef, but Ciresi said diners can expect great burgers for reasonable prices and more elegant meals such as lobster ravioli will be affordable, as well. Fresh ingredients are the keystone of the menu, he added, and the bar is fully licensed for beer, wine and mixed drinks.

"We're going to make the best burgers in the business. Everything's going to be delicious," he said.

The pizza takeout will probably be open several weeks before the restaurant, but the tavern will be the scene of practice runs for a while before opening. Ciresi said he doesn't want anyone making excuses about the tavern being new.

Said Ciresi: "We just need to be great from the beginning."

Joe Ciresi is spreading the good word about bringing a Zeppe's Tavern to Newbury Center.

"It's for real," the pizzeria's founder and president said Tuesday. "Enough of guessing."

Zeppe's is well known in northeastern Ohio for its pizza and, in Hudson, for Zeppe's Bistro. For months rumors have been swirling in Newbury that Zeppe's would be taking over the entire south end of Nacy Panzica's second building in Newbury Center, located at the intersection of Auburn and Kinsman roads.

Ciresi said he has been getting calls from people in the neighborhood wanting confirmation. Now he can finally tell them that, if all goes according to plan, Zeppe's Tavern will open this summer.

Ciresi completed zoning permit applications this week and has asked for several variances from the township. Until the board of zoning appeals approves his applications at an upcoming April 26 hearing, however, his plans are preliminary.

But Ciresi said he doesn't think any of his variance requests are deal breakers for the township. Plans have to go to the county building department for approval, he added, and light construction will begin in May, with an opening as early as late July.

Detailed drawings show Ciresi's project consists of three sections. The west end of the south-facing space will be dedicated to a standard Zeppe's Pizzeria for take out orders. The central area will enclose the kitchen, restaurant and a bar. He has added a third element to the east side: a 2,000-square-foot patio.

The bar will serve both the restaurant inside and the patio outside. Overall, he expects the approximately 6,000-square-foot eatery to seat about 140-160 people. A gas fireplace will add a cozy feeling during the cold months.

The Newbury tavern is going to be his prototype for many more in other cities, so Ciresi plans to keep a close eye on the operation for a while. Although there are Zeppe's franchises all over the region, that is not his immediate plan for the new store.

"I'm going to set up camp there in Newbury," he said. "It's a great location. It's the right market."

He first became interested in Panzica's development when he was working on a project in the area. The demographics for a Zeppe's were strong, so Ciresi called Panzica, who was looking for an anchor for his retail development. When the restaurateur discovered the developer is fond of dining at his bistro, a mutually beneficial deal was worked out.

"We're going to draw from quite an area. I want it to become a destination place," Ciresi said.

Menu ideas are still cooking with his corporate chef, but Ciresi said diners can expect great burgers for reasonable prices and more elegant meals such as lobster ravioli will be affordable, as well. Fresh ingredients are the keystone of the menu, he added, and the bar is fully licensed for beer, wine and mixed drinks.

"We're going to make the best burgers in the business. Everything's going to be delicious," he said.

The pizza takeout will probably be open several weeks before the restaurant, but the tavern will be the scene of practice runs for a while before opening. Ciresi said he doesn't want anyone making excuses about the tavern being new.

Said Ciresi: "We just need to be great from the beginning."

The polite equines were ably assisted by their owner, Nora Stanton, at her farm on Munn Road in Newbury Township.

Stanton has been offering the 'hands-on horses' class for The English Nanny and Governess School in Chagrin Falls one day every three months for more than 20 years. She began the class in her indoor arena by reassuring the nannies about their reason for visiting her barn.

"You want to be able to understand and talk to kids about horses," Stanton told the group, seated on bales of straw. "You don't have to be a rider, you just can't show fear. It's really important you don't infect the kids with fear."

Sheilagh Roth, founder of the school, reiterated the purpose of the outing. "I never want a nanny in the field to be told she has to take her charge to a riding lesson and have her say she's afraid of horses."

