Cartoon Editorials courtesy of Ed Kelly
The Press 2008



Last Updated Wednesday 5/14/08 
Great Article by Becky Turman from The Press.  She writes about the lack of response from certain board members and also the 3 removed email addresses.  Please check it out under the News Articles Tab

VERY STRANGE...
On the Avon Local Schools Website http://www.avon.k12.oh.us/BOE/board_members.htm
Dale Smitek, Angie Marsiglia and Debra Polovich's email addresses have been removed, but Kevin Romanchok and Susan Harrison's are still there.  Ironic that Romanchok and Harrison complied with the public records request, but Smitek, Marsiglia and Polovich DID NOT and now their email addresses are gone?  Anyone else find this odd? 



News Article Comments and responses

News Articles & the responses from Dale Smitek and Angie Marsiglia for public records.. those can be found on the public records requests tab.  Kevin Romanchok and Susan Harrison have also complied... the only board member not to respond at all is Debbie Polovich. 

Please don't throw out your eminent domain signs.. if possible store them in your garage, or contact the website and we will pick them up.  Also, please consider contacting Mr. Romanchok and volunteering to be part of the committee he proposed at the April 15th board meeting. 

Questions Submitted to Jim Reitenbach, Superintendent of Avon Schools and his replies via email on 4/18/08

Good morning,

I have a couple questions about your meetings which are more focused on logistics of the set up than the actual content of the meetings and I am not sure who to ask so I have emailed all six of you:

Q   Is there a reason behind the way the meetings are set up as far as the table you sit at in a rectangle and not facing the audience as I have seen at other school boards?

A    Historically, since North opened, that is the way the table has been set up as the board meetings are business meetings between the board members and the Treasurer and myself.  The tables are arranged for the board to talk to each other and the two of us.  In addition, until this year we usually have no more than 5 people at a board meeting.  At the last 3 board meetings attendance has swelled. 

Q Why does the audience have to sit so far from where the board is? 

A   Perspective…you feel it is far away.  When we have only had 5 people in the public they have not had a problem hearing. 

Q I know in my experience at your meetings it is sometimes difficult to hear what you say probably due to the set up of your table and the fact that the audience is so far from you.  Have you thought about placing a microphone or other device to amplify what is being said?

A  Again, there has never been a need.  And, I know that the board, for the last 3 meetings, have spoken up when asked.

Q  Would any of you take issue if audience members were to move closer to the table over to the open area to the right of Mr. Reitenbach?  

A  I would, I would prefer not having anyone from the audience close to me.  I have had no problem being heard by the audience as I project my voice very well.   

Q  I think there would still be plenty of room for audience members who wanted to speak.

A   Any member that wants to speak has had no problem speaking in the past with the room arranged as it is now; and the board and Kent and myself (who are the furthest from the audience) have had no problem hearing them.   

Q Is there a way to get more chairs so everybody has a place they can sit? 

A  Again, twenty chairs have been more than plenty for every board meeting until the past 3.   

Q  With a lot of important issues at hand there are more people attending the monthly meetings, so may be you should look into having more chairs available so that attendees don’t have to stand.

A  Now that the eminent domain issue is behind everyone, I believe we will see the attendance level back down and the chairs should be plenty.  Certainly if more than 20 people continue to come to future board meetings we can have more chairs.

These are just a few questions I had.  I would appreciate any feedback you could send me.

  I hope this answered your questions…have a good weekend…jim

**PLEASE READ!**

PLEASE HOLD ON TO YOUR SIGNS, WE MAY NEED THEM SOONER THEN WE THOUGHT.  A VICIOUS SMEAR CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN STARTED IN THE MEDIA AND ON LC.COM.  MS. MARY JANE WOLFE HAS NOT BEEN IN PRIVATE NEGOTIATIONS TO SELL HER LAND
TO THE AVON BOE.  If Possible, store your signs in your garage,or contact us and we will pick them up. 

HER STANCE HAS BEEN, AND ALWAYS WILL BE THAT SHE DID NOT WANT HER LAND TAKEN AWAY OR TO BE DEVELOPED... SHE JUST WANTS TO BE LEFT ALONE.  WILL SHE NEVER GET THE PEACE SHE SO DESIRES? 

Statement from Mary Jane Wolfe Friday 4/11/08

"First of all, there are not, nor were there ever several discussions going on with the Board of Education . There was one meeting (that Tues) with Mayor Smith, Dale Smitek , Jon Pinney, (attorney) and myself and one phone call (per Jon). 

Discussions at that meeting were very amicable and Dale Smitek agreed to rescind the eminent domain action after talking with Jon.  For that, I am truly grateful. And as a result of that action, and as a courtesy, we agreed to look at other proposals
they might have.  
There was no discussion in regards to price/or property values other than a statement that the offer was not appropriate and agreed by all.  

I truly feel in my heart that I still do not want to sell my property  - and have made no commitment whatsoever to sell or negotiate with anyone."

" I want to thank all of the citizens/residents from Avon and surrounding areas, especially the ACFC group, for all of their hard work and effort . Without all of your help and effort none of this would have been possible. I am so truly blessed to have had the opportunity to meet and work with some absolutely wonderful people. There are no words  to describe my appreciation for all of your help and support. Thank you again, to all of you and may God Bless you and keep you healthy and safe."


ACFC Has always maintained that this property belonged to Ms. Wolfe.  What she chose or chooses to do is her choice, we were fighting eminent domain.  There was never a plot on her part to hold out for more money.  She really just wants to live out her life on her land and to be left alone by the School Board or any other developers. 

PLEASE CONTINUE TO ATTEND THE SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS, THE NEXT ONE IS TUESDAY, MAY 20th AT 6:30


As of 4/8/08 the Avon School Board has rescinded their vote to pursue Eminent Domain on Mary Jane Wolfe's property.  In the spirit of cooperation, they wish to continue open dialog with her regarding possible land purchase. 


CONGRATULATIONS MARY JANE & The Avon Community!!

  We are hopeful that this decision by the board will create an opportunity for community input and cooperation with the BOE for the benefit of the students
and residents of Avon, Ohio

Thanks to Everyone for their generous time, effort and donations.  Working together we can make a difference.


We will be having a Citizens for Change Meeting soon.. stay tuned for information. We would like to continue to thank everyone for their donations and words of support. 

Questions to Ponder:

 Why is the room always so hot? Couldn’t turn down the heat or turn on the AC? 

Why isn’t there a secretary to record the meetings minutes?  (we realize Mr. Zeman -the treasurer- is recording these... but there are several questions in regards to the accuracy of them)

Do you realize that we, the Avon Citizens had to pay the $250 an hour for Mr. O’Toole to be at the meeting, not to mention whatever the other attorney charges…… the design firm, etc… and then foot the bill for the eminent domain charges?  Wonder if the board members had to pay for this themselves, how quickly they’d be willing to work with the community instead of against them.. as their Mission and Goal states:

The mission of the Avon Local School District is to create excellence in education for all children through a partnership of home, school and community. 

The goal of the Avon Local Schools is to focus our efforts on improving the academic achievements for all of our students.