Posen ?difference maker? sparks community improvements

by Peter Jakey, Managing Editor

Marilyn Kaszubowski has been a difference maker in Posen. Since before her uncontested election as Posen village president late last fall, Kaszubowski has had many ideas for improving the community. Marilyn is like many people who have visions and dreams for her own hometown, but what sets this local leader apart is her unmatched drive to make them happen. From the fundraising drive to bring a Nativity Scene to downtown Posen, to the many holiday decorations, Kaszubowski has been more about action and a lot less about talk. For many years, community leaders had brought up an idea of a park for Posen, but it never went anywhere. A town without a park is like a community without a church, post office, or convenience store.

That all changed Memorial Day, when Kaszubowski, using an $850 donation from her sister, Lois Kamyszek, purchased a large piece of playground equipment from Scarecrow Village of Lachine. Kamyszek had pledged about $2,000, but Marilyn saved her money when she saw a classified ad for the structure. WITH THE use of donated equipment from Billy Avent, the equipment was transported to its future home in an empty lot behind the historical marker along M-65. Kaszubowski and Barb Chojnacki spent three days staining it, starting on Memorial Day. Almost overnight, Posen had itself a playground, which has been an instant success. ?There are days when there are 12 to 14 kids out there,? said Kaszubowski. ?Before, you did not see any kids in town.? One member of the Posen village board commended Marilyn for her efforts saying he takes his daughter there every day. The original plan was to acquire the land on the former car wash site, near the school. After seven years of no interest, two offers were made on the lot. That might be good news for a future development on the site, but it was a setback for Kaszubowski. The only remaining options were at the water tower site or the current location.

Kaszubowski said the village board was concerned about the current site being too close to M-65. Plus there was a question of liability. The wall from the historical marker works as a barrier, plus Kaszubowski?s plan is to acquire grant funding to purchase a vinyl fence that will go around the park. She sent in a grant application last week to Presque Isle Electric and Gas Cooperative. Regarding liability issues, the village is covered under a blanket policy, she said. Kaszubowski would like to build on what has been started in the park with construction of a pavilion. Money would come from the arts and crafts show during the Posen Potato Festival.

?I AM VERY proud to live in Posen, very proud,? said Kaszubowski. ?I really appreciate the fact that all the people in this town care so much about Posen.? That could not have been more evident with the successful campaign to purchase seven benches, two of which were b

ought outright by individuals. ?Any time I have asked for donations, I have gotten them,? she said. That?s not all. Kaszubowski recently spearheaded a Farmer?s Market on Thursday nights from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. It has coincided well with the Route 65 Diner cruise night. ?My first goal was the Christmas Nativity set,? said Kaszubowski, who worked with Laurie Wozniak to bring that project to fruition with a festive dedication last December. Since then, many of the holiday decorations have come directly from Marilyn?s pocketbook. She sets aside a quarter of each check from the village toward improvement projects.

Marilyn used some of the money to buy an inflatable Uncle Sam, but after getting two, which did not hold air, she decided to go with the flags at the school instead. The rewards have been plenty. ?I get comments,? she said. ?A woman who is not even a village resident stopped me and said, ?I have got to tell you, you are doing such a wonderful job. Don?t think that people don?t notice what you are doing.? ? If local residents did not know before, they should know now.