Mitchell a fine choice for city of Mentor

BOUQUETS >> To Concord Township Administrator Kathy Mitchell, on being appointed as the city of Mentor’s planning administrator.

Mitchell will be filling a position in Mentor vacated by the retiring Aric Spence.

On Dec. 29 during the Board of Trustees year-end meeting, Concord trustees accepted the resignation of Mitchell, who joined the township as planning and zoning director in 2002, a position she held for 11 years.

Mitchell was appointed township administrator four years ago. She also served as Joint Economic Development District administrator.

Mitchell, who resides in Mentor, holds a master’s degree from Cleveland State University. She will begin her new role Jan. 16. Her final day with Concord Township will be Jan. 12.

“Working for Concord Township for the last 15 years, I can’t say enough,” she said. “This is a personal and professional decision, and it’s bittersweet. I have so many friends here. I’ve enjoyed the opportunity that has been given to me. I am extremely grateful to everyone and the work I was able to do, it’s made me a better planner. I got a lot of great economic development exposure in my roles with Concord.

“My background is in planning and economic development, it’s what I do best, and the opportunity to work for a city is exciting. It’s a new challenge and I’m looking forward to it.”

We congratulate Mitchell on her career move and are confident that she’ll do a fine job for the city of Mentor.

BOUQUETS » To the Lake County YMCA, on opening an information kiosk at the Great Lakes Mall in Mentor.

“We’ve tried over the past several years to establish a presence where we could have ongoing visibility,” Lake County Y Marketing Director Dave Saifman said. “Normally, we campaign during bigger events and programs, like our Dream House, but we also always wanted to see more consistency to let the community know where we are and what we do. We thought about where people gather. With over a million people visiting the mall throughout the year, we believe Great Lakes Mall to

It’s too bad that Chen couldn’t have released her anger in some other way and spared her daughter’s life.

be a perfect spot. It really fits our needs.”

The kiosk, which opened Jan. 1, will be worked by Lake County Y staff during regular mall hours.

In addition to program and promotional information, memberships, spirit gear and gift cards can be purchased at the kiosk. All locations of Lake County Y are represented.

We’re confident that the Lake County YMCA will have a great opportunity to enlighten a large number of people about its mission and programs through its Great Lakes Mall kiosk.

BRICKBATS » To Ming Ming Chen of Jackson Township in Stark County, upon being sentenced to 22 years in prison for killing her 5-year-old daughter in a fit of anger.

Chen, 30, originally was charged with murder, but prosecutors changed that to involuntary manslaughter under a plea deal. Chen also pleaded guilty Dec. 29 in Stark County Common Pleas Court to evidence-tampering, corpse abuse, child endangerment and obstructing justice.

Her attorney said Chen lived in a violent household but takes responsibility for the death of Ashley Zhao. The girl’s body was found hidden in the family’s Jackson Township restaurant after she was reported missing in January.

Authorities said Chen repeatedly hit the girl and that Chen’s husband helped to hide the body. Chen’s husband earlier pleaded guilty to charges including obstructing justice and corpse abuse.

It’s too bad that Chen couldn’t have released her anger in some other way and spared her daughter’s life.

BRICKBATS » To Arun Aggarwal, a former doctor at Dayton Children’s Hospital, after he was sentenced to 10 months behind bars for groping two teenage female patients.

Aggarwal received the sentence Dec. 28 in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court after pleading guilty to four counts of gross sexual imposition. The Dayton Daily News reported that his plea agreement stipulates he will voluntarily return to his native country of India after serving his 10-month sentence.

Aggarwal’s attorney expressed remorse on his client’s behalf.

Officials say Aggarwal inappropriately touched two of his patients during medical examinations between 2013 and 2015.

We believe that Aggarwal deserves his fate.