Our nation owes
a debt to its fallen
heroes that we can
never fully repay.

Barack Obama
May 2024 VOLUME 41 NUMBER 5



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MEMORIAL DAY

The Memorial Day parade is scheduled for May 27, 2024.

Each year we mention veterans living in our community. If you are a veteran or know someone who is a veteran and would like to participate, please call Jerry Ritch and give him your name, branch of service, and war in which you may have served. 330-657-2015.

On May 27 at 9:30AM in the Township`s service garage Valley Fire will be providing doughnuts and coffee. While at the service garage, please consider stopping by the new location of the Peninsula Library Museum. The museum is on the ground level and you enter through the doors of the brick building.

There will be a brief service at the Memorial Grove at the Peninsula Library at 10:00AM. This service commemorates the service of former staff, board members, and friends of the Peninsula Library who have passed away.

We expect the band to arrive around 11:00AM. From here the parade goes up to Cedar Grove Cemetery for a short service.

For the Boston part of the parade, we will again start at the parking lot on Riverview Road at the south end of Boston Mills Ski Area. We are using the two driveways at the south end of their parking lot. There will be hot dogs, water, lemonade, and bakery for all. After a brief rest the parade will continue to Boston Cemetery for another service.





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BOSTON TOWNSHIP

The Township minutes are posted on our website at www.bostontownship.org and outside the fiscal office at the Boston Township Hall. Meetings are not covered by the West Side Leader.

Zoning Update: The Zoning Commission continues to work with Mark Majewski from NorthStar Planning to revise the zoning ordinance regarding home occupations and other issues. The Board of Zoning Appeals held a hearing on April 23 approving Alpine Structures at 2730 Akron-Cleveland Road. Dave Calaway was reappointed to the Board of Zoning Appeals to a five-year term.

Road Department: Brush pick-up is scheduled for the first working Monday of each month starting with May 6 and continues through October 7. Place cut ends toward the road. Please, no dirt balls, no foreign materials such as lumber, nails, or any type of wire. This service is for limb trimming and storm clean-up. It is not for full tree removal. Please remember that it is the responsibility of the property owner to keep the ditch free of any material that can restrict the flow of storm water.

Statement from the County Engineer: "Property owners are responsible for regularly cutting rank vegetation to a height of less than eight inches and removing all noxious weeds in the right-of-way portion of any improved or non-improved property in all Townships within Summit County. Summit County Engineer forces will trim trees and bushes that: overhang the pavement; obstruct traffic control devices; grow under and around guardrail; impact drainageways/structures; impact bridges; and/or cause a sight problem outside the intersection sight triangle area."

Police Levy: The township`s five-year police levy will expire in 2025. The trustees have authorized the township solicitor to investigate options available for continuing the levy.

Summit Soil and Water Conservation District: SWCD will hold a public meeting on June 24, 2024 at the Boston Township meeting room. Educational materials will be available.

WEBSITE: Visit our Website at www.bostontownship.org to find up–to–date Township information. Contact numbers for the trustees: Amy Anderson: 330–657–2439, Randy Bergdorf: 330–655–5698, and Bill Clifton: 330–657–4032. Fiscal Officer: Pam Schneider at 330–657–2059; Road Department: Dave Krusinski at 330–657–2600; and Zoning: Mike Anderson at 234–900–9145.





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PENINSULA VILLAGE

Village Council met in person for the Regular Council session on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at The Village Town Hall. Before the meeting took place, a Special Meeting occurred where a Resolution was passed, authorizing the continuance of the One Mill Cemetery maintenance tax for the Village of Peninsula and Boston Township Union Cemetery Association

We are excited for you to join us Friday, June 7, July 12, and August 2 for the upcoming 2024 Peninsula Live events! The Village is happy to announce that the new Police Department K-9, Jynx, is planning to be in attendance for you to meet and greet!

