These are the minutes from a very interesting meeting of the township trustees.

Regular Meeting
Monday, October 16, 2017

Meeting called to order: 6:00 p.m. followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Members Present: Trustee Lynda Bowers, Trustee Michael Costello, Trustee Martin Warchola,
Fiscal Officer Shirley Bailey.
Trustees approved going out of order on the agenda. Ms. Bowers announced judicial candidate,
Mr. Gary Werner is present this evening and wishes to speak briefly. Mr. Werner introduced
himself as the republican candidate for the Medina Municipal Court Judge position. Mr. Werner
encouraged everyone to review the Medina Municipal Judge candidates in order to prepare for the
upcoming election. He left a handout for anyone interested in obtaining more information about
him and encouraged the voters to reach out to him with any questions or requests for additional
information.
Ms. Bowers announced on Election Day, Tuesday, November 7, 2017, the trustees will be having
an open house which will be published as a special meeting. The trustees will be available in the
service department bays to discuss any resident questions, concerns, etc.
Mr. Costello moved to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of September 18, 2017 and
Special Meeting of October 3, 2017. Mr. Warchola seconded the motion. All voting in favor.
Financial Report: Ms. Bailey reported:
Fund Balance: $2,178,450.33
Pooled Investments: $2,152,836.71
Available Checking Balance: $25,613.62
Ms. Bailey provided copies of the certificate for the Amounts & Rates to the trustees and
requested approval.
Resolution 22-2017 Mr. Warchola made a motion to approve a resolution accepting the
Amounts and Rates as determined by the budget commission authorizing the necessary tax
levies and certifying them to the county auditor. There were no changes made on the
Lafayette effective rates. Mr. Costello seconded the motion. All voting in favor.
Police:
Deputy Harhay reported 429 calls in Lafayette Township for the month of September with an
additional 70 calls to the Village of Chippewa Lake. He gave a brief breakdown of the nature of
the calls.
Deputy Harhay confirmed Lafayette Township trick or treating will take place on Tuesday,
October 31st 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and the Village of Chippewa Lake’s trick or treat hours 6:00 p.m. to
7:30 p.m. He ensured they will be patrolling the neighborhoods. Deputy Harhay also confirmed

one police cruiser be present at the Halloween Event on Saturday, October 28, 2017 from
11:45a.m. to 2:00p.m.
Service Department Report:
Mr. Evans reported:
 Mr. Evans announced that Westfield township has agreed to share half of the cost of the gas
powered sign post driver ($2313.00) from Readi Driver
 A majority of the signs throughout the township have been replaced with the mandatory Retroreflectivity signs. Most of Chippewa Lake’s signs have been replaced. Mr. Evans requested a letter
drafted by Mr. Thorne be sent to Chippewa Lake regarding the non-compliant signs that are not the
retro-reflectivity signs.
 Mowing of the complex, Lions and Tech parks, cemeteries, and township property’s has resumed
because the grass is once again growing due to the recent rain
 An Egypt Road resident called in and voiced concerned that work was going to potentially take
place on her property. It was confirmed the work was going to be performed by Aspire Energy and
would take place within the townships 30 foot road right of way. Mr. Costello and Mr. Evans
addressed the residents’ concerns.
 PERRP, Public Employee Risk Reduction Program was here on October 10th and performed an
inspection
 One of the warnings received from PERRP is the old grass hopper mower does not meet OHSA
safety requirements and is no longer complaint. The trustees agreed to have the mower taken out of
service immediately and consider placing in the city auction and will budget appropriately for a
replacement in 2018
 Fencing and vehicle impact protection has been installed around the fuel tank on the complex in
order to be complaint with OSHA regulations along with a new fire extinguisher housed inside a
cabinet with the new emergency shut off sign hung
 Mr. Evans stated that PERRP recommends a hazard cabinet be purchased to store any flammable,
combustible, hazardous materials at a cost of approximately $1000 to $1500.00 and recommends
purchasing a size that would accommodate future growth. Chief Hall recommends having the
cabinets in the fire stations as well
 Replaced the outdoor light with weather proof cover over the truck bay due to rusting
 Cleaned gutters on service and administration buildings
 Weeding flower beds on the complex and at the commons
 Mr. Evans has received one quote back out of four for the replacement of the missing siding on the
dug-outs and concession stand and a quote for replacement windows in the administration building
and requests budgeting
 Mr. Evans reminded the trustees of the meeting at Waltz Church regarding the cemetery project on
October 18th at 10:00 am. Ms. Bowers will attend
 Mr. Evans explained the cross at St. Paul’s Church in Medina is a columbarium, not a community
cremains burial. He passed out a handout with the columbarium information of where St. Paul’s
purchased their cross
 Mr. Evans has secured a hay wagon for the Halloween event. Tim Holzman has offered his tractor
and volunteered his time to drive the wagon again this year. The hayride this year will be held
around the baseball fields here on the complex for safety reasons

