Welcome to Auburn Township in Beautiful Geauga County Ohio

AxOHTax aka
The Official Committee to Abolish Ohio’s Property Taxes
Calls Press Conference to Announce Signatures
on Thursday, April 23rd

Kirtland Hills, Ohio – On April 23, 2026, AxOHTax, aka The Official Committee to Abolish Ohio’s Property Taxes, is hosting a press conference to announce the number of signatures collected to date. Their petition to amend the Ohio constitution to abolish all real property taxes requires 413,488 valid signatures in order to appear on your ballot for a vote of the people. The deadline to submit those signatures for the November 2026 ballot is July 1st.

“I am the only person in the great state of Ohio who knows how many signatures have been collected to abolish property taxes,” said Brian Massie, Co-Founder of AxOHTax. “However, the time has come to share our progress with the over 5,000 volunteer circulators, who are out every single day collecting signatures without compensation, to save freedom and liberty for this and future generations. It is also time to put the do-nothing politicians on notice. If Senator Jerry Cirino and House Speaker Matt Huffman refuse to do their job, then We the People will do it for them!”

“Ohio is consistently ranked in the top ten or fifteen for highest property taxes in the nation, and taxpayers have reached their breaking point,” said Lake County Commissioner John Plecnik. “It would cost less than 3% of Ohio’s budget to exempt all seniors from property taxes. It would cost nothing but future increases in taxes to freeze property tax values, and set all new home values at sales price, in order to eliminate inflationary gains. However, the state legislature refuses to cut property taxes in any meaningful way. The politicians are leaving the people no choice but to flip the table, and start over with the constitutional amendment to abolish property taxes.”

The AxOHTax committee, which originally filed the petition to abolish property taxes, includes Brian Massie, Leonard Gilbert, Mayor John Marra of Timberlake Village, Elayne Cross and Keith Davey. Brian Massie is inviting the committee, Commissioner John Plecnik and key supporters, and the press to join them on Thursday, April 23rd at 2:00 p.m. EST at 8405 Sanctuary Drive, Kirtland Hills. Brian Massie will announce the number of signatures collected behind the Resolute Desk in the legendary Oval Office replica of Northeast Ohio, constructed and owned by history buffs Lou and Carolyn Fidanza.

This event is by invitation only and the press.

DWELLING OR NON-DWELLING: KITKO GETS TRAPPED BY HIS OWN WORDS

Wednesday, April 8, 2026

Auburn Township Zoning Inspector started to give his monthly report, traditionally reserved for the first Monday of the new month. April 6 met that requirement. Frank Kitko dived into his report:“Three new houses , one denial,” he intoned after 50 seasons on the job, then launching into a discussion about the legality of a second dwelling on a single property. In this particular case, Kitko bemoaned owners’ refusal to allow him entry to a building that he has attested is a second dwelling, long identified as anathema in Auburn Township. Then Kitko chose to bemoan a second issue: Auburn Township’s Assistant Prosecutor has chosen to disagree with Auburn Township’s zoning code definition of “dwelling” in this particular case because “no one” is within its walls to assume the definition of “dweller.” The building is 100% empty and void of any human being whatsoever. As a result, Kristen Rine will not pursue the issue of “dwelling,” in this case, “second dwelling.”

Instead, Assistant Prosecutor Rine has offered Auburn Township another option: If it is important for Auburn Trustees to pursue the “second dwelling” issue, they will have to hire a private attorney at an hourly rate. As some may already know, $400 per hour is not an unreasonable rate these days for legal services.

Trustee Riley Davis sought clarification: “ What makes a dwelling?” he asked, citing his own knowledge that a stove and/or a shower within a pole barn did not transform the pole barn into a dwelling. In Kitko’s mind Prosecutor Rine has declared hands off, even though a past prosecutor apparently supported Kitko’s logic. Kitko is visibly upset because he currently he is not permitted on the property. As a result, Kitko is actively asking for a way he can enforce his premise that the building in question is a “second dwelling.”

Concluding that the Assistant Prosecutor’s conclusion is correct and Kitko’s is not, Trustee Davis concluded that the hiring of a private attorney in this case could wind up with the expenditure of Auburn Township taxpayer dollars for a frivolous, nit-picking excuse. Visibly angered and frustrated, Kitko shouted to Davis,”Do whatever you want!”

Trustee Cavanagh, starting to become visible as a mediator, asserted that the situation had placed the township “behind the eight ball.” Trustee Davis criticized Kitko for wanting to force the property owner into undertaking renovation.

