PHOTO BY INDIA KENNER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
COMMENDED FOR WORK … Mayor Bob Day presents Amanda Knecht with her employee highlight award.
By: India Kenner
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
india@thevillagereporter.com
The Edgerton Village Council met on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. for a productive session addressing community initiatives, infrastructure projects, and local concerns.
Mayor Day opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer. Roll call confirmed the presence of Council members Sharon Blinzler, Jason Gruver (Lance Bowsher was absent), Leslie VanAusdale, Pam Wampler, and Chuck Wallace, along with Village Administrator Dawn Fitzcharles, Fiscal Officer Denise Knecht, administrative assistant Amanda Knecht, and a few members of the community.
The council approved the minutes from the previous meeting on September 3, 2025, with Wallace abstaining from voting.
Public input took center stage early in the evening, as the council opened the floor for communications, petitions, and claims. A visit from Jana Griffin of Freedom Voters, a grassroots movement, highlighted an upcoming event in October.
The gathering, featuring Pastor Lorenzo Sewell as the keynote speaker, promises a morning of praise, worship, and reflection on the nation’s spiritual heritage.
Scheduled for Saturday, October 18, 2025, the event kicks off at the Quality Inn in Holiday City, Ohio. Doors will open at 8:30 a.m., offering attendees a continental breakfast starting at 9:00 a.m., followed by the main program beginning at 10:00 a.m.
Pastor Sewell, known for his ministry and commitment to blending faith with civic engagement, will deliver a message centered on “Christians Stand Up for America!”
Organized by the Freedom Voters initiative, the event underscores a message of unity and resilience. “This is more than just a breakfast—it’s a stand for the principles that make our nation great,” said an organizer via email. For inquiries or to learn more, contact freedomvoters7@gmail.com.
Tickets are priced at $20 per person, with purchase options available by scanning the QR code on promotional materials. The event welcomes individuals, families, and groups eager to join in fellowship.
Other upcoming events include the annual Trick or Treat on Saturday, November 1, 2025, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Trunk or Treat from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Next came a special presentation from Denise Dahl, MPA, of Epiphany Planning & Development, highlighting potential growth strategies for the village. Epiphany Planning and Development brings more than 25 years of experience working with governments, businesses, educational institutions, and nonprofits to help people and organizations thrive through better communication and facilitation.
Ms. Dahl engages with clients ranging from community colleges to Fortune 100 companies, as well as startups, with a focus on increasing return on investment (ROI) through engaging employees and/or businesses in growth and development, utilizing communication consulting and/or training.
Additionally, Ms. Dahl is/has been a professor at three universities, teaching International Business, American Government, Public Administration, and Nonprofit Leadership. She has also created university curricula on numerous topics.
Past honors of note: Ms. Dahl has been appointed by the Governor of Iowa to the State’s Community Development & Tourism Commission, she sat on IEDC’s Public Policy Advisory Committee and Higher Education Committee, and she has served as an executive committee member on the NORED board, as well as many others. Additionally, she has written U.S. Senate Sub-Committee testimony related to community development and economies.
For the Mayor’s Report, Amanda Knecht was presented with an employee appreciation award for over ten years with the village in various roles.
Committee activities were also reviewed, including a recap of the Rules Committee meeting held on September 11. Fiscal Officer Denise Knecht asked the council to review the credit card policies and requested a motion to pay the bills. The motion was made by VanAusdale and seconded by Wampler.
Motion to adjourn was made at 6:18 p.m. by VanAusdale and seconded by Wampler. The next council meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at 5:30 p.m.