“We really want to show unity in our city, even in light of what’s going on around the city, that we are all arm-in-arm together,” Bronston said, “participating and (demonstrating) … quality of life here, and just showing visibly, showing everybody that we are together.”
In a move that symbolizes that unity, the Rev. John Wagner, vice president of the Middletown Area Ministerial Alliance and pastor of First United Methodist Church, said Middletown Police Chief Rodney Muterspaw will receive the organization’s Drum Major Award.
“The Drum Major is an award for leadership,” Wagner said. “That expression was coined by Martin Luther King himself, who said he wanted to be a drum major for the Lord, and that’s how he saw his leadership in protecting human rights for everyone.”
“… Chief Muterspaw has demonstrated in his first two years as chief of police a real willingness to reach out to every segment of Middletown’s communities, various classes and races, and groups that need to be heard, and made sure that they knew he was going to be fair,” Wagner said. “That’s really appreciated by the Middletown Ministerial Alliance.”
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Muterspaw’s award will be presented Sunday at 3:30 p.m. at the New Life Christian Center, 4009 Riverview Ave., in Middletown, during an annual ecumenical service whose theme this year will be “More Alike Than Different.”
“We’re in a time right now when there are a lot of divisions in our society, and particularly some perceived dangers to police and African-Americans, especially,” Wagner said. “To have a chief of police being recognized by the Ministerial Alliance, which has been traditionally an African-American organization here in town, I think that’s significant.”
“I doubt if there are that many chiefs of police getting an award around the country, so I’m proud of him,” Wagner said about Muterspaw.
Receiving the MLK Community Service Award, which recognizes local leaders who perform extraordinary acts of service reliably will be Calvarez Wills, Aaron Mays and Anthony McClain, a group of men often found working together to make a difference in the community.
They are being honored “for reaching out, for peace, reconciliation and justice in the community,” Wagner said.
Here are some of the other Middletown events planned for the weekend:
- William B. Pollard Lodge #456 and Minne HaHa Temple #263 will present MLK Day Breakfast at 9 a.m. Monday at 912 8th Ave. Guest speaker will be Dr. Samuel Johnson Jr. The event is free.
- The NAACP Middletown Ohio Branch 3194 and the city of Middletown will hold the MLK March at 10:30 a.m. Monday. Starting at Middletown's city building, marchers will proceed to Second Baptist Church, 116 S. Verity Parkway. The program following includes newly elected officers installation and youth presentation. There will be a reading by William "Kip" Moore.
- Atrium Medical Center will hold a MLK program from noon to 1 p.m. Monday in the 5th floor auditorium, Professional Building, 1 Medical Center Drive. Jazz saxophonist Bruce Menefield will be the guest musician. Guest speaker will be Ena Nearon Menefield.
- MidPointe Library will hold a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration at 6:30 p.m. Monday at 125 S. Broad St. Kip Moore and the Martin Luther King Jr. Singers will host an evening of song and celebration.
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