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Selection committee to review 16 applications for vacant Metroparks board seats
YOUNGSTOWN
A selection committee soon will begin reviewing the 16 candidates who applied to fill two vacant seats on the Mill Creek MetroParks Board of Park Commissioners.
The 10-person selection committee, which recently was empaneled by Mahoning County Probate Judge Robert N. Rusu Jr. (the appointing authority for the park board) to help him select board members, will meet next Thursday to review applications. The committee has until May 27 to forward the applications of several recommended candidates to the judge for consideration.
Those who applied to sit on the five-member park board (which has two open seats due to recent resignations) are: Toni DiMargio of Canfield, Frank Javier Nolasco of Youngstown, Douglas Pezzuto of Youngstown, Lee Frey of Canfield, Jarek Esarco of Youngstown, Barbara McNeil of Boardman, Murray Alan Davis of Youngstown, Robert McGovern of Youngstown, Robert Thomas of Ellsworth, Raymond Jean Jaminet Sr. of Youngstown, Daniel Kuzma of Youngstown, Elizabeth Ramsey of Beloit, James Bruce Callen of Mineral Ridge, Thomas Shipka of Youngstown, Gerald Nunziato of Poland and Whitney Joy of Youngstown.
Completed applications are posted through the probate court’s records search function at eprobate.mahoningcountyoh.gov under case number 2016 MC 0017.
Judge Rusu expressed some surprise at the small number of applicants, but declined to comment further.
“I’m letting the process play itself out. I don’t want to comment on whether 16 is low or high. There could be very good people, so we’ll wait and see,” he said.
He previously had expressed concern that qualified candidates might decline to apply due to recent public backlash directed at park leaders after a February staff restructuring at the MetroParks.
It was that call from some members of the public for more opportunities for public input and greater transparency that prompted the judge in March to create a selection committee comprised of community members with connections to the park system. He has said that he hopes the new selection process will help mend fences between park leaders and community members.
A search will begin for a new administrative director/treasurer after the resignation of Kevin Smith after four a half years at the park system. His last day on the job is Monday. Smith told The Vindicator the move is “truly career advancement.” He declined to specify to what job he is moving, but said it was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up.
Lori Shandor, MetroParks development director, acknowledged that Smith’s departure poses a challenge. “There’s duties that have to be covered by other people, but we’re coming up with a plan on how those tasks are going to be covered, and we’re moving forward on getting that position filled,” she said.