“It is with a mix of gratitude and reflection that I formally submit my resignation as a member of Mantua Council,” Former Councilman Marty Hura noted in his letter to Mantua Mayer Tammy Meyer upon resigning from Council after 28 years of service to the Village. Hura noted that serving, “has been one the greatest honors of my life.”
Hura, who has served on Village Council in a variety of capacities for 28 years, noted that he was stepping down in order to, “allow new leadership to continue the important work of serving residents.” Throughout his years of service, Hura was a long-time member of the Parks Committee, Meyer noted. He was so passionate about helping improve the Village that he donated the stipend he received for serving on Council back to the Village.
Meyer thought Hura deserved more than a simple proclamation. “It seemed very fitting to honor him for his service by naming the Park Lodge in his honor,” Meyer explained. She was quick to note that no Village funds were spent to bestow the honor – something of which Hura would most definitely approve. The event was to have been a surprise for Hura, but it was he who surprised the thirty-two people that gathered to honor him.
Meyer had worked behind the scenes with Hura’s best friend, fellow veteran and Mantua native Dave Pfifer to arrange for Hura to arrive at the park in time for the surprise. The day before, however, Hura agreed to sing at a funeral at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church where he’s a member of the choir. (Pfifer shared that Hura has a beautiful tenor voice.) When Hura learned of the surprise, he chose to sing at the funeral instead of being honored himself.
Instead, Pfifer brought Hura to the park a day early to see the sign bearing his name newly affixed to the Park Lodge. And Hura was surprised, albeit a day early. He told Pfifer that he couldn’t wait to show Buddy, his dog who joins him on daily walks at the park. Grateful, he noted to Meyer, “This is much better than a proclamation.” And he was pleased to learn that Village funds weren’t used to bestow his honor.
Rachel Sullivan, Administrative Assistant for the Village, applied for the Celebrate Portage! grant, according to Director of Regional Planning Todd Peetz. The funds are available to local communities to help offset the cost of public, non-exclusive community events. The grant was used to create a plaque which was crafted by J. Leonard in Garrettsville. A portion of the funds were also used to purchase a cake from Top Tier Pastries in Mantua.
Ray Corbett, long -time member of the American Legion, which meets at the Lodge, shared how fitting it was for the lodge to bear his friend’s name. He noted that Hura helped transform the former service garage into the Park Lodge 30 years prior.
