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MetroParks board-selection committee accepting applications through May 6
YOUNGSTOWN
Mahoning County residents have until May 6 to submit applications for a vacant Mill Creek MetroParks board seat.
That deadline was one of several topics of discussion at the first meeting of the 10-person selection committee that will help choose the next park board member. That group met this week with Mahoning County Probate Judge Robert N. Rusu Jr., the appointing authority for the board who recently opted to empanel the selection committee.
“I was pleasantly surprised how serious everybody took it. That’s what I want,” said Judge Rusu. “I think this is a great first step in creating a good system that just gives more people an input in the park.”
He noted that he believes this is the first time in the state that a community group has helped a probate judge, to whom state law gives the authority to appoint park-district board members, choose candidates.
“This is an exciting time because they get to set the bar on how this is going to develop. I told them, the more serious effort they give this, we’re going to get good, qualified candidates and no matter who I pick we’ll get a good candidate,” he said.
He set May 27 as the tentative date by which he expects the committee to make five to seven recommendations for who should fill the vacant seat on the five-person board. His goal is to fill the seat by the June 13 board meeting, he said.
The selection of those five to seven candidates will be left entirely up to the committee, which is comprised of the following members: Rick Shale, a former park board member; Richard Scarsella, who is associated with the William Holmes McGuffey Historical Society; Robert Toman, an Ellsworth Township trustee and representative of the Mahoning County Township Association; Leo Daprile, a businessman with ties to the Mill Creek Golf Course; Jeff Harvey, president of the Audubon Society of Mahoning Valley; Dr. Y.T. Chiu, who is affiliated with Friends of Fellows Riverside Gardens; Glen Cimaglia, a local cyclist; Katie Shipka, a MetroParks volunteer; Lynn Anderson, an anti-fracking advocate; and Andrew Detesco, who is affiliated with the Mill Creek Park Foundation.
“I want them to feel free to debate and run this committee like they believe it should be run. I’m not giving them any expectations, besides that I want good candidates,” Judge Rusu said.
A few committee members told The Vindicator that they believe the group will work well together.
“I thought 10 [members] might be too many, but now I don’t think so. I think it’ll be good. Everybody has a lot of good ideas,” said Harvey.
He said his priority is to find a candidate who knows the park system well, and who has previous board experience.
“I think this is a good step. The judge didn’t have to do this, so I think he’s listening to what people have to say,” he said. “If we can agree on candidates, I think it will be good for the park in the long run.”
Toman said his role on the selection committee, given his position on the county township association, is to look out for taxpayers.
“We’re just looking for somebody with a unique personality that can help ensure transparency,” he said. “Just a good, well-rounded person who can represent the taxpayers and the best interests of the park.”
“It’s a good group, and I feel confident we can help in the process,” he said.