After years of experience with many students, Stanton wasn't surprised to find several of the young women were quite confident around horses. Most were inexperienced, however, and one was, in fact, afraid.

Tying her mustang, Shoshone, in the aisle, Stanton explained about grooming and cleaning hooves. She mentioned horses occasionally even need a dentist. She also told them a little about the equine digestive system and why colic can kill a horse.

"They are really very delicate," Stanton said, despite their size.

Stanton emphasized some points the nannies need to know if asked to take a child to a stable for riding lessons.

"You want a quiet barn, a safe barn," she said. The stalls and saddles should be clean and well maintained, and the horses and ponies should be well-mannered and appear happy."

It is important, she added, to be observant.

"This isn't piano lessons. This is a large animal," Stanton said. "They can be the best companions and the best sport, but they are big enough to hurt people."

As she spoke, she patted Shoshone, showed the young women his teeth and moved around him, demonstrating the confident yet respectful attitude one should maintain around a school horse. If an instructor needs the nanny to hold a horse for a moment, it is best to exhibit a firm, quiet manner, she said.

A nanny also could be in a position where she arrives at a barn only to discover it is not a safe environment for her charge.

"It's the instructor's job to make sure the child is safe around the animals. There shouldn't be too many horses in the lesson," Stanton said, emphasizing the nanny must feel sure the barn is safe. "If you get there and it isn't workable, don't leave the child."

Several riders who keep their horses at Stanton's barn rode in a brief demonstration of horsemanship as she answered questions.

Nannies can find themselves in challenging situations. For instance, if a nanny has other non-riding children with her at the stable, they should not be allowed to wander about, inside or outside, Stanton said, or they could get hurt.

Then there are the allergies. "Everything in a barn is an allergen -- hay, straw, sawdust, dirt, animal dander," Stanton said.

If a child is known to be allergic to these things, he or she should take allergy medicine before leaving the house, she advised. If they display serious symptoms at the barn, they need to leave right away.

As Stanton talked, the students edged closer to the horses and ponies, taking the opportunity to pet and handle them a bit. Following a demonstration on safe leading, Stanton asked who wanted a pony and was greeted with a chorus of, "I do!"

For half an hour, despite dropping temperatures, the young women built their confidence and skills handling the cooperative ponies. Even the student who admitted she always had been afraid of horses led little Coco in a circle.

Roth, who has been training nannies and governesses -- women or men with college degrees who can also home-school their charges -- for 27 years, spoke highly of Stanton's help with the program.

Roth also is a founding member of the American Council of Nanny Schools and has placed graduates internationally. Her school is located at 37 South Franklin St. in Chagrin Falls. More information can be found at www.nanny-governess.com.

 Panzica recognized by trustees for Newbury Center development

By Ann Wishart

Nacy Panzica, one of northeast Ohio’s preeminent developers, was lauded last January 13 by Newbury Township Trustees for his development of Newbury Center.

As the grand finale of the quarterly Geauga County Township Association meeting Panzica and the team that has worked with him over nine years to establish the multi-million dollar center were thanked by Trustee Chairwoman Jan Blair.

Blair recalled the patchwork condition of the northeast corner of the intersection of Kinsman and Auburn Roads when Panzica started his project nine years ago.

“Without this gentleman we’d still be shopping at Circle K and looking at the surrounding empty lots” Blair said. She recognized Panzica for investing his time, energy, experience and personal resources to develop Newbury Center and for his faith in the community.

 “He has huge faith in our community and hangs in there with us,” added Trustee Chairman Bill Skomrock Jr.

The founder of Cleveland-based Panzica Construction accepted the engraved plaque and framed resolution from Blair, noting he chose Newbury because it reminded him of the small town in Pennsylvania where he grew up. The project, which now houses a health clinic, a bank and a Subway store, has not been an easy one, he said.

“There were times I thought this would never work,” he told the crowd of nearly 100 trustees and county officials at Punderson Manor. “But we overcame it and we’re here now. I feel part of the family.

“I’m going to keep going if it kills me. If it does, have a High Mass said for me,” he finished to laughter and applause.

