Committee forms to discuss Terrace Hall, other projects

The Kent Citizens Advisory Committee held an organizational meeting last night at the Kent Fire Department to discuss Terrace Hall and other projects the university feels are important.

Representatives from the university, Kent City Council, PARTA and citizens living in affected areas were all invited to attend the meeting and become part of the committee.

A majority of the discussion seemed to focus on the Terrace Area Parking Accommodation project.

Tony Clapper, senior assistant to the vice president of administration, said the projects are important to the university and would like the community’s input on these projects.

“The sign that we are reaching out to the community shows you how important we feel these projects are,” he said. “We are not just looking at this from a university prospective but a community prospective.”

Dave Merleno, Kent public service director, said the other two projects the university would like addressed are possible improvements to Summit Street and the building of an intermodal facility that would support downtown Kent and connect it with the university.

He said the projects would be in the best interest for everyone in the university and the community.

The committee agreed to name Merleno the facilitator of the meetings and agreed to meet the second Tuesday and fourth Thursday of every month.

— Joshua Hudson

Interim coordinator found dead from apparent suicide

Brett Harley, interim coordinator of Workforce Development at the Kent State Ashtabula campus, was found dead of an apparent suicide at the Geneva State Lodge in Geneva Wednesday morning.

Harley had been working as an adjunct faculty member and temporary employee of the Workforce Development department, and his contract as interim director ended Dec. 31.

Frank Vacciello, director of public relations for Kent State Ashtabula, said Harley was well liked in the close-knit community where he worked.

“Brett Harley’s passing is a tragedy,” Vacciello said. “We are very concerned for his family at this time. He had quite a few friends on this campus who will miss him.”

Harley did leave a note, but the contents of the note are not available due to a continuing investigation by police.

Harley is survived by his wife and two children. Arrangements for a funeral and calling hours will be announced at a later time.

—Sarah Baldwin