We already pointed you to an interesting article from The Plain Dealer describing Judge Anthony Russo's involvement in the selection of a new Cleveland Metroparks director.  Shortly after that, The Plain Dealer published an editorial that sharply criticized Judge Russo for his involvement in the selection process.  CAMBA felt that this editorial was unfair and CAMBA Presdient Brett Zink responded to this editorial with a letter to the editor expressing our support for Judge Russo.

The letter:

"We applaud the efforts of Cuyahoga County Probate Judge Anthony Russo to involve himself in the single most important decision the Cleveland Metroparks will make this year -- the appointment of an executive director.

Today, the Cleveland Metroparks continues to pursue the same types of projects it has undertaken for decades, while giving little thought to what benefits these projects actually provide our region. If playing golf, walking an asphalt path, or visiting a nature center is not your idea of outdoor recreation, the message from the Cleveland Metroparks is. "Try somewhere else."

Judge Russo has been unfairly criticized for taking the initiative to sit in o­n the interview process and actually ask a few questions. Good for him, as he is answerable to the voters, unlike the Cleveland Metroparks' Board of Park Commissioners.

Our group of off-road cycling enthusiasts is made up of doctors, teachers and even a few judges, but like many other small and less-connected organizations, the Cleveland Metroparks forces us through an elaborate bureaucratic maze and ultimately rejects our ideas. Judge Russo has met with us and has heard our concerns. We thank him for listening.

Brett Zink
President
Cleveland Area Mountain Bike Association"

For more background o­n CAMBA's relationship with Cleveland Metroparks, read "Cleveland Metroparks & CAMBA: The Epic Struggle to Ride a Bicycle in the Woods".