He credited his team for all their help, including Chip Hess of Hess Engineering, Rudy Schwartz of Schwartz Surveying and Newbury businessman Chuck Gates who has partnered with Panzica on the project. Newbury Center is in the second stage of development – a nine-unit retail plaza now housing Subway. Two more structures are planned for the center.

Blair presented Hess, Schwartz and Gates with framed resolutions and voiced the appreciation of the trustees.

Gates, owner of Newbury-Kinsman LLC industrial park in Newbury, has worked with Panzica as a partner on the Newbury Center project. Over the years he has kept his facilities on Kinsman Road at Sperry Road occupied.

“If there is an empty building he will fill it,” Blair said. She also thanked Hess and Schwartz for helping Panzica and the township with the infrastructure at the Auburn-Kinsman roads intersection and for their work on the development of Oberland Park.

Blair also praised Kevin O’Reilly Jr.’s attractive renovation of the Newbury Hardware Store to house his Geauga Feed and Grain Supply, which he moved from a rental property in the township

“Kevin has done a great job. We’re happy to have him,” she said. “You have to be proactive in order for your goals to come to fruition.”

The recognition was in keeping with the economic development theme of the evening.

Anita Stocker, director of Geauga County Community and Economic Development and featured speaker, offered the services of her office to fledgling businesses.

The county’s revolving loan fund is celebrating 25 years of nurturing such ventures with low-interest loans from $3,000 to $50,000. The program has provided about $95 million over the years, Stocker said, and her office is working on its 111^th loan. She emphasized that the businesses who borrow are good about paying the county back so more loans can be made.

“We will not let anybody get away without paying back,” Stocker said. “We let out about $1 million a year and get about $1 million back.”

She credited Newbury for working cooperatively with the county.

“You need to do the homework,” she told the township officials at the dinner. Stocker noted an application for financial aid is going to be more successful if there is a strong business plan that the applicant can defend. It is a mistake, she added, to have a plan drawn up by a “professional.”

“It can be ugly, but it’s got to be all yours,” Stocker said.

By Ann Wishart

A promise became a reality in October when Kevin O’Reilly Jr. officially changed locations of his business Geauga Feed and Supply.

O’Reilly said he closed the doors of the building at 10418 Kinsman Road at midnight and the next morning he opened the doors of the new Geauga Feed and Supply about half a mile east on Kinsman Road.

It being Sunday, the store wasn’t open for business, but that didn’t stop the curious passers-by from taking a look.

“People have been stopping all day, but they mostly peer in the window and drive away,” O’Reilly said. He was standing on the clean, refinished oak flooring he reclaimed from a school in Warren before it was torn down. He was surrounded by the normal detritus of moving day – half-full boxes of random items, snacks by the door and partially stocked shelves. His father, Chardon attorney Kevin O’Reilly Sr., was setting up a display at one end of the show room.

“He works for pizza,” his son joked.

Besides making sure the cash register was working, the younger O’Reilly was grappling with circumstances beyond his control. The new shelves he had ordered were delayed in shipment and wouldn’t be delivered until Tuesday or Wednesday. His plan to open the store Monday fully-stocked was derailed – or at least delayed.

“We’ll be open. People will just have to be patient,” O’Reilly said. The 6,000-square-foot warehouse behind the 2,500-square-foot showroom was packed with a wide variety of animal feed and bedding. Even if the showroom’s main attraction for the first week is the display of copper bird feeders, customers seeking staples will be able to buy them.

O’Reilly announced his intention of moving his business last July. The community impatiently watched all summer and fall as the old concrete-block hardware store was transformed into an entirely different structure with plate glass windows, a natural wood and rock façade, lined parking lot, and patterned concrete sidewalk.

“We kept the construction local,” O’Reilly said. Plum Creek Construction owned by Andy Hershberger and Auburn Concrete did much of the work on the front. Van Ness Stone Inc. supplied the stone and Frank Kaminski laid the floor and painted the interior, he said. His neighbor to the west, Ironman Contractor Supply, created the concrete countertop where customers will check out their goods.

