Collinwood Strong

We are Collinwood Strong.  I have always said that one should never underestimate the resilience and tenacity of the residents of Collinwood.  We prove that time and time again. The weekend of April 14, 2017 was no exception.  Our community was struck a devastating blow by the vicious murder of Trina Tomola and Michael Kuznik in their place of business, Mr. Cars II on East 185th Street on Good Friday, April 14.  I want to make this publicly clear that this was no random act of violence. This assassination of two long-time merchants and their pet dog was deliberate and calculated. We know this by the savagery of the shooting and what was taken from the business including cars.  You have to ask yourself as I did standing there in the middle of the night with the Homicide Unit and Janet & Randy Kuznik, Michael’s parents, along with their son, Collin, what type of human savages would commit such a horrific act, on Good Friday; my guess, only God knows. I have known this family for over thirty years and they did not deserve to leave this earth in such a manner.

I ask all residents and God-fearing people to pray for Mike and Trina and their three children and to also pray that the individuals who committed this senseless act are caught and brought to justice. Anyone who has any information, who might have heard and seen anything at all, to please contact the Cleveland Police Homicide Unit at (216) 623-5464 or Crimestoppers at (216) 252-7463.  A reward is being offered for any information leading to an arrest and conviction of the perpetrators.

I also ask you to pray for Robert Godwin, Sr., who was viciously murdered as seen on Facebook on East 93rd Street in the Glenville community, and his family. Robert’s sister, Ruby, is a long-time resident of our community. This was another mindless and senseless act of violence. It goes without saying that we express our deepest sympathy to her and the rest of the Godwin family.

We as a greater community must not let violent criminals define who we are and to cast a cloud over our neighborhoods whether it be Collinwood, Glenville or any other neighborhood in the city, for that fact. It is about being proud and being strong.  Let us continue to look out for one another, support our businesses and work doubly hard to make our community the best it can be. I am personally committed to that for I refuse to give in or give up to anyone who disrespects our community and the overwhelmingly majority of good people in it.

As we move into May, I am glad to officially announce that on Thursday, May 25, 2017 at 11:30 AM, the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, Administrative Staff, students, parents and my office will officially break ground for the new preK-8 Oliver Hazard Perry Elementary School on Schenely Avenue.  In fact, this is also the last official day of school before summer recess. Many of you know this project has been in the works for several years now and we as a community have worked tirelessly to make sure that thus new school is a state-of-the-art complex that will not only provide the environment for future learning but will also compliment the East 185th Street commercial corridor.  I hope to see as many of you as possible at this event to show our community’s support for the students and staff. Parking will be available on Harland Avenue as well.

Finally, there are also many things going on in the ward this summer.  The Scoop on Summer will be published soon.  We hope you will use this to discover all the unique opportunities for fun this summer in the Greater Collinwood community. In fact, the Scoop on Collinwood is a year round listing of the community activities online.   I hope to see you at many of these neighborhood events.

As always, please feel free to contact me at the office.  I may be reached at (216) 664-4236 or via email at mpolensek@clevelandcitycouncil.org

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Volume 9, Issue 5, Posted 4:02 PM, 05.07.2017