Mr. Costello stated Mr. Evans has performed a fair amount of work to address the corrections required as a
result of the PERRP inspection but there is still some additional work needing completed.
Fire Department Report:
Chief Hall reported a total of 48 runs for the month September (7-Fire, 34-EMS to Lafayette Township, 1-
Fire, 1-EMS to Village of Chippewa Lake, 0- Fire, 2-EMS to Gloria Glens, 0-Fire, 3-EMS Mutual Aid, No
report on Mobile Integrated Health). Fuel Usage: 292.7 gallons of fuel, 1,749 miles were logged on
vehicles. 2,406 hours personnel hours for calls and trainings.
Chief Hall reported all pump tests on the apparatus have been completed and each has passed. Hose testing
is underway and he anticipates it being completed by months end and all hydrant testing has been
completed.
Chief Hall presented a resignation letter from Captain Carl West which Ms. Bowers read aloud.
Ms. Bowers moved to accept Captain Carl West’s resignation and approve a six month leave of
absence as requested. Mr. Warchola seconded the motion. All voting in favor.
Mr. Costello requested during Mr. West’s six month leave of absence that the fire department receive back
Mr. West’s pager and radio. Chief Hall agreed.
Mr. Costello confirmed Fire Programs will be terminated at the end of 2017 as the department has signed
with a different company with an annual savings of $1,000.00.
Mr. Costello explained Fire Companies who provides the current Fire Department website is currently
billed at $149.94 per quarter, approximately $600.00 per year which includes each fire department
personnel’s e-mail through Google at no additional charge. If the fire department were to leave this website
and combine with the township website, there would be an additional $50.00 per year fee per employee.
Mr. Costello recommends placing a link on the township’s upcoming website to the fire department’s
website to save money. The trustees have agreed. Ms. Bowers said the “temporary” website is operating
and requested Chief Hall coordinate with Megan from Borlandia to provide the link to the fire departments
website.
Mr. Costello will contact Fire Programs and request a refund for the payment made in error.
Mr. Costello thanked Mr. Evans and the service department on behalf of the trustees for always going
above and beyond. He stated there was an emergency requiring the medical helicopter’s landing on the
complex and although the service department was at lunch, they stopped to help prepare the landing zone.
Zoning:
Ms. Strogin reported for the month of September 2017 the estimated value of $13,904,501.00 versus 2016
totals at $12,454,630.00. Fees collected through September 30, 2017 are $34,786.07 versus all of 2016 total
at $22,861.40.
Ms. Strogin announced the Oaks is adding a $600,000.00 addition to their already existing building.
Ms. Strogin announced that the November Zoning Commission has been cancelled due to voting.
Ms. Bowers stated Zoning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals held a training session last week led
by Mr. Thorne. They reviewed the new agritourism law, how it will impact the township and the steps
necessary to prepare.

Ms. Bowers explained the police levy was rolled back due to the new development in the township. The
type of levy is set to collect no more money than it was originally passed for. Even so, as the tax value
rises, the inside millage edges up. After reviewing the current valuation, Trustees determined reducing the
millage on renewal would better ensure the collection is held down to the same collection as the original
passage in 2005.
Ms. Bailey explained she received an invoice in the amount of $3,500.00 for footer certifications and
requests permission to transfer $7,000.00 into zoning from the general fund. Ms. Bowers explained when
the income comes into the township it deposits to the general fund but when payments need to be made,
those must come from zoning. For this reason, the funds have to be appropriated out of the zoning fund by
transfer from the general fund.
Ms. Bowers made a motion to authorize the transfer of $7,000.00 from the unappropriated balance
in the General Fund into the Zoning Fund. Mr. Costello seconded the motion. All voting in favor.
Ms. Bailey inquired about the invoice in the amount of $51.10 from the Medina County Engineers office
for a diesel fuel purchase in the September. Chief Hall explained that Mr. Evans requested not going near
the fuel tank on the complex for a few days after the safety vehicle impaction posts were placed in
concrete, allowing for the posts to be “set”.
Chippewa Lake contract for services with Lafayette Township is pending final approval from Mr. Thorne.
The trustees have approved the contract subject to Mr. Thorne’s review.
Ms. Bowers said the township still has not received a response from the Operations of the Sheriff’s contract
letter.
An announcement was made for the annual Halloween Event being held Saturday, October 28th noon to
2:00 p.m. Ms. Buell is in need of 15-20 additional volunteers to assist with the children’s games.
Chief Hall does not wish to order new office chairs at this time stating the chairs are still functioning and
safe. He also does not wish to order additional clip boards.
The trustees have agreed to meet every Monday during the month of November at 2:30 p.m. in the
Administration Building for the purpose of preparing the 2018 budget with the exception of the regular
meeting date of November 20th.
Public Participation:
Ms. Victoria Macron, Ivandale Drive, questioned why the Board of Trustees has not responded to requests
to be interviewed by Paul Hartman in the death of her late husband, Bryon Macron. Ms. Bowers explained
they are respecting the recommendation of law enforcement. When pressed, Ms. Bowers stated that
personally, she has a concern about Mr. Hartman’s strange background and an inability to verify that he
has any qualifications.
While seemingly angry with Trustees, Ms. Macron and her sister who was speaking with her, voiced
complaints against the Medina County Sheriff’s Office. Ms. Bowers and Mr. Costello agreed they were
also disappointed in aspects of the Sheriff’s investigation, even to the point of sending critical
correspondence to the Sheriff but reminded Ms. Macron that township trustees and staff are not any part of
the Sheriff’s Office.

