MILESTONES

MILESTONES

HONORS

Achievement award

Daniel Slagle Jr., executive director of Boardman Township Park, was honored earlier this month at the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association Conference with the 2014 Harvey Woods Lifetime Achievement Award.

Slagle has worked for the park since 1972, when he started on the grounds crew. He has served as director of the 227-acre park for the past 22 years.

Under his leadership, the park adopted a master plan that reflects the park’s mission. Slagle also has overseen a number of additions to the park such as a playground, an outdoor theatre, outdoor pavilions and more green space.

The park also added programs such as Family Night in the Park, Community Christmas and a military-band performance for the Fourth of July.

The park also has experienced significant growth in visitor attendance during Slagle’s tenure.

Dispatcher of the year

Cheryl A. Smith has been selected as Ohio State Highway Patrol Dispatcher of the Year.

Smith, 52, joined the patrol in 1985 and has served at the Warren Post, Canfield Post and Lisbon Dispatch Center. A native of Poland, Smith graduated from Poland Seminary High School and attended Youngstown State University. She and her husband, Doug, live in Mahoning County.

Smith has been honored with the Post Dispatcher of the Year awards in 1987, 1988, 1990 through 1994, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2004, 2006 through 2008 and 2014. She was honored as District Dispatcher of the Year in 1991, 2006 and 2014.

Milestones is a regular Sunday feature in The Vindicator. Articles must be submitted within 30 days of the Milestone event. Include a stamped, self-addressed envelope if you want a picture returned. Pictures also may be picked up at the paper’s Front Street facility at the security guard station. Send items to: Milestones, c/o The Vindicator, P.O. Box 780, Youngstown 44501.