Owen Toale praised at his final Village Board meeting as a Medina trustee

Photos by Tom Rivers: Medina Mayor Mike Sidari presents a proclamation to Village Trustee Owen Toale declaring March 31 as “Owen Toale Day” in appreciation for “a lifetime of service to the Village of Medina.” Toale is wrapping up 12 years on the Village Board, including seven years as deputy mayor.

MEDINA – Owen Toale completed a 12-year tenure on the Medina Village Board this week. Toale, the deputy mayor for the past seven years, attended his final meeting as a village trustee on Monday.

He chose not to seek re-election. Diana Baker will take his spot on the board starting April 1.

Toale, the former editor and managing editor of The Journal-Register in Medina, praised the board members, villages employees and department heads, and many dedicated citizens for their commitment to the community, and pushing Medina forward.

Toale, who is currently being treated for cancer, relished a role as a taxpayer guardian, and enjoyed sharing anecdotes and asking penetrating questions during the meetings. Mayor Mike Sidari joked he expects the meetings will be about a half-hour shorter without Toale on the board.

The mayor said Toale brought much wisdom and discernment as a trustee, and also was a key negotiator for the village in union contracts.

Sidari presented Toale with a proclamation at the end of Monday’s meeting, declaring March 31 as “Owen Toale Day.” Sidari urged the community to celebrate Toale’s “lifetime of service to the Village of Medina.”

The mayor noted that Toale also has been an active volunteer with the van service that transports veterans to medical appointments. Toale urged the community to help keep that effort going so veterans can get their needed care.

Before the Village Board on Monday, there was a cake and other refreshments in celebration of Toale’s service on the board. He is joined by Mayor Mike Sidari and Trustee Marguerite Sherman.

Toale stood up during the meeting and complimented the four other board members, who he said all bring different strengths to the board.

Trustee Jess Marciano, who is finishing her first two-year term, was praised by Toale for showing so much eagerness in learning about the village government and community.

“She is like a sponge absorbing information,” he said. “She has accomplished much and will continue to be an asset.”

Toale sits next to Trustee Tim Elliott and Toale said Elliott’s mind is always working.

“Tim has contacts and ideas,” Toale said. “He represents the board well. Plus, he passes me notes at the board meetings to give me something to think about.”

Toale praised Trustee Margueite Sherman as a prodigious note-taker, who likes to be educated on issues before firing off an opinion.

“Thank goodness for Marguerite and her notes,” Toale said. “She takes down everything, mulls it over and digests it before making a decision.”

Owen Toale thanked the other Village Board members, department heads and village employees, and many dedicated citizens for their efforts to improve Medina.

Toale worked on the board with four mayors. He said the general population doesn’t realize the effort Sidari puts into the position, devoting many hours per day to make sure the village is running smoothly.

“He works with the various agencies, always promoting our village and working for the betterment of every resident, taxpayer, business owner and visitor,” Toale said. “I admire him, his work ethic, business sense and creativity.”

Toale also commended former Trustee Todd Bensley, who attended the meeting on Monday. Toale said Bensley has stepped up in a big way to upgrade Boxwood Cemetery and also promote the history of Medina.

Toale also gave special mention to retired Village Clerk and Treasurer Deb Padoleski and her successor, Jada Burgess, for keeping him on track with some of his ideas to rein in the tax rate while preserving services. Toale said he would offer sometimes to “rob Peter to pay Paul” and those ideas were squashed because they weren’t quite proper. He called the two clerks “tough watchdogs of the village’s money.”