Ms. Macron complained she was not able to obtain meeting minutes online. It was determined she is
looking for minutes not yet approved. Ms. Macron was advised that minutes are online only after they are
approved, but are public record, available upon request as soon as they are typed.
Lafayette administrative secretary Buell advised Ms. Macron that like everyone at the township, she would
like answers about Mr. Macron’s death too, stating she even considered resigning from the township out of
fear. She explained that part her fear is feeling stalked by Mr. Hartman watching her office and driving by
her home. Mr. Costello and Ms. Bowers also expressed feelings of being stalked and personally attacked
by Mr. Hartman. Mr. Hartman denied driving by anyone’s homes calling it “mass paranoia”. Supporting
that we all want answers, Mr. Warchola explained he too had safety concerns in accepting the appointment
of Trustee. He asked Mr. Hartman to imagine what he would feel like if something this horrible was
happening to him.
Ms. Macron expressed frustration that the Sheriff’s Office contacted Ms. Bowers before her with
information about a body in Chippewa Lake. Ms. Bowers clarified that she went to the lake, the result of
seeing that the Lafayette Fire Department boat was paged out. There was no call to her from the Sheriff’s
Office. She stated that upon her arrival at the lake, she immediately implored the Sheriff to notify Ms.
Macron at work – even dialing Ms. Macron on her own phone for his use. She also asked Ms. Buell to
intercept the Macron children coming hone from school in an effort to keep them from seeing what channel
5 news was already overhead livestreaming until Ms. Macron could be with them. At this point, Ms.
Bowers reminded Ms. Macron’s sister that vulgar gestures and language were inappropriate in a public
meeting.
Ms. Macron continued to criticize the Sheriff’s Office, what was, in her opinion, a lack of communication,
inadequate interviewing of family members and ignoring offers to search. Ms. Macron acknowledged she
was aware trustees had also made the Sheriff’s Office aware of search offers and even arranged an
extensive dog team search of township grounds and other private property around the area, notifying the
Sheriff’s Office after the fact. Ms. Bowers followed up asking of Ms. Macron why then is she angry with
trustees about the complaints she has with the Sheriff’s Office.
Mr. Paul Hartman, asked Ms. Bowers to explain why she feels he has a strange background. Ms. Bowers
offered his longstanding blog which she feels is “over the top” with routine references to Judge Collier as
“Weaslepecker Collier” and comments which she knows are blatantly false. Mr. Hartman launched into
allegations against Judge Collier strongly asserting everything on his blog is true. Ms. Bowers disagreed
citing as an example his claims about her assisting Captain Centner in a run for Sheriff when it is widely
known that she has aggressively supported other candidates in primary races for the office of Sheriff in
which Captain Centner was a candidate – never Captain Centner. Mr. Costello advised that on his blog he
claims that he (Mr. Costello) is not staying in his own home. Mr. Costello stated that too is false.
Mr. Hartman moved to the subject that the Sheriff’s Office never informed Ms. Macron of anything about
their investigation claiming any information she received was from Ms. Bowers. Ms. Bowers stated again,
the township is not responsible for how the Sheriff’s Office conducts investigations and agreed that if Ms.
Macron is not informed, that doesn’t seem appropriate. Mr. Hartman stated any information Ms. Bowers
has received regarding himself apparently came from Captain Centner. Mr. Costello and Ms. Bowers both
indicated there is plenty of troubling information online.
Mr. Hartman pressed again why no one wishes to talk to him. Mr. Costello said he has given many
statements to law enforcement in this case, but that Mr. Hartman is not a law enforcement officer and he
was advised by his legal counsel to speak to law enforcement officers. Mr. Costello also stated he does not
appreciate Mr. Hartman “creeping” around his home and neighbors have identified his vehicle on multiple
occasions. Mr. Hartman denied driving past his home.

Ms. Bowers reminded that we all have the same goal, to find out what happened to Mr. Macron. She
advised Mr. Hartman she did not believe everything they know is already in the records he has access to.
Mr. Hartman stated he believes people know information that they discount.
Ms. Buell told Mr. Hartman that Mr. Macron was in the administration office on the Wednesday before his
disappearance and was adamant she not arrive for work until 9:00 a.m. on Friday morning even though her
work day begins at 8:00 a.m. She told Mr. Hartman that she discussed this conversation with Ms. Macron
in her home on the evening Mr. Macron went missing. She stated she also told her that Mr. Macron had
explained to her she was to come in late because he had an 8:00 a.m. meeting with an “angry resident”
scheduled and that Sergeant Sanford would be present – even going into detail saying Sgt. Sanford would
hide his car. Ms. Buell said she told Mr. Macron he was scaring her and she was going to call to his wife to
which Mr. Macron responded, “You wouldn’t dare”. Ms. Buell stated that Ms. Bailey was present for that
entire conversation – all information has been shared with authorities and Ms. Macron a number of times.
Ms. Bowers added that according to Sergeant Sanford, Mr. Macron had no such conversations with him.
Ms. Buell described Mr. Macron as being extremely inquisitive of the service departments’ morning
routines for several days immediately prior to his disappearance. Ms. Bowers told Mr. Hartman none of us
can explain any of this behavior.
Ms. Macron said employees were instructed not to report to work on Friday but on Saturday because snow
was flying. Ms. Bowers said that to her knowledge, that information is not accurate. Ms. Bowers
reminded Ms. Macron that township officials spent many hours brainstorming with her about every detail
they could think of. However, it was at her own (Ms. Macron’s) request and direction that communication
with township officials ceased.
Mr. Hartman reported he knows who did the crime. Trustees pressed that if he knows, he should tell
authorities. Mr. Hartman responded by stating “the Sheriff’s department are not the sharpest knives in the
drawer.”
Mr. Hartman asked road supervisor Evans why he stated “friends don’t do this to friends”. Mr. Evans
explained that all the steps Mr. Macron took brought whatever happened to the township offices. A short
argument ensued. Ms. Bowers brought the meeting back under control saying “None of us can solve this,
we are all hurt.’ Addressing Ms. Macron, Ms. Bowers said “We all hope you get the answers you are
looking for. Nobody wants you to get those answers, other than maybe you and your family, more than we
do.” Ms. Bowers stated “We agree with you. I understand you are angry with the investigation. We are
not them. We are just as frustrated and we have expressed that frustration in a number of ways. One of the
main reasons we have remained so silent, did everything that we were required to do by the most minimal
press release we could, only three different times, is because we didn’t want to hurt your family. We didn’t
want to hurt the residents of this township. There is no text book that comes with this. We all have done the
best we can but we are not the investigators. We are not the enemy, we want the answers just like you do.
And, if we thought for one minute there was anything we knew, we reached out. I know those guys got
tired of hearing from us. Even the silliest little thing was given to them and certainly I am sure you did as
well. We are all frustrated.”
Ms. Macron inquired about how the initial call was made to the Sheriff’s Office. Mr. Evans advised he
used the direct line to dispatch that he regularly uses which is programmed into his service phone. Mr.
Hartman made comments regarding the Sheriff’s Office press conference.
Ms. Bowers asked if there was any other public participation. There was no response.
Ms. Bowers made a motion to pay the warrants of the township.
Ms. Bowers moved to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Costello.

