He will petition the court to approve:

–– The proposed sale of 3.3 acres of land to developer Greg Sutterlin.

–– A request by local developer Jeff Davenport to purchase an easement from Route 618 to the lakefront to be used in conjunction with his planned Snow Waters housing development.

–– A request by Conneaut Lake resident Carl Burkett to grant an easement over property he owns that he can sell.

As far as the park opening, Stearns said that decision in the past has been made as late as May 17.

For him, however, that “won’t be my concern in 20 days,” he said, referring to his removal as court-appointed overseer.

The master plan calls for satisfying the park’s debt through fees and annual leases from development, management and lease agreements, with funds to be used to “manage the affairs of Conneaut Lake Park, including the satisfaction of debts.” According to the report, that debt now totals $2.7 million.

The plan is in general terms with no specific amounts for any of the leases or developer agreements listed.

In the meantime, general manager George Deshner said Wednesday that for him it was business as usual. He understands Stearns’ decision, noting it didn’t “come as any real surprise.”

“I don’t think LeRoy has gotten credit for the work he has been doing for Conneaut Lake Park,” he added.

As far as his future, Deshner said that decision will be up to the new board of directors.

He said the timing is unfortunate in that the park is at a very critical stage with work to be done to open and no money to call back employees. Also, critical decisions need to be made such as hiring a chef for Elizabeth’s Restaurant, a manager for the Beach Club or leasing the hotel and other revenue centers to outside contractors. He said the new board will have several options to consider.

Although the park had an agreement with Conneaut Concessions for the company to lease the Beach Club until this end of this year, that lease was terminated mutually, according to Stearns.

“I am going to continue to do my job,” Deshner said, noting that if a new board’s decision is not to keep him, “it will be fine with me as well.”

At the same time, he said many people don’t understand the magnitude of CLP operations. “It’s very easy to criticize when you are not here on a day-to-day basis.”