After Russell Township voters overwhelmingly approved Nov. 7 forming their own park district outside of the direct control of the Geauga County Probate Court, some residents wondered aloud what Judge Timothy Grendell’s next move would be with the existing park board still under his control.
That answer came less than a week later when Grendell sent word to Russell Township Park District Commissioner Greg Studen that he was seeking his resignation from the board.
“I was not expecting to resign,” Studen said. “But, under the Ohio Revised Code section (Chapter 1545) that governs the established park district, it is up to the judge to appoint the park commissioners. Under the law, I could have appealed it (removal) with a 10-day notice and requested a hearing, but ultimately it was still the judge’s decision. So, I did resign, but not by choice. I felt that it was better if I did.”
Studen explained he received a text message from Grendell’s court constable, John Ralph, on Nov. 9 inviting him to a Nov. 13 breakfast meeting at Rise & Dine Cafe in Chester Township.
Studen assumed he was meeting with Grendell to discuss, among other things, candidates to fill the seat former Park Commissioner Linda O’Brien vacated with her resignation in mid-June and another seat to be vacated at the end of the year by Georg Abakumov, whom Grendell appointed in April.
But when he arrived at the meeting, Studen said Ralph was seated alone at a table. Ralph told him Grendell wanted to remove him from seat he had been appointed to seven months earlier, on April 10.
“Ralph said the judge wanted to go in a different direction with the board,” Studen said. “Resignation was the farthest thing from my mind.”
But upon learning of the judge’s intention to remove him from the board and Grendell’s desire to go in a different direction, and knowing Grendell would be making two new appointments — his sixth and seventh in the last 24 months on the three-member board — Studen thought it would be best if he resigned.
Studen said he made clear in his letter of resignation, however, the decision to resign for not entirely voluntary.
On Nov. 17, the Geauga County Maple Leaf emailed a public records request to the probate court to obtain a copy of Studen’s resignation letter. That request has not yet been fulfilled.
Park Project Left in Limbo
“This leaves a lot of things in limbo,” Studen said of his departure from the board. “I accomplished a lot in my seven months on the board to bring the organization into compliance with state laws and to file an accurate financial report with the state.”
He added, “I did a lot of work for the parks with the Western Reserve Land Conservancy, to clean up easements and encroachments on Russell park properties.”
Also in the works was a new website that would inform the public about board finances and actions, making the organization more transparent and more responsive to the community, as well as formation of a records commission.
“I wanted to share all of our financial information and provide detailed information on all of the properties we own,” explained Studen. “Most people don’t know that we own 13 separate properties.”
Studen said he was nearing completion on closing land conservation easements on two park properties known as the Dines Road and the Meyer property, and he had hoped to finish that by yearend.
“But it appears that won’t happen now,” Studen lamented.
He described the Meyer parcel as “a beautiful property on a bluff overlooking the Chagrin River.”
In February, former park board members O’Brien and Charles Butters had considered selling the Dines Road passive park and possibly the Meyer parcel in a series of closed-door meetings, angering residents who treasure the township’s green space and semi-rural character.
Retaliation Against Voters?
“This is retaliation against the voters and the community,” resident Martha Dempsey complained. “Now, everything is at risk again. This may open up that land to be sold, again without the public’s knowledge or approval.”
Dempsey said she is among a group of residents who have been attending the park board meetings and felt Studen had created an open forum, shared financial information and restored their faith in the process.
“The judge should be ashamed of himself for forcing the resignation of such a positive force for the township,” said Dempsey. “Greg would have been the right person to be the bridge between the two park boards. Now I don’t see that happening.”
Kim Laurie, budget/fiscal director for the Geauga County Probate/Juvenile Court, said Studen was not removed from the park board, but rather resigned.
“Greg Studen is a lawyer and an adult who is responsible for his own decisions,” Laurie said in a Nov. 17 email. “He tendered his resignation. The court accepted his resignation. Since he resigned, the court was not required and did not take any additional action.”
Laurie said Grendell is looking forward to appointing Studen’s replacement as well as filling the other open seat “with two of the 20 Russell Township residents who responded for his request for volunteer applicants, and who the judge had the privilege of interviewing personally.”
Studen added following O’Brien’s resignation he spoke with three residents who had expressed an interest in serving on the board. One of the applicants he liked, and he mentioned that to Ralph “some time ago.” Yet, no appointment was made.
What’s Next?
Asked if he would consider an active role in the new Ohio Revised Code Chapter 511 park board, whose members the elected township trustees will appoint, Studen said, “No, I did the best I could for the parks while I was on the 1545 board.”
He indicated he would continue his work with the Chagrin River Watershed Partners and the Geauga Fresh Farm Market.
When asked what his vision had been for Russell with two park boards, Studen said it was unwise to maintain two park districts.
“It’s too confusing; they both have the exact same name — Russell Township Park District,” Studen said.
He added during his board tenure Grendell did not attempt to interfere with the board or management of the parks. In fact, Studen said he only spoke twice with the judge: when he was appointed in April and shortly after O’Brien’s resignation in June. All other dealings were with Ralph.
Studen explained there currently is not a park levy collecting taxes and the previous one had expired last year. The ORC Chapter 1545 park board has $263,080 in the land purchase fund, which is enough to purchase small pieces of land to connect or provide access to some existing properties, he stated.
The park district also has $136,758 in the general fund, which Studen said would be enough to fund it for a number of years, based on historic average expenditures of about $25,000 per year.
“The 511 park board will need to raise some money, which likely means asking for a tax levy,” added Studen.
When called for comment, township Trustee Justin Madden said residents are stunned by the judge’s action.
“Greg’s well respected in the township,” said Madden. “This is disappointing. But, our plans for the new 511 park board are to request applications and quickly appoint three new members.”
He added, “We are pleased with the work done by our interim members — Betsy Rader, Roy Podojil and Erik Gerard — and they are welcome to apply along with anyone else in the township.”
Madden also indicated residents are asking township officials to explore ways they could move the control of the township-owned parks under the local control of the “voter approved” Chapter 511 park board.
“It seems like the sensible and logical thing to do,” Madden said.
John Karlovec contributed to this story.