• Bryon Macron Timeline

  Thursday December 15 2016

  This is the last normal day of Bryon Macron’s life.

  Just 10 days before Christmas Bryon Macron attends an after-work party with his fellow trustees and other Lafayette township officials and employees.

  What we Learned

  We now know that this was the township holiday party and it was held at the Winking Lizard Tavern on Center Road in Brunswick,. Bryon’s wife Victoria was invited but was unable to attend the party because she had to take her daughter to an appointment.

  

  • Later After the party

    What we knew

    After the Party Bryon Macron along with Trustee Mike Costello went to the movies together and saw Rogue One the new Star Wars movie.

    What we Learned

    Bryon’s phone had died so Mike Costello sent Victoria a message through Facebook messenger telling her he and Bryon were going to see a movie.

    According to his wife Victoria, Bryon Macron and Mike Costello were not known to hang out together outside of work very much and Victoria told us she thought that the two of them going off to the movies together was “weird, because I was going to go”. 

  • Unsubstantiated

    One source who wishes to remain anonymous told us that Bryon and Mike Costello seemed to be uncomfortable and sat several seats away from each other. This may or may not be true.

    According to investigator Paul Hartman there is some “indication that Linda Bowers was also at the movie that night”

• Friday December 16 2016

  “You don’t think your going to wake up in the morning and your husbands missing” – Victoria

  What We Learned

  Approximately 1:00am

  Victoria remembers her and Bryon going to bed at this time

  Approximately 2:08am

  Bryon received a message through Facebook Messenger . The message came to his cell phone (Samsung Galaxy S6 edge) which was on the nightstand next to his bed. Victoria remembers waking up to a light flashing on Bryon’s cell phone after hearing the chime of a notification.

  What We Don’t Know

  We still have no idea who sent the message or what the message said but we can reasonably assume that the message’s sender was someone known to Bryon. And that the message caused Bryon to leave his house and head to his office at the Lafayette Township Town Hall 6776 Wedgewood Rd, Medina. 

  Controversy

  Medina County Sheriff’s Capt. David Centner has stated that Victoria must have known where Bryon was going. Victoria claims that she assumed Bryon was going to the bathroom and she fell back to sleep. Amazingly Victoria was never interviewed by the Sheriff’s Department.

  Another bone of contention is the fact that Capt. David Centner has said that he has video of Macrons SUV arriving at the township hall at 1:50am and left at 6:24 am. According to Centner this evidence comes from the security cameras belonging to area business and residents.

  What isn’t said is whether or not Bryon could be identified as the driver or if any of the video shows license plates clear enough to positively identify that vehicle as belonging to Bryon.

  Why this is important

  Bryon was not the only Lafayette Township Trustee to own and drive a black Chevy Equinox. Trustee Mike Costello drove a very similar black Chevy Equinox .

  

  • 7:30am

    A township maintenance worker reporting for work found the office unlocked with the lights on. He quickly discovered signs of a fight inside Macron’s office. Reported findings included blood on the floor, items in disarray and Macron’s cell phone.

    What we Learned

    Authorities originally responded the Lafayette Administration Building to investigate suspicious circumstances, which prompted them to begin investigating Macron’s disappearance. 

    When police responded to the township building they found Macron’s office in disarray. Detective Jim Cartwright said it look as if there had been a fight there. 

    What we don’t know

    Why wasn’t a call to 911 made? Did the maintenance man simply believe that he had only discovered signs of a break in or something? Kind of puzzling with the presence of blood not to assume something very bad had taken place .Law enforcement quickly believed that a violent crime had taken place and later that same day Medina County Sheriff’s Capt. David Centner told Cleveland’s WEWS-TV that they were called to investigate because there were “signs that some type of altercation happened there,”

    Man I really wish the maintenance worker would have called 911 because calls to 911 are on a recorded line and we would have been able to hear exactly what was going through his mind and what he was looking at. the private phone calls that were made that morning were not recorded.

    8:41am Bryon’s SUV is found

    What We Know:

    Authorities find Bryon Macron’s black Chevy Equinox using OnStar and locate it roughly three miles from his office, parked on Beach Side Blvd. right in front of Chippewa Lake. Blood was reportedly found inside the vehicle, but searches of the nearby area failed to turn up additional clues.

    Sheriff Tom Miller says they searched the shoreline of the lake — and searched overhead by plane. Cleveland 19 asked why a more extensive search was not done.

    “I think if we thought it was appropriate at the time, if we found something that indicated we thought he was in there, that would’ve been done,” Miller said.

    There was no evidence of footprints near Bryon’s vehicle nor was there a blood trail for the officers to follow.

    

    What We Don’t Know:

    Why didn’t the Sheriffs Department use their search and rescue drone that morning? They easily could have flown it out over Chippewa Lake and maybe could have found Bryon Macrons body. It doesn’t seem unreasonable to at least suspect that he may be in the lake at this point.

