LISBON — Longtime Columbiana County Park District member and chairman Eileen Dray-Bardon stepped down recently, saying it’s for the good of the park district.

“I take this action in order to put an end to any problems that my participation on the board has or may cause,” she wrote in her resignation letter. “Our county park district faces many challenges. Our strength is that we have an excellent staff — very capable administrative assistant, skilled maintenance crew — and dedicated board members. I wish only the best for our county park district.”

The letter sent to the park district board of commissioners was dated Oct. 8 and she informed them that she mailed a letter of resignation to Columbiana County Probate Court Judge Tom Baronzzi on Oct. 7, with her resignation to be effective immediately.

When contacted by phone Tuesday, Dray-Bardon said she was originally appointed to the park district board in December 2013. Her latest term was scheduled to expire at the end of December this year. When asked for the reason behind the sudden resignation, she shared her thoughts.

“There are concerns with my leadership style so I thought in the best interest of the park district, I thought it best to take my leave now,” Dray-Bardon said.

A dedicated public servant who had a lengthy career with the Columbiana County Department of Job and Family Services as its director before retiring, she volunteered to join the park district board and in recent years had focused on trying to secure financial support for the operations while also working to expand the Little Beaver Creek Greenway Trail and continuing to care for the park properties and offering programs to engage the residents.

“I wish the park district the best and whatever direction they decide to go, that it serves the park district and this county well,” she said.

Tom Butch, who was vice chairman of the board, will now serve as acting chairman until the end of the year, with a new chairman to be selected in January when the board reorganizes. The board met last week and accepted Dray-Bardon’s resignation, recognizing her years of dedication to the park district.

Butch was contacted Tuesday and said the board members will try to come up with some names for a new member which they can forward to Baronzzi for appointment, likely for the new term starting in January. The candidates will likely be discussed at the board’s next meeting at 3:30 p.m. Nov. 11 at the board office on Maple Street, Lisbon.

“I enjoyed working with Eileen for many, many years. She was great to work with and we’re really going to miss her,” Butch said.

Besides Butch, the current members of the board include Dave Hughes, who was reappointed to a new three-year term starting this year, Crystal Siembida Boggs, who was appointed as a new member to a three-year term starting this year and Joe Lawhorn, who was just appointed in July to fill an unexpired term which expires in December 2026. He replaced longtime board member Dottie Betz, who resigned in May.

Butch, Hughes and Lawhorn were present for the board meeting Oct. 14, with Siembida Boggs excused. Butch said the project to repair three culverts on the Little Beaver Creek Greenway Trail is nearly complete. He’s hoping for that section of trail to be reopened by the end of the week.