Lake-Geauga group lauded for its efforts

BOUQUETS >> To Lake-Geauga Habitat for Humanity, on the completion of its newest home in the region. After months of processes, including application, acquisition, planning, construction and training, Lake-Geauga Habitat for Humanity has dedicated its 90th home, the second in Eastlake in two years.

About 50 people gathered in the driveway of the new home on Victor Drive for a ceremony on Feb. 25. The recipient of the home extended eternal gratitude to all who supported her family through the nearly year-long process.

“To all the volunteers and everyone involved with Habitat, I’m so excited — I can’t wait to cut grass,” said the new homeowner to roaring laughter. “It’s really more than just a house to us, it’s a new beginning. Thank you so very much.”

Annette Pillar, the homeowner support person, also thanked crucial team members, including Executive Director William Meyer, and Tom Moravec, the organization’s Lake County construction supervisor.

“The distance between your dreams and reality is action, and I think there has been a lot of action that’s occurred for all of us to be here,” Pillar said. “We thank everyone, including our volunteers who put in so many hours and hard work.”

Lake-Geauga Habitat for Humanity deserves a round of applause for the tremendous work it has done throughout the two-county region.

BOUQUETS » To the three new department heads who all began duties recently for the city of Willoughby.

• Diane Bosley was named as the city’s finance director, replacing Ray Rogowski, who retired. She previously had served as Willoughby’s assistant finance director.

“Over the past years, Diane has worked closely with (Rogowski) in maintaining our reputation for excellence in accounting,” Willoughby Mayor Robert Fiala said. “She brings an intimate knowledge of our budgeting process, business systems and staff that will ensure continued stability in this department.”

• Lee Bock has been appointed as Willoughby’s service director. Bock, who replaces the retiring Angelo Tomaselli, possesses 30 years of experience as a member of Euclid’s Service Department.

“He has certifications in waterline, highway and sewer construction, as well as stormwater management,” Fiala said. “While at Euclid, Lee was successful in obtaining significant grant funding, and we are hopeful he will continue those efforts in Willoughby.”

• Tom Thielman will serve as the city’s new director of economic development. A resident of Wickliffe, he started out in the Wickliffe Economic Development Department prior to working for Parma. He comes to Willoughby from Mentor, where he spent 12 years as the head of Mentor Economic Assistance Corp., or MEACO.

We believe that all three new department heads are excellent choices to help provide leadership in the city of Willoughby.

BRICKBATS » To the fan who has been indefinitely banned from Quicken Loans Arena for making racial taunts at San Antonio Spurs guard Patty Mills during a basketball game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Spurs on Feb. 25.

Security officials reviewed videotape from the game and identified the fan sitting near the court. He yelled at Mills while the Spurs guard was shooting free throws in the fourth quarter.

While Mills was at the foul line, the fan was heard on the broadcast twice yelling, “Hey, Jamaica called, they want their bobsledder back!” Mills is black and from Australia with an Aboriginal heritage.

The team did not disclose the spectator’s name or any details about him. He is barred from events at Quicken Loans Arena, with the team to review the ban after one year.

This guy is certainly the kind of fan the Cavs could do without.

BRICKBATS » To Nicholas Starling of Springfield, Ohio, after he was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for killing his younger brother following an argument over Halloween candy.

Court records show Starling, 17, who was charged as an adult, recently pleaded guilty to murder in Clark County Common Pleas Court in Springfield.

Authorities say Starling was 16 when he killed 14-year-old Harley Starling in October 2016. Police say he told them he went into his brother’s bedroom and hit him in the head multiple times with a baseball bat before stabbing him.

Talk about a tragic and disturbing story.