    

    It really doesn’t make a lot of sense why they didn’t use it at all that day. In fact this was exactly the kind of situation Medina County invested in drone technology for. in 2013 Sheriff Miller was describing to Cleveland.com what kinds of police work the drone would be used for and he described very pointed specific areas, such as search and rescue, hazardous material calls, abductions, and hostage situations where having an aerial view of the scene could be beneficial.”

    One concern addressed was why authorities never searched Chippewa Lake more thoroughly, with the sheriff’s office stating they did not think it necessary due to weather and other factors.

    “On the morning of Mr. Macron’s disappearance, Chippewa Lake was ice covered except in the center,”

    according to Capt. Dave Centner in the sheriff’s statement. “The lake and surrounding areas including the inlet and outlets were searched by sheriff’s deputies and an Ohio State Highway Patrol plane. Access roads between the township complex and Beachside Drive (where Macron’s vehicle was found) were also searched.”

    Was Bryon Macron A Drone Sales Rep?

    The following is an article from Kent Wired.com

    Sgt. Jim Sanford, one of the two officers being trained on the drones, said the drones will be used to save time as well as manpower and will not be used in a continuous surveillance role.

    “These drones are here for a specific purpose, not to invade people’s privacy,” Sanford said. “The sheriff even said the last thing he wants is it flying over his backyard barbeque.”

    Currently, the drones are approved by the Federal Aviation Administration only for training purposes, Sanford explained.

    “If we wanted to take them out for a mission, we would need to get approval from the FAA,” Sanford said.

    According to policies and procedures for using the drones, written in part by Sanford, FAA guidelines restrict the drones from being used over urban areas without an approved Certificate of Airworthiness or permission from the FAA.

    On the FAA’s website, a COA is described as an FAA document, which grants authorization to operate an aircraft in flight.

    The FAA also restricts how high a drone can be sent. The FAA must be notified of anything operating above 700 feet, Sanford said.

    “Most of these drones can reach an altitude of nearly a mile,” said Bryon Macron, national sales representative for Vista Unmanned Aerial Systems of Seville, OH. “But they’ll generally operate around 400 feet.”

    Vista donated two drones to the Medina County Sheriff’s office in exchange for guidance in what law enforcement needed in a drone, Sanford explained.

    Each drone is fitted with a camera. One carries a standard color camera, while the other carries a thermal imaging camera that allows the operator to track heat signatures from people or vehicles, regardless of visibility.

    The cameras feed the images back to an operator on the ground. That operator wears a special pair of glasses that allows them to see, in real time, whatever the drone sees, Sanford said.

    This is the same sort of technology being used by the military’s drones, but comparing the two is like comparing apples and oranges.

    Unlike the drones in the military, the drones being used by the Sheriff’s office cannot carry any form of payload.

    “The only aircraft that are allowed to be weaponized are military aircraft,” Sanford said. “Even police aircraft aren’t allowed to be armed.”

    Medina is the only county in Ohio that is currently training with drones, but other counties have expressed interest, Macron said, though he could not name them until deals with those counties were finalized.

    Major Dale Kelly of the Portage County Sheriff’s office said his office was not currently interested in using drones.

    “It just doesn’t fit into our budget,” Kelly said. “We don’t really have a need for drones right now, anyway.”

    Vista sells their drones in packages that include the necessary training for anywhere between $30,000 and $180,000, Macron said.

    Vista does sell drones larger than the ones given to Medina County. These drones can carry a small payload, such as a life preserver, Macron said.

    http://www.kentwired.com/latest_updates/article_d20a6c13-f0aa-5aa9-8a87-20f3581b73b3.html

    

  • Weather Conditions

    FRIDAY DECEMBER 16 2016

    

    

    Special thanks for the weather data goes out to Vince, a listener to this podcast who just happens to be a meteorologist (lucky us). We asked for some help on nailing down the conditions that day and so Vince stepped up and sent us the historical weather data for Chippewa Lake. These were the conditions at the time Bryon’s SUV was found.

    Looking at the morning of 12/16/16, from 8 AM to 12PM, the max wind gust was 4.9 MPH.
    Temperatures did not reach above 15F at this location anytime before Noon on 12/16/16

    It is pretty hard to imagine that a max sustained wind of 4.5 MPH and a max wind gust of 4.9 MPH would prevent a drone from flying that morning. 

• Monday December 19th 2016

  8,000 Dollars Worth Of Redecorating

  “He pressed Hard to get me to come in there, like right away”

  Brian Popovich -Painter

  What We Know

  Amazing but true just days after Bryon Macron has disappeared under suspicious and violent circumstances Lafayette Township officials ordered the carpets to be replaced and the walls repainted.

  What We Learned

  We interviewed Brian Popovich the painter they brought in to do the work. Brian Popovich’s interview is very interesting to say the least. You can listen as he describes the enormous pressure the Township was under to get this work completed as quickly as possible. Popovich describes seeing a bloody boot-print and watching as Sheriff Deputies found several knives at the crime scene.

  

  Brian Popovich’s interview is in Episode 3 and begins around 27 minutes into the podcast. Click the image on left for a link.

• Dec 22, 2016

  FBI Gets Involved in Search for Missing Lafayette Township Trustee Bryon Macron

• December 31 2016

  Sgt. Jim Sanford retires

  

• January 5th 2017

  Trustees Lynda Bowers and Michael Costello addressed rumors about the case.

  Dear Lafayette Township and Chippewa Lake Village friends and neighbors:

  “He is three weeks gone, and yet Trustee Bryon Macron’s disappearance has seemed like an eternity to our township. So many of you have offered prayers and positive support, and your trustees and Bryon’s family thank you.”

