Maple Museum fitting tribute to Geauga tradition

BOUQUETS>> To those involved with bringing the dream of a Maple Museum in Geauga County to a reality. A plain, single-story structure housing the new Maple Museum of Geauga County in Burton Village provides no indication of the plethora of historical trea

The museum had its start from a grant given by the Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission in 2010. An old-fashioned, oneday “frolic” held by Geauga’s Amish community resulted in the initial raising and construction of the shell of the building, according to the Historical Society.

A second grant in 2015 allowed for the completion of a working sugar house on the eastern third of the building.

In 2016, the Burton-Middlefield Rotary gave additional money to complete the interior of the western two-thirds of the building.

“We waited for more funding, and finally, eight years later all is completed,” said Louise Jackson, chairperson of the Collection Committee.

Visitors to the museum, a new addition to the Geauga County Historical Society at 14653 E. Park St., are treated to a treasure trove of photos, artifacts, accounts of the history of maple syrup and much more. Museum goers are invited to “travel” from the early start of maple sugaring in the 1500s to present day.

More than 90 percent of the articles in the museum are original and collected from Geauga County, Jackson said.

What a wonderful way to celebrate the proud maple tradition in the region. Congratulations to all who played a part in making this happen.

BOUQUETS» To the city of Mentor for its efforts to create an all-inclusive playground at the Civic Center.

City Council recently authorized a $90,000 Ohio Department of Natural Resources NatureWorks grant application for an ADA-compliant playground at the Civic Center.

The $350,000-plus project calls for replacing an existing play structure between the Waterpark and ice arena.

“The area of the new proposed playground would be larger, and the ground surface treatment would be much improved,” said Mentor Grants Coordinator Abe Bruckman. “The new playground equipment to be installed will include designs and features to make it friendlier and easier to use by individuals with disabilities.

“The city is aware that the one existing ADA playground — located in our Garfield Park — is often difficult to reach (or) access by families because of the popularity and heavy seasonal use of the park,” said Bruckman, noting that the Garfield pool is more than 700 feet away from the playground and up a hill. “Adding a new, universal-access playground at our Civic Center campus will complement existing programs and amenities that we already provide there.”

The timeline for construction is dependent on funding, but city officials hope to include the playground in the budget next year.

More funding sources are being sought as well, City Manager Ken Filipiak said.

“Other agencies have expressed an interest already, including the Mentor Rotary, with contributing some additional funding,” he said.

It’s great to see community organizations looking to help out cities in their quest to make our region better for all who live here.

BRICKBATS» To former Geauga County Auditor Frank Gliha on his sentencing in Geauga County Common Pleas Court on five counts of dereliction of duty.

Gliha entered pleas and received his sentence on June 20. Four of the five charges arose from a case in which a former county employee is accused of embezzling more than $1.8 million in public funds over a nearly eight-year period. Gliha pleaded guilty to those four counts, and entered a no-contest plea and was found guilty on the fifth charge.

Visiting Judge Robert Brown fined Gliha $1,250 and ordered him to pay court costs. The judge also forbid Gliha from running for public office for four years. A 90-day jail term was suspended.

All five counts that Gliha faced were second-degree misdemeanors, each carrying a maximum sentence of 90 days in jail and a $750 fine. Brown said Gliha is not eligible for probation and must pay his fines in 90 days.

Gliha announced on March 12 that he was resigning as auditor effective April 3. He had served as Geauga County auditor for nine years.

Special Prosecutor Bryan Kostura expressed satisfaction with the sentence issued to Gliha.

“I believe what we have is a fair resolution for the taxpayers of Geauga County,” he said.

We must be able to trust our elected officials. It’s sad to see what happens when that trust is betrayed.