Rensel for South Russell Council

My 30 years of experience in medicine has greatly prepared me for the Village Council role in that I am an expert in caring for others.

Copies of Letter to the Editor re- Rensel for Council;

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Dr. Mary Rensel for South Russell Village Council

I’m writing to voice my strong support for Dr. Mary Rensel for South Russell Village Council.

I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Mary personally – as a friend – and working closely with her through volunteer efforts, especially with the Chagrin Falls Education Foundation. She’s dedicated, thoughtful, and tireless in her work to make our schools — and our community — the best they can be. She’s also a devoted mom of four amazing kids, and someone who leads by example, with energy and heart.

Mary is running on a platform of Safer South Russell, focused on three things that really matter: walkability, emergency services, and smart fiscal planning. These aren’t just buzzwords — they’re essential to the safety and future of our village.

South Russell deserves leadership that is proactive, informed and focused on solutions. Mary is looking ahead. Ohio’s tax structure is changing, and small towns like ours face real fiscal challenges. Mary wants to preserve the character of South Russell while preparing us for an uncertain future — with strong planning, innovation, and a focus on community health and safety.

I know Mary to be trustworthy, smart, and deeply committed to South Russell. I trust her judgment, and I know she’ll show up and do the work. Please join me in voting for Dr. Mary Rensel for Village Council this November.

Sincerely,

Meg Nachtwey

South Russell Resident

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To the Editor,

I am writing this letter to express my strong support for Dr. Mary Rensel for Village
Council in South Russell Village. Mary is an extremely committed, sincere and capable
person and has been involved with numerous local organizations and events. These
include serving on the Chagrin Falls Education Foundation for ten years, Girl Scout
leader, Fundraisers, Chagrin Art Festival and the Chagrin International Film Festival.
As a neurologist at the Cleveland Clinic treating MS, she also has the experience of
serving on several national boards and committees to advocate for people living with
MS.
Some of Mary’s key campaign issues include safer South Russell walkability and
balancing the increasing cost of EMS services with quality services. I know that a lot of
residents would love to have better accessibility to walk into town or walk to the park. It
would be wonderful to see a safer path along Bell Street. With available Grant money
this is something that could be done.
As a resident having access to quality EMS services close to home is vital. This is
something that needs careful and knowledgeable consideration when procuring EMS
services and should not be a last-minute issue to be solved. I feel confident that with
Mary’s background and experience she will be diligent in finding solutions to these
issues that will enhance the health and safety of our community.
I think Dr. Mary Rensel would be a wonderful voice for the residents of South Russell
Village. She has a deep understanding of the local issues and the ability to bring
thoughtful and practical solutions to matters currently facing our community. I urge my
fellow South Russell residents to join me in voting for Dr. Mary Rensel.

Sincerely,
Teresa Edmonds
South Russell, OH 44022

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Dear Editor,
I am writing this letter as a personal recommendation to South Russell citizens to consider
voting for Mary Rensel, MD for Village Council on November 4, 2025. I have known Mary for
more than 15 years as a personal friend, and we’ve worked together on many family activities,
not the least being raising our children together through the Chagrin Schools system. It really
does take a village!
Professionally, I’ve known Mary to be a life-long learner, joiner and doer. I’ve always
appreciated how she applies her clinical and medical research training and teaching, and
volunteering backgrounds to look for ways to collaboratively and transparently find innovative
solutions to professional or personal challenges. I am sure Mary will bring the same strengths
to the South Russell Village Council. As she dives into the start of her Council role, Mary plans
to address safe walkability, preserving quality EMS systems, and addressing the future fiscal
risks to small Ohio towns and village like South Russell. Village Council needs to be responsible
to our citizens by building local strength and resilience through health, innovation, quality and
affordable village services, and transparent dialogue about possible changes to Ohio’s taxing
structure.
Please join me in voting for Mary Rensel MD for Village Council on November 4 th !

Peter Young

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I am reaching out to ask if you would write a Letter to the Editor about Mary Rensel's South Russell Council Campaign

This needs to be submitted by 10/15/25

Basic suggestions for a Letter to the Editor;

Must be original, please include name, address, daytime phone #, 400 words or less. (see below for more details and advice for each newspaper)

My 3 topics of my campaign;

Safer South Russell

1. Safe Walkability

2. Safe Ambulance service

3. Safe Ohio property tax preparation

What community challenges will I address?

The challenges I will address are improving safe walkability, preserving quality emergency services and addressing future fiscal risks to small Ohio towns. Residents of all ages and our local businesses can benefit from enhanced safe transport connecting our community. EMS costs are rising and finding the highest quality services for all our residents is vital. We would like to prepare for the uncertain future by preserving the character of our village while enhancing the safety and health of the community. We need to responsibly build local resilience through health, innovation, quality EMS and preparing for possible changes to Ohio tax structure. As a member of the Village Council, I will collaborate to support our SR community. See the recent article where the Mayor of South Russell stated he did not do his "homework" in regards to ambulance contracting and is now in a "crisis" per other council members.

