A Note on This Blog and the Road Ahead

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 different. Once elected, the responsibility shifts from persuading to serving, and from offering opinions to providing clear, accurate information.

As a Township Trustee, I am bound by Ohio’s Sunshine Laws and the Ohio Revised Code.

That means I cannot discuss, speculate on, or offer opinions about matters that may come before the Board outside of properly noticed public meetings. This isn’t about being evasive; it’s about complying with the law and respecting the process that protects transparency and fairness in local government.

As a result, this blog will focus on sharing information: township updates, explanations of how local government works, what the Board is addressing procedurally, and what residents should know or expect. The goal is clarity, transparency, and usefulness—not commentary on issues that belong in public meetings.

This doesn’t mean I care any less or think any less critically about our community. It means I am honoring the role and the legal and ethical responsibilities that come with it. Good local government works best when residents understand how decisions are made, where to find information, and how to participate appropriately.

It’s also important to note what this blog is not. It is not official township communication, nor does it replace public meetings, agendas, or formal notices. It is a companion space meant to help residents stay informed and engaged.

If future posts feel less sharp and more straightforward, that’s by design. It reflects the work of governance and the responsibility to do it openly and by the book.

Thank you for reading, for staying engaged, and for holding local government to a high standard.