Chief loses his school position

The removal is the result of an 'obscene gesture' at a recent game.
By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
HUBBARD -- Police Chief Martin Kanetsky was placed on administrative leave from the police department in August. Now, he has been permanently removed from a position with the school system.
Kanetsky had served as clock keeper this year for Hubbard schools basketball games. Superintendent Richard Buchenic, in a letter last week, informed Kanetsky his services would no longer be needed.
According to the letter, Kanetsky was terminated from the position because of an obscene gesture made toward the audience at a recent Hubbard High School basketball game.
"This decision results from your conduct at a recent basketball game in which you admitted to making an obscene gesture to the crowd. We simply cannot condone this kind of behavior on the part of our staff, be they volunteer or otherwise. You are to have no further involvement with Hubbard athletic programs," the letter said.
Buchenic could not be reached to comment.
The incident
Athletic Director Jim Vivo said the gesture took place at a Hubbard High School basketball game against Lakeview High School on Jan. 10. The game, he said, was played in Hubbard.
Vivo said the clock operator is a paid position, but was unsure what rate of pay Kanetsky was given. He said the position will be filled by a couple of other people on a game-to-game basis.
Mayor Arthur Magee said the actions of Kanetsky, while still officially police chief, do not set a good example for young people in the community.
"Here we are trying to make this a better community for our young people, and we have a police chief who does these types of stupid, inexcusable things," he said.
Magee placed Kanetsky on administrative leave from the police department in August but would not give an exact reason for the move, saying only that an investigation is ongoing.
Kanetsky has been a member of the city police force for more than 20 years. Through his attorney, Brian Kish of Betras, Maruca, Kopp, Harshman & amp; Bernard, Kanetsky said the leave and any investigation are a means of retaliation.
Kish said at the time the leave was instituted that Kanetsky was planning to file a lawsuit against the city and Magee for retaliation and violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act by not providing a reasonable place for him to do his job.
jgoodwin@vindy.com