News article here:https://www.geaugamapleleaf.co...

Bio

Mary Rensel, MD FAAN

Mom of 4, wife of Bob Kosmides, a fellow Cleveland Clinic Neurologist

Neuroimmunologist x 30 years at Cleveland Clinic

Associate Professor of Neurology of Case Western Reserve University

Resident of South Russell x 26 years

Dr. Mary Rensel's Personal Story:

Dr. Mary Rensel grew up nearby in Mayfield Village. She graduated from Gannon University and earned her MD from the Medical College of Ohio. She returned to the Cleveland area and completed her Neurology and Neuroimmunology training at the Cleveland Clinic. She began her career at Cleveland Clinic in the 1990s, and continues her clinical and research in Neuroimmunology over 30 years later. She is an associate professor of Neurology at Case Western Reserve University. She has published multiple papers, lectured, taught, and shared her clinical expertise. In 2019, she began a new chapter of her life as a business founder for a company which provides mentoring for women in medicine as well as national and global speaking and career coaching.

She has always looked for ways to collaboratively find innovative solutions and help others grow professionally. She has served as President of the Women's Professional Staff Association at the Cleveland Clinic. She earned the St Francis of Assisi Alumni award for her distinguished medical career. She has served the Chagrin school system in many roles; Chagrin Falls Education Foundation for 10 years, Girl Scout leader to 3 troops for each of her daughters and as room mom or holiday volunteer in the classroom. One of her favorite South Russell memories is organizing a “Kick it” event with other moms of the class of 2023 to memorialize a fellow classmate that passed, James Edmonds. When she called South Russell to reserve the park for a kick ball game for the class of 2023, she was told the event would need to be bigger as more community members would want to be a part of showing the Edmonds family support at this most difficult time. The event was dramatically enlarged to include all of the Chagrin kids and held at Gurney and the day ended in a double rainbow. This event has now moved to an annual holiday toy drive in his honor run by his 2023 classmates. She has served locally for her favorite organizations: the Chagrin Art Festival and Chagrin Documentary Film Festival. She has served on her neighborhood social committee over the years, helping build a cohesive neighborhood community. She has spent her time on local, state and national level committees and boards. She currently serves on the National Multiple Sclerosis (NMSS) Society Ohio Board and recently completed her term on the American Academy of Neurology Advocacy committee where she has enjoyed years of advocating in DC for patients living with MS.

She is married to Bob Kosmides, also a Cleveland Clinic neurologist, and has raised 4 kids, Tessa, Sophia, Elise and James, in South Russell since 2000. She is known to spend her time travelling, walking in South Russell park with her dog, Leo, golfing or planning fun craft parties.

Dr. Mary Rensel and Ms. Misha Alexander Joint Story:

Dr. Mary Rensel and Misha Alexander share a love of walking in South Russell for exercise and a way to relax after work. They agreed that the streets of South Russell make it difficult to go for a good long walk. There are neighborhood streets with less traffic but it is hard to get to the park or connect to another neighborhood from all areas of South Russell. They learned of a passionate group of more than 60 South Russell residents also interested in safer travel in South Russell. This group was looking into how we can use our current grant money to help build a safer trail along Bell Rd. We learned that Pepper Pike had surveyed their residents and found over 65% were interested in safer walking. As a result, they are building more sidewalks to their residents' delight. The South Russell group also surveyed residents and similarly over 65% were interested in safer walking or bike paths. Misha and Mary decided to run for South Russell Council so they can focus on the health and safety of the SR community. Recently, they were walking and a 9 year old was riding his bike down Bell Rd. As a neurologist, Mary was very glad he did have a helmet on. However, there was only 41 inches of the shoulder of Bell Rd to keep him safe. Soon, a truck sped by, nearly touching the boy. Thankfully, he was okay. But it isn’t hard to imagine that small shoulder failing to keep a young child on a bike safe. The Ohio Department of Transportation recommends a 5 foot wide trail for safety. We are a caring community here in SR and we do not want to wait for a tragedy to strike before we use our current grant funding for this community improvement.

Mary and Misha also learned of the recent increasing cost of Fire and EMS and the possible need to recontract with a neighboring Fire or EMS service and will focus on quality services while acting fiscally responsible. We live centrally to 3 possible EMS services, Bainbridge, Russell and Chagrin Valley are all within 2.3-2.6 miles from town hall. They also kept informed on the state and local issue of property tax reform. There is a regional group that would like Ohio to abolish all property taxes. At first, this sounds great. But, how would schools be funded as 70% of property taxes tend to be used for school funding? Large property tax assessments are a risk for homeownership so we will need to work collaboratively and work with our local and state legislators to find what is best for SR. We need to be sure we are fiscally responsible for our community today and for our kids' future. Mary and Misha believe in preservation of the country feel of South Russell while using resources to boost the health and safety of all residents, from our youngest to oldest neighbors. So they decided to take action for their community and are running for South Russell Council, please remember them on election day.

