Medina County Commissioners’ Newsletter

BOARD OF
MEDINA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Stephen D. Hambley Aaron M. Harrison Colleen M. Swedyk

MARCH 24, 2023

Try Public Transit
in Medina County
– it’s easy!
by Steve Hambley,
Commissioner
I recently had a medical proce-
dure that prohibited me from driv-
ing for a week. Fortunately, I was
able to work around this restric-
tion, as many of us COVID veter-
ans know, with access to ZOOM
and Microsoft Teams, cell phone,
text messages, and email.
Traveling to the public meetings
that I had to attend were accom-
plished by rideshare with my wife Photo by Brian S. Gallatin

and friends. But one day, when
I had to be in the office, I was
able to use Medina County Pub-
lic Transit (MCPT) to go back and
forth from Brunswick to Medina.
Commissioner Steve Hambley recently traveled to and from the office via Medina
County Public Transit. Also pictured is transit driver Wayne Duncan.
Initially, I had hoped to do a lo- official, my identity was difficult
cal version of TV’s “Undercover to conceal. Regardless, I followed
Boss,” but as a longtime elected Continued on page 2

Last day to appeal property tax value is March 31

Medina County Treasurer John Burke is remind-
ing taxpayers that March 31, 2023 is the last day
for taxpayers to file an appeal of their
property values for their current tax
bills with the Board of Revision (BOR).
The BOR is made up of the Coun-
ty Auditor, County Treasurer, and one
County Commissioner or their desig-
John nated representatives.
Burke The three BOR members hear com-
plaints filed by taxpayers and make the decisions on
any change to property values.
The property tax bills that were sent out this year
by the County Treasurer included new 2022 updat-
ed reappraisal values placed on your property by the
County Auditor. Ohio Law requires the Auditor to
reappraise all properties once every six years with a
triennial update three years after.
Values are based on the estimated fair market val-
ue — the price that a property would be expected
to sell for on the open market between an informed
and willing buyer and seller.
The new 2022 property values set by the County
Auditor were based on an analysis of the prior three
years’ sales trends and applied on a percentage basis
by neighborhood and taxing district.
According to Treasurer Burke, “The average prop-
erty value increase was approximately 27% for resi-
dential homes. If you feel your new property value is
too high, you can appeal it by completing a Board of
Revision DTE-1 complaint form.”
Taxpayers can obtain a DTE-1 form from the
County Auditor’s Office or on their website. Com-
pleted forms must be notarized and received by the
Auditor’s Office by March 31, 2023, or postmarked
by that date.
Burke noted that sometimes taxpayers ask him
how they can tell if their property value is correct or
fair. His answer is to first look at the total appraised
value established by the County Auditor and ask the
following question: Could I sell my house for the to-
tal property value that has been set by the Auditor?
If your answer is yes or you think you could sell it
for more, then you should be satisfied with your new
updated value. If your answer is no, you can look
for comparable sales and appeal your value to the
Medina County Board of Revision.
“It is important for the taxpayer to provide evi-
dence indicating the true market value of their home
or property, either by hiring a private appraiser or by
using a market comparison of similar sales close to
January 1 of the 2022 tax year,” Burke noted.
The evidence a taxpayer presents to the BOR
must pertain to the property value not the taxes or
tax rates.
Continued on page 3
Medina County Commissioners’ Newsletter
Try Public Transit in Medina County – it’s easy...
Continued from page 1
the required registration and scheduling procedures
and paid full fare for the rides.
This is exactly why Medina County Public Transit
exists. It’s not just for those that need transportation
rides several times a week, but also for those who
might occasionally need it.
I am a longtime advocate of public transit. My
PhD dissertation was on the Electric Interurbans
and Streetcars of Northeast Ohio. I grew up on the
west side of Substation Road in Brunswick, across
the street from where the Cleveland, Southwestern
& Columbus Railway tracks traversed from 1903 to
1929.
Not only did my fascination with trains shape
my interest in public transit, but as a student in the Services, Veterans Services or others.
1970’s at Kent State University, the campus experi-
ence convinced me that bus transit can work.
