Jackson Township trustees, Belfast school group discuss proposed lease agreement
Lead Summary
By
Rory Ryan-hcpress@cinci.rr.com
BELFAST – Tempers flared and heated words were exchanged for a brief time during the Jackson Township Trustees meeting Monday evening, as trustees and members of the Save Our School Committee debated issues surrounding the former Belfast School Building.
By the close of the meeting, however, all parties demonstrated mutual respect and courtesy toward each other.
Approximately 25 to 30 community members attended the meeting, which centered around a recently discontinued lease agreement between the Belfast Community Center, Inc. (the former school) and two area auctioneers. Neither of the auctioneers attended the meeting.
When Jackson Township fiscal officer Chris Michael began the meeting by reading the minutes from the Feb. 8 meeting, he referenced that one of the auctioneers became "verbally abusive" at the previous meeting, after he was informed of a rent increase for use of the Belfast gymnasium and other areas of the building.
"I did not include all of the (crude language) in the minutes," Michael said. "I will amend the minutes if you want to change that. I do have all of the profanity (that was used) in my notes."
Trustee Brad Hart suggested the Feb. 8 minutes be revised to reflect the alleged profanity by one of the auctioneers. Trustees Chad Frazer and Carey Michael agreed.
"I would need a motion not to accept these minutes," Chris Michael said. A motion was made to amend the minutes and approved, 3-0.
• Trustees also discussed a letter regarding a property line fence dispute between Roy Bellamy and Phil Weyrich. Trustees said the matter is likely headed to a March 18 court date in Highland County Common Pleas Court.
• Chris Rakyta then began what turned into an almost 90-minute open discussion on the use and future plans for the former Belfast School. In prepared comments, Rakyta presented a possible long-term solution for the trustees and the non-profit Belfast Community Center, Inc.
"I think we have a win-win solution for everybody," Rakyta said. She presented a proposal, prepared by attorney Ron Swonger, for a one-year, $1 contract between BCCI and the trustees. "This will allow both parties time to evaluate the lease," she said.
Rakyta said by losing the auctioneers as tenants the center is jeopardizing additional revenues from concessions and other potential rentals. "We have revenue opportunities from local baseball and softball teams for indoor practice during wet weather."
Rakyta said a long-term agreement on the building could lead to additional opportunities. She then quoted from former Superintendent Weaver G. Williamson from his Jan. 1, 1937 dedication of the former Belfast High School. "This building has been long-needed for this community...We've needed an auditorium for a community meeting place. The progressive spirit of Jackson Township made this happen. On with progress..."
After submitting copies of the proposed lease agreement to the township, Rakyta closed by informing the audience and trustees that Superintendent Williamson was her grandfather.
At 7:55 p.m., the trustees paused to evaluate the proposal. Chris Michael then questioned Rakyta on the building insurance. "Would the township continue its insurance coverage?"
"As far as I know, yes," Rakyta said. "Ron Swonger wrote the lease. We can check with him."
Ivan Rakyta, Chris' husband and a former Jackson Township trustee, said "We would be open to negotiation on this."
Chris Michael said it was his advice to trustees that the proposal be reviewed by Highland County Prosecutor Jim Grandey.
"The building has been self-sufficient," Michael said. "I have not had to allocate any other funds to the building."
Rakyta said the lease was written "to make it very simple for everyone."
"It (the relationship between the trustees and the BCCI) has worked well for me," Michael said. "We work well together."
It was at this point when Rakyta asked trustees for a timetable on their decision, the meeting became adversarial for approximately one hour, with heated words being exchanged between trustees and many in attendance.
"It's like there's a rush on now," Carey Michael said. "I am surprised by how many people are here. We will take this under advisement and no action will be taken tonight."
"The school belongs to the citizens of Jackson Township, right?" one audience member asked. "Yes," trustees responded. "It's the duty of trustees to represent the citizens, right?" the audience member continued. "Yes," trustees said.
"We can't undo what's been done," said Jackson Township resident Martha Jacob. But are you going to consider Chris' proposal? It's a wonderful proposal."
"There's been a lot of misconception about that last trustees meeting," Chris Michael said. "There was too much time spent on this building. We have road problems and other issues (which demand trustees' attention)."
