Trustees Corner

By David DePasquale

When I met with Police Chief David Hayes in September, he commended two patrol officers for removing dangerous drivers off the roads. I will share what Hayes told me. In late July, Patrolman Glenn Lucore and Patrolman Chris Danko were involved in stopping a vehicle on Troubadour Drive in the Eaton Estates. The driver was from Northfield Village and his passenger was from Akron. The driver had been driving erratically on Valley View Road. It turned out the driver was driving under suspension and his passenger had an active warrant from the state of Pennsylvania.

Both individuals were asked if they had been doing drugs as glass pipes and hypodermic needles were found in the vehicle. Sagamore Hills officers contacted Officer Paul Gramlich from Northfield Village and asked if his K9 dog could sniff the vehicle. The dog helped locate a purple and white powdery substance, and both men were charged for drug paraphernalia. The driver was also charged for driving while under suspension. 

Both men were advised further charges could be filed depending on lab results of a drug test. The vehicle was towed to Northfield Village as a result of suspected narcotics. The drugs were tested within a week and were positive for methamphetamine. The man from Northfield Village was arrested and the one from Akron was in Medina jail on other charges. 

In early August, officers Lucore and Danko pursued a resident of Northfield Center Township. The man was driving at high speed through Cranberry Trail and then on Brandywine Road. He drove to an unoccupied driveway on Crestwood Drive in Northfield Center. Lucore talked to the homeowner, and she did not know whose car was in her driveway. The Summit County Sherriff Deputy arrived, and it turned out there was an active felony warrant for the owner of the speeding vehicle.

The three officers searched for the felon who was discovered hiding by another car. The man was almost tasered, as he would not comply with officers and wanted to turn his arrest into an impromptu debate. He was eventually cuffed without force. This felon was charged for driving under suspension, expired plates, reckless operating, obstructing, failed headlight and was advised that possible charges would be filed pending lab results for drugs. Chief Hayes feels all officers do a good job of patrolling; this is an example of keeping your roads safe. 

State government

In Ohio, there are 99 state representatives and 33 state senators. Sagamore Hills Township is in Ohio House District 35, and the new state representative is Steve Demetriou. Sagamore Hills is part of Ohio Senate District 27 and Kristina Roegner remains as your state senator. Please do not confuse your state elected officials with federal elected officials.

Christmas came early for the Sagamore Hills Township Road Department. The $980,000 Village Parkway project was promised to be finished before Thanksgiving. It was done by Nov. 25. We want to thank all residents for their patience on this resurfacing project.On behalf of all township employees, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a healthy, prosperous New Year!