The grand opening is planned for Saturday, November 14, with lots of door prizes planned. O’Reilly praised the generosity of his regular suppliers.

“The vendors have been really good to us,” he said

Fiberoptic line under construction on 87

Panzica signs with Subway

It was hard to know who was more excited at the official groundbreaking of the Newbury Center second phase of development – developer Nacy Panzica or local officials.

“It’s a great day,” said Newbury Township Trustee Jan Blair, holding a shovel in the bright sunshine at the corner of Route 87 and Auburn Roadon May 19. “Newbury is expanding its economic development opportunities.”

“This is a step in the right direction,” added Trustee Bill Skomrock Jr. “We need people in Newbury to support these businesses.”

“I plan to get in stores that can help the neighborhood,” said developer Nacy Panzica. Excavation started mid-May for the 17,100-square-foot center and Panzica had already signed a contract with Subway restaurants to open a shop facing Route 87. The intersection bustles all week, catching holiday traffic on the weekends. With the widely-known Mangia, Mangia! restaurant across the street, his center will capitalize on traffic as well as local custom.

“I wanted something nice for Newbury,” Panzica said. “Big box stores will not get in here.”

Two years ago Panzica put up the building that now houses a branch of Middlefield Bank and a University Hospital doctor’s office. He has invested in a digital sign and tasteful landscaping, replacing a mish-mash of businesses and buildings. Quality counts, he said, and an attractive business will draw more customers.

“Eye appeal is buy appeal,” Panzica said, quoting the founder of the Del Monte canning empire.

He and township trustees were joined by Geauga County Community and Economic Development Director Anita Stocker and Geauga County Planning Director Dave Dietrich with whom he worked to sort out a sewage system at the intersection.

Newbury Local School District’s wastewater treatment plant at the northeast corner of Newbury Center was overbuilt for the schools. Panzica put in a sewage system along Auburn Road that ties in with the plant, making it possible for Mangia Mangia to tap in, Dietrich said. Geauga County Commissioners signed an agreement with the district last Tuesday (5-19) to have the county take over operation of the plant, he said, and there is enough capacity for other businesses to hook up, as well.

“It’s a high priority to get Mangia tied in,” noted Newbury Zoning Inspector Karen Endres, who has assisted in coordinating Panzica’s efforts.

Dietrich commended Panzica on his success in developing Newbury Center. He also recognized the township trustees for coordinating Panzica’s vision with the plan they have for the commercial corridor along Route 87.

“It’s great to see this come to fruition,” Dietrich said. “It’s in harmony with the plan. It has been a great partnership between the trustees and the developer to get this started.”

The second phase is tentatively divided into 11 units, Panzica said, but his current goal is to build the shell and a storefront facing Route 87 for Subway. The other 10 units can be leased separately or combined and custom-finished as needed, he said. A third phase nearby won’t be started until the current building is leased, Panzica said.

“What a great effort this is,” said Stocker, who credited a cooperative attitude among the main players for making Panzica’s dream a reality. “He sought help from everybody. It is a well-coordinated effort by the Newbury Township Trustees.”

Trustee Chairman David Snively emphasized that a lot of people put the project on the priority list and it paid off – for Panzica and Newbury.

“Mr. Panzica is a successful businessman who had many, many choices and he chose Newbury,” Snively said. “When we can get people to invest in us, we need to invest in them.”

Panzica is confident the timing and location are right for one of the few new commercial developments in the county to be successful.

“It will take off,” he predicted.

For more information about Newbury Center contact Panzica at (440) 442-4300.

(This article was originally printed in the Geauga County Maple Leaf May 28 issue.)

Kiwanis Secretary Cas McBride, who is also Builders Club soonsor, said the club is committed to help the Geauga County Habitat for Humanity’s Youth United Build organization by raising up to $12,500 through ticket sales over the next six weeks.

The effort started as a Newbury Junior High Builder’s Club project, McBride said, in conjunction with Youth United Build, Habitat’s program for youngsters. Originally, the plan had been for the youngsters to build a playhouse and raffle it off, she said.

