MILLCREEK MEETING | Ousted naturalist Novotny takes MetroParks leaders to task

Ray Novotny Speaks Out

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Fired Mill Creek Metro Parks longtime naturalist Ray Novotny speaks out during a March 14, 2016 board meeting.

CANFIELD

Former park naturalist Ray Novotny delivered an impassioned speech to Mill Creek MetroParks leadership at tonight's board meeting.

Novotny, who received two standing ovations from the crowd of roughly 200 as well as several park commissioners, took park leaders to task for their failure so far to deliver on a promise that he could receive the status of 'naturalist emeritus' for the park. Novotny said he asked for that distinction after he was summarily dismissed from his position as outdoor education manager Feb. 12. 

Noting an interview on Vindy Talk Radio in which park Executive Director Aaron Young said "the ball is in [Novotny's] court" as to whether he wishes to remain involved with the park as naturalist emeritus or as a volunteer, Novotny said tonight that park attorneys previously communicated to him that he might not be permitted to act as naturalist emeritus. 

He told the board that he wants to teach part-time naturalists so that they can carry on the park's naturalist legacy.

Board president John Ragan said park leaders will look into the reported hold-up of Novotny's emeritus status. 

State Rep. John Boccieri spoke out in opposition to recent staff cuts at Mill Creek MetroParks during public comment at tonight's ongoing board meeting. 

"I personally have an opinion about this. I feel these employees should be reinstated," he said, referring to recent dismissals of 13 park employees as part of an internal reorganization.

Boccieri said he and other state lawmakers are working on legislation that addresses the process by which park commissioners are appointed in Ohio. Some have called into question that system, in which the county probate judge appoints board members rather than the board being elected by voters.

Boccieri noted that he and his wife were "outraged" by the handling of the staff cuts. 

He also called for the public to be respectful and polite in their comments, and noted that park commissioners are unpaid volunteers. 

An hour and a half into tonight's Mill Creek MetroParks board meeting, public comment was just getting started. 

A crowd of roughly 200 has so far heard a presentation from Executive Director Aaron Young and speeches from each of the five board members. 

Some commissioners personally apologized for the handling of recent staff cuts. In general, they also expressed continued support of Young despite calls for his resignation or removal by some members of the community.With less than 30 minutes to go until the start of the Mill Creek MetroParks board meeting tonight, the meeting room at the MetroParks Farm was packed with community members.

The huge turn-out was anticipated, as it's the first meeting since park leadership let go 13 employees as part of an internal reorganization that is slated to save $13.2 million over 15 years for capital improvements.

The move has upset many in the community.

Among those in the crowd is Ray Novotny, longtime park naturalist who was among those whose positions were eliminated. He plans to address the board tonight, he said.

The elimination of his position, as well as veteran horticulture director Keith Kaiser's, in particular was a source of outrage for many community members.