Chardon: So Far No Big Snow Challenge

By Mike O'Mara
Channel 3 News Reporter

CHARDON -- For the community in the heart of Ohio's snow belt, residents in Chardon never get excited about a couple inches of snow. It takes a couple of feet of precipitation for folks to get excited.

So far, this has been a remarkably mild winter. Just a few weeks ago there was green grass everywhere.

Chardon City Manager David Lelko was amazed at how well the city budget was faring with minimal salt and overtime expenses.

Lelko said, "We had roughly 28 inches of snow last November. Right now, almost nothing. It's great for our budget."

Today, with the Chardon snowplows off the road early, mechanics began to do surgery on the rigs that needed repair. Many of the drivers were actually hoping for a really big snow event.
Driver David Lewanski said, "It's fine with me, I'd rather it snow. We would rather be out there. I've been doing it for many many years."

In town, many residents are starting to wonder if the Grinch stole winter weather this year. John Sylak looked around the Chardon square and said, "It is kind of weird, it's very unusual."

Teacher Carla Fletcher, said, "I only want a couple of big snows so we can have a few days off from school."

Lelko said, "As far as snow goes and that part of our budget, we're in good shape. But January could be a whole different picture."

In Chardon, it's not a question of "if" the snow will fly.

Residents know that blizzards and white-outs happen here well into March and April. They didn't get the title "Ohio's Snow Capital" without plenty of shoveling.