City safety forces seek to establish memorial

Former officer asks council to rename new park after fallen officer Mazany

A safety forces memorial is in the works for property near Mentor City Hall.

That was revealed at the last City Council meeting after a retired police officer asked that more be done to honor the memory of Patrolman Mathew Mazany.

Former police Sgt. Jim Stone twice has asked council to rename the city’s new property, Springbrook Gardens Park, after Mazany, who was struck by a vehicle and killed June 24 while responding backup to a call on Route 2 near Route 306.

Stone acknowledges that the city intends to rename the stretch of Route 2 after Mazany.

“While I applaud you for this recognition, let me remind you of the huge outpouring of love, respect and grief when this community lined the streets and gathered en masse to visibly demonstrate their support and sense of loss,” Stone said at the March 5 meeting.

He also expressed concern that officials planned to rename the new park after a city councilman, like three others in town.

“Now is the time to recognize all safety forces — police and fire together — by dedicating this new city park to them and renaming it Mathew Mazany Safety Forces Park,” he said.

However, council members explained the history of Springbrook and the reasons behind its name.

The Schultz family owned the property for more than 100 years. It originally was part of Wayside Gardens. Kirchner noted that developers were seeking to buy the nursery land when Jack Schultz sought to sell it to the city for preservation, in 2014.

Councilman at large Ray Kirchner said he spoke with Mazany’s brother, Mike, about it.

“Mike understood that,” Kirchner said. “And I also told him that we are presently planning with our police and fire to do something in honor of our safety forces here on the police and fire campus, which would include Mat being memorialized and (another) former policeman who was killed.”

Council President John Krueger said Civic Center is to be the location of the memorial.

“More than likely, we’ll have plaques and so on, but it won’t be a Springbrook Gardens,” he said.

“I’m going to honor what the safety forces are asking us to do and that is over on this property.”

Officials also reassured Stone that there has been no talk of renaming Springbrook after a councilman.

After the meeting, Stone appeared to be satisfied.

“I’m happy that they’re honoring Officer Mazany and the fire department, too,” he said. “I wasn’t aware.”

Police Chief Kevin Knight indicated that the memorial likely would be pursued sometime this summer.

“There is a memorial tree for Mat that was planted and will be dedicated later this month or early next month,” Knight said. “That is in the area where the cruiser was parked. The memorial will be a (separate) safety forces memorial for both police and fire department members that have lost their lives in the line of duty.”

Brian Anthony of Kirtland pleaded guilty March 1 to several charges related to the crash that killed Mazany.

A safety forces memorial is in the works for property near Mentor city hall.