As the Village of Holland prepares to celebrate its centennial this year, Mayor Lee Irons believes it an appropriate time to appoint an official town crier for this and future occasions.
Council approved unanimously the mayor’s recommendation to appoint Mike Lieber as the official town crier.
A village resident, Mr. Lieber has been a town crier for 28 years. He is a member of the American Association of Town Criers, an honorary member of the Ontario Town Criers Guild and the Australia Town Criers’ Guild.
Dressed in period clothing from the 1700s, he is tasked with delivering messages, cutting ribbons, opening festivals and ceremonies, leading parades and delivering proclamations.
“I proclaim messages in the summer sun and the winter cold,” Mr. Lieber said, “I ask that you listen to my call. My only purpose is to educate and entertain you all.”
“We are proud to have you as a resident of Holland and even prouder to have you as our town crier,” said Mayor Irons.
Charging Stations
Vehicle charging stations could be coming to Holland in the future.
Mayor Irons said the Lucas County engineer’s office is looking into a grant program which would offset the cost for the stations.
Councilman Ryan Spangler noted that if they decide to participate, council will need to consider where the stations could be located.
Councilman Mike Bettinger expressed concern with placing the stations at Strawberry Acres Park given the vandalism they have had there and the expense involved in repairing the units if they are damaged.
He also questioned how users would be charged for the service.
“I believe those are credit card operated,” the mayor responded, adding he believes the councilman “makes a good point” regarding location of the chargers “They should be in well lit places.”
“I like the thought of putting in the chargers. Electric cars are not going away,” said Councilman Nate Gaubert.
Mayor Irons will contact the county engineers for more details.
Commission on Disabilities
Dr. Rochelle Hall-Rollins of the Toledo/Lucas County Commission on Disabilities visited council to seek their support and involvement in helping persons with disabilities.
She spoke on the five I’s of a disability friendly policy. They are independence, inclusion, implementation, intersectionality and involvement.
“The five I’s are a policy framework built on foundational values to which self-advocates and activists within the disability movement have dedicated themselves for the latter half of the 20th century,” she explained.
Dr. Hall-Rollins is touring the county asking jurisdictions to take the Five I’s pledge and create resolutions affirming the five I’s of disability justice.
Other Business
In other business, council:
•Paid bills totaling $137,229. They also authorized clerk/treasurer Lyn Krasula to pay bills during the summer months.
•Learned that the state auditor’s office will conduct an audit of village finances the week of June 26 to 30.
•Heard from the mayor that the village is continuing to look at other vendors for refuse collection.
The next village council meeting will be at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 13, in council chambers of the municipal building, 1245 Clarion Avenue, and is open to the public. In keeping with tradition, council conducts only one meeting per month in June, July and August.
