Dear Residents, I recently read an article comparing southern Illinois to northern Missouri. The article basically took two areas that were geographically identical in climate and attributes, and the only variable was the state line dividing the two regions. The article described southern Illinois as an area in decline and […]

Hello Residents, We are into our second quarter of 2021 and despite all the media and pundit coverage on how bad we are supposed to feel, and governmental intervention on how to run our lives, our Village has been able to continue functioning and remain productive. I have the utmost […]

Hello Residents, We are well into the New Year. December and January seemed like a blur. It was definitely a Christmas season like no other I’ve, and I am sure most of you, ever experienced. The Village continues to operate with a few modifications, but in the big picture, is […]

I’m currently in the first year of my third 4-year term as Mayor which means it’s been almost nine years since I was elected in November 2011. I had the privilege of being the Mayor previously from 1994 thru December of 1999. This being said, I presently have 15 years of service and will have a total of 18 at the end of my current term. Every year has been enjoyable, some more than others.

Hello Residents, I hope each of you are doing well and maintaining a semblance of normality with all the issues currently facing us and the world. I try to stay connected but often feel, as I’m sure you do, we are immersed in information overload. I’ve mentioned prior and will […]

Hello Residents, This has been a very active spring and needless to say, most of the energy has been spent on dealing with situations not normally on our radar. I know it has been challenging for all of us and required actions that aren’t natural for any of us. I […]

Dear Residents, Our pandemic has lasted longer than I anticipated. I didn’t realize, I take so much for granted. I think we will all cherish life’s social events a little more when this virus has been eliminated. I remember flying prior to 911, and if you arrived at the airport […]

Hello Residents, I want to again thank all of the front-line people who make each of our lives manageable. With my limited trips to the store, I am able to secure all my necessities. The entire supply chain that provides our daily necessities is to be applauded. If we think about […]

STRAIGHT FROM THE SOURCE Issue 07 2020 04 15 From the Geauga County Health Department STRAIGHT FROM THE SOURCE Issue 06 2020 04 11 From the Geauga County Health Department Mayor Ben Garlich, Sheriff Scott Hildebrand, and Thomas Quade, Geauga County health commissioner, demonstrate proper social distancing. (April 6, 2020)

Dear Community, I define community by all people who reside in our Village, work in our Village and shop in our Village. The COVID 19 virus is the most contagious disease I’ve experienced in my lifetime. I’ve never been involved with a disease that so rapidly impacted every country, state […]