Witnesses sound off over sign-in policy at Trumbull CSB

By Ed Runyan

runyan@vindy.com

WARREN

Patricia Paridon of Niles testified Thursday she didn’t have to put her name on a sign-in sheet when she attended a Trumbull County Children Services Board meeting in August. She was denied entrance to the Oct. 18 meeting, however, because she refused to sign.

Susan Pisegna of Howland, meanwhile, signed Suzy Homemaker to the sign-in sheet Dec. 20, and was allowed to attend. Pisegna said she objected to having to sign her real name because she didn’t feel CSB had a right to require it.

They were two witnesses who testified in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court as part of a civil suit filed by Paridon and others after the Oct. 18 meeting.

The suit seeks an injunction to prevent CSB from requiring board- meeting attendees to sign their name.

After the lawsuit was filed, Nick Kerosky, CSB executive director, said the sign-in policy dates back 20 years and is necessary for the safety of the children who live at the agency and staff.

Paridon is part of a group that has questioned CSB policies and procedures dating back to at least Aug. 16. Group members have attended CSB and Trumbull County commissioners meetings to address their concerns.

In an interview with The Vindicator Aug. 16, Paridon and others criticized the manner in which CSB employees treat the parents whose children come to CSB’s attention. They also questioned whether the agency follows the law regarding removal of children from the home.

When Paridon refused to sign in at the Oct. 18 meeting, a CSB investigator told her she would not be allowed in, Paridon testified.

Paridon said she asked the investigator for a copy of the meeting policy, but the investigator didn’t provide one. Warren police then arrived and also prevented her from entering the meeting, Paridon said.

At the December meeting, Paridon said she signed in “under protest.”

Judge John Stuard did not rule on the injunction request Thursday. He said from the bench he would probably give the attorneys for both sides the opportunity to file briefs in support of their position before ruling.

Paridon is a Republican candidate for the Ohio House of Representatives, 63rd District.