Rensel's Answers to Frequently Asked Questions:

Education

Dr. Rensel grew up in Mayfield Village and has a MD in Neurology and Neuroimmunology from the Medical College of Ohio and Cleveland Clinic.

Experience

Dr. Rensel is a doctor at the Cleveland Clinic for over 30 years. She shares her knowledge through national lectures, national committees and state boards. She is a business founder who mentors women in medicine and promotes neuroscience career coaching.

Volunteer/Community Service

Dr. Rensel’s volunteer experience includes: Southwyck Social Group, Girl Scouts, Chagrin Falls Education Foundation, MS Society Board, and Academy of Neurology Advocacy Committee.

Please describe the role of this office and share why you are the best person to fill this role.

My 30 years of experience in medicine has greatly prepared me for the Village Council role in that I am an expert in caring for both individuals and communities. I have seen that caring with connection, research and resources improves quality of life. The council adopts village ordinances and reviews active issues while focusing on the South Russell (SR) mission; providing a high level of essential services and planning for future needs while preserving the character of the village and promoting an attitude of professionalism and impartiality in a fiscally responsible manner. As a grateful 26-year resident of SR, I seek to enhance its safety and health while avoiding complacency. I have experience with medicine, business, national service and understand the importance of professionalism to optimize the community.

What community challenges do you hope to address?

The challenges I will address are improving safe walkability, preserving quality emergency services and addressing future fiscal risks to small Ohio towns. Residents of all ages and our local businesses can benefit from enhanced safe transport connecting our community. EMS costs are rising and finding the highest quality services for all our residents is vital. We would like to prepare for the uncertain future by preserving the character of our village while enhancing the safety and health of the community. We need to responsibly build local resilience through health, innovation, quality EMS and preparing for possible changes to Ohio tax structure. As a member of the Village Council, I will collaborate to support our SR community.

How will you ensure that residents are informed and engaged with issues of concern to the village?

I will inform and engage the residents through multiple channels including social media and email updates. After talking with a range of SR residents, I learned that some are not aware of the grant funding for a possible trail to enhance the safety of the community as well as EMS costs. This includes the options that neighboring towns have taken to enhance walkability and EMS services. We can learn from how our neighbors addressed these shared concerns. I recognize that people are busy, it is hard to keep up with local issues unless they are urgent or a tragedy has happened. But, we do not want to wait for a tragedy to take action on our Village safety. The time is now. (

Why are you seeking this position?

I am grateful for this community where my husband and I raised our 4 children over the last 26 years. I appreciate the council’s hard work, especially the South Russell (SR) Park partnership with the nature conservancy. Even with all that I appreciate, there is a risk of complacency. People are busy, but that shouldn’t stop us from keeping our eye on our community. There are active issues to focus on: a grant-funded trail to enhance the safety of residents, quality EMS services, and fiscal preparedness for possible Ohio tax changes that could have a devastating effect on our budget.

If elected to this position, what would be your top priorities?

My top priorities are improving safe walkability, preserving quality emergency services and addressing future fiscal risks to small Ohio towns. All age residents and local businesses can benefit from enhanced safe transport. Solutions are possible for the good of the community. Optimizing grant funded projects will be key to achieving this. EMS costs are rising and finding the highest quality services for all our residents is vital. We would like to prepare for the uncertain future by preserving the character of our village while enhancing the safety and health of the community.

What project(s) would you like to see the Village government accomplish over the next four

years?

I would like to accomplish Phase 1 of the grant-funded Bell Road trail project and implement quality EMS services. Enhancing our safe walking plan would boost our quality of life and avoid possible tragedies. We have already seen that a high level of residents support this project in a recent survey. Also, we would like to focus on achieving the highest quality, while being fiscally responsible, for our EMS service. Neighboring towns have found reasonable, high quality solutions to their EMS challenges. We need to work together and use best practices to serve the health of our residents. 598

A significant amount of your time will be allocated to village council responsibilities, such as

planning, zoning budgeting, re-zoning, land use, economic development, labor negotiations

and audit review. What prior experience do you have with the above? Do you feel a council

members can “learn on the job”?

I will use my experience gained as a physician and volunteer to actively listen, learn, and grow in this role. Medicine requires good listening, empathy and data review as well as building best practices. These skills will allow me to work with the entire Village Council to address the needs of the community. Also, I have served on the Chagrin Falls Educational Foundation for 10 years. This built my knowledge of the inner workings of the school system. I also have experience on state level boards and national committees. I do think we all “learn on the job”, that keeps our lives exciting.

