Holland Administrator Announces Resignation
BY KELLY J. KACZALA — MIRROR REPORTER
Holland village administrator Harry Barlos has announced his resignation.
The village administrator position was created by Holland Village Council in December 2005.
Following an executive session to discuss an appointment, council approved Mayor Mike Yunker’s recommendation to hire Barlos, former Lucas County commissioner and mayor of Maumee, as Holland’s first administrator at an annual salary of $55,000.
The full-time position carried considerable responsibilities, according to the job description: in addition to serving as chief administrative officer of the village, Barlos oversaw special projects, coordinated economic development and land use activities, and supervised zoning and plan commission activities.
He also served as a village liaison with the public, supervised day-to-day operations and provided administrative direction to village department heads.
After two-and-a-half years in the position, Barlos said he is resigning to tend to personal matters.
He fulfilled his responsibilities and will leave the village in better shape than when he started, according to Yunker. Yet the administrator’s position is unlikely to be filled because it’s no longer a full-time job, the mayor said.
“I think between now and the end of the year, council will determine whether to fill the position or continue on as we always have in the past,” Yunker said Monday from his home, where he is recuperating from knee surgery.
Barlos’ resignation is effective Sunday, August 31.
“When we first created the administrator’s job, the village was in a different position than we are now,” Yunker said.
The mayor said at the time, he could not be at the municipal building full-time to manage emerging problems.
“We were struggling with the volunteer fire department, trying to keep volunteers, and we needed more supervision over the police department to handle internal issues,” Yunker said.
In addition, he was considering at the time not running for re-election after 14 years as mayor. An administrator would provide continuity for the village with a full-time manager in place.
“I thought it was an appropriate time to consider an administrator position, so that’s why we went ahead with it,” Yunker said.
Holland since then has closed its fire department and contracted with Springfield Township to provide fire and emergency services to the village. And the police department resolved its internal problems, Yunker said.
“Now, we no longer have those problems and issues. I did run again and was successfully re-elected. With our police department in the great shape it’s in, the need for a full-time administrator just doesn’t seem to be there,” Yunker said. “(Harry) agreed a full-time administrator isn’t needed at this time.
“Right now we’re going to let the position stay open and see what develops. Obviously, a lot will depend on how much time and availability I have to supervise and manage things.”
Yunker said the village has great employees who need little supervision.
“That’s extremely important. If we had problem employees, we would need to have someone around to watch them, but we don’t have that,” Yunker said. “Our maintenance crew and police officers are such great employees with conscientious work habits, it makes it easy for me to manage the village.”
Yunker credits Barlos with overseeing major projects in the village as administrator.
Most notably, Barlos obtained a $550,000 state grant to fund the construction of a new Max Albon Lodge in Strawberry Acres Park.
“Harry was at the forefront in getting the grant. Without Harry being the driving force behind that, we obviously wouldn’t have gotten it,” Yunker said.
Barlos also served the community by fielding calls from residents and businesses.
“The village had a management person on site who they could talk to. Otherwise, they would e-mail me and set up an appointment, or talk to a village staff member to get satisfaction,” Yunker said.
Chamber Of Commerce Members Mingle On River Cruise
BY KRISTEN SCHWEITZER — MIRROR REPORTER
The rain passed through just in time last Wednesday for members of the Holland-Springfield Chamber of Commerce to enjoy a cruise on the Maumee River.
During the cruise, chamber members talked and mingled while taking in the sights along the river aboard the Arawanna.
The cruise was arranged as a social event for members who aren’t always able to come to the meetings to still get to know other members, said Pat Polca, executive director for the chamber.
About 30 people attended the event, which was sponsored by Fry Heating and Air Conditioning.
The cruise began at the Walbridge Park boat ramp and headed out to the Veterans’ Glass City Skyway Bridge.
Mark Harris, marketing and development director for Goodwill Industries of Northwest Ohio, provided entertainment with his guitar during the cruise.
The cruise cost members $20.00. Food and drinks were provided as well as a raffle, with prizes donated by Bostleman Corporation and Grandma Koyote’s BBQ Shop.
Sean McCarthy is the owner of the Arawanna, which offers group tours by reservation.
The next Holland-Springfield Chamber of Commerce event is the member luncheon on Thursday, September 25. Kathryn Hott, superintendent of Springfield Local Schools, will speak at the luncheon.
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