Congratulations to Stark Parks’ celebration of Quail Hollow’s 50th anniversary, certainly a most valuable cornerstone of our district.
The article, though, failed to mention a very influential contributor to the acquisition of this gem. It was decided that Bob Fonte, Stark Parks director, a true visionary immensely dedicated to the district, Joseph Sommer, a former Ohio Department of Natural Resources director and a great contributor to Stark Parks, and I, the Stark Parks board chair, would drive to Columbus to meet with representatives of ODNR to discuss Quail Hollow joining our district.
With 10 ODNR representatives seated at one end of the table, and three of us at the other end, the odds were certainly in our favor negotiating. With just the three of us, we had them right where we wanted them. Then again, we had Joe. Mr. Sommer’s stellular reputation still reverberated throughout the building as the respected icon walked the halls of the ODNR headquarters greeting staff member after staff member.
Following a brief discussion of the various points of interests, to add levity to the meeting, I casually suggested that ODNR merely slide the keys of the facility to our end of the table and we’d be on our way. And, it was done. A most memorable day.
H. Steven Poulos, former Stark Parks board chair
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Here’s how Quail Hollow joined Stark Parks | Letter
Reporting by Canton Repository / The Repository
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