There are always at least two sides to every story. The proposed removal of the Leavittsburg Dam is just such a story.

The Trumbull County MetroParks’ decision to scuttle the dam was controversial from the start. Everyone from residents of Leavittsburg and Warren Township, the MetroParks Board of Commissioners and the Trumbull County Commissioners jumped in to form opinions on one side or the other.

Those in favor of removing dams on the Mahoning River want to restore the waterway to as close to its natural state as possible.

Three other Mahoning River dams — the Summit Street Dam in Warren and the Lowellville and Struthers dams — already have been removed. Nine dams on the river have been targeted for removal.

There are plenty of reasons to consider removal. One is safety. Every year in the United States, people drown in mishaps related to dams. Lisa Zitello, 45, was kayaking on the Mahoning River on May 3, 2020, when an undertow pulled her over a 10-foot waterfall. She was caught in the current at the Summit Street Dam and nearly drowned. Jacob Fowler, a fisherman, jumped in and pulled Zitello toward shore, and got her out of the river with the help of Warren police officer Daniel Shipman. Another officer, Joe Wilson, performed CPR.

Despite the heroic efforts of the three men, Zitello spent four years on a ventilator in a nursing facility and died last fall.

In addition to safety concerns, those advocating for the removal of low-head dams often point to the improvement of the overall health of the river and fish migration. Another concern is that the average age of dams like the one in Leavittsburg is 57 years, and many are breaking down and in need of repair or removal.

Those fighting to keep the Leavittsburg Dam worry about the potential for flooding, sewage issues, damage to properties near the river and liability concerns. The removal of the dam also would likely hasten the demise of Canoe City, which ironically enough, is a MetroPark.

The Warren Township trustees and the Trumbull County commissioners teamed up on a lawsuit to pause the dam’s removal for 180 days while potential alternatives could be discussed. But Trumbull County Common Pleas Judge Ronald Rice dismissed the suit on May 13, which should have signaled the end of all the legal wrangling.

Emphasis on should have. The Warren Township Trustees announced last week they plan to have their attorney file an appeal. That is the township’s prerogative.

But the commissioners — already embroiled in several lawsuits over the last couple of years — should strongly consider standing down on the dam issue. They have other more pressing concerns than appealing the dismissal of a suit they probably shouldn’t have gotten involved with in the first place. Let Warren Township go it alone, especially since the lawsuit was against an entity — the Trumbull County MetroParks — that they fund.

A lawsuit involving former commissioner Niki Frenchko over Sunshine Law violations was just settled. Frenchko and representatives of Open Government Access split $1,500 in the agreement; the law firm Barron, Peck, Bennie and Schlemmer walked away with the other $49,500.

Commissioner Denny Malloy said it “put a knot” in his stomach that Trumbull County “had to pay a single penny.”

Guess what? Ohio’s Sunshine Law is important and when violations happen, it’s usually because proper rules and procedures are not being followed.

There also is a pending appeal of a judgment against the county, former Trumbull County Sheriff Paul Monroe, Sgts. Robert Ross and Harold Wix — who arrested Frenchko during a July 7, 2022, commissioners meeting — and former commissioners Mauro Cantalamessa and Frank Fuda.

We think enough Trumbull County business has been done in courtrooms lately. The commissioners should stop fighting with their own entity — the Trumbull County MetroParks — and focus on moving the county forward instead of treading water over the dam.