The Village Service Department would like to remind residents to maintain your sidewalk(s) and that the width of it needs to be clear of debris. Any overhanging cannot be less than seven (7) feet from the ground of the sidewalk. Do not discard any debris, including, but not limited to, grass clippings, leaves, litter or any unsightly or unsanitary material into the roadway to maintain public health and safety, it is your responsibility to keep your sidewalks, ditches, and driveway culverts clear.

Upcoming Meetings:
Planning Commission Meeting is on schedule for May 28 at 7:00 PM at the Town Hall.

Contact Phone Numbers:
Administrative Office 330-657-2151
Non-Emergency Police & Fire 330-657-2911

Check the Website: www.villageofpeninsula-oh.gov

Faith Dorton, Administrative Assistant





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PENINSULA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

This is the day the Lord has made! We invite you to join us for Sunday Services at 10:00AM both in-person and via Zoom. The Zoom meeting ID is 734 940 8017 and the password is Pumc1575. At PUMC, all are welcome!

Check our website (PeninsulaUMC.org/upcoming-events/) for updates and the most recent information.





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CONGATULATIONS

Ben Lahoski

Congratulations to Ben Lahoski for graduating cum laude from the University of Dayton with a double major in business entrepreneurship and finance. Ben is the son of Terry and Denise Lahoski and grandson of Judy Lahoski and the late John Lahoski. He plans to work for the family business, Terry Lumber and Supply, and participate in a post-graduation internship at Berlin G. Myers Lumber Corp in Summerville, South Carolina.





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"1984" REVISITED

"1984" was a novel that pictured a world devastated by constant war.

In our version of 1984, the scene is our Cuyahoga Valley, and at that time, the National Park Service was pushing hard to purchase much of our land. The National Park Service was in the process of "preserving" our valley, by taking about 400 homes, as opposed to the 30 homes that they originally said would be taken. Try to imagine how this impacted our townships tax income. About 90% of our township land is owned by government, but we still have to maintain all township services.

While this was occurring, the Akron Beacon Journal and the Cleveland Plain Dealer were looking the other way, but Your Community News was not. The Cuyahoga Valley Homeowners and Residents Association, was preparing to file a taxpayer`s suit, but they needed a specific property to be an example. Dave Hazelwood, a resident who lived on Wetmore Road, had the courage to step up and be our example. Dave was opposed to the taking of so much of our community, and he tried his best to help us. Even after the park completed the purchase of his home on Wetmore Road, and he no longer had to pay property taxes, Dave made a gift money to our township.

Like many of us, Dave had come to our valley because he loved it, and he wanted to live here.

We thank Randy Bergdorf and the Peninsula Library for the following: Back in April of 1969, Davie, whom everyone called "Bill Jones" was still in Cleveland when he started making leather sandals in the basement of the 1864 General Store at 1864 Coventry Road.

Dave was known to measure a customer`s foot, and then stay up all night, crafting their sandals. He eventually took over the upstairs space when the General Store closed. This started the emergence of the Coventry neighborhood as a center of art and sophistication. A resident said, "It was the first mom-and-pop shop that initiated the street." and, " It was also a mainstay that brought everyone from everywhere to Coventry to see what was going on there."

Dave later opened a Daves Leather Shop in Peninsula, which was quite successful, and then retired about five years ago to a retirement home in Richfield. He is now at the Timberland Home at 3558 Ridgewood Road, Fairlawn, Ohio 44333. His phone is (234) 466- 8689, and he would be glad to hear from his friends here.

Marty and Marilyn Griffith





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MOTHER OF SORROWS ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENTS

Bishop Edward Malesic has announced two new appointments to Mother of Sorrows Parish effective April 1.

Rev. Michael P. McCandless is appointed Presbyteral Moderator and endowed with the powers of Pastor. Father McCandless will be responsible for priestly sacramental support to the parish in addition to his role as Pastor of Holy Family in Stow.

Deacon William J. Yoho is appointed Parish Life Coordinator to provide pastoral, financial and administrative leadership to the parish. Deacon Yoho will have office hours every Monday and Wednesday from 10:00AM to 2:00PM at the parish office.

