The controversial issue of fracking isn't necessarily a new topic of discussion at the Mill Creek MetroParks board meetings, but Monday, after the board announced their new executive director the advocacy group Guardians of Mill Creek Park, didn't waste anytime before confronting him on the subject.


"Aaron Young we need you to write a statement and meet with the public about how you are going to protect Mill Creek Park from fracking," said Lynn Anderson with Guardians of Mill Creek Park.


Aaron Young, the parks newly announced executive director didn't look up or make eye contact with Anderson. But his predecessor and board commissioners were quick to respond to her accusations that public records show interest in future fracking in the park.


"You're wrong. That is not true," said soon-to-be former Executive Director Dennis Miller. "You are not speaking the truth."


"I am speaking the truth," stressed Anderson.


The meeting included several heated moments between Anderson and the board commissioners.


One commissioner said it was unfair of Anderson to demand a statement from Young since fracking would ultimately be a decision made by the board.


"The decision would never come form Mr. Young or any executive director. The decision  would come from folks who sit up here. The executive director would follow the orders of the board," said commissioner Valencia Marrow.


After the meeting, the board president Louis Schiavoni commented on the heated moments.  "We've never said anything. For two years all of us board members have sat there and never said a word and unfortunately it seemed like it was the end of the year and we all busted lose a little bit," said Schiavoni. "It may not have been quite appropriate, but there are no plans to frack the park, there haven't been any plans to frack the park."


The parks new executive director also weighed in after the meeting.  "People are passionate about their parks and you can't fault them for having that passion. But I think what you saw in there was the board redirecting some of that passion due to some of the lack of information that some of the residents had in regard to the processes," said Young. "I think the more information you can provide, the better the ability of the residents to provide a response to gauge or direct their passion."


And as to his feelings on fracking in the parks.  "My response is ditto. The board pretty much told you how its going to operate," said Young.


The final details of Young's contract are still being worked out before he will officially assume responsibilities in January 2015.


Young has been the Director of Planning and Operations for the Geauga Park District since September 2014. He began at the Geauga Park District in 2005 as a planner and in 2006 was promoted to Director of Planning.


Young will succeed Mill Creek Park Executive Director Dennis Miller. Miller stepped down from the position in September to pursue a position at The Lake Club in Poland as the golf director.