At that time, the transit system was student run
and all you needed was your student ID to ride any-
where on the system — which included the campus
and the cities of Kent, Stow and Ravenna.
I was cheap as a student and after parking my car
in the student lot for the week, I rode the bus every-
where and all the time. It was a great service and
worth the low, yearly student fee.
Even in my adult life, over the years I take the
opportunity to ride the GCRTA Rapid in and out of
Cleveland every chance I get.
It beats the traffic and the hassle of parking in
crowded downtown Cleveland — especially going
to baseball, football, and hockey games.
Even when I was a State Representative in Colum-
bus, I frequently used the C-Bus to traverse down-
town and encouraged my fellow representatives to
use the free service. Before COVID-19 hit, it was free
to the riding public and paid for by the downtown
businesses. Public transit can and does work!
How do you get a ride on Medina County Pub-
the
SENIOR DAY 2023
MAY 9:00AM
to
MEDINA COUNTY
16 FAIRGROUNDS 1:00PM
FOOD • MUSIC
VENDORS FREE
–2–
March 24, 2023
lic Transit? If you have access to the internet, go
to www.medinacountytransit.org. On the website
you can see the fixed route bus schedules, on-de-
mand services, rates & fares, and bus services for
those customers of our county agencies, like Office
for Older Adults, Medina County Board of Develop-
mental Disabilities, Alternative Paths, Job & Family
MCPT works with these agencies, and you may
qualify for free or reduced fares. On the website, just
to make it simple, you can plan your ride with MCPT
by just hitting a tab on the homepage and following
the instructions. There is even a tab that takes you to
a Facebook page with a video explaining the MCPT
Demand service.
Paying your MCPT fares, when not entirely subsi-
dized by a county agency, couldn’t be easier. MCPT
accepts EZfare! You don’t have to carry exact change,
and you can buy tickets anytime and anywhere.
You can store the tickets on your phone for future
use, and activate them when you load the bus. The
EZfare application is available for any smartphone
— Apple or Android — and can be used for all the
major public transit systems in northeast Ohio —
GCRTA, Laketran, PARTA, Akron METRO, etc. Call
the MCPT office if you need help figuring out how to
use the app on your phone.
If you don’t like all of that technology, then no
worries! All you have to do is call to register and
schedule a ride. The numbers are 330-723-9670 or
toll free 1-844-722-3800. On weekdays, office hours
are from 6 a.m.–5:30 p.m., and reservations can be
made by phone from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Service hours
are from 6 a.m.–6 p.m., Monday through Friday.
I was able meet and talk with some of the MCPT
riders during my brief experience with demand-re-
sponse service.
Surprisingly, all of them were much younger than
me, in their 20’s! One was a fairly new rider, while
the others were frequent customers who talked freely
with me and our driver. The driver has been with
MCPT for over a decade and seemed to know a lot
about my fellow riders. I could tell that he genuinely
likes his job as he treated the MCPT customers with
respect and courtesy, as well as a friendliness that
too often seems to be missing in post-COVID busi-
ness customer service.
As I told many people years ago when I first ran
for office, my support for a good system of public
transit in Medina County is somewhat a selfish one. I
want to have a great bus system in place when I get
too old and unable to drive.
So far, it’s looking better and better that will be
the case when I finally get to that stage of my life in
little old Medina County. In fact, it’s probably not too
soon to get registered and load the EZfare app for
the occasional need. Try it; it’s easy!
March 24, 2023 Medina County Commissioners’ Newsletter
JOB AND FAMILY SERVICES

JFS announces release of ConnectEBT app

by Debbie Kiley
Director

Medina County Job and Family

Services is happy to announce the
release of “ConnectEBT!”
This is the official mobile app of
the Ohio Department of Job and
Family Services for SNAP benefit
card holders. 
Other apps consumers may
have previously chosen are not
created or supported by Ohio’s
contracted EBT vendor.
Using the “ConnectEBT” app
provides a secure connection di-
rectly associated with their official
accounts.
To download the app, search
your smartphone’s app store for
“ConnectEBT.” balance and purchase history, card, and report their card lost,
Consumers can then view their change their pin, activate their stolen or damaged.