Anyone interested in becoming a parishioner or with questions about the sacraments or parish school of religion can call Deacon Yoho at 330-657-2631. Masses are celebrated on Saturday at 5:00PM and Sunday at 9:30AM.





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Letter to the Editor

My husband Lee and I moved to Peninsula in 2006. Having met and made many new friends, we wanted to give back to the community as thanks for welcoming us so warmly. So, in 2011, after a brief conversation about luminaries that were lit in years past, Lee and I decided that we would light up Main Street as best we could.

Looking at the month of December and choosing a Thursday night, instead of a Friday or Saturday night which is our Sabbath, Lee began helping me purchase the needed materials to light luminaries down Main Street. There were many trials and errors throughout the years, from candles that didn`t stay lit, to luminaries placed too closely together, bags that went "poof", etc.

In the beginning, we could only afford doing one side of the street, which was the North side. Persons from our Chamber of Commerce asked us to not only do both sides of the street, but also the entire weekend. Needless to say, this was beyond our budget and our limited free time.

Still, pressure was gently put on us to do both sides of Main Street, as it would look nicer. We agreed that it would look nice, but again there were still our financial constraints to consider.

Finally, and after much discussion with Lee, I asked the Chamber that if they were willing to help us with the cost of the candles only, we would extend to both sides down Main Street.

Neither Lee nor I ever thought that that move would take our gesture of thanks to the Village and to our Main Street neighbors into the realm of our local chamber creating their Candle Light Walk event. Lee and I didn`t take offence, we just continued to quietly "do our thing."

Still, from that point on, Lee and I continued to acquire and store the candles, supply the sand, bags, time and clean-up as was done from the very beginning. It was a labor of love to all our friends and our community.

Then two major events happened. I lost Lee in October 2023. And the Village declared that "there may be some casualties on Main Street" with the incoming centralized sewer system.

Whether I agree with centralized systems or upgraded systems is really not the issue here. It was how it was done, how it was passed, how the citizenry was excluded, how a few individuals with conflicts of interests are directly benefiting at the cost of others. That is the issue.

This past December was my last Main Street luminaries and they were done only in memory of my beloved Lee.

I can no longer give back to my Village in this way, in light of what they gave back to us. My heart is no longer in it. After 41 years together, to know Lee`s heart, he would agree.

The luminaries were never a Chamber event and never done by the Chamber. I mention this only in memory of my husband, his sacrifice and support in this endeavor since 2011. It`s not `sour grapes," it`s about the love that my husband had for this Village, unbeknownst to them! From this moment on, the Chamber will now be taking over the luminaries and can now officially claim it all as their own.

And to all the angels that came out to light the luminaries every year since day one, without being asked, without being recognized, without being rewarded, a THANK YOU will never, ever be enough.

Chanah Spencer





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SUNSHINE LAW AND ACCOUNTABILITY

It was very dismaying to read the March 25, 2024 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes and read that many of the residents` concerns, once again, were not properly documented in the minutes. Month after month, residents have attended meetings voicing grave concerns over the impact of short-term rentals (STRs) on our Village, yet the omission of the rationale of their concerns and examples provided were never so apparent until now. While a verbatim transcript is not required, minutes of a public body must include enough facts and information for the public to understand and appreciate the rationale behind the public body`s decisions (Village Officer`s Handbook).

In these minutes, I was quoted as voicing opposition to short term rentals-period. Yet those words or insinuations were never mentioned by me. Rather, I asked how many STRs had received permits to date (which were permitted without following our own law of requiring inspections per our Solicitor) and a query of each Planning Commission member of what benefit they felt STRs brought to the community (Steidl stated none; Canda stated the original intention (owner occupied STRs) has mutated to where we are now, which is unacceptable; Royer felt we should get back to owner occupied STRs and Walters felt they provided a place for families to stay). None of this information is in the minutes but is important for one to understand where our appointed officials stand when deliberating or making recommendations to Council.

