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Resident presses council for full recreation center records, cites safety concerns
Summary
A Brook Park resident told council she requested full public records for the recreation center, said earlier responses returned only partial pages and raised safety concerns after a tornado and strong bleach odors in the building.
Elizabeth Sears, a resident who identified herself during public comment, asked council for full public records related to the Brook Park Recreation Center under the Ohio Public Records Act.
Sears said she submitted the request on April 9, 2025 and complained that prior responses returned partial documents — "9 pages out of 50" — rather than the full inspection reports, engineering assessments, maintenance logs and repair records she requested. She said she wanted complete documentation about the facility’s condition, including records after the recent tornado.
"I want the full reports of this building," Sears said. "I have the right, and I have the right to let people know." She also complained about a strong bleach smell in the facility and said residents deserve to know whether it is safe to be inside.
Mayor Orcutt and staff offered to follow up: the mayor said department heads handle records requests and the law director had discussed timing; council members asked staff to take the request seriously and to provide the complete records in accordance with state law.
What happens next: The mayor said he would check with the police chief and HR regarding the public-information request and staff said they would respond; the law director offered to coordinate and to meet with the resident if needed.
