MetroParks director encourages attendance, comment at Monday meeting

YOUNGSTOWN

Everyone wishing to address the Mill Creek MetroParks Board of Park Commissioners will be allowed to do so at its Monday meeting, park Executive Director Aaron Young said during an interview on Vindy Talk Radio today.

He said he encourages attendance and comments.

The only public-comment requirements are that those who wish to speak sign up when they arrive at the meeting, and keep their comments to no longer than three minutes.

Young also noted that he hopes “common courtesy” will be practiced.

The meeting is expected to draw a large crowd of community members who are opposed to recent staff cuts at the MetroParks. Last month, park leaders implemented an internal reorganization plan that eliminated 20 staff positions (13 of which were filled at the time).

The restructuring is slated to save the MetroParks $13.2 million over the next 15 years to make up for a projected capital-improvement shortfall.

Young said the response to the staff cuts has been personal in some circles.

“It’s very hard for people to wrap their minds around a position elimination component that is not tied to performance,” he said. “And that’s what we did.”

Read more about the situation and the upcoming meeting in Thursday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.