Staff photo / J.T. Whitehouse ... Jim Scharville, left, is joined by Poland Township Trustee Eric Ungaro, who said Jim was one person he really respected. A new park bench was dedicated at the township park in Jim’s honor for his 51 years of dedication to the community, serving in many roles, including as former township administrator.

POLAND TOWNSHIP — During a special gathering at Poland Township Park on Wednesday, former township Administrator Jim Scharville was honored with the dedication of a new park bench.

“The Poland Township Park Board paid for the bench as a way of saying thanks for all Jim Scharville has done for the residents and community of Poland,” said Park Director Ken Filicky.

Scharville began his work career in 1969 as a science teacher at the former Hillman school in Youngstown and as a part-time Mill Creek Park police officer. In 1972, he became a part-time Poland Village police officer and was appointed to a five-man committee tasked with determining if Poland Township should have its own police department.

A levy for a department passed in 1974, and Jim left the village to become a Poland Township reserve officer. He stayed with the department and was employed as operations supervisor for Mahoning County’s Head Start program.

While serving with Head Start, Jim also served as Poland Township’s fiscal officer (1982-1986) and as township trustee (1991-1999). He left Head Start in 1999 to become a bailiff at Struthers Municipal Court.

In 2005, Jim was offered the township administrator’s position. He accepted and served for 17 years.

“He also served as coach, trustee and manager of the Poland Little Bulldogs youth football team and at Poland Community Baseball,” said his son, Dan Scharville. “He also served as president of the Poland Little Bulldogs. He did anything asked of him.”

Filicky became chair of the park board in 2018 and said Jim taught him a lot over the years.

“He took me under his wing and trained me for two years,” Filicky said. “If it were not for Jim, I wouldn’t be here (at the park) today.”

The park board agreed that Jim had done a lot for the park and the community and that he deserved recognition. The park bench was purchased with that in mind.

The bench was engraved as follows: “James Scharville, the people of Poland Township extend appreciation for your 51-year tenure, characterized by relentless passion as a police officer, clerk, trustee and administrator.”

Jim was picked up by his daughter, Aimee Schweers, and thought he was being taken out for dinner. When they arrived at Poland Township Park, Jim had an expression of awe on his face as the group applauded his arrival.

Afterward, he was able to formally dedicate the bench and then enjoy the company of his family and friends in the pavilion.

Trustee Eric Ungaro was on hand and said, “Over the years, Jim is one of the people I really came to respect. Jim’s personal conversations become the real life experiences you treasure, politics aside.”

The park bench will remain in the gazebo at Poland Township Park for years to come.