Judge
Beverly McGookey Ignored a Petition Probate Judge Beverly McGookey is responsible for appointing the 3-member Erie Metropark Board of Park Commissioners. In September 2001, members of Citizens for the Protection of Property Rights (CPPR) and other concerned citizens met with her regarding the Park Board’s long standing record of fiscal irresponsibility and apparent “above the law” tactics. She seemed concerned; said she could take the appropriate measure to place new individuals on the Park Board as each current member came up for re-appointment (one of the three members’ terms is up annually, and the member must either be re-appointed or replaced at that time.) Acting contrary to her sentiment at that meeting, Judge McGookey failed to replace Kevin Zeiher on the Board when his term was up in December 2002. She reappointed him to another 3-year term. In January 2003, a petition signed by 400 Erie County residents was hand-delivered to the judge’s office. This petition stated:
A cover letter (below) from CPPR urged her to act according to the concerns shared in the September 2001 meeting and replace Fred Deering, whose term would expire in December 2003. (One would think that 12 months would be sufficient time to find a qualified, willing replacement.) In the days and months that followed, CPPR never received a reply from Judge McGookey about the petition plea – not even an acknowledgment of its receipt. The 400 who signed the petition represent a sampling of our community’s dissatisfaction with the current Erie Metroparks’ leadership. In spite of the controvery and public dissent, Judge McGookey re-appointed Fred Deering in December 2003 to another 3-year term as Park Commissioner. He is now the Chairman of the Board. There is something seriously wrong with this picture. Isn’t it time for a closer look at how ErieMetroparks operates? January 2, 2003 Judge Beverly McGookey Dear Judge McGookey, We are aware that with this new year Mr. Fred Deering’s term is up as a member of the ErieMetroparks Board of Commissioners. As you stated during our September 10, 2001 meeting, you will definitely replace Mr. Fred Deering with someone new. It is apparent to many that Mr. Deering’s emotions have obscured his decision-making ability. For your review we have attached to this letter a petition signed by hundreds of Erie County residents. The petition was circulated this summer at the Erie County fair, and is just a sampling of our community’s sentiment of dissatisfaction regarding the controversial leadership of the ErieMetroparks Commissioners. We hope this reaffirms your decision to place new individuals on the Metropark Board of Commissioners. We all want the same thing – an administrative board of competent individuals who have the best interest of the community and the future success of ErieMetroparks as their main objective Sincerely, Citizens for the Protection of Property Rights Terry
Johnston
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