MetroPark Bait and Switch

By , posted June 20, 2002

Park systems are meant to be good stewards of public land. As government agencies, they are also obligated to be good stewards of public dollars. Unfortunately, Erie County's MetroParks System considers this monetary stewardship to extend to funds over which it was not intended to have. The state of Ohio bestowed upon this park system a $750,000 grant for the purchase of the new Edison Woods Park. Erie MetroParks spent only about $271,000 of that grant on the actual purchase, and decided to pocket the rest. So far, state oversight agencies have cast a blind eye to this abuse of public trust. [1]

In a debate that has raged for several years now, State Senator Jeffry J. Armbruster (R-North Ridgeville) has fought a largely unnoticed battle for the return of the excess funds to the state. Armbruster says that the money in the budget line item was for acquisition of the property only. He should know, as he is the Senator that requested and secured the money transfer to purchase Edison Woods in the first place. [2]

Instead, when the Erie MetroParks finalized the purchase for far less than the amount received from the state, they immediately began to draft a plan for how to go about spending the windfall. The funds are now being used as part of a 20-year maintenance and restoration project for the site. [3]

Park officials can hardly contain their glee. According to Erie County MetroParks Director Jon Granville, "I think the citizens of Erie County should be pleased that those dollars have been captured for use in Erie County, to serve our citizens." [4]

No doubt they are. Who can complain about free money, "captured" or otherwise? The problem is that the money is anything but free - it comes from taxpayers all across the state. The line of reasoning here is of the "if you can get away with it, it's not illegal" variety, and the precedent set for fiscal responsibility is outrageous.

Thus far, both the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the Inspector General have washed their hands of the whole mess. Senator Armbruster nonetheless continues to raise a ruckus even after everyone's already left the room.

Again, this is unfortunate for taxpayers and public policy in Ohio. The impression given is that not rocking the boat should come before accountability. Worse still, the casual disregard with which agency heads and other legislators have dispatched the matter implies that they have seen it all before and this is simply how things are done in Columbus.

In contrast, those responsible for the comings and goings of public dollars should engage in careful stewardship and do their best to avoid even the appearance of impropriety. By failing in this regard, policymakers have dealt a blow to their own credibility and have undermined public trust in the functions of state government. There is little excuse for this, and policymakers should strive to rectify the matter with utmost speed.

Notes

[1] Richard Payerchin, "MertoParks grant is under fire," The Morning Journal, 14 May 2003.

[2] State Senator Jeffry J. Armbruster to Ohio Department of Natural Resources Director Sam Speck, 2 August 2002.

[3] "Half Million Double Dip," The Morning Journal, 17 July 2002.

[4] Ibid.