A pair of county park commissioners disagreed Tuesday with the board’s move to increase the district’s
liability coverage, saying it could lead to bigger lawsuits if something goes wrong in the park
district.
Several board members agreed that it made sense to spend $300 to increase total liability coverage from
$2 million to $3 million, particularly given that premium costs were lower this year by about $2,200.

That was enough to pass the measure by a 3-2 vote, but not without a discussion over whether the increase
would prompt anyone in a position to sue the park district to seek a larger sum in the event of an
accident.
Mentioned in the discussion and relevant to the debate was an 8-year-old boy who drowned last weekend at
Olander Park in Sylvania, as well as several other cases of children whose injuries led to insurance
claims by the parks where they were hurt.
"A fundamental principle of risk management is that you don’t risk a lot to save a little,"
said Bob Hawker, chair of the board. "Our net out-of-pocket is $300; I think it’s a reasonable
reinvestment."
Hawker pointed out that the extra coverage could be helpful in protecting the district if an accident
were to occur involving a park ranger discharging a firearm.
"I want Wood County to own this park, not somebody who gets shot or injured," he said.
Mary Krueger and John Calderonello joined Hawker in supporting the increase, with Bob Callecod and Joe
Long in disagreement.
"I’m not saying it doesn’t happen, but from what I’ve seen in the park district, I think you’d be
hard pressed to see that sort of negligence," Long said.
"My position is that once they know the limit, they pursue the limit" in the event of a
lawsuit.
"If you’re covered for $2 million, a good attorney’s going to sue you for $2 million. If you’re
covered for $3 million, you’re going to get sued for $3 million."
Hawker conceded that the two made a "valid point."
Long agreed with a statement by Callecod that when such cases go to court in Wood County, judges
typically award "conservative" judgements compared to other counties. Callecod additionally
pointed out that the park district is free of liability in some cases under the Ohio Recreational
Immunities Act.
The total policy, endorsed by the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association and underwritten by American Risk
Pooling Consultants, costs $66,839. The park district budgeted $68,000 for it this year, and the program
has been used by Wood County for more than 20 years, according to park district Director Neil Munger.