Kitko, still visibly over the top, admitted that the building he was identifying as a second dwelling and therefore, an illegal undertaking, had been a previous owner’s “pool house.” Google did the research to answer the question at hand: “Is a pool house considered a dwelling?”

Here follows Google’s response to resolve any remaining gray areas:

A dwelling is a permanent home installation that has drains, plumbing, heating and air conditioning installed. It should also facilitate all the things that require comfortable living, such as kitchen, sanitation, sleeping area. The dwelling unit is considered as a dwelling only if it provides independent utilities for one or more people. Thus, a pool house may not be considered a dwelling as it is not meant to be structured for independent living purposes.

At this point Trustee Troyan tabled any discussion about “dwelling or non-dwelling” and Trustee Davis criticized Kitko for harassing a young family by demanding entry of an edifice on the parcel. In addition, Davis confirmed that he as a property owner wouldn’t want Kitko on his own property. Kitko loses his composure, attacking Davis by daring him to change the Auburn zoning code and asserting that he had never harassed anyone in Auburn Township. Some Auburn Township residents might take issue with that conclusion.

Kitko’s visible loss of reason and dignity fostered laughter among Auburn residents observing his inability to act responsibly without losing total control of his emotional state.

Troyan single-handedly tabled any decision on Kitko’s wish that the township hire a private attorney to obtain a search warrant.

Stay tuned for the April 20 Auburn Township meeting, always remembering the Trustee Meeting of April 6, wherein Zoning Inspector Kitko defined “pool house” in the following manner: “A pool house is a pool house.”

AUBURN TOWNSHIP RESIDENT COMMENTS REGARDING CRACKEL ROAD PROPOSED MOTOCROSS RACETRACK

Wednesday, April 8, 2026

Two Auburn Township residents, Ted Mroz and Mark Kolanz, came forward as guests to present their feelings about a property owner’s written declaration from about November 2025 of intent to construct a motocross track on a 27-acre land parcel with Current Agricultural Use Valuation (CAUV) and R1 zoning within Auburn Township.

Mr. Mroz cited a petition with 280 signatures expressing concerns about the presence of such a construction negatively impacting property values of contiguous and nearby parcels and provided eight reasons for concerns:

1) possible zoning violations on R1-zoned property
2) declining property values for contiguous and nearby parcels
3) loss of financial savings for affected property owners
4) excessive noise of perhaps 90-100 decibels created by motorbike
5) dust and dirt accumulating on nearby parcels
6) drain on area law enforcement
7) reduced township and school tax proceeds
8) ground water contamination

As a result, Mr. Mroz asserted that Trustees respond with one of three actions:

1) clearly attestation of need for a building permit for owner’s ground-breaking activities on parcel,
2) hiring of legal counsel if owner’s activities are not permitted,
3) clearly communicating with Auburn Township citizenry

Mr. Mark Kolanz, an alternate member of the Auburn Township Board of Zoning Appeals, presented a written publication identifying the 27-acre parcel as 19122 Munn Road whose owner has declared in writing his intention to construct a motocross venue. Mr. Kolanz, like Mr. Mroz, has cited written communication from the owner to Zoning Inspector Frank Kitko and Mr. Kitko’s subsequent response outlining the need for construction of a full-time residence before accessory uses can be permitted.

In addition, Mr. Kolanz’s press release cites the owner’s

1) Intent to build a professionally constructed motocross track
2) Plan to operate 5-10 motocross motorcycles on a typical day
3) Declaration to comply with Auburn Township noise ordinances
4) Claim that motocross will be personal use only
5) Plan for an annual motocross event
6) Plan to install sprinklers
7) Movement of dirt and placement of earth-moving equipment
8) Ability to act as agent for NKE Enterprises

Mr. Kolanz relates the possibility of declining property values for nearby homeowners and urges the Trustees to require application for a building permit by the owner or owner’s representative or assistance from the Geauga County Prosecutor’s Office.

Finally, Mr. Kolanz relates that as an alternate, he will recuse himself from any relevant decisions to be made by the Auburn Township Board of Zoning Appeals.

Frank Kitko emphasized in response to the two speakers that there has been no activity on the parcel and no application for a building permit on the property although he has been made aware of the owner’s sentiment of being willing to discuss any future plans for a motocross trail or track. With urging, Kitko agreed to reach out to the owner to invite him to the next trustee meeting, at 7 pm in Adam Hall on April 20, to talk about his plans for the parcel in an effort to resolve any conflicts before they take on the gravity of resolution by the judicial system; once an issue necessitates solution by the judicial system rather than by local government, it becomes impossible to know when or or how the resolution will impact the township.

