Statement of The Neighborhood and Community Media Association of Greater Cleveland
Neighborhood & Community Media Association (NCMA-CLE) was shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Mike Psenicka, owner of our member outlet, The Neighborhood News.
As the third generation of Psenicka family ownership of The Neighborhood News, Psenicka changed the shape of the newspaper and brought color to its pages; as a founding member of NCMA-CLE, he changed our shape and brought color to our organization.
Psenicka fought to reveal the impact of news and developments on Southeast Cleveland, Garfield Heights, Newburgh Heights, Cuyahoga Heights, Independence, Valley View, Maple Heights, and Bedford. He was driven to maintain his family’s newspaper as a place to find critical thinking about news and events rather than a regurgitation of words from government representatives, motivated interests, and intrenched power.
Psenicka also labored to make his hometown a better place. His love of his readership took many forms, including his concept of Valentine’s Day “Loving Couple” stories complete with limo ride and steakhouse meal contests. Psenicka was equally motivated to bring a spotlight to human trafficking and other hidden community ailments in need of his readership’s care and attention.
At our first association meeting, Psenicka boiled down the need for The Neighborhood News and all our associated Cleveland media outlets when he said, “I think that’s what will make us survive: people want to see what’s up with their neighbors.”
NCMA-CLE offers its condolences to the Psenicka family and would like to express its deep regret for this tragic loss to our local community and our collective of small Cleveland media producers.
Richard T. Andrews, President
Rich Weiss, Vice President