Last day to appeal property tax value is March 31...

Continued from page 1 a home versus a compa- footage is 1,700. ilar comparable sale val-
Following is an exam- rable home sale. Calculation 1: ues at the BOR hearing.
ple of how to calculate The auditor’s ap- $200,000 home value The taxpayer can ask up
and compare the Audi- praised value of a home divided by 1,700 square to 10 days in advance of
tor’s square foot value of is $200,000 and square feet = $117 per square the hearing date for the
foot. Auditor’s comparable
A comparable home sales to review them be-
27TH ANNUAL MEDINA COUNTY
Earth Day Festival
in the neighborhood
fore the hearing.
sold for $180,000 and is
Taxpayers can obtain
1,810 square feet.
Calculation 2: a BOR complaint form
$180,000 home value at the County Auditor’s
FOOD, ACTIVITIES & ENTERTAINMENT divided by 1,810 square Office in the County Ad-
feet = $99 per square ministration Building,
April 22nd, 2023 foot. 144 N. Broadway St.
KID’S 10 AM - 4 PM Conclusion: Since in Medina, or by down-
CRAFTS &
ECO FAIR & MARKET
comparable home’s $99 loading the form (DTE
ACTIVITIES
square foot value is less Form 1) from the Audi-
Nate the Great
LIBRARY Magic Show than the Auditor’s $117, tor’s website.
BOOKMOBILE
RAFFLE 1:00 & 3:00 PM the taxpayer may wish to Complete the form
PRIZES
Bring a houseplant consider an appeal. and turn it into the Au-
HOUSE PLANT Burke said, “I encour- ditor by March 31, 2023.
SWAP age taxpayers who file
If you mail it in make
BUG ZOO a BOR appeal, to find 2
ANNUAL FAMILY sure it is postmarked by
FISHING DERBY or 3 properties that have
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
ALL DAY
been sold for a square March 31. You will be
FOOD TRUCKS
foot price less than the notified of a hearing date
Annual Earth Day Festival
square foot price of their by the County Auditor.
April 22nd, 10 AM - 4 PM
Buffalo Creek Retreat
home according to the For questions or more
8708 Hubbard Valley Rd., Seville
Absolutley FREE Auditor’s value.” The information, call the Me-
@earth_day_medina_county @medinacountyearthdayfestival BOR rules state that the dina County Treasurer’s
Auditor may present sim- office at 330-725-9748.
–3–
Medina County Commissioners’ Newsletter March 24, 2023
Pinwheel Walk to be held April 16 Department
by Kristen Minichello
Preventing child abuse is a community effort, and there are many
ways to get involved. The Community Pinwheel Walk is a great way
Directory
to raise awareness about child abuse prevention BUILDING DEPARTMENT
and show solidarity with survivors of abuse. www.medinaco.org/building-department
During the Pinwheel Walk on Sunday, April 330-722-9220
16, we will gather together as a community to
plant 595 pinwheels representing each case of COMMISSIONERS
www.medinaco.org/county-commissioners
Child Abuse or Neglect investigated by Medina County Job and Family
330-722-9208
Services during 2022.
Pinwheels are a symbol of hope and healing, representing the pos- COUNTY HOME
itive change that can be achieved through community involvement in http://medinacountyhome.com
preventing child abuse. 330-723-9553
Participants are encouraged to wear blue, the designated color for
DOG SHELTER
child abuse prevention awareness. www.medinaco.org/dog-shelter
Pre-walk activities will include Huntington Bank’s Ice Cream Truck, 330-725-9121
visits with Super Heroes from Super Heroes to Kids in Ohio, face paint-
ing by EnchantaRoo Face and Body Art, and more. FINANCE
No website
Opening remarks will include a Survivor sharing her experience
330-722-9202
healing from abuse, recognition of the team of professionals who work
to help children who have been abused on their pathway to healing, HUMAN RESOURCES
and proclamations marking April as Child Abuse Prevention Month www.medinaco.org/hr
from Mayor Dennis Hanwell and the Medina County Commissioners. 330-722-9209
The event will culminate with a 1-mile walk from the Historic Medina
JOB AND FAMILY SERVICES
Square past the Medina Police Department, Medina County Administra- www.mcjfs.us
tion Building, and the Medina Courthouse to the Medina Library where 330-722-9300
we will plant the garden of 595 pinwheels along Washington Street.
We would appreciate it if you would pre-register for the event. By OFFICE FOR OLDER ADULTS
www.mcooa.org
raising awareness and joining together with others, we can work to-
ward a future where every child is safe, loved, and protected. 330-723-9514
PLANNING SERVICES
www.medinaco.org/planning
330-722-9293
SANITARY ENGINEER
www.medinaco.org/sanitary
Community 330-723-9585