When the minutes were questioned at the April Planning meeting, residents were told they could listen to the audio tape to hear the discussion (anywhere between 2.5-3 hours)!

Over the years our officials have been asked to attend Sunshine Law training, to no avail. Our Solicitor continues to sit in for them (perfectly legal), than understand the law themselves. This is a pretty important job with important issues, time to get serious to understand the law yourself.

Jodi Padrutt





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To the Editors:

At the Planning Commission meeting in March, a majority of the Commission`s members expressed their concern about the proliferation of investor-owned short-term rentals in the village. They gave cogent arguments for the harm they have caused the village and expressed their support for allowing short-term rentals only if offered by on-site residents. Their decision from the meeting was to have the contracted zoning advisor prepare draft ordinances addressing their concerns.

Yet nothing – yes, nothing - about the discussion or the decision to draft proposed ordinances was included in that meeting`s proposed minutes. When I requested at the April meeting that those March minutes be amended to reflect such crucial discussion and action, I was told by our solicitor that the Commission could keep that action from the minutes because the Commission had not yet made a final decision on the issue.

Huh. So, the public didn`t need to know that we were asking our paid consultant to draft proposed ordinances to address the majority of the Commission`s concerns? Under that reasoning, we should only have been notified of sewer discussions and plans at the final vote? Ridiculous. Ohio laws require that minutes include enough facts and information to permit the public to understand and appreciate the rationale behind public bodies` decisions, not just their final ones.

Come on, Village government. Please consider the possibility that it may not be your deliberations and decisions that can most upset your constituents, but when it appears that they`re being kept hidden.

Kathy Bertsch





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CELEBRATION OF LIFE

Celebrating the life of Lee Spencer on Sunday, June 30 from 1:00PM to 4:00PM at the Boston Township Hall. All are welcome.





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REVERSE RAFFLE SAVE THE DATE

Diamond Dogs Softball will be sponsoring a Reverse Raffle and Silent Auction with all proceeds going to Valley Firefighters` Association and Peninsula Police Association Saturday, August 17. Location: Boston Township Hall, 1775 Main Street, Peninsula. Doors Open at 6:30PM. GRAND PRIZE $1,000

Come for a night of fun and a chance to win money and great prizes. Ticket Information: Donation: $50 Attending (one Chance Grand Prize, One Meal/Beer/Pop.) $30.00 Not Attending (1 Chance Grand Prize.)

If you would like to be a sponsor or donate any items to be raffled in the silent auction then please contact Pam Schneider 330-592-2707 or pam9963@aol.com or Nick Sternad at nsternad@valleyfire.us. We look forward to seeing you there.





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PENINSULA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Ramp Up was a huge success. Thanks to everyone that participated.

Mark your calendars for the coming dates:
—September 21—Music on the Porches
—December 5—Candlelight Walk
—December 7—Reindeer Day, 12:30PM to 3:30PM





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DOUG UNGER, A LIFETIME AS AN ARTIST

Unger

On Thursday, June 13 at 7:00PM at the Peninsula Library Doug Unger will present a program of his lifetime of work as an artist, teacher and luthier, including paintings, instruments and furniture.

There will be music and light refreshments. The library suggests an RSVP for chair set up for this program. Please call 330 657 2291 for further details or to RSVP.





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PENINSULA FOUNDATION

The Peninsula Foundation is happy to announce that Beth Jarrell has agreed to join the Peninsula Foundation Staff as our Office Manager.

Beth grew up as a resident of Boston Township, the eldest daughter of John and Polly Puchalsky on Stine Road. She currently resides in Richfield but has never lost her love of our community and will always consider it her home. We are very excited to have her.





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CONDOLENCES





Condolences to the Bergdorf family. Donna`s mother, Barbara Roach, passed away May 7, 2024. She taught first grade in Stow for thirty years. Preceded in death by her husband Glenn, she is survived by daughters, Sally (Fred) Marquinez, Donna (Chris) Bergdorf, and step-son Glenn (Renee) Roach; grand-children, Danielle Martinez, Brent (Caley) Bergdorf, Alyse (Patrick) Cabeen, and Tia Marquinez, and three great-grandchildren, Zack, Savannah, and Autumn.





