Chris Kalina named new Hinckley Township trustee

HINCKLEY TWP. — When Chris Kalina was officially sworn in as the new Hinckley Township trustee Monday morning, he said a great sense of pride and responsibility washed over him. After spending nearly three years as the chair of the township's zoning commission and following the January death of Ray Schulte at the age of 67, a longtime trustee and someone Kalina had worked closely with, he felt the desire to carry on Schulte's legacy of commitment and working for the citizens of Hinckley. In his new role, that is exactly what he has the opportunity to do. "It's an incredible honor to have the opportunity to continue the legacy of service that Ray Schulte provided to Hinckley Township," Kalina said. "Ray and I had worked very closely together for a number of years and I considered him to be a mentor as well as a friend. That was truly a blessing to have that opportunity." Prior to starting with the zoning commission in 2018, Kalina also spent time working in Sharon and Medina townships, as well as at the Medina County Extension Office and at the county's ADAMH Board. He also currently is the coordinator of enrollment services and associate school liaison for the Medina County Career Center, a role he has been in since 2001. Trustee Melissa Augustine said Kalina's experience within the township as well as with other townships was "instrumental" in choosing him. "He brings with him a plethora of knowledge and experience that will be well-utilized in Hinckley," she said. "We're really, really excited to have him on board. I think the thing that stood out to me is his record of collaborating with citizens and working with citizens, so his stewardship is not in question. This is somebody we know will absolutely put the people of Hinckley first." Augustine's hope is Kalina will be finished with all the paperwork and necessary orientation steps to be ready to sit for the board's March 2 meeting. Kalina said he didn't always see eye-to-eye with the trustees in past interactions. He said that's exactly what is needed and that he wasn't brought on to just be a "yes vote." "I've worked with both Augustine and Trustee (Jim) Burns in the past," Kalina said. "We have a great working relationship already. We haven't always agreed as individuals, but we have always respected each other's philosophy regarding the issues. Right now, we have a board that brings different view points together and I am excited to have the opportunity to be working alongside both of them." He said he looks forward to being engaged not only in different aspects of the township's government but also with the community and its residents as well. "We have a great leadership team in Hinckley Township, and I am very excited to have the opportunity to work with them and continue the great things they've been doing," Kalina said. "I'm an individual that is a very, very hard-worker, that is very responsive to the residents and I get back with them as quickly as I can. "I will take on an issue, address it and handle it to the best of my abilities. I'm glad to continue having the opportunity to work along with the staff and employees of the township as well." That's music to Augustine's ears. "That is my number one priority," Augustine said. "I had said to (Kalina) right before we departed that I feel like Ray would have been so pleased with our decision. They come from the same cut of cloth. They have the same integrity and character and they value and love our town." Contact reporter Jack Kopanski at (330) 721-4063 or jkopanski@medina-gazette.com.