Pinwheel SOLID WASTE DISTRICT

http://recyclemedinacounty.com
330-769-0289

Walk TRANSIT
http://medinacountytransit.org
to Prevent Child Abuse 330-723-9670

April 16, 2023 Click here to visit our

1:00 PM to 3:00 PM website with the full
Historic Medina Square
directory of public officials
Registration from 1:00 PM - 1:30 PM at www.medinaco.org
1:00 PM - Family-Friendly Activities Ice Cream
1:45 PM - Opening Remarks Truck
2:15 PM - 1-Mile Walk near Medina Square
2:30 PM - Plant a garden of 595 Pinwheels
at the Medina Library  Super Hero
Characters
Each pinwheel represents a child who had an
investigated case of abuse or neglect in Medina
County during 2022. Meet Cully,
our Canine Advocate
With support from:

and So Much More!

Register online at
www.medinacountychildrenscenter.org
For more information please contact
kminichello@medinacountychildrenscenter.org
or call 330.591.2686

–4–
March 24, 2023
Residents enjoy
outing to Chatham
for annual Pancake
Breakfast
Pancake Breakfast
Twenty-eight residents and
two staff members attended the
Chatham Firemen’s Association
Sugarbush Pancake Breakfast on
Saturday, Feb. 4.
This pancake breakfast has
been held annually for more than
40 years as it’s been passed along
through different organizations.
The maple syrup is produced
locally, and the sausage is an orig-
inal recipe that is made in Akron.
In addition, the whole wheat
used to make the thick, whole-
wheat pancakes is sourced locally
as it’s grown on Arters’ farm and
milled at a mill on Old Mill Road.
Medina County Home residents
have been attending this for many
years. The Firemen’s Association
has always graciously provided
our meals for free. Their generosi-
ty is greatly appreciated.
The residents will talk about the
wonderful food they enjoyed for
days!
Floor Refinishing
Greg Baker from Baker Brother
Floors in Wellington did an amaz-
ing job refinishing the floor in the
sports room — named due to the
sports theme depicted on the walls
and door.
The floor had not seen the light
Medina County Commissioners’ Newsletter
COUNTY HOME
of day in decades. With the re- Thank you Ashly and David!
moval of the carpet and subfloor- Nature Pam
ing, we discovered that the room The residents al-
originally had outlets installed in ways enjoy listening
the floor. to Nature Pam talk
The Maintenance Department about Yellowstone
did an amazing job removing an National Park. Her
outlet that was a potential trip- presentations never
ping hazard and replacing two disappoint. Nature
loose boards. Pam
This presentation
Egg Donation on “Hooves, Paws, and Claws” is
Ashly Davison from the TKO interactive with hands-on exhibits
Farm has generously donated eggs of certain animal hides.
to the Home for several years.
TKO Farm is family owned. She
and her husband are big into 4-H
and teaching their children and
others about raising animals and Employee
caring for the land.
They raise bottle-fed calves un-
til they are fully-grown steers for
Spotlight
meat production.
Chickens, ducks and geese are NATALIE LUKACKO
raised for egg production as well. Records Retention
The TKO Farm makes hay when Document Imaging Technician
the sun shines and grows vegeta- Natalie
bles to feed as many as they can. Lukacko
has worked
for Medi-
na County
for three
years. She
previous-
ly worked
for the Medina County Clerk of
Courts.
According to Natalie, the
Records Retention Department
converts paper archival mate-
rials into digital format for re-
cords retention purposes.
“I enjoy the uniqueness and
challenges of the department,”
Showing Off His says Natalie. “My supervisor,
coworker and I work great to-
Tail Feathers gether as a team to established
Click on the YouTube video screen- the processes for the depart-
shot on the left to watch Monday the
Peacock strutting around and show-
ment.
ing off his beautiful tail feathers for his Outside of work, Natalie en-
gal, Spring. joys attending her son’s wres-
Monday and Spring are the County
tling tournaments, having lunch
Home’s male and female peacocks. dates with her daughter, and
hanging out with her little sister.
–5–
Medina County Commissioners’ Newsletter March 24, 2023

