Twinsburgbulletin.com - Committee disbanded, board to stay in place

by Emily Canning-Dean

Reporter

Twinsburg -- Council has decided to abolish one city board and leave another other in tact.

Council voted 7-0 Nov. 24 to abolish the beautification committee and voted 0-7 to abolish the golf advisory board. The five members of the board have agreed to continue without pay.

Most members of the beautification committee agreed it was time to disband, while members of the golf advisory board say they believed their work should continue.

"The beautification committee was formed at a time when we didn't have a city gardener or a parks and recreation department, which handles planting and watering in city areas," said Councilor Bill Furey, explaining why the committee is no longer needed.

Furey said four of the five members of the committee are retiring from their positions at the end of 2009 and said they support disbanding. Each member is paid $55 per monthly meeting, which costs the city a little more than $3,000 annually, Furey said.

Furey said the beautification committee also reviews and awards best garden and holiday lights each year. See the Dec. 3 Twinsburg Bulletin for this year's top garden winners.

"Although we wouldn't have the beautification committee, the members agree they would like to try to form a volunteer group to oversee the awards," he said.

Furey said the five-member golf advisory board meets quarterly to review Gleneagles Golf Course's financial records and to discuss other issues regarding the course, such as greens fees and maintenance. Abolishing this board would save the city more than $1,000 annually, given members' $55 per meeting fee.

Councilor Gary Sorace said he thought abolishing the golf advisory board would be a hasty move.

"After talking to the members of the board, they've said they would like to continue volunteering, even if it is for free," Sorace said Nov. 24.

"I understand the city is trying to cut costs," said Drew Romito, a member of the golf advisory board for more than four years. "But why turn down input from volunteers at no cost? This board has worked to oversee and market the golf course."

Romito, who chooses not to take a stipend, said other members told him they are willing to follow suit.

"I think this would set an example for other boards and commissions," Romito said. "I think most people serve because they want to help and not because of the payment."

E-mail: ecanning@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3172