Left to right: Dee Belew, Board Chair; Mike Blakeman, Vice Chair; Mary Slingluff, Secretary; Mike Henry, Fiscal Agent; and Ken Folsom, Treasurer
The Board of Supervisors of the Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District would like to cordially invite the public to help celebrate their 70th anniversary in conservation while also voting for the next board supervisor.
The dinner meeting is slated for Thursday, November 6, at the Geauga County Fairgrounds School Building, 14373 N. Cheshire Road in Burton. Registration and the election of one board supervisor will be from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. only. Dinner will be served promptly at 7:00 p.m. Candidates include Robert J. Rogish, Jr. and Mary Slingluff.
Robert J. Rogish, Jr.
Bob Rogish is a lifelong Geauga County resident. He grew up in Munson Township and currently lives in Chardon Township with his wife Amy. They are excited to move to a recently purchased farm in Chester Township in the coming year. Bob is employed by Patterson Farms and takes part in the daily operations of Patterson Fruit Farm. He and his wife also own and operate Tannenbaums, a fresh cut Christmas Tree business in Chester.
Bob served 8 years on the Geauga County Fair Board with positions of director, vice president, and president, and was a founding member of the Great Geauga County Fair Foundation. He is a volunteer for the Geauga County Maple Festival and the Geauga Park District, is a member of Geauga County Farm Bureau, and a 2007 graduate of Leadership Geauga.
As graduate of Chardon High School and Auburn Career Center studying horticultural science, Bob attended Ohio State University’s Agricultural Technical Institute and studied crop services. His hobbies include farming, maple syrup, snowmobiling, and motorcycling. Bob is excited to run for the board as another way for him to give back to the community and the county that he has called home for the past 35 years.
Mary Slingluff
Mary is a Chester Township resident and lives with her husband Jody. They have four children. She has actively served on the Board of Supervisors since 2009 and is currently the secretary.
As owner of Avalon Gardens Nursery in Munson for the past seventeen years, Mary has created this full service nursery and charming Bed and Breakfast as a sustainable green business. Avalon Gardens specializes in sustainable landscape design, specialty gardens, and above all, native plants! Mary organically grows, sells, and landscapes with native plants and uses her knowledge and passion to teach the value of native plants to our ecosystems.
In addition to running her business, Mary also supports the Master Gardener plant sale, hosts many garden clubs, presents education programs, and volunteers at the soup kitchen at the Salvation Army in Collinwood. Her hobbies include skiing, biking, hiking, and walking her dogs.
Mary holds a biology degree from Allegheny College. Her active involvement with the District’s programs and education initiatives demonstrates her commitment to preserving and protecting Geauga County’s natural resources. She especially enjoys being on the board and working with the amazing group of engineers, master gardeners, environmental scientists, and educators at the District to serve the people of Geauga County.
You may stop by to vote even if you are not able to stay for the meeting. All voters must be at least 18 years of age the night of the election and must reside or own land within Geauga County. Anyone wishing to vote who cannot attend the meeting may do so by making a request for an absentee voting ballot. Ballot request forms can be obtained at the Geauga SWCD office, on the website www.geaugaswcd.com, or by calling 440-834-1122.
Don’t miss this annual event filled with unique raffle items, delicious food, entertainment, conservation awards, 2014 District highlights, and a special presentation. The cost is $10.00 per person and the deadline for reservations is October 29. Visit our website or call the office at (440)834-1122 for more information.