  “Waiting is difficult, but here are some ways you may be able to help law enforcement. If you know anything that you even remotely think could be helpful to investigators, please report it to the Sheriff or Crime Stoppers. If you live on a route one would travel between the township complex and Chippewa Lake and have a camera on your home, garage or other outbuilding that may have captured the flow of traffic between the hours of 1 a.m. on Thursday December 15 and 7 a.m. Friday, December 16 – which has not already been viewed by law enforcement – please let the Sheriff know.”

  “We want you to know we have faith in the Sheriffs office to continue to keep us safe and find Bryon.”

  “The rumor that township funds are missing is false. Similarly, there is no evidence to support the rumor that the Nexus project is in any way connected to Bryon’s disappearance.”

  “Since Bryon went missing on the morning of December 16, we have respected the request of law enforcement to refrain from comment on the Macron case. However, amid rumors and growing social media speculation we believe our residents deserve a higher level of communication. Your Trustees requested a meeting with investigators and obtained permission to provide this information directly to you, our residents, since they do not feel it will compromise their investigation.”

  “In response to requests from the community, the Bryon Macron Benevolent fund has been set up to help support the Macron family during this most difficult time. Donations can be made at any First Merit bank branch.

• January 7th 2017

  Vigil held for Bryon

  “It feels like a bad dream,”

  Victoria

  On Saturday night at 7 p.m., neighbors in Medina County’s LaFayette Township held a vigil for missing Lafayette Township Trustee Bryon Macron.

  The candlelight vigil was being organized by a neighbor on Ivandale Drive.

• February 21st 2017

  Body Found In Chippewa Lake

  

  CHIPPEWA LAKE – A kayaker taking advantage of the warm weather found what he first thought was a mannequin floating in Chippewa Lake the afternoon of Feb. 21.

  Reaching the north end of the lake near the village of Chippewa Lake, Frank Webber, of LaGrange, noticed what appeared to be a mannequin floating nearby.

  Upon further examination, he realized it was the body of what he described as a white, middle-aged male with dark hair, fully dressed. Webber said he paddled to shore where he asked a couple walking to call 911.

  Shortly after, rescue, fire and law enforcement personnel were on hand to investigate. A dive team from Wayne County was also called in.

  Rescue workers took the body to a waiting ambulance on the southwest end of the lake, where the public boat launch ramp is located, to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office for identification.

  Medina County Prosecutor Forrest Thompson said it could not be confirmed as of Feb. 21 whether the body was Bryon Macron, 45, the Lafayette Township trustee who was reported missing over two months ago.

  However, he did confirm the body was believed to be a white male and that an autopsy would be performed the next morning.

  The Medina County Sheriff’s Office has not yet issued a statement on the body’s discovery in the lake.

  “I’m glad I found it,” Webber said after the body had been taken away. “His family would want to know. God brought me here today.”

  The body was found less than a mile from where Macron’s vehicle was found the day he was reported missing in December. A Lafayette Township employee called police after seeing Macron’s office in the township was in disarray. Blood was found there and also in his vehicle.

  In an early January statement, the sheriff’s office said at the time of Macron’s disappearance that the lake was nearly completely covered in ice and sheriff’s deputies searched the lake and surrounding areas, including the inlet, and an Ohio State Highway Patrol plane also flew over.

  https://www.thepostnewspapers.com/brunswick/local_news/body-found-in-chippewa-lake/article_0bdcaaea-fad1-589a-9f16-35cd630bf98c.html

• February 22 2017

  Body found in Chippewa Lake identified as missing trustee Bryon Macron

• Apr 6, 2017 

  Preliminary report showed Macron was stabbed

  A preliminary autopsy report for Lafayette Township Trustee Bryon Macron determined he was stabbed multiple times, but a cause of death was not given.

  According to the report, the major injury was a 3-inch stab would on the right side of his neck that missed the jugular and carotid arteries. Other stab wounds were also seen on his upper neck and his right forearm, along with other injuries considered superficial.

  The preliminary autopsy reported drowning and hypothermia may have also been possible causes of death. Macron was able to be identified using fingerprints and there were signs of decomposition on the body.

  Under state law, journalists are allowed to see preliminary autopsy reports and pictures taken during the autopsy which are not available to the general public. However, county officials previously reported they did not have the report, as the autopsy was completed at the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office.

  Even if they had, the Medina County Prosecutor’s Office previously argued the records should not be released, as the information is part of an investigation by the Medina County Sheriff’s Office.

  In mid-March, TV network WKYC Channel 3 in Cleveland filed a suit against the Medina County Coroner’s Office, stating the office was in violation of public records laws under the Ohio Revised Code. After a March 22 hearing, Common Pleas Judge Christopher Collier ordered the records be turned over and that he would determine what could be released.

  At an April 5 hearing, an attorney of Channel 3 along with Medina County Prosecutor Forrest Thompson met privately in the judge’s office and the terms of the record release were determined.

  Channel 3, who had first access to the documents, broadcast the results later that day while other media outlets were able to access them the next morning.

  Thompson, whose office distributed the autopsy report, said the report only arrived the week before and that no conclusions should be drawn until the final report comes in. The final report will be completed after toxicology tests are completed; a release date has not been determined.

• Oct 7, 2017

  County grants easement for Nexus Pipeline

  Controversial pipeline to cross

  Innovation Park in Lafayette Township

  MEDINA – County commissioners have granted an easement to Nexus Gas Transmission to build part of its proposed pipeline across the county-owned Innovation Park in Lafayette Township.

