PHOTO BY BRENNA WHITE / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
FALL FEST … The Stryker Village Council discusses the upcoming Fall Festival scheduled for November 1, 2025.
By: Brenna White
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The Village of Stryker held a regular Council Meeting on October 27, 2025, following a Finance Committee session attended by members Vicki Cameron, Derrick Potter, and Dave Benner.
The council meeting began at 6:00 p.m. with a prayer led by Tim Martin of the Baptist Church, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Navy Veteran Chris Fultz.
In attendance: Council President Vicki Cameron, Dave Benner, Sean Ingram, Derrick Potter, Stanley Whitlock, and Nick Wlasiuk. Mayor Joe Beck, Administrator Alan Riegsecker, and Fiscal Officer Beth Rediger were also present.
The council approved the previous meeting’s minutes from September 15, 2025, along with the Finance Report. Rediger noted revenue at $146,000, with expenses at $167,000. “Year-to-date, we are actually ahead in revenue to expenditures by $79,000,” she mentioned.
The Finance Committee minutes from September 15, 2025, were additionally approved. Mayor Beck updated the council that the finance meeting held prior largely revolved around insurance discussions.
Under communications, Beck announced that four council seats are available for the ballot. There are currently only two submissions, and the village is taking further applications for review.
“If someone has an interest in being on council,” Beck says, “and they come in and have a real need to have their input heard, recorded, and put into work, that would be awesome. We are always open for that.” Letters of interest for council seats are being accepted until December 1, 2025.
Members also saw updates from WEDCO through their newsletter. “Just so people are aware, communication-wise,” Beck began, “we, the village, sent to the solar company, who are going to put in some solar panels on the south project on the south land that we have.”
He explained that their solicitor had sent a letter to them a few months back, and they finally received a response. “It is terminated with us,” stated Beck.
“Us, as in the Village of Stryker, on our property. I do not know where it stands with everyone else (other property owners).”
An update was provided by Potter regarding the village’s Fall Fest, scheduled for November 1, 2025.
The parade will take place at 12:30 p.m., with the festival being held from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Afterwards, the village’s trick-or-treating will happen from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
The day is packed full of community fun and spirit, with bounce houses, train rides, and vendors to be offered to those attending. Police Chief Steve Mendez mentioned hosting a s’mores and fire pit for children to safely enjoy with the Police Department.
Legislative discussion included the village solicitor contract, which is slated for review in December. The proposed professional services contract outlines duties for attorney Kevin Whitlock. This contract is reviewed and passed every two years.
A monthly report from Police Chief Mendez indicated a quiet month with no major incidents. One officer recently completed an eight-hour advanced training course in vehicle dynamics, strengthening decision-making and safe operational techniques.
Rediger moved to reschedule the November council meeting to November 24, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. A financial meeting will be held at 5:00 p.m. the same day.
Administrator Riegsecker announced that Stryker will be getting two new houses – both duplexes. One is currently being built by the Williams County Port Authority, and the other is located on 314 West Curtis Street.
He said that a power outage on the north side of the town was caused by a mylar foil balloon getting stuck in the power lines and a transformer.
“Toledo Edison fixed it, up and running, and then our water plant went down – the computer went out of that to control it.”
While addressing maintenance concerns, they are “running on borrowed time.” Many of the repairs needed require parts that are no longer made or obsolete, due to the age of the plant.
Riegsecker hopes to see bids for the project by January 2026. “They are patching what they can to keep us going,” he affirmed. The 20-year-old plant is due for a major renovation.
The military banners will be coming down on November 12, 2025, with the Christmas lights and decorations going up shortly afterwards.
The meeting was adjourned to close at 6:29 p.m.