Judge Rusu announces plans for MetroParks citizen-advisory committee

YOUNGSTOWN — Now that Mahoning County Probate Judge Robert N. Rusu Jr. has filled two vacant seats on the Mill Creek MetroParks board, he is thinking ahead to formation of a permanent citizens’ advisory committee to counsel the park board.

“My plan was to see how the selection committee went and if it went well, I could see about expanding that into some sort of advisory committee,” he told The Vindicator today, after discussing the idea on Vindy Talk Radio.

He said he’s proud of how a selection committee – created by him in April to help him select two new MetroParks board members – handled the process. Out of the five candidates it referred to him, he chose to appoint Lee Frey of Canfield, and Thomas Shipka of Youngstown. He will swear them in later today.

Once those two have had some time to get situated on the board, the judge said, he plans to speak with board members about forming a large committee comprised of community members who can communicate to the board what the public thinks should be prioritized.

“The public can have some sort of input into addressing some of the issues that they think are key issues,” he said.

Asked about his decision to form a selection committee to help with board appointments, and now possibly a board-advisory committee, he said, “I’m just trying to give the people a say, where they didn’t have it before. ... I see a need. I’m just trying to help people feel more comfortable, to let them have a say, and protect one of our biggest assets here in Mahoning County.”

For the complete story, read Saturday's Vindicator and Vindy.com