Motorcycle group deserves recognition

BOUQUETSs>> To the Gray Riders Motorcycle Association for the group’s efforts to raise money for the Eastlake Police Activities League through its annual dice run held in August.

The group was recognized by the city at the May 22 City Council meeting. Eastlake Mayor Dennis Morley, on behalf of City Council, issued a proclamation and presented the Gray Riders Motorcycle Association with the symbolic key to the city.

“They do a lot of work here in the city helping the youth and they are also now branching off into raising funds for the Police Department for the K-9 unit,” said Councilman Kim Evers

The Gray Riders’ first run for Eastlake was in 2012 to raise money for a police officer whose family member had cancer. They also have been contributors to the Boulevard of 500 Flags. The group has raised almost $70,000 in the past four years and has adopted E-PAL as its official organization to support.

“We have been very fortunate here in Eastlake and at EPAL that the Gray Riders have adopted us. It’s been a great working relationship with those guys and it helps keep the community center open and it keeps our programs going.”

The organization is planning its annual dice run for EPAL while the Brothers of Descent group, which is made up of the children of the Gray Riders, is planning a dice run to raise funds for the K-9 unit.

“People have the stereotype of motorcycle clubs and they tend to shy away from events that are trying to raise money, and we need the public to get involved and to help us,” said Gray Riders President George Hoyt. “So we are hoping this gets the word out to everyone.”

We join the city in thanking these riders for their contributions and are happy to spread that message.

BOUQUETS» To Mentor Public Library for the dedication of its Storybook Walk.

The Storybook Walk honors the late Carol Mononan, former president of the Friends of the Library. It is a pathway lined with pages from a children’s book connecting the library and the Read House.

“Carol (Mononan) was passionate about supporting the library and fulfilling the needs of our community,” said Cheryl Kuonen, director of the library.

Sen. John Eklund, R-Munson Township, was among those on hand for the dedication.

“To recognize her in this way not only makes everybody associated with the library feel good but its serves as an example to others, that if your heart is in the task and when you are dedicated to your community good things come from it,” Eklund said. “It will be an everlasting memory and I think it should be very uplifting to the community and it’s certainly uplifting to me and I applaud the library for everything they do for Mentor.”

Literacy is vital to success in life. We join the library in recognizing the efforts of Mononan to help others. And we applaud anything that instills in children a love of reading

BRICKBATS» To Jonathan Roebuck, the 17-year-old member of a notorious Cleveland gang who admitted holding up two Lake County businesses at gunpoint.

The Richmond Heights teen is part of Rack Gang, a subsidiary of the Heartless Felons, one of the largest organized gangs in Ohio prisons.

He was charged in adult court for his participation in the December 2017 robberies of Rite Aid in Willowick and Circle K in Willoughby.

Roebuck pleaded guilty May 24 in Lake County Common Pleas Court to three counts of robbery plus firearm and gang specifications. He faces between 10 and 34 years in prison when he is sentenced by Judge Vincent A. Culotta.

We believe his sentence should be a stiff one. Violent gang members do not belong on our streets.

BRICKBATS» To Lacynthia Tidmore, the 23-year-old Garfield Heights woman who was sentenced to eight years in prison for causing a hit-skip crash that led to a 9-year-old Euclid girl’s death.

De’Zyre Mays was struck by a vehicle driven by Tidmore on Babbitt Road around 7 a.m. Nov. 9. De’Zyre had been crossing the road to stand at the bus stop. She died Nov. 21 as a result of her injuries.

A short time after the victim was struck, Tidmore’s car was found at a nearby gas station. Shortly after, Tidmore made arrangements to turn herself in to police.

Tidmore previously pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicular homicide and not stopping after an accident before Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Peter J. Corrigan. Her driver’s license has been suspended for life.

We hope Tidmore uses her time in prison to reflect on her actions. And let this serve as a reminder to all behind the wheel to be cautious and aware at all times.