I’m supporting Dr. Amy Acton and David Pepper  for Governor and Lieutenant Governor because I’ve seen how she listens, how she leads, and how she works. I’ve met Amy three times, and each time she took the time to listen, to me, and to residents of Russell Township. Not in a performative way. Not to check a box. She listened the way effective leaders do with curiosity, respect, and a genuine interest in understanding what people are experiencing on the ground. Dr. Amy Acton,

Yesterday, driving home from the township offices, I turned into my subdivision and immediately knew something was wrong. A car sat awkwardly in the ditch. Both driver-side wheels were buried deep, and the passenger-side tires were spinning uselessly on a snow-packed road. Winter had won this round. I pulled over and checked on my elderly neighbor. She was okay physically, but understandably shaken. She’d left her phone at home, and thanks to modern technology doing what it d

Tomorrow marks three weeks since my term began as a Russell Township Trustee. That feels both very short and… not short at all. If you’re imagining ribbon cuttings, dramatic votes, or sweeping changes in that time, I’ll gently disappoint you. The first three weeks haven’t been flashy. They’ve been quiet, deliberate, and full of reading. Lots and lots of reading. And honestly? That’s exactly how I hoped they would start. What the Job Actually Looks Like (So Far) A big part of

My Oath of Office administered by Justice William O'Neill, Retired, Supreme Court of Ohio, on December 7, 2025 I thought it was fitting to share this with you today, as I head into my first Trustee meeting of the term. Thank you again, Russell.

Last month, I did an interview with the Buckeye Flame , an Ohio-based outlet that covers LGBTQ issues across the state. I didn’t seek out the interview. A co-worker forwarded them the news of my election shortly after the results were finalized in early November. I waited until early December to respond, figuring a little distance from the election felt appropriate. Westwoods Park in Russell Township on a fall day. I spent about 30 minutes over my lunch break talking with the

As we begin 2026 and my term as Russell Township Trustee starts just as the Popcorn Ball drops in nearby Chagrin Falls. I want to take a moment to discuss this blog and how it will function going forward. Since the election, many of you may have noticed a gradual shift in tone here. That change has been intentional, and it will continue. During the campaign, this space naturally included more opinion and commentary. Campaigns are about ideas and advocacy. Governing is differe

If you live in the Hemlock Hills subdivision, you might have noticed it already. The equipment. The dumpsters. The unmistakable signs that a long-standing problem is finally being addressed. Demolition has officially started on the collapsed property on Ridgewood. I’ve received several texts this morning thanking me for “getting this done,” and I want to be very clear: the credit for closing this chapter belongs to the current Township Trustees , our Fiscal Officer , the Zoni

At this week’s trustees meeting, a moment was taken by Financial Officer Karen Walder to recognize something that is easy to overlook because it happened so steadily, so reliably, and for so long: Jim Mueller’s fifty years of public service to Ohio, Geauga County, and Russell Township. Fifty years. That is not a typo. That is a lifetime of meetings, phone calls, site visits, budgets, policies, quiet decisions, campaigning, and some long nights when public service asked more t

As the year winds down and the holiday season settles in, I’ve been spending more time reflecting and preparing than celebrating. Running for township trustee and being entrusted with the opportunity to serve has been one of the most humbling experiences of my life. I’m deeply grateful to everyone who took the time to talk with me, challenge me, support me, and ultimately place their trust in me. That trust is something I don’t take lightly. The past few weeks have also been

Since the election, many residents have asked a simple and fair question: what have you been doing to get ready? I appreciate that question, because local government works best when preparation, transparency, and communication go hand in hand. I wanted to take a moment to share what the transition from trustee‑elect to trustee has looked like for me, and how I am approaching January 1 with both excitement and respect for the responsibility ahead. Learning First—Because This

November 5, 2025 — Russell Township I want to begin by sincerely thanking the residents of Russell Township for entrusting me with the opportunity to serve as your Trustee. Your confidence means a great deal, and I will continue to advocate for the same policies and principles that guided my campaign—transparency, fiscal responsibility, revitalizing blighted properties, and providing relief to seniors through the Homestead Credit. Yesterday was a long but fulfilling day. I ar

This campaign has been an incredible journey — challenging, humbling, and inspiring all at once. Over the past several months, I’ve learned firsthand just how hard it is to run for local office. It takes grit, long days, and a thick skin. I’ve received more support than I ever imagined — and, unfortunately, a few death threats that reminded me how divided the world can feel. But I’ve chosen to rise above it. My focus has always been on building something better, not tearing o

Saturday, November 1, 2025 🕊️ Thank you, Russell As we head into the final weekend before Election Day, I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to read, share, and talk over these issues and posts the past two months. When I started this blog, I wanted a place to help our community stay informed about what’s happening in Russell and hear from me directly approaching Election Day, from local taxes and township decisions to eyesore properties, infrastructure, and senio

Every election season, it seems like a few self-appointed experts pop up in local comment threads armed with memes, partisan talking points, and a lot of misplaced confidence. I’ve read your comments about my proposal based on House Bill 96  and our proposed senior property-tax credit , and I get it — tax policy sounds like politics. But this isn’t about ideology. It’s about math, compassion, and fiscal responsibility. But hey I get it, you were told by someone that compassio

Last night, I repeated a line several times during conversations with voters from across Geauga County: “I firmly believe that if you worked hard and paid off your home, you should not be taxed out of it. I want our seniors who have built our community to be able to age in place, in their home.” That’s not just a talking point for me — it’s a value. I spoke with a senior couple who shared their growing frustration with rising property values, increasing assessments, and the n

During the October 16 Trustee meeting, there was some encouraging early discussion regarding senior tax relief under Ohio House Bill 96. Based on those conversations, it appears that my initial tax proposal estimates are in line with the township’s preliminary figures . That’s good news — it means the relief framework I outlined is both realistic and financially responsible and could provide up to an additional 2.5% in relief using the Homestead Credit for seniors who qualify

When your local government makes major public safety decisions, you should be able to trust that the process is careful , transparent , and fiscally responsible . But earlier this month, the Russell Township Board of Trustees pushed out a fire/EMS service quote to South Russell Village in just five days  — a process that should take four to eight weeks . That’s not responsiveness. That’s recklessness. And as someone running for trustee and former volunteer firefighter, I beli

When I moved to Russell, I was immediately struck by the area's natural beauty. Whether I’m walking the dog through our neighborhood, hiking the trails at Westwood Park, or simply driving through the township, I’m constantly reminded of how special this community is. But over time, I began to notice something troubling—several homes and properties scattered throughout the township that were clearly vacant and left to decay. One property in particular caught my attention: the

When I made the decision to run for Trustee, it wasn’t out of ambition for a title or a seat at the table. It was because I believe I can make a meaningful difference in the community my family and I call home. I bring a combination of professional qualifications, personal experience, and a deep sense of responsibility to help our township thrive. A Foundation of Listening and Leadership I hold both an MBA and a master’s degree in counseling. My professional work centers on l

Russell Township IT Issue Summary & Timeline ✍️ \ By Amy Heutmaker & John Ishee – Candidates for Russell Township Trustee Clarification on the IT Incident This was not  a hack. The issue was a preventable internal error that occurred during an upgrade of the Russell Police Department’s mobile computers. I want to thank Chief Tom Swainder for taking the time to explain the situation to me today. After speaking with him, I am confident in his account, as well as the Trustees’ e