Commission won’t fight amendments

The commission had wanted to spend city money to hire an attorney.

By DAVID SKOLNICK

CITY HALL REPORTER

YOUNGSTOWN — Although the city’s park and recreation commission members oppose charter amendments on the Nov. 6 ballot to overhaul how they operate, they don’t plan to fight the matter in court.

The commission approved legislation Sept. 27 to seek permission from the city administration to spend up to $3,500 of city money to hire an attorney for legal work related to the charter amendments.

But the commission never formally submitted the request to the law department. That’s because law department officials had informally said it wouldn’t be a proper expenditure of public funds.

“We let it go,” said Denise A. Warren, the commission’s vice chairwoman.

The commission met Thursday for the last time before the Nov. 6 election. Its next meeting is scheduled for Nov. 29, although it could hold a special meeting before then.

Commission members said Thursday that there are no plans to take any formal action to challenge the charter amendments.

Terrence P. Esarco of East Midlothian Boulevard filed action Oct. 1 with the Ohio Supreme Court questioning the legality of city council placing the amendments on the ballot. The court hasn’t agreed to hear the case as of Thursday.

If the amendments are approved by voters, the commission’s contracts and purchases would require approval by city council and the board of control. Also, the mayor, and not the commission, would appoint all permanent park and recreation employees, except the director.

Jason Whitehead, the mayor’s chief of staff, has served as interim park and recreation director since May. He is expected to serve through the end of the year. At Thursday’s meeting, commission members said they will soon start the process of hiring a permanent director.

skolnick@vindy.com