Mill Creek MetroParks concludes staff dismissals

By Jordyn Grzelewski

jgrzelewski@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

Mill Creek MetroParks this week wrapped up notification of employees whose positions were eliminated as part of an internal reorganization plan.

The final person to be notified was Marie Ellsmore, who worked as a part-time housekeeper. That position, as well as 12 others, were eliminated in what park officials say is an effort to save $13 million over the next 15 years to make up for a projected $15 million capital-improvement shortfall.

Implementation of the plan follows approval at the polls last fall of a 15-year, 1.75-mill renewal levy paired with an additional 0.25-mill for capital improvements.

Others whose positions were eliminated are: part-time plant curator Ellen Speicher; part-time ranger Vince Thomas; part-time development assistant Lanore Jones; part-time gardener Beth Molvin; horticulture director Keith Kaiser; operations director Perry Toth; outdoor education manager Ray Novotny; part-time custodian Tom Chizmar; construction crew supervisor Bob Carbon; shop supervisor Dennis Fahndrich; and forestry supervisor James Brammer.

Of those employees whose jobs were cut, some were offered the opportunity to fill other vacant positions at the park if they were qualified. Others were offered severance packages.

The Vindicator is awaiting fulfillment of a public-records request for details of those offers.

The staff-cut decision has raised the ire of some community members, some of whom are organizing an effort in opposition to park leadership.

That group invites other community members to attend an organizational meeting from 5:30 to 7 p.m. March 7 at the Youngstown Community Health Center meeting room. The center is at 726 Wick Ave.

The Mill Creek MetroParks Board of Park Commissioners meets March 14.