BY NANCY DEUTSCH
Detroit Free Press
NOVI CITY, Mi. - It rained hard Saturday morning in Novi.
No one minded. Some thought it was appropriate.
“It’s symbolic of the tears we felt when we were attacked Sept. 11, 2001,” noted state Sen. Nancy Cassis.
Cassis, R-Novi, spoke Saturday at the dedication and unveiling of a statue commemorating the firefighters and others who lost their lives that day and those who risk their lives for others on a daily basis. The statue is on the south side of Novi City Hall.
The dedication was also an opening event for Fall for Novi at the adjacent Civic Center.
The memorial by sculptor Timothy Schmalz of Ontario, Canada, depicts four New York firefighters carrying the body of the New York Fire Department chaplain, the Rev. Mychal Judge, who was killed while administering last rites to a firefighter at the World Trade Center.
The bronze statue on its stone base is 6 feet tall, and cost $40,000, all donated by various community partners including Dixie Cut Stone, Twelve Oaks Mall, Landon Development Corporation and Providence Hospital. There are also two large park benches included in the donation.
In addition to being a memorial dedicated to 9/11, the statue is meant to honor the distinguished career of Novi Fire Chief Art Lenaghan, who has been chief for almost 28 years.
There are inscriptions on all four sides of the memorial. One reads: “In Honor of Fire Chief Art Lenaghan of the Novi Firefighters.”
“I think it’s very kind,” Lenaghan said, quickly deflecting the attention. “It’s a remembrance of what happened at 9/11. It’s to not forget what happened. It’s a remembrance and an honor for everyone who does the same things in their own community.”
City Council Member Lynne Paul spearheaded the project. The Rev. Richard Elmer of Catholic Central High School in Novi, where there is another sculpture by Schmalz, showed Paul photos of the New York City firefighters sculpture. She said she knew immediately that she wanted one for City Hall.
“I always wanted to do a statue on the property,” Paul said. “It’s respecting everyone in 9/11 and all those people who work for us all the time.”
Fourteen-year-old Ben Drafta of Novi, who attends Catholic Central, came to see the sculpture. He said he particularly liked the blessing given by Elmer at the dedication.
He also came to the complex for the fair, which he has attended before. “It’s pretty good,” he said.
The fourth annual Fall for Novi fair included outdoor games for children, but most booths were set up inside. Booths included free health screenings by Providence Hospital, a display of the history of Novi and an exhibit by the Novi Public Library.
“I came specifically to have my bone density tested,” said Patty Blackmer of Walled Lake, who attended with her three children. After finding out her bone density was good, she was relieved. “I’m very glad I came.”
Last year, the festival drew 1,100 people, but Novi Mayor Lou Csordas didn’t think attendance would reach that number because “the rain has definitely put a damper on it.”
Csordas said he was pleased the statue also honors Lenaghan. “I don’t think the people of the city realize what a great job Art has done for the city. He has my ultimate respect.”
The mayor said he had seen photos of the statue, but the pictures don’t compare to the real thing.
“When you see it in real life, it’s such a beautiful tribute,” he said. “It’ll be there for our children and our children’s children.”