"Because of your decision, we've lost $1,000," Ivan Rakyta said. "That's unacceptable."
Rakyta, who had been standing, was then confronted by Chris and Carey Michael, both of whom stood in protest, as Rakyta warned, "Don't ever bring up my integrity."
Chris Michael then addressed Rakyta directly and all parties quickly regained their composure returned to their respective seats.
Trustees repeated that at the Feb. 8 meeting they felt it was a "hostile environment," with abusive language and name-calling directed at them by one of the auctioneers.
Michael, a former member of the Bright Local School District Board of Education, said there was no intention of shutting down the former school.
"This community would not have this building if it wasn't for me and some others in the community," he said. "I was born and raised here and I love this community...but (the auctioneer) came in here with hostility. He called me (profane names). I wish everybody could have heard what he said."
"I understand why he (the auctioneer) got mad," Ivan Rakyta said. "You've got to forget the past. Let it go."
At that point, Carey Michael raised his voice to Chris Rakyta and asked her if she'd been called a "(expletive)".
"Do you think this is funny, Chris?" he asked.
"No, Carey," Rakyta said. "I was trying to make a point..."
Dick Gorman, who served on the original committee to save the school, then asked to speak.
"In the past, people were working for the common good. This can be a good thing, but we can't attack one another. We have to work together. Everybody's got memories here, but hollering and insulting one another won't help. Belfast has contributed greatly to the Highland County community. The trustees deserve your respect."
Following Gorman's words, the meeting took on a calmer tone as discussions continued.
"We're just trying to get a decent lease for the building," Carey Michael said.
"I understand the trustees need to review this and have Jim Grandey review it," Ivan Rakyta said.
"We'll take it under the advisement of Jim," Carey Michael said.
Trustee Chad Frazer assured everyone "There's no intention to shut it down. But there are other ways to make money on the building."
"We are not working against the school," Chris Michael said.
At 9:10 p.m., the open discussion on the former school building concluded and many of the parties involved reached out and exchanged handshakes and friendlier words for one another. Prior to leaving the township building, Ivan Rakyta spoke with Carey and Chris Michael and everyone pledged to work together on behalf of the community and the former school building.[[In-content Ad]]
By the close of the meeting, however, all parties demonstrated mutual respect and courtesy toward each other.
Approximately 25 to 30 community members attended the meeting, which centered around a recently discontinued lease agreement between the Belfast Community Center, Inc. (the former school) and two area auctioneers. Neither of the auctioneers attended the meeting.
When Jackson Township fiscal officer Chris Michael began the meeting by reading the minutes from the Feb. 8 meeting, he referenced that one of the auctioneers became "verbally abusive" at the previous meeting, after he was informed of a rent increase for use of the Belfast gymnasium and other areas of the building.
"I did not include all of the (crude language) in the minutes," Michael said. "I will amend the minutes if you want to change that. I do have all of the profanity (that was used) in my notes."
Trustee Brad Hart suggested the Feb. 8 minutes be revised to reflect the alleged profanity by one of the auctioneers. Trustees Chad Frazer and Carey Michael agreed.
"I would need a motion not to accept these minutes," Chris Michael said. A motion was made to amend the minutes and approved, 3-0.
• Trustees also discussed a letter regarding a property line fence dispute between Roy Bellamy and Phil Weyrich. Trustees said the matter is likely headed to a March 18 court date in Highland County Common Pleas Court.
• Chris Rakyta then began what turned into an almost 90-minute open discussion on the use and future plans for the former Belfast School. In prepared comments, Rakyta presented a possible long-term solution for the trustees and the non-profit Belfast Community Center, Inc.
"I think we have a win-win solution for everybody," Rakyta said. She presented a proposal, prepared by attorney Ron Swonger, for a one-year, $1 contract between BCCI and the trustees. "This will allow both parties time to evaluate the lease," she said.
Rakyta said by losing the auctioneers as tenants the center is jeopardizing additional revenues from concessions and other potential rentals. "We have revenue opportunities from local baseball and softball teams for indoor practice during wet weather."
