Rambo challenging Grendell for Probate/Juvenile Court bench

Incumbent Geauga County Probate/Juvenile Court Judge Timothy Grendell is being challenged by Chester Township attorney Matthew Rambo in the March 17 Republican primary.

No Democrats are seeking the position.

The six-year term begins Jan. 1, 2021.

There are 65,069 registered voters in Geauga County eligible to vote in the county-wide race, according to Geauga County Elections Board records. The News-Herald sent questionnaires to the candidates. Here are some of the answers they provided:

Grendell

Grendell, 66, has served as the Probate/Juvenile Court judge since being appointed to the position by then-Gov. John Kasich in 2011 after the death of Judge Charles “Chip” Henry. His elected experience also includes stints in the state House and state Senate.

If reelected, Grendell said he wants to continue to use his judicial experience to protect vulnerable children and senior citizens. Those efforts include programming like Help Center, Victor Y. Matthews Family Life Improvement Resource Center, Launchpad for foster children, anti-bullying programs in schools, and CASA.

He said he also wants to continue the Good Deeds Program, “to give all Geauga County residents the opportunity to learn how to save time and money by better understanding the Ohio probate process.”

Grendell said the most challenging issue facing the probate/juvenile court is finding attorneys willing to represent indigent parties and juveniles, and to serve as guardians for the low state-mandate compensation rates.

He said will continue working with the local bar association and recently held a CLE course to “attract more attorneys to join the Court’s list of willing qualified attorneys to serve the public in these ways.”

“As a State Representative and State Senator for over 11 years, and as Probate/Juvenile Court Judge for over 8 years, I have devoted nearly two decades to protecting children, families, and seniors as a public servant,” he said.

Rambo

Rambo, 41, is an attorney at Freeburg & Freeburg LLC. He is seeking his first elected office experience.

If elected, Rambo said he wants to reduce the court’s current spending on promotional items and advertising.

He also said he wants to improve relationships with other Geauga County officials.

Rambo said he also wants to improve the lines of communication between the juvenile/probate court and various agencies within Geauga County that deal with families and children. Those agencies include the Department of Jobs and Family Services, Family First Council, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and Catholic Charities, among others.

“I will work to restore fiscal conservatism, work with other elected officials for the benefit of all Geauga residents, and work to protect Geauga’s most vulnerable residents while fairly and impartially administering justice in the courtroom,” Rambo said.