February 17, 2010

Dear LCTA Members,

I was planning on writing and submitting an editorial after this NOACA issue was all over but I decided not to send it to the news media but rather share it only with our LCTA active members.   

I first want to start out by thanking the LCTA Officers, the NOACA Task Force and our entire membership.  The following people are what I called the front line, strategy and planning members.  They are: Jim McConnell, Bob White, Neil Lynch, Steve Magyar, Tom Giese, Louise Grose, Jean Haight and Mary Beth Derikito.  This association should be very proud of this front line.  Never once did anyone ever slow down. 

When I received the letter from the Commissioners dated January 12^th on January 13, 2010, informing me about the Commissioners NOACA appointment, I immediately notified the LCTA Officers.  From that day on emails started flying from sun up to sun down each and every day.

When the Commissioners made their appointment on December 30, 2009 they were the ones that started this conflict.  There was no communication prior to January 12^th from the Commissioners concerning our nomination or their appointment.   Their appointment created mental wounds for the LCTA members and hopefully over time these wounds will heal.  I see people thinking twice before something is said, talking softer and walking a lot lighter.   We all need to work together for the betterment of Lorain County and we need to focus on the future not the past.

I would like to thank the following members for what they did to put an end to this law suit; Rita Canfield and Virginia Haynes for stepping down from their nominated and elected positions.  They both did it for the good of the LCTA.  I would also like to thank Dale Rundle and Amy Szmania for stepping up and taking on this responsibility.  A special thanks to the press for their overwhelming support of the LCTA.  And last but not least, Thank You, Attorney Dennis O’Toole for your expertise and hard work in support of our Association.

In closing, let’s all start working together to get a good County Commissioner in office who will support all of Lorain County and Township issues.

Thank You,

Rob Scheithauer

President LCTA