Two Stow Firefighters Get State Recognitions

Marshal Jim Leidel and Division Chief Lou Ann Metz  received the 2011 Ohio Building Officials Fire Official of the Year and the Mayer Glimcher Award, respectively.

Leidel was nominated by Tony Catalano from Stow's building department.

"All Ohio fire officials involved with code enforcement or development are eligible [for the award]," said Leidel.

City Council passed a resolution March 10 to recognize Leidel's service to the city and his award.

"No one is more deserving of this award," said City Councilmember John Pribonic. "I consider it a great privilege to have [Leidel] working in Stow."

Mayor Karen Fritschel presented council's recognition to Leidel and said "The city is very very proud of you. I know you’re very dedicated to preventing fires in Stow."

Leidel said if "it weren’t for the support and encouragement to get involved in these organizations I wouldn’t learn like I have, I wouldn’t be able to make the city as good as it is. It does a good job on its own, but I think I’ve tried to make it a better place."

Metz received the Mayer Glimcher Award "for exemplary leadership and significant contributions to trauma education in the state of Ohio," said Fire Chief Bill Kalbaugh.