A changed park board meets

YOUNGSTOWN — Meeting for the first time since voters stripped away most of their authority and autonomy, the city’s park and recreation commission members say it’s still “business as usual” for them.

But the reality is there is change thanks to overwhelming support from city voters Nov. 6 on three charter amendments related to the agency.

Today’s meeting, the first since that vote, started about 30 minutes late; typical of the commission. It finished in about an hour; a rarity in recent years.

Among the big changes for the commission is it can no longer approve the park and recreation department’s payroll sheets, and can’t approve most expenses, said Jason T. Whitehead, the mayor’s chief of staff/secretary who is serving as its interim director. Its members can make recommendations to city council on purchases.

For the complete story, read Friday’s Vindicator or vindy.com