Kudos to UWLC on high-energy campaign start

BOUQUETS>> To the United Way of Lake County on kicking off its 2018 Giving Campaign with a bang. Or should we say thousands of bangs — and that was just the fireworks show. Hundreds of folks turned out at Classic Park in Eastlake for the festivities that were highlighted by the performances of six Lake County high school drumline bands.

Thanks to the Fairport Harding Skippers, Harvey Red Raiders, Lake Catholic Cougar Pride, Madison Blue Streaks, Riverside Regiment and Wickliffe Swing Band for their energetic performances.

The campaign kicked off with opening remarks from President and CEO of UWLC Jennifer McCarty and 2018 Giving Campaign Chair Morris Beverage III, president of Lighthouse Advisors in Mentor.

“United Way is not a charity, it’s much more,” said McCarty. “And it’s because of all of you. All the money raised by United Way of Lake County stays in Lake County.

“One-third of all Lake County residents struggle to maintain life’s basic necessities, and we aim to fight that. This is the largest crowd to ever come out for a United Way of Lake County kickoff. We thank you so much.”

We couldn’t agree more. Neighbors helping neighbors -- that’s what it’s all about in Northeast Ohio.

BOUQUETS» To Cuyahoga County Council on creating an advisory board for the division of Children and Family Services.

The creation of the board comes in the wake of the death of a 4-year-old girl who authorities say was killed in Euclid by her mother and her mother’s boyfriend.

Aniya M. Day-Garrett was found unresponsive in a Euclid apartment building in March. Police reported that the girl had burn marks and was emaciated and bruised. She was taken from the apartment complex to Cleveland Clinic Euclid Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Before her death, the department had investigated reports of Day-Garrett’s abuse but they did not find enough evidence to remove her from her mother’s home.

The Division of Children and Family Services Advisory Board will be comprised of up to 10 members who will “provide independent perspective and feedback” to the county and to the Division of Children and Family Services according to the legislation passed by council.

The board is advisory in nature only and will not have any decision making authority over the department or the county. Board members will be appointed by the county executive and approved by county council.

The board will “seek to further the cooperation and collaboration between the Division of Children and Family Services and other child care agencies in Cuyahoga County, and render advision to the division on policy matters pertaining to the provisions of services to children and families,” according to the legislation.

Additionally the board will study the effectiveness and the need for service to children and families in the county and “encourage the gathering of information about the same population.”

Board members will be from organizations and client populations who obtain services through the Division of Children and Family Services.

We’re glad to see the county take action. It’s too late for Aniya, but perhaps this will help protect other children.

BRICKBATS» To Keith Ford, 21, and James Ogletree, 22, the two adult suspects that Mentor police say were involved in a July gun store break-in.

The Cleveland men were arraigned in Lake County Common Pleas Court.

Both are facing multiple felony counts in the July 16 break-in Silverado Arms, located at 7255 Center St.

Police say that Ford was the getaway driver. When officers arrived on scene shortly after 5 a.m. they saw a vehicle come from the back of the building. Ford allegedly refused to stop for officers and drove directly at them, police said.

Two of the officers on scene fired a total of four rounds at the vehicle.

Police say after Ogletree fled from the getaway car, he stole a vehicle from a disabled woman and led police on a three-county pursuit that ended when he was involved in a head-on collision with a civilian driver in Columbia Station. The two will have their day in court and are innocent unless proven guilty.

These charges are certainly troubling.