AUBURN TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES UNANIMOUSLY APPROVE LIVE VIDEO STREAMING AND NECESSARY EQUIPMENT AT $3290 FROM GEAUGA ADP

Wednesday, April 8, 2026

Members of the Geauga County ADP attended the Monday, April 6, Auburn Township Trustee Meeting to explicate details of equipping the Auburn Township Administration Building with live-stream audio taping of trustee meetings to provide transparency for residents. Thirty-year Auburn residents Tom and Diane Jones, who have continuously videoed Auburn Township meetings since about 2010 without any financial charge at youtube.com/@wiwfarm, along with summaries/commentary to provide that kind of documentation for Auburn Township residents, are pleased to report that Auburn Trustees have unanimously voted to provide that paid service to their residents.

Auditor Charles Walder, ADP Director Frank Antenucci, Technician Mike Dorka, Katelyn Celliiti, and Tracy Rahimi all appeared at the 7 pm Auburn Township public meeting, which was very well attended with residents intent on learning and participating in responsible township government. The Administration Building was filled to capacity as Frank Antenucci identified where microphone and video camera would be installed once equipment from the vendor was installed and ready for action to provide a complete record of Auburn township government. Auditor Walder was instrumental in identifying live-chat commentary available for online comments only during the actual live-stream process. Additionally, Walder cited OtterAI as a useful and reliable translation device used at County meetings, crediting participants’ clarity during presentation with overall translation accuracy.

Those Geauga townships currently engaging in live-streamed meetings include Russell and Bainbridge; the village of South Russell is also currently involved with such recorded meetings for the benefit of its citizens.

Fiscal Officer Dan Matsko recalled, prior to the oral vote, that the appropriation for live-streamed Trustee President Michael Troyan, attested that he personally was not ready to accept the live-streaming because it was not the way things had been done in Auburn Township. Nevertheless, when voice vote was taken, all three trustees voted to approve the initiation of live-streaming after PJ Cavanagah’s recall that the invasion of Covid about 2020-2021 had been instrumental in causing a setback for live-streaming amid local governmental entities. Ultimately, Cavanagh seconded Trustee Riley Davis’ motion to approve the township’s implementation of live-streaming, with Troyan joining both of them in unanimous approval of the motion. Trustee Davis agreed to become the liaison on the matter for the township.

Shortly after the oral vote, Trustee President Troyan invited the representatives from the ADP to leave the meeting, dryly quipping, “I need the space [in this room].” They complied with the not-so-subtle request.

MARCH 31, 2026, UPDATE FROM GEAUGA COMMISSIONERS ON BERKSHIRE LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT’S MARCH 17 “SAFE ROUTE TO SCHOOL” GRANT REQUEST

Thursday, April 2, 2026

Readers may recall Agenda Item #19 on the March 17 Commissioner Agenda. Dr. Vanessa Provozhaev, Director of Professional Learning and Community Outreach for Berkshire Local Schools presented information regarding the school district’s perception that vehicular traffic patterns in a particular location created a risk for Berkshire school children. She therefore presented a request for the Geauga Board of Commissioners “to make application to the Ohio Department of Transportation Safe Routes to Schools Sidewalks Grant." (See $970K INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT TO BENEFIT BERKSHIRE SCHOOLS)

Since the March 24 Commissioner Meeting was cancelled, the meeting on March 31 was the first time for Geauga Commissioners to deal with the topic in more detail. The discussion began when Commissioner Spidalieri related that he had received questions from the public asking for clarification if Commissioners had signed any paperwork on March 31 in response to Dr. Provozhaev’s presentation and subsequent request. The purpose for his initiation of the topic was his need to verify that the Geauga County Board of Commissioners “have not been involved in aiding Berkshire Schools” and that they have not signed any documents to create that obligation.

During the discussion, County Administrator Amy Bevan offered to do more research on the requirements of the specific grant. Nevertheless, Commissioner Brakey expressed serious concerns with potential legal issues and conflicts arising out of acceptance of Dr. Provozhaev’s March 17 request, and Commissioner Dvorak agreed that Commissioners’ decision to avoid any commitment “is not the first time that Commissioners have shied away.” County Administrator Bevan concluded that the Board of Commissioners as a unified body has no further obligations regarding the issue.

GEAUGA DOG WARDEN GRANITO MARKETS “LITTLE BIT” TO “OOHS AND AAHS”

Wednesday, April 1, 2026

Those in attendance watched live as Geauga’s Matt Granito charmed them with the latest pup whose tail wagged incessantly to identify her as a people pleaser. In between the tail wags, the 3-5 year-old- female smallish mixed-breed from Tennessee communicated her joy at being petted and stroked by Commissioner Brakey. Little Bit is one of two current dogs received from the Ashtabula County Dog Warden for a daily board fee in an effort to find them adoptive homes.

