Rotareminder for the Rotary Club of Kent
Meeting on April 21, 2026
President Amanda Senn called the meeting to order at 12:10 p.m. Our patriotic song was The Star Spangled Banner accompanied by David Dix on piano, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Our song was Edelweiss with David Dix on piano. The Invocation was offered by Mark Pennell. Roger Kramer and Mark Pennell worked tech; Dom Bollenbacher took our photos.
VISITORS
There were no visiting Rotarians today.
GUESTS
Tom & Kathy Myers’s daughter Anne is visiting from Oregon for a dentist appointment.
Randy Smith’s wife Susan
Asad Khan’s wife Beth and daughter Sara
John Emig’s wife Vicki
ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Larry Lohman reminded us about the many features and events of the 2026 District Conference & Learning Assembly on April 24–25 at the Cleveland Marriott East, 26300 Harvard Rd., Warrensville Hts. You can just show up if you want to attend. Volunteers are still needed to staff our club’s tables.
- Larry also informed us that the TRHS Interact club is looking for service projects.
- Doug Fuller told us of the Tap Talk Tuesday evening with WKSU’s Jeff St Claire, 7:00 p.m. at North Water Brewing.
- Nancy Whitehead informed us that the Kent Rotary Foundation has three grants under consideration. She also said that the won two TRHS Pops Concert tickets that she wants to give away; see Nancy if you want them.
- Todd Packer informed us about an opportunity to connect with and support our military veterans in Youngstown on April 23. A similar event will take place in Portage County on July 23. Contact Todd for more information.
- President Amanda Senn announced that the eBulletin will now include a list of events of area organizations; see Melissa Stewart to add a listing.
STUDENT OF THE MONTH
TRHS Principal Dennis Love introduced our April Student of the Month, senior Simon Khan. Dennis listed Simon’s many qualifications: He is helpful and an active listener; he leads from behind; he is an A student taking advanced courses; he is a standout soccer player. Simon has participated in several internships and started a small business. He is headed to the College of Wooster in the fall.
PROGRAM ONE
Larry Lohman introduced Rotary Peace Fellow Wisdom Addo, Executive Director of the West Africa Centre for Peace Foundation. Wisdom updated us on the current work of the foundation, at which Nobel Peace Laureates challenge students to take action to solve a problem in the area of peace and conflict resolution.
PROGRAM TWO
Mary Beth Harper, informed us that at next week’s program on April 28, Ryan Brannon, co-owner of Bent Tree Coffee Roasters and a new Rotarian, will show and tell us how to make great coffee and give us the inside scoop on his company.
Mary Beth then introduced our main speaker, John Emig, a 26-year Rotarian and KSU graduate who started his real estate appraisal business, Spalding/Emig Company, in Kent in 1983.
John Emig began with a joke that people become appraisers because they lack the personality to be accountants. He then presented us with a broad ranging program on what real estate appraisal is and what it is not.
Appraisers estimate the market value of property. The market determines the actual value.
Some reasons for requesting an appraisal:
- Value for sale/purchase
- Tax appeal
- Estate planning
- Eminent domain
- Rental value
There are three approaches to valuing property, sometimes used in combination:
- Cost: What it would cost to rebuild the property at current prices
- Comparable Sales: Examining recent sale prices of comparable properties in the area or in similar areas.
- Income: For commercial properties, estimate how much income it will generate net of expenses
Most residential properties can be valued by using the comparable sales method. For a typical home, Zillow will give a pretty accurate estimated value. For unique or unusual homes or commercial properties, the calculus is more complicated. John gave us several examples of the latter, including:
- Deshawn Watson’s $5.5 million mansion, which cost $10 million to build
- Akron’s abandoned Rubber Bowl, which ultimately sold for $40,000
- MGM’s Northfield Park, valued at $1.05 billion, whose gaming license contributes significantly to its value
- Top Golf, which John apprised due to a tax appeal. The valuation involved separating the business fixtures, like the net and poles, from the real property value.
Important factors in valuing a home include:
The date, location, lot size, size of the house (using the ANSI standard), and the numbers of bedrooms, bathrooms, garages, basements and quality of finishing, attics, fireplaces, patios and porches, pools, and outbuildings.
What appraisers do NOT do:
- Property inspections
- Legal opinions
- Advocate, e.g., low-balling an estimate in exchange for financial consideration; this is unethical.
John concluded with a discussion of the current affordability crisis, giving the example of a typical rental property in Kent that in 2021 was valued at $300,000 and is now valued at $400,000. This inflation has significantly affected rents.
Q&A:
Brian Bialik asked about the effect on property values of the Covid-19 pandemic
John said that it has been massive, stating that commercial office space has only recently achieved 51% pre-pandemic occupancy, and has lost 70% of its value.
Lee Higgins asked whether swimming pools add or subtract from a home’s value.
John answered that it is entirely in the eye of the prospective buyer.
RESPONDER
John Ryan thanked John Emig for his thorough and informative program and expressed appreciation for his starting his business in Kent and serving the Northeast Ohio area.
We closed our meeting with a recitation of the Rotary 4-Way Test.
Respectfully submitted,
Will Underwood