Some entities have adjusted zoning to increase business and development, while others have

worked to protect and preserve undeveloped land. What is your vision for zoning and

developing in your village? Do you feel changes should be made to zoning laws or policies?

If yes, how so?

The South Russell (SR) mission; will guide the zoning decisions. South Russell has maintained a balance between its rural character and business development. The safer walkability will enhance access to our businesses. We collaboratively balance the health and wellness of the community with the business community guided by the SR mission, this will build a vital community.

Some entities have merged Police/and/or Fire/EMS services with neighboring communities or

the county, while others remain independent. What do you feel is the best approach?

Should changes be made in your village?

Our Fire and EMS services are vital. SR has used innovative solutions to build high-quality Fire/EMS services. Now, we are in a position to rethink our choices due to rising costs. We never want to wait for a tragedy, such as a long response time, to rethink our services. We need to consider both quality and fiscal demands. We can learn from local best practices in neighboring communities that have merged services and determine the best next steps for SR. We have EMS contracting options as we live centrally to multiple EMS services such as Chagrin Falls, Bainbridge and Russell. 591

There have been movements both on the local and state level for property tax reform and

relief. Do you believe property taxes need reform? If so, what would you do, as a council

member, to provide property tax relief to residents/or work with legislators on reform?

Collaborative planning for property tax changes is needed due to the possibility of property tax reform in Ohio. South Russell has decreased property taxes for the past 2 years due to the recent high tax appraisals from 2023. We need to act on a fiscally responsible, balanced plan. We will inform our legislators of our residents' needs and realities. We value quality education, health and fiscal responsibility. Property taxes support Chagrin Schools and therefore our future. Staying informed and navigating the future upcoming challenges is needed as change is the only consistency.

Reach out with questions. I so appreciate your time involved in writing this letter to the editor.

RenselandAlexanderforCouncil@gmail.com

Check out Rensel and Alexander's YT Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@Alexa...

How to submit a letter to the Editor

1. Chagrin Valley Times- Must be original, please include name, address, daytime phone #, 400 words or less. mail to: editor@chagrinvalleytimes.com Chagrin Valley Times & The Geauga Times Courier P.O. Box 150, Chagrin Falls, OH 44022 Phone: 440-247-5335 Fax: 440-247-5615 > Publishes weekly

2. Maple Leaf: Geauga P.O. Box 1166, Chardon, OH 44024 editor@geaugamapleleaf.com Phone: 440-285-2013 Fax: 440-285-2015 > Publishes weekly > 500 words or fewer

3. New Herald : 7085 Mentor Avenue, Willoughby, OH 44094 comment@news-herald.com Phone: 440-951-0000 or 1-800-947-2737 Ext. 5 Fax: 440-975-2293 > Publishes daily > 300 words or fewer

Guidelines for Letters to Editors

Letters should be original, double-spaced and succinct, and must include the author’s full name, mailing address, city of residency, agency (if relevant), daytime phone number and email address. (Mailing addresses, phone numbers and email addresses will not be printed, but may be used to verify authorship before printing.) Letters may be edited for length or legal concerns, and will not be accepted if they thank lists of people or businesses, or may be rejected outright at the editor’s discretion. If possible, please type your letter when mailing or faxing.

Letters may be sent to:

Tips for Letters to Editors

The letters section is one of the most frequently read segments of newspapers. Letters to the editor are an easy and effective way to voice your opinion to policy makers, corporations and the general public. \

You can use letters to correct or interpret facts in response to inaccuracies, or to bring attention to your feelings and opinions. Keep it simple Keep your points short and clear, and stick to one subject. If you focus on one specific issue, you’ll already have an edge on the writer who thinks they will be able to fill up their letter with a laundry list of details. Also, stick to commonly used terms and avoid jargon.

Keep it short Make your first sentence short, compelling and catchy. Be direct and engaging. Try to hold each sentence to a minimum of 20 words. For maximum readership, your whole letter best not exceed 150 words, whatever the paper’s maximum length policy. No more than four paragraphs total; two is best. Get personal Newspapers, at their core, are community entities. Editors will be much more likely to publish a letter, and the letter will have much more impact, if it demonstrates local relevance. The tips below are especially relevant if you are submitting a letter to the editor to your local paper.  Speak on points of local relevance. For example, write a letter focusing on the preservation mission of Geauga Park District and its environmental benefits to that paper’s focal readership.  Tell personal stories. For example, if you or someone in your family has had a positive experience in your parks, or in an exchange with Park District staff, talk about that experience.  Use your credentials. If you have expertise in the area you are writing about, say so.

Thank you for considering submitting a letter to the editor prior to 10/10. This will help others stay aware of the current South Russell candidates and encourage voting for an engaged democracy.

Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.

Mary Rensel, MD FAAN