Mill Creek MetroParks Board meeting sparks heated protests
She went on to say the protesters do not speak for everyone, calling them “bullies” who had “never been over the wall of Youngstown.” Suddenly, she was interrupted, as a former park employee stormed the podium and removed her Mill Creek Park shirt.

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -
For more than two months protesters at Mill Creek Metro Parks have demanded the removal of Park Executive Director Aaron Young and Monday was no different.
Protesters first gathered outside the Mahoning County Courthouse demanding the replacement of Young and then took their concerns to the Park Board of Commissioners.
"You don't listen to us we are the citizens that want to preserve the legacy of Volney Rogers," said one woman.
"There was no financial need to fire all these people," said one man.
"I feel betrayed by the government leadership of this park," said another woman.
The protesters have been calling for more transparency and the removal of Young since February when Young laid off thirteen park employees.
There were some in attendance at the meeting who said they feel the board is listening. One woman said she supports both the commissioners and Young.
"If you have had to put up with these loud mouths, whiners and bullies over the last several months trying to tell you what you need to do," she said.
She went on to say the protesters do not speak for everyone, again calling them “bullies” who had “never been over the wall of Youngstown.” Suddenly, she was interrupted, as a former park employee who had been let go stormed the podium and removed her Mill Creek Park shirt.
Heidi Hall spoke with 21 News after the meeting, saying the shirt was once park of her park uniform.
“I got so expressive and emotional that I got to shed it,” Hall said. “And that's me wanting to shed Aaron Young out of this park.”
Park commissioners have stood in support of Young and tell 21 News those feelings have not changed.
Since February, park commissioner have said they stand in support of Young. They told 21 News Monday night that those feelings have not changed. However, they say they are taking steps to give the public the transparency they want. That includes a new “public information” tab on their website, which provides financial documents.
“I think a lot of people are going to get the information they want and I think it's going to end a lot of misconception or rumors that people are throwing out there,” said John Ragan, the Board President. “Because sometimes they only give you half the truth.”
One of the 13 employees who was fired, Park Naturalist Ray Novotny, was given the honorary title of Park Naturalist Emeritus. He did not wish to comment on the his new role.