Boccieri expresses support for MetroParks board-selection process

YOUNGSTOWN — State Rep. John Boccieri of Poland, D-59th, today expressed support for the selection committee created by Mahoning County Probate Judge Robert N. Rusu Jr. to help him choose Mill Creek MetroParks board members.

“I strongly support incorporating citizen input into the park board selection process, especially as a method of lowering the tone of controversy we’ve seen with our local board,” Boccieri stated in a release.

Judge Rusu recently empaneled a 10-person committee comprised of community members to screen candidates in the wake of two resignations from the five-member board. Today, the judge was scheduled to interview the five candidates recommended to him by the committee.

“From first appearances, it seems like this process is working,” Boccieri said. “However, I firmly believe that going forward we need to have a guarantee that citizen recommendations and feedback will be an element of the board member selection process.”

Boccieri has introduced legislation that would require probate judges to consider public input when making park board appointments. It also would give appointing authority to county commissioners for board appointments beyond three members.