Current Open HUMAN RESOURCES

Positions Featured

Job Openings of
MEDINA
EMPLOYMEN COUNTY
T APPLICA
TION
Please submit
information one applicatio
will n per position
sure to fill out be rejected. It is your to the
all sides of responsibility address indicated on
a governme this form. Also to assure that the
nt agency. please note your applicatio job posting. Applicatio
that this completed n is received ns lacking
Fill in the informati form will become by the closing sufficient
on in the area a public record date. Please
Job Title ________ below: when submitted be
________________ to

Postings current as of March 22, 2023

Department ________________
________________ _______________
________________ FT/PT ________
________________ ________________
____ Deadline Date __
In the area SUMMARY ________________
below, describe OF QUALIFI ___
which you are
applying. Refer
briefly the experienc CATIONS
to the Minimum e, education, training,
Qualifications and other
and any position-s factors that qualify

WE’RE
pecific qualificati you for the
ons posted position for
for this position.

Click on any of the below job titles

the Week
for a full job description.
HIRING!
Last Name PERSONAL
_________ INFORMATION
_________
Home Address _________
_________
_________ ___ First
_________ Name _________
City _________ _________ _________
_________ _________ _________
_________ _________ ___ Middle
_________ _________ Initial _____
Phone: ( ________ ________ _________
_________
) _________ State ________ _________
_________ Zip _________ _________
_________ ______ County ______
Social Security

• Bus Driver (PT) – Transit

_ c Cell
Number Email _________ _________
ccc- c _________
The following
information c- ccc _________
_________
_________
__
will be used
only if it is directly c _________
__
1. Are you related to the
willing and position for
able to secure which you are
2. If the position an Ohio Driver’s applying:
requires travel, License, if a
3. Have you
ever been employed
can you supply license is required? YES NO
your own transporta c
If you are currently in the state tion? . . . . . c
a State employee or county service ..... c
If you answered : Job Title ________ of Ohio? . c
......
“YES” to question ________________ . . . c
#3, please explain ________
c