“We ended up buying it pre-built,” McBride said, after they considered the cost of materials. “Pine Craft Storage Barns worked with us on price.”

The final result is a six-by-10-foot “house” with a window, a covered front porch, a front door, a double side door and window boxes full of colorful flowers. Parked under a big tree, the playhouse will be ideal for sleep-outs, tea-parties or gardening.

An added benefit – free delivery within about 50 miles. Parked on a flatbed wagon, the playhouse is being trundled around to various events through the July 4 weekend by volunteer “hauler” Kiwanis member John Bond. It will be available for inspection at Junction Auto on June 14, the Kirtland Kiwanis Strawberry Festival Jun 18 – 21 and the Chesterland Fourth of July Parade. Tickets are $5 or five for $20 and are available in Newbury at Middlefield Bank, Geauga Savings Bank, Mangia Mangia, Bill’s Auto Body, Let’s Go Travel, and Hickory Lake Tavern, at Guilardi’s Hair Talk in Chesterland and at Chip’s Playhouse in Chardon. Tickets can also be purchased by calling (440) 564-5848 or email geaugahabitatpa@windstream.com. The winning ticket will be drawn on July 11 at a location to be determined, McBride said.

(This article was originally printed in the Geauga County Maple Leaf June 4 issue.)

The crowd that turned out for Memorial Day festivities this year was a real tribute to the U.S. armed services, past and present.

By 8:30  a.m. Monday the American Legion Post 663 Honor Guard gathered at South Newbury Cemetery for the raising of the colors with a drum roll by Kevin Borsi, the memorium by Commander Ken Hunter, the Salute to the Dead  and the haunting double-repetition of  "Taps" by bugler Andy Grubbs. Closing prayer was delivered by Pastor Rober Majetich of Grace Evangelical Bible Church. The legion also raised the flags following the parade at Newbury Center Cemetery with the closing prayer by Rev. Fr. James McPhillips of St. Helen's Church.

At Munn Cemetery, where cars lined the drive, the VFW Post 1068 Honor Guard raised the colors and the crowd sang "The National Anthem." Commander Tony Dudich presented the memorium, and Sal Kitko played taps with Chaplin James Fondriest of Cleveland Clinic Hospice offering the invocation and closing prayer.

At 10:30 the Newbry School auditorium was nearly full of residents set to enjoy "The National Anthem" sung by the High School Girls' Ensemble with Ms. Bing at the keyboard. High School Principal Judy Miller read Gen. Logan's Memorial Day Order #11 from the 1800s that urges communities to honor their fallen troops. Jackson Bonner presented Lincoln's Gettysburg Address and Marylyn Bottger sang "God Bless America." The Newbury High School Band provided a spirited edition of "The Armed Forces Salute."

Newbury resident Col. Cynthia Wong, U.S. Air Force Reserves, Inspector General for the 910th Airlift Wing out of Vienna, Ohio, helped are Cub Scouts raise the colors at Munn Cemetery in the morning (left) and later presented the following speech at the school auditorium:

Thank you for asking me to speak about the more than half million Americans who have given their lives for our country. 

For many of us, Memorial Day is more often thought of as a celebration of the end of the school year and the start of the summer. To be sure, it is easy to forget the significance of Memorial Day when the All-American traditions of summer are here to enjoy.  After all, who can resist a day off from work and school, a baseball game, a parade with candy, the Blossom festival, or hamburgers and hot dogs at the American Legion? 

However, the fact remains that Memorial Day is more than a holiday - it is a time for us to remember and express gratitude to the military heroes who give real meaning to the phrase "All-American.”

A Bible verse from Ecclesiastes says it best... It starts off with…”There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the sun: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,” and ends with “a time for war and a time for peace.”
Memorial Day is that time for us to mourn the lives lost to war.  Please join me for a moment of silence, in remembrance of those 396 military men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country since last Memorial Day; they join the many of thousands of others who have lost their lives to war since our country was founded. 
                         