  Commissioners voted 3-0 Sept. 26 to approve the agreement with Nexus which grants temporary and permanent easements to build the pipeline across about 2,200 feet of vacant land the county owns in the technology park next to the Medina County University Center near the intersection of Lake and Wedgewood Roads.

  County Administrator Scott Miller said the county will be paid about $350,000 for the 50-foot wide permanent right-of-way and easement.

  The Medina County Port Authority has been marketing the vacant technology park with the hopes of having developers construct commercial enterprises on the approximately 60 acres of land not affected by the pipeline easement.

  Nexus plans to build the 36-inch high-pressure pipeline to transmit natural gas from wells in Eastern Ohio to existing pipelines in Michigan which will carry the gas on to Windsor in Ontario, Canada.

  The $2 billion project was originally scheduled for completion this fall, but has been delayed in large part because two members of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission resigned early this year leaving the commission without the quorum needed to approve the application to construct the Nexus Pipeline.

  The FERC granted Nexus a certificate to proceed in August after the appointment of two new commissioners were approved by the U.S. Senate.

  Protest groups have opposed construction of the pipeline and have filed suit in federal court asking for an injunction to stop the pipeline’s construction, but some pipeline protestors have admitted that tactic seems to have little hope of succeeding.

  Records scanning

  Commissioners authorized County Administrator Miller to hire ScanWorks of Cuyahoga Falls to copy and create digital copies of the county commissioner journals that date back to the year 1824. Cost of the project is expected to be $3,200.

  The 180 journals contain all the resolutions adopted by commissioners since the records of those resolutions were first recorded by hand.

  Miller said having a digital record of all those resolutions stored on a secure server will make research of them much easier and will also guarantee that they will not be lost in a disaster such as a fire.

  “This is a great idea,” said County Commissioner Pat Geissman. “We need to preserve our history.”

  Autopsy costs rising

  County commissioners approved an amendment to an agreement with the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office which raises the fee Cuyahoga County charges from $1,075 to $1,275 for each autopsy performed for Medina County. The new fee schedule is retroactive to March 1 and will remain in place until Dec. 31, 2018.

  Lease agreement

  County commissioners approved an agreement with the Medina Metropolitan Housing Authority to lease a house on Highland Drive in Medina for one year at a cost of $1,800 per month. The house is the location of the Children’s Center of Medina County, which also agreed to renew a sublease with commissioners.

  Personnel expenses

  Commissioners authorized the expenses for several county employees to attend a series of out-of-town meetings and training seminars. Among those expenses were $2,000 for two people from the Adult Probation Department to attend a two-day conference in Columbus, $1,700 for two people from the Sanitary Engineer’s Office to attend a three-day technical conference in Chicago and $800 for four sheriff’s deputies to attend a three-day conference for jail administrators in Tiffin.

• Oct 25, 2017

  Nexus pipeline construction cleared to begin

  

• Jul 1, 2017

  County OKs land donation to Lafayette

  Township to build fire station on Innovation Park land

  County commissioners have agreed to donate 8.5 acres of land at Innovation Park to Lafayette Township for use as a location for a new fire station.

  Lafayette Township trustees made the request for land at Innovation Park in November, but action on the request has been delayed until June 20 by some changes in the fire station plans and a complicated arrangement between county commissioners and the Medina County Port Authority to manage development of the technology park adjoining the Medina County University Center.

  Lafayette Township originally requested use of four acres of land which was generally considered unattractive to potential commercial developers. However, Scott Miller said the parcel planned for the fire station was expanded due to setback requirements necessary for the NEXUS Pipeline, which could be built along Wedgewood Road and the front of the parcel.

  The expansion of the parcel for the fire station also reduces the amount of land available to commercial companies interested in building in the 55-acre park owned by the county.

  As a result, Port Authority officials have requested county commissioners deduct the value of the fire station land from the total value of the technology park, estimated at about $680,000 in the original agreement between the county and Port Authority. An estimate from the Port Authority places the value of the fire station land at $40,000 per acre, according to Miller.

I just wanted to take a second to thank all of the people who have been listening to and supporting The Invisible Ships podcast. From the very start you guys have been the lifeblood of this project and we couldn’t do it without you.

Recently we took on a giant project “Murder Lake” the Bryon Macron case. This is a daunting task, but we believe it is a very important unsolved case and the family deserves answers. Every day we get messages from our listeners telling us their theories, giving us leads or just telling us to keep up the good work. The exciting thing is many of your tips have been fantastic and may be able to help the investigators who are working on this case. We are even interviewing some of our listeners who have first hand information and we will be putting them in some upcoming episodes.

If you have any information regarding the disappearance and murder of Bryon Macron we urge you to call CrimeStoppers at 216-252-7463. There is a reward being offered and the family would be grateful for any tips or leads.

It’s been almost four years and we still don’t have very many answers in the death of a respected Lafayette Township trustee named Bryon Macron. But why not? Could it be that powerful people are afraid of what his death could do to their careers or even to our entire community if the truth about why he died got out? Shouldn’t we be questioning the official findings that Bryon acted alone? I mean it’s ridiculous to even imagine that he could somehow pull off this exotic and extremely complicated suicide. One that took place in multiple locations and than somehow manage to hide his own body in a frozen lake. There are a lot more motives of why someone would want Bryon dead than there seem to be for why Bryon would want to commit suicide anyhow. For one there is the Nexus pipe line a very controversial and lucrative project that Bryon Macron stood in the way of. After Bryon’s death a lot of people made a lot of money from Nexus.