• Cashier Accounting Clerk (FT) –

fully. Barg. Unit
_______________

Treasurer’s Office
• Cleaning Technician (FT) –
Maintenance
• Cleaning Technician (PT) –
Maintenance
• Clerk (FT) (Republican) – Board of
Elections
• Correction Officer (FT) – Juvenile
Detention Center
• Deputy Clerk (FT) – Common Pleas
Court Probate & Juvenile Divisions
• Deputy Dog Warden (FT) –
Dog Shelter
• Deputy Dog Warden (PT) –
Dog Shelter
• Driver – Meal Delivery (PT) – Office
for Older Adults
• Facilities Technician (FT) –
Maintenance Department
• Food Service Worker (PT) – Office
for Older Adults
• Food Service Worker (PT) –
Wadsworth – Office for Older Adults
• HR Assistant (FT) – Human
Resources Department
• Intake Specialist/Receptionist –
Veterans Service Office
• Kennel Worker (PT) – Dog Shelter
• Laboratory Technician (FT) –
Sanitary Engineers
• Operator (FT) – Solid Waste District
• Park Laborer (FT) – Park District
• PRN LPN (PT) – County Home
• Protective Services Worker 2 (FT)
– Job & Family Services
• Protective Services Worker 2 (FT)
– Job & Family Services
• Resident Care Aide (FT) – County
Home
• Seasonal Steward (PT) – Park
District
• Support Officer 1 (FT) – Job &
Family Services Child Support Division
• Tech Support Level 2 (FT) –
Information Technology
• Wastewater Operator (FT) –
Sanitary Engineers
• Water Operation Specialist (FT) –
Sanitary Engineers
• Water Reclamation Facility Shift
Supervisor (FT) – Sanitary
Engineers
• Water System Computer Operator
(FT) – Sanitary Engineers Office
(FT) = Full-Time • (PT) = Part-Time
FOOD SERVICE WORKER
(PART-TIME) – WADSWORTH
OFFICE FOR OLDER ADULTS
The Medina County Board of Commissioners is seeking a part-time Food
Service Worker for the Office for Older Adults.
Responsibilities: The Food Service Worker works under the direction
of the Kitchen Lead and the Food Operations Supervisor. Responsible
for preparation and serving of meals on-site. Must adhere to food service
practices in compliance with Medina County Health District, Western Reserve
Area Agency on Aging (WRAAA) and Ohio Department of Aging (ODA), and
Medina County Office for Older Adults mandates and directives.
Qualifications: Graduate from high school or equivalent. Must possess and
maintain reliable transportation.
Hours: Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–12 p.m.
Benefits: Retirement Contributions, sick time, paid holidays
Starting Rate: $12.49
Apply at or send resume to:
Medina County Human Resources
144 N Broadway Street, Room 202
Medina, Ohio 44256
Successful candidate must pass both a background check and drug screen
Medina County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
CLEANING TECHNICIAN HIGH SCHO
OL
(PART-TIME & FULL-TIME* DIPLOMA
POSITIONS AVAILABLE) NOT REQUIR
ED!
MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT
Responsibilities: Receives direction from and reports to the Cleaning
Supervisor. Duties include a routine cleaning of all common areas, restrooms,
and office areas. Will include sanitizing of restrooms, vacuum and/or mopping
floors, dusting and/or removing of dirt for surfaces such as furniture, tables,
countertops, and windows. Performing other duties as assigned by Supervisor
or Director.
Qualifications: Experience in cleaning or custodial work preferred. Training
and experience that demonstrate the individual’s possession of knowledge,
skills, and abilities to perform the duties listed above. Possess a valid
Ohio driver’s license with a good driving record. Proof of adequate vehicle
insurance.
Hours: Monday–Friday 4 p.m.–8 p.m., additional hours as needed.
*Full-time position benefits: Medical Insurance, Retirement Contributions,
sick time, paid holidays and vacation earned after 1 year of employment.
Apply at or send application to:
Medina County HR, Attn: CT
144 N. Broadway, Room 202
Medina, OH 44256
Click here
to download an

Click here to visit our

website for any updates:
www.medinaco.org/hr/
Employment Application!
employment/