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WANT ADS AND SERVICES

BABYSITTER: Fifteen and half year old who is trustworthy, reliable, and responsible. Can make simple meals for kids. Flexible schedule. Please contact via text or call: (440)409-8053

HELP WANTED: Pierogies of Cleveland in Richfield. Cashiers and Cooks. Stop in between 10:00AM and 3:00PM, Monday through Friday for an interview. 330-659-4309 https://www.poconlinestore.com/careers

ALEXANDER WATER: 330-923-0014.

SWEETPEAS PAINTING LLC: Call local resident Shannon Sneider for all your painting needs. 216-970-8705
YCN Rating 5 Star. I was recommended to Shannon by a friend. She came soon after I reached out. She gave me a very reasonable quote. She was very personable, thorough and did an excellent job. I would highly recommend her.
YCN Rating 5 star. Wonderful job. Finished early and under estimate.


TRAVEL ADVISOR: I am a travel advisor specializing in Princess and Royal Caribbean cruises and Sandals, Beaches, and Apple resorts and I can help you plan your best vacation ever!!! Contact me at LindaFisher@InfiniteMomentsTravel.com or Facebook Linda at Infinite Moments Travel and we can get you traveling.

TREE TRIMMING: Tree trimming, storm clean-up, general clean-up. Call Tom the Tree Guy at 330-760-4105.

SONSHINE CLEANING SERVICE: Residential (including Apartments), Commercial, Offices, Floors, Walls, Windows, Bathrooms, etc. $10 off first cleaning and $10 off for every referral that uses us. Three hour minimum please. Please contact Claudia Norris at (440) 915-9957. Local references available.

LICENSED ELECTRICIAN- Peninsula resident. Great rates/Quick service. Call Steve at 330-310-1061. Ohio license #El22934.
YCN Rating 5 Star. Very good work, timely and good communications during the job.

REAL ESTATE SERVICES: Your hometown Real Estate agent, looking to buy or sell your home call us. Sylvia Tonhaeuser/ Robin Shrader Remax Trends 330-329-1851. No one knows Peninsula or Boston Township better.
YCN rating 5. She was excellent as a real estate agent, very considerate, good communication and very caring of the property

PROJECT FEEDING KIDS: Find the best prices for every essential service, both residential and commercial while helping feed children in the community. We work with top brands, such as DirecTv, Dish, AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, gas, electric, and merchant services. Call Kelly at 330-203-9713.

NEED A HAND? CALL THE HANDYMAN! Bath resident, Joshua Kastelic 15+ years experience. Honest, Quality, On-Time 330-289-8181 thehandyman_can@rocketmail.com
YCN reader rating of 5, reporter has used this service multiple times.

PET SITTING IN YOUR HOME: Precious Pets Sitting Service at 216-701-4181, precpetstr@aol.com, preciouspetsohio.square.site. Providing visits, midday walks, and overnights since 1997, rates start $20/day, Insured/Bonded, Vet Tech.

SAWMILL SERVICE: From firewood to tree removal, all the way to decks, porches, & more. We do it all, give me a call! Wells Construction/S & S Sawmill, Seth, (330) 352-0210.
YCN reader rating of 5, reporter very pleased with services.

FOR SALE: Contemporary Furniture. Handmade in Boston Township. Bar Stools, Counter Stools, Side Tables, Coffee Tables, and more. Joe Griffith. (330) 701-9819. Visit www.bluedogmodern.com. Email joe@bluedogmodern.com or call 330-701-9819.


DOG TRAINING/SERVICES: Whether you need help training your dog or help getting your dog out while you`re away, call Tim Dent 4 Dogs, LLC (330) 212–1181 or email timdent4dogs@gmail.com. Reasonable rates.
YCN reader rating of 5.