No words can adequately sanctify the sacrifice that these men and women have made.  But etched on the Army's 2nd Infantry Division Memorial in Burma, are these words "When you go home, tell them of us, and say - for your tomorrow, we gave our today.”
 
Thanks to our noble guardians in uniform, freedom endures today, and for future generations.  Many service members have died defending the future of freedom at places like Bunker Hill, Gettysburg, the trenches of France, Guadalcanal and Normandy, Choosan, Vietnam, Kuwait, Afghanistan & Iraq. 

Since the Revolutionary War, Americans, representing every race, religion, and creed of this diverse American melting pot, have willingly picked up arms to defend this country knowing that they may never make it back. nAnderson Township Marine who died in Iraq this week was killed during a humanitarian mission, his family said.

When I think about the sacrifices made, I think about Anderson Township, Ohioan, Capt. Warren A. Frank, 26, who died this past November while participating in a food distribution mission north of Baghdad.  His team came under small arms fire by an attacker in an Iraqi soldier’s uniform.

 “Our son wanted nothing more than to make a difference in our world,” said Frank’s father, Warren R. Frank. “He was not a movie version soldier, but a man who looked forward to loving his children.  He looked forward to retiring from the service and planned to teach high school history and coach track.  Our deep sorrow is not in the life we had with him, but in the loss of life we always thought we would share.”

The Air Force Times has a Memorial Day tradition of publishing the photos and names of those who have died last May.  Every face has a story.  Here they are 396 of them.  8 are from the state of Ohio.  One of which is Army Specialist  Brad A. Davis of Garfield Heights, OH, who died just this last month from a mine that caused Davis’s vehicle to ignite.  Every picture represents a loss to a family and stands as a reminder of the high cost of freedom that we should never take for granted.

In closing, consider these words that that adorn the entrance to Arlington National Cemetery:  
"Not for fame or reward, not for place or rank, not lured by ambition or goaded by necessity, but in simple obedience to duty as they understood it, these men suffered all, sacrificed all, dared all and died."

May we remember the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. May we honor them by doing everything we can to protect freedom for future generations; may we honor them by doing all that we can to make America a better place for all.

In the years to come, I hope that all Americans will join us to remember the fallen.  We owe it to our friends, neighbors and loved ones who died defending the liberties that we enjoy today.

God bless you and God bless America.

Last year Clay, founder and creative director of Inventure, based at the Cross Creek Industrial Parkway in Newbury, offered his design services to Newbury through Trustee Jan Blair. They worked with a team to develop the township logo.


Recently he has been designing the modern Newbury Township Web page and training Administrative Specialist Ann Wishart to fill its 10 empty pages.

Clay’s philosophy is that a website should fit the client and the client’s customers, suppliers and business network, and provide a comfortable environment for any visitor.

“When somebody comes to your website it should feel like they are stepping into your office,” Clay said while he was designing the Newbury site in April.

Since he graduated from OU in 2004 with a degree in Visual Communication, he has progressed from basic website design to developing content management systems (CMS) where his clients are able to update and make changes to their sites, once he builds them.

Those clients range from higher education to small business to non-profits to mid-sized government entities. Besides OU he has contracts with Scripps College of Education, the Great Lakes Financial Group and numerous “Mom and Pop” shops. He also sub-contracts with a number of larger technology firms to supply design services for larger projects. One project he designed, which is due to launch in June, is the School Employees’ Retirement System of Ohio.

Web communication is a fast-growing part of our society. Clay attends conferences to stay current in the industry but there are parts of website development that require specialized knowledge. He works with industry experts in fields such as e-commerce and video solutions. “I have guys to call for services outside of my standard offering. They’re part of my team,” Clay said.

No matter how simple or complicated your website is, once it is launched, Clay concentrates on personal service.

“When you call Inventure, you’re not going to get China – you’re going to get me every time,” he said.

For more information you can send an email to clay@inventure.com, visit his portfolio at www.inventure.com or call him at 440-225-9689.