MetroParks loses two more employees

CANFIELD — On the heels of several other recent staff departures, Mill Creek MetroParks received resignation letters from two part-time naturalists.

Hillary Lenton and Julie Bartolone recently put in their two weeks’ notice and will work their last day June 23, the MetroParks confirmed to The Vindicator today.

Those two resignations follow the resignations of MetroParks treasurer/administrative director Kevin Smith in May; Mark Mrofchak, a staff accountant who will exit the park this week after being promoted to fill Smith’s role in an interim capacity; and secretary Marie Brickley, who left the park earlier this month.

In her resignation letter, Lenton cited a “hostile environment” as her reason for leaving the MetroParks.

“When I was hired at the Ford Nature Center three years ago I knew this was my dream job and I loved what I got to do everyday. But, I cannot continue to work in this hostile environment,” she stated. “My hard work is neither acknowledged nor appreciated and it is no longer healthy for me to be an employee of Mill Creek MetroParks.”

Bartolone did not give a reason for her resignation, stating, “After much consideration, I have decided it is in my best interest to leave.”

MetroParks human-resources director Megan Millich acknowledged that the recent volume of resignations is a concern. She said MetroParks leaders are working to improve workplace morale, and hope that employees will voice concerns during an all-staff meeting this week.

“Hopefully that’ll help,” she said, “We definitely don’t want to see people resigning.”

The resignations come amid ongoing public outcry over a February staff restructuring that eliminated numerous park positions, as well as a lawsuit related to the staff restructuring that was filed against MetroParks leaders last week. Also, following resignations of two members, the MetroParks board has two new members that were sworn in Friday.

The board will meet for its regularly monthly meet at 6 p.m. tonight at the MetroParks Farm, 7574 Columbiana-Canfield Road.