–6–
March 24, 2023
SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT
Medina County offers invasive species buy-back program
2023 marked the year that it
would be officially illegal to sell,
plant, and grow Callery pear trees
and their many cultivars in the
state of Ohio. But what is the Call-
ery pear (Pyrus calleryana)?
The Callery pear (also known
as Bradford pear) is a tree native
to Asia. These trees were thought
to be sterile. This trait paired with
their spring flowers made them
out to be the “perfect” landscap-
ing tree.
However, due to cross pollina-
tion, this tree soon became high-
ly invasive, escaping from their
planted locations into fields and
other natural areas.
The mass quantities of Callery
pear in natural spaces have creat-
ed food deserts for wildlife, espe-
cially insects, by choking out our
native hardwoods and degrading
the quality of habitat.
In efforts to reduce the spread
of invasive species, the Medina
County Soil & Water Conserva-
tion District (MCSWCD) and the
Medina County Park District will
be hosting workshops and an In-
vasive Species Buy-Back Program.
What is the Medina
County Invasive Species
Buy-Back Program?
This program encourages
homeowners to remove target in-
vasive species which include Call-
ery pear (and its cultivars), bush
honeysuckle, and autumn olive.
In exchange for removing an inva-
sive tree or shrub, you may have
the opportunity to trade it in for a
native tree or shrub to replace it.
It is important to note that resi-
dents should NOT remove trees or
Medina County Commissioners’ Newsletter
by Kellie Docherty
Conservation Educator
shrubs from the “tree lawn” which
is the space between the public
sidewalk and the street/curb. Tree
lawns are managed by the city/
township and should not be al-
tered.
How is the Buy-Back
Program funded?
This program is funded pri-
marily by the Dominion Energy
and Western Reserve Land Con-
servancy’s Ohio Watershed Mini
Grant Program, a yearly grant
program that aims to help fund
projects that help promote and
maintain the health of Ohio’s Wa-
tersheds.
These efforts improve many
watersheds in Medina County,
including the Rocky River Water-
shed. That is why the Rocky Riv-
er Watershed Council chose to
donate funds to help support this
program in addition to the grant.
What is an
invasive species and why is it
important to remove?
An invasive species is a spe-
cies that is not found naturally or
historically in an area and whose
introduction does or is likely to
cause harm to the economy, en-
vironment, and/or human health.
It is important to remove any
invasive species due to their abil-
ity to out-compete native species.
When invasive species take over,
it disrupts food webs. Many native
insects, especially pollinators, rely
on specific plants, also known as
host plants, to lay eggs on and to
eat.
If those native host plants are
choked out by invasive species,
our insect population is negatively
impacted, which will result in oth-
er wildlife populations, and hu-
mans suffering.
Native plants don’t just contrib-
ute to the food chain; they benefit
overall watershed health and wa-
ter quality. The deep complex root
systems of native plants work to
improve infiltration rates of storm-
water runoff, helping to reduce
flooding and erosion.
When native plants increase
water infiltration into the soil, they
help filter pollutants out of our
freshwater resources, resulting in
cleaner streams, ponds, lakes, and
more.
How to stay up to date on
this program:
To stay up to date on upcom-
ing workshops and the start
of the buy-back program, visit
medinaswcd.org. There you will
find important program dates,
including when to remove your
species and how to register your
cut down invasive in order to get
the opportunity to trade it in for a
native alternative.
If you have any questions about
the program, contact Kellie Do-
cherty at MCSWCD by emailing
kdocherty@medinaco.org. For
more information, visit https://me-
dinaswcd.org/callery-pear/.

CONTACT US
Office: 330-722-9208
Medina County Commissioners
Toll Free: 844-722-3800
144 North Broadway St., Room 201,
Clerk: Rhonda Beck,
Medina, Ohio 44256 rbeck@ohmedinaco.org

Commissioner Meetings are held every

Tuesday morning at 9:30 a.m.
Please join us at:
www.facebook.com/MedinaCountyCommissioners
To be added to our mailing list, please contact Public Information Officer Brian Gallatin
at bgallatin@ohmedinaco.org, or visit our website at www.medinaco.org/newsletter-sign-up/

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