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Parks board honors Nunziato
By Elise Franco
Boardman
The guest of honor turned the tables and thanked his former colleagues for their service to Mill Creek MetroParks.
Carl Nunziato, former MetroParks board commissioner, was honored by the current board during Monday’s meeting at Mill Creek Golf Course.
Nunziato, who opted not to seek reappointment when his term expired at the end of 2009, said he was humbled by the praise from his former colleagues, whom he also considers friends.
“I’m very sincerely appreciative of this,” he said. “I have a great deal of respect for everyone here, so to be honored like this is a great treat for me.”
Board President Jay Macejko said though he served only one year with Nunziato during his seven-year term, it is one year he would never forget.
“What I learned from him in that single year will stay with me,” Macejko said.
He said Nunziato was committed to the park and to the people he served.
“While there are a lot of words to describe Carl, one that comes to mind is committed,” he said. “There’s no doubt he was committed to the Mill Creek MetorParks.”
Macejko and Tom Bresko, interim executive director, presented a framed plaque that was signed by the current board members.
Having all five board members sign the plaque was important for Macejko because it was Nunziato who pushed with him last year for the board expansion from three to five.
“[We] worked hard to expand the board to five,” Macejko said. “That will be one of his lasting legacies here.”
Nunziato said he misses the job but is not worried for the MetroParks’ future.
“The park is a beautiful place,” he said. “I do miss it, but I think it’s in good hands.”
The former commissioner credited the parks’ success to those who run it.
“The park is a business,” Nunziato said. “There’s no question that around the city ,the park is a jewel, and it’s because you people have made it that.”