Letters to the Editor
Protect Geauga Parks or Extremism?
In response to what many of you view as reasonable changes at your Geauga Park District, a small group of citizens known as Protect Geauga Parks continues to grapple for a park system run under their extreme views.
They have hijacked the letters to the editor somehow implying that your parks are in disarray. While I could cite many examples of the false propaganda associated with their views, I will spare recital of much about nothing.
Buyer Beware! One only need look at the definition of propaganda to understand what is going on here. Propaganda is defined as, information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote or publicize a particular cause or point of view. And there we have it, your Geauga Park District, their Protect Geauga Parks.
They continue to sponsor misleading events. Recently, they held an event at Frohring Meadows Park with the fancy name “Shelter Sound Off Pipe up with the Spring Peepers!” All of this as if it were a Geauga Park District program. All of this is nothing more than an extreme disservice to park staff who conduct quality nature-themed programs.
Their same program message is touted as wanting to “hear ideas, suggestions and concerns about how best to safeguard the mission of Geauga Parks to ‘Conserve, Preserve, and Protect.'” There is no mention of the facts associated with your quality experience in visiting a Geauga Park. If there was, it would show there is No Concern, there is No Reason for Safeguard. Just narrow-minded naysayers.
It’s a few individuals that are attempting to brainwash the public into their extreme views. These few extremists assume you, the Geauga County resident, should fit their mold of parks only being used for certain programs and agendas.
There will be more letters to follow with personal attacks, character assassination and rumored allegations. Please, show up to one of our board meetings and see for yourself. The real shame here is that your Geauga Park District has been hijacked by a few extremists.
I have been privileged to meet with many county residents regarding the reasonable change happening within your parks. Many of you have encouraged me to stay the course and implement common-sense programs, activities and accessibility to your parks — all without compromising the preservation, conservation, and protection of your parks natural wonders.
You have supported hunting, fishing, snowmobiling and common-sense recreational amenities and activities that don’t jeopardize the overall integrity of our natural areas.
I give credit to the former members of Protect Geauga Parks who have abandoned this group and reached out to me in meaningful dialogue. In the end, it’s the fact that well over 90 percent of your Geauga Park District-owned lands remain in a natural state for people to enjoy the plants, animals and quality habitats.
I, along with a competent staff, will stay the course of providing quality parks while providing access to nature. This is what quality park systems do. We owe it to the 90,000 citizens of this county.
Enjoy your parks.
John Oros, Executive Director
Geauga Park District
