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Munson Trustees look to resolve vandalism
(by Joseph Koziol Jr. - October 05, 2011)
Munson Trustees look to resolve vandalism
By JOSEPH KOZIOL JR.
Munson Township Trustees will be trying to stem a rash of vandalism at township parks.
Joseph Rosboril, who heads the township's park and recreation board, told trustees last week that organized teams from Chardon Middle School have left park property in disrepair.
"It just keeps occurring," Mr. Rosboril said.
He said a recent trip to the park after teams had finished practice revealed "bathrooms destroyed" and mud left covering much of the area.
Trustee Andrew Bushman said it appeared some of the players were cleaning their shoes off in the sinks. He said areas had "mud and toilet paper all over."
Trustee Irene McMullen said trustees need to communicate with school officials about the conditions left at the fields in hope that the abuse will cease.
"This is a perfect opportunity to talk to the middle school athletic director and the kids," she said. "We need to communicate to the school district there is a problem."
She said the township needs to communicate that use of the township's fields for practice also brings responsibilities.
James Teichman, the township's road superintendent responsible for maintenance of the parks, said he found a muddy footprint "chest high" on a bathroom door. Mr. Teichman, who stands 6 feet 4 inches tall, said the footprint was 5 feet high on the door.
"You've got a problem," Mr. Teichman said.
In addition, he said, he has found toilet paper stuffed into toilets and light bulbs broken.
He said it appears the adults who supervise the activities are not watching the players or are not taking responsibility for their actions.
Mrs. McMullen said the adults are responsible for what occurs when fields are used and that has to be communicated to them.
Mr. Teichman said generally the adults responsible change every year and added that he believes it may also be partly a shift in attitudes in the general population.
"We have to say to them that they have to respect what's given to them or they are never going to get it again," he said. "People have the attitude that when they pay a fee they can do whatever they want. There is not community respect anymore."
He said similar things occur at township's recycling bins, where he has watched people stop and dump their recyclables on the ground rather than make attempts to put them in bins.
He said he made attempts to contact school officials about the ongoing issues at the parks, but a phone number he was given indicated the number was no longer in service.
Trustee Todd Ray said that agreements for use of fields requires signatures from three adults and that agreement should include that the areas are left in ideal condition.
Mr. Rosboril said he feels "terrible" that tax dollars must be spent to repair the damages done at the parks.
"Something needs to be done," he said.
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