The arrangement with the Ashtabula Dog Warden has been underway since December 2025

SHERIFF HILDENBRAND GETS UNANIMOUS APPROVAL FROM COMMISSIONERS MARCH 31 FOR INMATE VIDEO VISITATION AT FCC-ENFORCED PER-MINUTE CHARGES TO INMATES

Wednesday, April 1, 2026

Sheriff Scott Hildenbrand presented Agenda Item #13 at the March 31, 2026, Commissioner meeting. He explained that the issue of inmates using electronic tablet for video visitation with family members, for watching educational programs, and/or for texting has been impacted by the lack of standard costs for prisoners. The FCC has stepped in, determining that the inmates would be limited to paying $.13 per minute for any phone calls and $.17 per minute for the use of electronic tablets. Sheriff staff will collect the revenue and retain 50% of the proceeds, effective April 20, 2026, with ability to renew the arrangement for 24 months. Sheriff Hildenbrand added that inmates can text “all day provided they pay” the total amount of money at the per-minute rate. The agenda item won unanimous approval quite quickly and without any debate.

AIRPORT AUTHORITY SEEKS ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR T HANGER

Wednesday, April 1, 2026

Ric Blamer, paid employee, represented the Airport Authority in Middlefield, to present Agenda Items 8-10 at the March 31, 2026, Geauga Commissioners’ Meeting.

Agenda Item #8:

The Airport Authority is requesting the Board approve Reimbursement Request #9 for the Taxiway Extension Construction Project, specifically to Construct Parallel Taxiway A including Taxiway Connector A1 and A2- Construction, Final Phase and Install Taxiway Edge Lights- Construction, Grant #3-39-0054-028-2024 in the amount of $24,610.00 (FAA Share $22,149.00, (ODOT Share $1.230.50 and Local County match share $1,230.50).

This request entailed minimal time and effort for Commissioners Dvorak, Brakey, and Spidalieri to agree unanimously to provide the Middlefield Airport with $1,230.50, the County matching share of the grant.

Agenda Items #9 and #10, though approved by virtue of a 2-1 oral vote with Commissioner Brakey voting no each time, raised some issues unforeseen or ignored by the Airport’s Mr. Blamer, regarding T Hangar Construction and Sponsor Certification and Disclosure.

Agenda Item #9:

The Airport Authority is requesting the Board approve and execute Resolution #26-046 Authorizing the President of the Geauga County Airport Authority Board to execute and submit the application to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) FY 2027 Airport Improvement Program Infrastructure Invest and Job Act (IJA) Grant Program for the Airport Authority Construct T Hangar Phase 2 project.

During the discussion Commissioner Brakey reminded Blamer that in 2025 the Commissioners provided the Middlefield Airport with some $800,000 before the above-mentioned IJA Grant Program for fiscal year 2027 became publicized. Mr. Blamer acknowledged that the so-called Phase 2 project is really the same program and a continuation of the Phase 1 T Hangar project. Therefore, Mr. Brakey asked if the Middlefield Airport Board was considering returning the $800,000 if it was awarded the IJA Grant.

Mr. Blamer remarked that return of the $800,000 in Commissioner funds “was not their intention” because they intended to use that funding for other projects. Although Mr. Spidalieri provided no information, Mr. Dvorak cited apparent empathy for Middlefield Airport staff when they were “jumping over the hoops” on short notice to apply for new grants. During the discussion, it also became apparent that airport documents would not be reviewed by the Geauga County Prosecutor’s Office. Shortly, thereafter, oral vote identified Mrs. Brakey as the sole negative vote.

Agenda Item #10:

The Airport Authority is requesting the Board approve and authorize the President of the Board to execute the Sponsor Certification forms for the Construction Project Final Acceptance Airport Improvement Program Sponsor Certification; Drug Free Workplace Airport Improvement Program Sponsor Certification and Disclosure Regarding Potential Conflicts of Interest Airport Improvement Program Sponsor Certification.

This particular item was not defined in terms of its potential relevance to receiving the latest grant application in Agenda Item #9, but again the approval of 2-1 united Commissioners Dvorak and Spidalieri. Commissioners’ Clerk, Christine Blair, pointed out the absence of a required signature on paperwork before submitting it. Mr. Blamer in past appearances has demonstrated lack of attention to similar necessary detail. His last comment was that he would be back the following Tuesday with the required signature. Were it not for Christine Blair’s attention to detail, the Airport Authority might find itself missing out on financial opportunity more than once.