Monday evening’s meeting of the Stryker Village Council was lightly attended compared to previous meetings. In attendance was Diamond Zimmerman, Coordinator of WEDCO (Williams County Economical Development Corporation) to discuss WEDCO’s annual meeting to be held in conjunction with the 3rd annual Manufacturing Expo on March 6, 2013.
In 2011, 25 area manufacturing corporations participated in the expo and as Zimmerman explains, WEDCO has hopes to expand the expo to include manufacturing corporations in Michigan and Indiana to make it a tri-state manufacturing expo. The expo would showcase what is being offered in the area to expose companies of their services and would also allow companies to network to be able to expand their business contacts.
Ms. Zimmerman has asked Stryker council to encourage any and all local manufacturing corporations to participate in the expo. The expo is free however; manufacturers will need to be registered to participate.
“This is a one of the things we feel as an economic development agency, the way we can support our existing businesses,” states Zimmerman “A lot of times dealing with economic development, it’s not just giving out incentives, but also being able to provide any resource, any connection for our manufacturing companies.”
The judiciary committee will meet to discuss the possibility to revise an ordinance to display merchandise, excluding motorized vehicles, on the sidewalks in the downtown business district.
To date, the downtown businesses are not permitted to display any merchandise on the sidewalks in the right of way due to local ordinance. Larry Soles, Soles Motor Sports, has approached Mayor Hughes to examine the possibility to adopt an ordinance similar to one within the City of Bryan of displaying merchandise.
In other council news:
The meeting is scheduled to take place on November 19th.
• Santa will arrive on Monday November 26th at the Stryker Library from 5-6:30. The Stryker Library and Stryker Chamber of Commerce have teamed together for the event.
• Leaf pick-up will continue until December 1st
• Larry Soles and Sharon Von Seggern, Stryker Chamber of Commerce, have taken the reigns of a possible donation to the Summer Rec program for the donation of approximately $1,500 for several new helmets and catcher’s equipment. Councilman Dan Boetz first approached council for the donation, but Chamber representatives will check with their organization.
• A resolution was passed to authorize a grant of funds for training purposes to the Williams County EMS as previously discussed.
• A resolution was passed authorizing the administrator to enter into a contract with Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield for health and life insurance for the employees of the village. Councilman Wieland approached council to examine another insurance company with the possibility of saving on premiums.
• A resolution was passed to make appropriation modifications.
• Chief Schlosser informed the council the new student crossing guards are doing a wonderful job.
• Chief Schlosser approached council to make next year’s Fall Fest/Trick-or-Treat into a “Trick-or-Trunk” event to include more village residents to participate in the Halloween festivities. He would also like to see the Halloween parade resurrected and possibly have the downtown business showcase their wares.
• Chief Schlosser reported the Fall Fest in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce and the American Legion was a success, with serving over 150 residents and photographing and finger printing 49 children.
• Chief Schlosser would like to warn village residents of reported fraud activity within the village. He asks that anyone that receives suspicious phone calls to immediately contact the local authorities.
• Joe’s Bar & Grille has applied for a liquor license transfer.
• Stryker Area Heritage Council held their annual meeting on November 13th.
Council will meet in regular session on December 10th at 6 pm in the Village Hall.