Musial leaving office to deal with family health
By Jeff Gallatin
North Olmsted
Published March 23, 2005

After March 31, Mayor Norman T. Musial will be in a position he hasn't been in since 1991 — that of a private citizen.

Musial resigned from the mayor's post March 17, effective March 31, by announcing it to a small group of city directors and members of the news media. Terming it a "retirement" and citing family health reasons, Musial said it would take effect midnight March 31. He has served as mayor since 1998, beating current Councilwoman-at-large Carolyn Kasler to win a second term in 2002. He served as a councilman-at-large from 1992 to 1997.

With Musial leaving, Council President Thomas O'Grady moves into the top spot for the remainder of 2005. O'Grady is also one of five candidates for the mayoral post in this year's elections, along with Joseph Bouman, Charles Dial, Thomas Herbster and Thomas Ryan. Musial had already opted not to seek re-election, also citing then the ill health of other family members.

A brief press release noted the health issues in Musial's family.

"Although he is currently in excellent health, some family occurrences have happened recently, which have demonstrated not only how fragile life really is, but also how quickly someone's health can change," the release said.

He said in the release he's happy with the current state of the city.

"The city is being left in good shape and will continue toward our goal of becoming a premier city in the state of Ohio. Administratively speaking, there will be only a short pause after the president of council is sworn in to get his bearings, as the current administration has the city on better than 90 percent automatic operation.

"I thank all of the individuals inside and outside the city government who share my vision of North Olmsted becoming a premier city and worked so hard with me towards achieving that vision," he said in the release, concluding it with his campaign catchphrase "Together we can make a difference."

After the announcement, Musial acknowledged there have been rumors for more than a year that he would resign from the mayoral post to make O'Grady the incumbent and give him an advantage in this year's elections.

"I've heard them (the rumors) and that is not the case," Musial said. "That's one of the reaons I wanted to do it this way. I wanted to make sure I was leaving the city in a good position."

He said O'Grady should do a good job because of his experience and the experience of the city employees in running current city operations.

"We've done well with the budget -- it's eight straight years without a tax increase in the budget," Musial said.

He said he certainly wished for a different result with NOMBL, since RTA formally took over its operations March 20.

"NOMBL was the oldest municipal bus line in the state, (it's 75th anniversary was slated for the end of March) it's something to be proud of," Musial said. "It's unfortunate how it worked out."

Musial's nearly eight years as mayor have been marked by both highs and lows politically for the former NASA official, who also is an attorney and author.

He said significant activities during his administration construction of the new North Olmsted branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library, introduction of dewatering centrifuge technology to the wastewater treatment plant, the Crocker-Stearns connection between Center Ridge Road and I-480 and providing for non-partisan elections in the city.

Musial also has cited the voters passing an issue to build a new Fire Station 2 to replace the current one which was built in the 1950s and working with RTA to get a Park-N-Ride facility in the city. He also noted that no tax increases had gone on in the city except the two approved by residents for the new library and the new fire station respectively.

During his second term, Musial has had to deal with the investigation of allegations that he and his then secretary Mary Creadon had used their positions to obtain favorable pricing at the city operated Springvale Country Club for the annual Mayor's Ball and his private law firm. After a city investigation and a subsequent probe by the Cuyahoga County Grand Jury, the grand jury voted not to indict or charge Musial or Creadon with any offenses. The Municipal Ethics Commission also investigated and found no cause to charge Musial with any violations. It did find cause with Creadon, but declined to do so because she had resigned from her last city position as service director earlier that year.

Also during the second term, a recall effort was formally launched against Musial in January 2003. It cited the number of directors Musial had gone through, 10 by his second term, as well as questioning his management of the city. The group eventually gave up its effort late in the year without having gathered enough residents' signatures to get the recall issue on the ballot.

Reaction to Musial's resignation varied, with people wishing Musial and his family well in dealing with the health problems.

Law Director Jim Dubelko said he understands the mayor's decision.

"I have spoken with Mayor Musial on many occasions over the past months regarding the burdens of his office and the health problems of his family," Dubelko said. "While the timing of his decision came as somewhat of a surprise to me, the fact of his early retirement did not. I think that he made a wise decision that is in the best interests of both the city and himself and I wish him and his family well in retirement.

"The city government will be in good hands with new Mayor Thomas O'Grady, who by background and experience should be up to the task of administering the city government well. Understanding that every new mayor faces challenges upon taking office, I am sure that I speak for all the city directors when I state that we will all do everything that we can to support the new mayor as he takes on the duties of governing our city in economically challenging times."

Finance Director Carrie Copfer said she thought the mayor had experienced a rough time recently.

"I respect Mayor Musial's decision to put his family first," Copfer said. "I can tell these last few months with his family health issues have taken a toll on him. It is my opinion that he probably would have retired sooner, but he didn't want to leave with the NOMBL/RTA issue unsettled. I wish him and his family well and thank him for serving our community both on council and as the mayor."

Council members had varied reactions.

"I know the mayor's family is important to him and that he felt he had to take care of him," said Ward 1 Councilman Duane Limpert. "I enjoyed working with him through the years. I also look forward to a good working relationship with the new mayor as I've had with each of the mayors I've served with."