PROJECT GROWING

Non-violent offenders tending to Painesville Municipal Court Garden

Painesville Municipal Court Judge Michael Cicconetti is known for his creative sentences, but this one might be his best, according to the court’s chief probation officer, David Washlock.

Cicconetti initiated the Painesville Municipal Court Garden Project more than 20

years ago. This year, on May 30, eight non-violent offenders planted a variety of vegetables on about 1 acre behind the Perry Township Administration Building.

Washlock said it’s the best sentence because of the outcome: the plants grown in the garden are donated to local food pantries and other non-profit organizations like the Forbes

“It’s their opportunity to give back to the community.”

— David Washlock, Painesville Municipal Court’s chief probation officer

House, Salvation Army, senior centers and various churches.

Those working in the garden were given the opportunity to do so as community service either in lieu of jail time or to avoid paying fines they could not afford.

“It’s their opportunity to give back to the community,” Washlock said.

It’s a community effort that goes into the garden, too. Retired Perry Township Administrator Wally Siegel, who oversees the garden, said the land used is a future cemetery site that won’t be needed for a few more decades. The plants and seeds come from local nurseries. The program itself is a cooperation between the Painesville Municipal Court, the Lake County Sheriff and the Perry Township trustees.

Those working in the garden planted a variety of vegetables including tomatoes, eggplants, squash and zucchini among others.

Now that the planting is done, the offenders will come back two times a week to work in the garden. Later they’ll come back three times a week when it comes time to harvest the plant. The program runs into September.

Not all those working in the garden will be there for the duration of the season. It depends on how many hours of services are needed.

One man tending to the

garden May 30 was there to avoid serving one day in jail for what he calls the stupidest thing he’s ever done — breaking a window.

“Gardening is way better of course,” the man said. “I’m doing something rather than just sitting there.”

He said he gardens all the time (though not on the scale of the court garden), but for some of the others he was working with, it was their first experience. He hopes it encourages them to garden at home, too.

“By the grace of Mother Nature we’ll hopefully get a good crop,” Washlock said.

“Gardening is way better of course. I’m doing something rather than just sitting there.”

ANDREW CASS — THE NEWS-HERALD Painesville Municipal Court allows some non-violent offenders to work in a garden in Perry Township instead of serving time in jail or paying a fine. The vegetables grown are donated to food pantries and other non-profit organizations.