Geese killed in Mill Creek Metropark
Group Concerned With Hiring Process
Environmental group concerned with Mill Creek Park hiring process.
Guardians of Mill Creek is an advocacy group calling for transparency in the hiring of new Executive Director. The group wants a public review of final candidates. They feel that taxpayers have the right to know.
Aaron Young Hired as Executive Director
Mill Creek Park is seeking a combined 1.75 mill, 15 year renewal and .25 mill additional tax levy
Board President Lou Schiavoni has said "For one, the park district is now committed to finding nonlethal means to manage its wildlife. Second, new park board members appointed this year show a commitment to transparency and accountability to the public, including adherence to the state’s open-meetings and public-records laws. Third, the park’s executive director and others are working closely with city, state and federal officials to address slowing the poisonous pollution of park lakes."
https://vindyarchives.com/news/2015/oct/28/controversies-pale-against-need-for-mill/
Aaron Young, terminated 13 park employees, causing a public outcry and calls for his removal.
Mill Creek MetroParks Executive Director, Reporters witnessed what was described as an insensitive, heavy-handed way of dealing with individuals who have been loyal, dedicated employees. Park police stood by while they were escorted from their places of work. Among those fired were two full-time, well-known staff members: Horticulture Director Keith Kaiser and Outdoor Education Manager Ray Novotny.
https://vindyarchives.com/news/2016/feb/21/mill-creek-park-firings-precipitate-publ/
Commissioner Michael Senchak resigns after only 2 months serving on the board.
Mike Senchak – Conveyed that he has read all of the messages (61) that he received in the past few weeks. 3-4 comments were positive, 3-4 were extremely personal attacks, and the remainder shared common themes: Aaron must go.
Petition to remove Aaron Young is presented to the Board of Commissioners.
Commissioner Scott Schulick resigned his position after 16 months stating that serving as commissioner is an extremely frustrating position. He said there were personal attacks against him, as well as his displeasure with the direction of the park. There have been people who want to picket his home and business.
Protesters of Mill Creek picket Courthouse
State Rep John Boccieri introduces House Bill (HB) 561
The bill would change the way Metropark board members are appointed.
Judge Rusu forms a citizens advisory committee that would counsel the board on what members of the public view as priorities.
Mill Creek Park Sued Over Firings
Law by only discussing the reorganization plan through emails or several closed door meetings before the plan was made public on February 12. The lawsuit contends that the park board again violated Ohio’s Open Meetings Sunshine law. The same law Board President, Lou Schiavoni told the Vindicator in October 2015 the board was committed to adhering to in their commitment to transparency and accountability. It would seem that avoiding public divisiveness was again a factor in making a decision affecting 13 careers and an entire community.
https://www.wfmj.com/story/32189217/mill-creek-park-sued-over-firings
Two naturalists with the Nature education program submitted their resignation at the board meeting. Naturalist Hillary Lenton cited a “hostile environment” as her reason for leaving. “My hard work is neither acknowledged nor appreciated and it is no longer healthy for me to be an employee of Mill Creek MetroParks.”
https://vindyarchives.com/news/2016/jun/14/metroparks-new-board-members-bring-an-ai/
Mill Creek park director named in $2.2 million retaliation lawsuit.
Commissioner John Ragan is not seeking reappointment to the board.
Commissioner Tom Shipka asks not to be reappointed to park board.
Shipka said he wanted to serve on the board to “reform” it. He saw problems with how the parks were moving forward. Shipka said although he has seen positive changes during his term, more changes are needed.
The Buckeye Horse Park in Ellsworth Township, Vickers Nature Preserve, was leased from Mill Creek MetroParks for 25 years.
Mill Creek MetroParks questioned about upkeep of McGuffey Wildlife Preserve
A 10 year deer reduction plan was approved by Mill Creek Park Board of Commissioners.
Golfer Killed by a Falling Tree at Mill Creek Golf Course
A 35 year old man was killed and another injured when an 80 foot tree fell on their golf cart. The incident occurred during a charity golf event.
https://www.wfmj.com/story/48982704/golfer-dies-at-mill-creek-park-golf-course-after-tree-falls-on-golf-cart?clienttype=mobile
Defamation lawsuit filed against Mill Creek Metroparks Executive Director
The lawsuit alleges that Mr. Young accused Richard Scarsella of McGuffey Wildlife Preserve of criminal activity and work to destroy Scarsella's reputation as an individual and a public servant. https://www.wkbn.com/news/local-news/youngstown-news/defamation-lawsuit-filed-against-mill-creek-metroparks-official/
Numbers are in from first deer season in Mill Creek, Legal Battle Continues
166 deer were killed by hunters and 38 were killed by USDA/Aphis costing taxpayers over $15,000. 58% of those deer were 1 year old or less.
Lawsuit is Filed to Prevent Deer Harvest
The lawsuit, filed by four residents with properties near the park wants a judge to prevent the plan. The slaughter plan approved rifle and bow and arrow hunters on park land.
Magistrate Nicole Alexander ruled that the hunt can go on.
State Rep. Lauren McNally introduces House Bill 323 to make Mill Creek MetroParks Board more accountable.
McNally hopes the bill will make the Mill Creek MetroParks Board more accountable to the public by requiring that four of the five members be elected officials. She said she decided to sponsor legislation after receiving complaints on a wide variety of issues regarding the MetroParks.
Eminent Domain for Bike Trail Case
Landowners have been in court since 2018 after Mill Creek Metroparks wanted to use eminent domain to extend its bike trail six miles from Western Reserve Road through Green Township to the Columbiana County line. Mahoning County Common Pleas Court ruled Thursday in favor of the property owners
saying Ohio law does not authorize the Mill Creek MetroParks to use eminent domain to acquire the properties. The park district is now required to pay their legal fees. The MetroParks announced that it would not appeal the decision and would begin to return $3.4 million of funding for the trail extension.
https://www.wkbn.com/news/local-news/green-twp-news/court-rules-in-favor-of-landowners-in-mill-creek-bikeway-case/
Lawsuit filed against Mill Creek Metroparks in golfer's 2023 death from a falling tree
The complaint alleges the park was negligent in the wrongful death suit that led to her husbands death and serious injury to Hardwick.
https://www.wfmj.com/story/51793976/lawsuit-filed-against-mill-creek-metroparks-in-golfers-2023-death-from-a-falling-tree?clienttype=generic&mobilecgbypass
USDA Wildlife Services Conducts Helicopter Survey of Deer
Result is 14 to 14.9 deer per mile. Despite being within the desired numbers of 10-20 Director, Aaron Young, says the hunting and targeted killing will continue.
Filings in bike trail case reveal disputes over reimbursements
Mill Creek MetroParks Board of Commissioners continues Meso-Predator Plan
The plan is focused on raccoons at George L. Fordyce Park, formerly known as Wildlife Sanctuary, and is prompting renewed public outcry over how the park system handles animal management.
238 Geese were rounded up and gassed to death without any public input or debate. 
The idea has drawn criticism and opposition from hundreds of members of the community. People are upset with the park's plan to kill deer to thin the population and say the parks board should not be in the business of killing animals but preserving wildlife. https://www.wfmj.com/story/48693835/mill-creek-metro-parks-board-approves-reduction-of-deer-population-amid-opposition