We have always thought that this case is tied to Nexus and local politics. Make no mistake this was a murder. There are a lot of moving parts to this case, to say it’s complicated is a major understatement. One thing holds true right from the beginning we could see the makings of a cover-up.

So what really happened to Bryon Macron? How can a loving family man, Marine Corps veteran and a pillar of his community suddenly disappear just a few days before Christmas? This is a truly puzzling case. One where the authorities acted strangely right from the start. For instance after finding Macron’s township office in shambles with his blood on the walls and carpet investigators began to float a theory that he may have gone to California. When a few months later his body was found in Chippewa lake an autopsy revealed he suffered six stab wounds to his body…. Oh and there was no water in his lungs. That has to mean he was dead when he was put in the water. Yet the authorities can’t or won’t determine if he died by murder or suicide. Despite the fact that the multiple crime scenes were a veritable feast of forensic evidence.

On this season of Invisible Ships Podcast we are trying to get to the bottom of this mystery and get justice for Bryon Macron and his family. We go in depth with interviews with Bryon’s wife Victoria and a federal investigator who is taking up the case. Listen to their interviews and decide for yourself who killed Bryon Macron and why.

Listed bellow and in no certain order are the most common theories that were either raised by the authorities or on the hearts and minds of local residents of what really happened to Bryon Macron.

suicide?

The official cause of Bryon Macron’s death was ruled undetermined in 2018. Suicide has been implied by law enforcement but just doesn’t seem to be very likely, for one there seems to be simply no reason why Bryon would want to kill himself. He had a good job, a stable marriage and the respect of his community. By all reports Bryon’s life was a good one. He had no known depression or mental illness.

Another reason why suicide doesn’t fit the bill is because this just doesn’t look like a suicide. In most suicides both the cause of death and locating the body are fairly easy and straight forward. Often their is a note. Suicide by knife accounts for less than 8% of all suicides nationally, remember Bryon was a marine who had firearms and knew how to use them. If he did intended on killing himself he likely he would have used a gun at least statistically.

So how can a guy begin to commit suicide in his office and than be found miles away in a lake with out any water in his lungs? Even imagining a scenario where he would be able to get in his car after furiously stabbing himself in his office and drive several miles to the beach, than get out (without leaving a trace of blood) finish killing himself in the lake. It just doesn’t add up especially when you consider that when he was found months later he had no water in his lungs

What about his wife?

Most people are killed by people close to them so it is natural for police to suspect a spouse. While Victoria Macron was possibly one of the last people to see Bryon alive (there is an account she saw him at 2:08 am when he woke up to a a message on his cell phone and left the house to go to his office at the township admin building). We really have no reason to believe Ms. Macron would have anything gain from his passing. Neither Victoria nor Bryon were engaged in a affair, Victoria has not remarried or shown any increase in income with his passing. There was nothing financial to gain. The macron family inherited nothing but grief and heartache as a result of his death. It should also be noted that Victoria Macron has been a true champion for Bryon and is leading the fight to bring her husband’s killers to justice

Something to do with his role a township trustee

Bryon had spent time with a fellow township trustee just a few hours before he was killed. We also suspect Bryon went to the township trustee building around 2:08 am after receiving a message summing him there. Who could have lured him to his office at such an unusual hour? Perhaps a trustee? What would any trustee have gained by killing Bryon who appears to have maintained good friendships with most of them? Was Bryon exposing something the others were apart of? Who ever killed him must have known what to say to get Bryon out of bed as well as being familiar enough with his office to know that there would be no security cameras at the township hall. 

Fire levy and the Nexus Pipeline

 At the time of Bryon’s disappearance there were many concerns about the land and the route on which the Nexus pipeline was meant to be built on. There were also plans to build a new fire station and the trustees were trying to pass a levy.  The fire station could produce angry citizens as many people were furious about the nexus pipeline and it’s location. Also noted there was an “angry citizen” who was supposed to meet with Macron at 8:00 am on the morning of his disappearance. 

Did the Sheriffs office has something to do with it?

The Medina County sheriff took control of the crime scene, collected evidence and performed the interviews. There is some confirmation that Bryon reached out to Sgt. Sanford from the Sheriffs Office to have him present as backup for the meeting with the “angry citizen”. This is disputed by Sgt. Sanford who says he was never contacted about this matter. Sgt. Sanford retired from the department about two weeks after Bryon went missing.

Angry citizen

To me personally I think this is a misdirection. The angry citizen is fictional. What is true is that there were a lot of upset citizens around this time with the recent fire levy and nexus pipeline. Bryon was not one to upset people and while he was for passing the fire station levy as were the other trustees Bryon stood strongly against the Nexus pipeline. Even if Bryon did have a meeting with a angry citizen so what? The meeting was scheduled for 8:00 am so it is extremely unlikely that this citizen would have been able to get Bryon out of bed at 2:08 in the morning and lure him down to the township complex and kill him. 

Something in the whole sale Jewelry business

Sometimes we hear dark rumors of black market diamond deals and organized crime. This is a pretty sensational theory to be put forward but it is one people seem to enjoy imagining. It is probably one of the least likely theory as well. Bryon’s day job was as a sales rep for jewelry producers. He sold to retail outlets. He did not have contacts with diamond cutters in Belgium or mine productions in Africa. The samples of the stones he carried were mostly Cubic zirconia. Medina county Ohio as far as anyone knows is not a spoke in the trading hub for black market diamonds.

Listen to our show to hear these theories and more discussed by the person who knew Bryon Macron best, his wife. We will also have on a retired federal investigator who has taken this case. We are getting closer everyday so lets give this story as much media coverage as we can and get the truth out there. It’s time for Bryon Macrons killers to be afraid…. Justice is coming.