Geauga Park District Board of Commissioners passed resolutions of commendation honoring former commissioners Nick Fischbach and Mike Petruziello at last Tuesday's board meeting.Commissioners Lou Mucci…
Geauga Park District Board of Commissioners passed resolutions of commendation honoring former commissioners Nick Fischbach and Mike Petruziello at last Tuesday’s board meeting.
Commissioners Lou Mucci and Mary Ruth Shumway awarded the commendations to them after reading off their accomplishments.
Petruziello, who left his post to serve as Chester Township trustee, served on the park board from Jan. 1, 2012, to Dec. 31, 2013.
During his tenure, he served on the audit committee, helped with improvements and supported projects in the park district, such as the completion of a Pratt-Truss covered bridge on The Maple Highlands Trail — South.
He also helped see the expansion of the Frohring Meadows Wetlands in Bainbridge Township and helped create a fishing derby for special-needs youth.
Petruziello aided in establishing a summer camp, the Chip Henry Institute, named in honor of nature enthusiast and former Geauga County Probate/Juvenile Court Judge Charles “Chip” Henry, Mucci said.
Fischbach, a former Ohio Department of Natural Resources employee, worked with the park district as its chief ranger from July 1979 until Nov. 1989 and on the board through 2013.
“His efforts will help the continuity of the park district. This will help citizens continue to enjoy the park district’s resources, now and in the future,” Shumway said of Fischbach.
She said Fischbach visited parks and talked with patrons about how to improve the park district.
Like Petruziello, Fischbach helped create the fishing derby and the Chip Henry Institute, Mucci said, adding he was invaluable with his knowledge of law enforcement in aiding the ranger department.
In other news, Mucci said a recent day-long work session held by park district employees was a success in terms of budget cuts.
“We were able to take an axe to our expenses,” Mucci said. “We have to be willing to rethink how things are done. We also did not make cuts out of our programs.”
Geauga Park District Foundation President Richard Frenchie said the capital campaign related to the Nassau Astronomical Station needs $175,000 to reach its goal.
“There are great donor prospects out there,” Frenchie said, adding the campaign should wrap up in June.
The foundation will hold its second annual Twilight Soiree event Aug. 9, featuring fundraiser dinners at various homes and dessert at The West Woods Nature Center in Russell Township. Last year’s event netted about $25,000.
“It’s a wonderful way to advocate for the park district,” Frenchie said. “It was a record year in terms of dollars raised last year and we hope to duplicate that again this year.”
After the meeting, Communications Specialist Sandra Ward said the park district is seeking seasonal maintenance staff. Details of the available jobs can be viewed online at: http://bit.ly/gpdcareers.