Rakyta said a long-term agreement on the building could lead to additional opportunities. She then quoted from former Superintendent Weaver G. Williamson from his Jan. 1, 1937 dedication of the former Belfast High School. "This building has been long-needed for this community...We've needed an auditorium for a community meeting place. The progressive spirit of Jackson Township made this happen. On with progress..."
After submitting copies of the proposed lease agreement to the township, Rakyta closed by informing the audience and trustees that Superintendent Williamson was her grandfather.
At 7:55 p.m., the trustees paused to evaluate the proposal. Chris Michael then questioned Rakyta on the building insurance. "Would the township continue its insurance coverage?"
"As far as I know, yes," Rakyta said. "Ron Swonger wrote the lease. We can check with him."
Ivan Rakyta, Chris' husband and a former Jackson Township trustee, said "We would be open to negotiation on this."
Chris Michael said it was his advice to trustees that the proposal be reviewed by Highland County Prosecutor Jim Grandey.
"The building has been self-sufficient," Michael said. "I have not had to allocate any other funds to the building."
Rakyta said the lease was written "to make it very simple for everyone."
"It (the relationship between the trustees and the BCCI) has worked well for me," Michael said. "We work well together."
It was at this point when Rakyta asked trustees for a timetable on their decision, the meeting became adversarial for approximately one hour, with heated words being exchanged between trustees and many in attendance.
"It's like there's a rush on now," Carey Michael said. "I am surprised by how many people are here. We will take this under advisement and no action will be taken tonight."
"The school belongs to the citizens of Jackson Township, right?" one audience member asked. "Yes," trustees responded. "It's the duty of trustees to represent the citizens, right?" the audience member continued. "Yes," trustees said.
"We can't undo what's been done," said Jackson Township resident Martha Jacob. But are you going to consider Chris' proposal? It's a wonderful proposal."
"There's been a lot of misconception about that last trustees meeting," Chris Michael said. "There was too much time spent on this building. We have road problems and other issues (which demand trustees' attention)."
"Because of your decision, we've lost $1,000," Ivan Rakyta said. "That's unacceptable."
Rakyta, who had been standing, was then confronted by Chris and Carey Michael, both of whom stood in protest, as Rakyta warned, "Don't ever bring up my integrity."
Chris Michael then addressed Rakyta directly and all parties quickly regained their composure returned to their respective seats.
Trustees repeated that at the Feb. 8 meeting they felt it was a "hostile environment," with abusive language and name-calling directed at them by one of the auctioneers.
Michael, a former member of the Bright Local School District Board of Education, said there was no intention of shutting down the former school.
"This community would not have this building if it wasn't for me and some others in the community," he said. "I was born and raised here and I love this community...but (the auctioneer) came in here with hostility. He called me (profane names). I wish everybody could have heard what he said."
"I understand why he (the auctioneer) got mad," Ivan Rakyta said. "You've got to forget the past. Let it go."
At that point, Carey Michael raised his voice to Chris Rakyta and asked her if she'd been called a "(expletive)".
"Do you think this is funny, Chris?" he asked.
"No, Carey," Rakyta said. "I was trying to make a point..."
Dick Gorman, who served on the original committee to save the school, then asked to speak.
"In the past, people were working for the common good. This can be a good thing, but we can't attack one another. We have to work together. Everybody's got memories here, but hollering and insulting one another won't help. Belfast has contributed greatly to the Highland County community. The trustees deserve your respect."
Following Gorman's words, the meeting took on a calmer tone as discussions continued.
"We're just trying to get a decent lease for the building," Carey Michael said.
"I understand the trustees need to review this and have Jim Grandey review it," Ivan Rakyta said.
"We'll take it under the advisement of Jim," Carey Michael said.
Trustee Chad Frazer assured everyone "There's no intention to shut it down. But there are other ways to make money on the building."
"We are not working against the school," Chris Michael said.
At 9:10 p.m., the open discussion on the former school building concluded and many of the parties involved reached out and exchanged handshakes and friendlier words for one another. Prior to leaving the township building, Ivan Rakyta spoke with Carey and Chris Michael and everyone pledged to work together on behalf of the community and the former school building.[[In-content Ad]]