DEAR EDITOR:

I think it is clear that Aaron Young is trying to deflect growing efforts to reform how Mill Creek Park board members are selected. They realize there is a movement for changing the selection of “them” by a given vote of Judge Rusu and will continue if not stopped.

Under Mr. Young’s leadership, Mill Creek Park has become a place where politics and secrecy thrive.

They do not allow anyone to ask questions at meetings. When questions were allowed, people were never answered. Transparency is nonexistent.

There used to be a citizens committee, but Mr. Young likes to be very private. I can remember asking at one meeting about fire trucks and ambulances in the park last August. A man leaned on a broken railing and fell 12 feet into a ravine; nothing was in The Vindicator or on the news.

Mr. Young looked stunned that someone asked. To this day, we don’t know that man’s condition.

Just this month, a similar incident happened along Lake Newport, with fire trucks and ambulances, yet nothing is in the news.

This is our park, funded by our tax dollars, a gift from Volney Rogers. We deserve to know what’s happening. Cover-ups, it seems, are meant to avoid lawsuits, not serve the public.

This park board does not know how to be transparent, and there are too many behind-the-scenes secrets.

When Mr. Young took over, he fired park professionals and had them sign non-disclosure agreements.

Tell me, how will a committee of citizens help how our park is run?

There are over 3,000 people in this group talking about the deer slaughter, fallen trees creating fire hazards, e-coli in the lakes, broken railings, ruined trails and more. We have been ignored for over two years.

I personally spoke with Nick DeRico about the kindling of fallen trees piled up, presenting the potential for a forest fire, especially with climate change. Nick looked at me and said, “that’s possible,” then walked away!

Mr. Young won’t select citizens who truly care about Mill Creek. He’ll pick allies and friends. He governs with an “it’s my way or the highway” attitude. This is not his park to rule.

The proposed H.B. 96, backed by Lauren McNally, offers hope. It will bring transparency, fairness, and give taxpayers a voice. Why would Mr. Young oppose it if he had nothing to hide?

We are not done. We want our park restored, our wildlife protected, our trails safe, and the public fully informed. Mill Creek Park belongs to the people. We will not stop fighting for it.

KATHY MAINE

Canfield