Serving Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wood Counties
Village council members in Walbridge held their latest meeting on Sept. 17, highlighted by the retirement announcement for police chief Ken Campbell.
In a letter dated Sept. 8, Campbell wrote to Mayor Ed Kolanko:
“After much thought and conversations with my wife, I have decided to give my notice of retirement. I have spent over 30 years serving the Village of Walbridge and the City of Northwood. I feel it is time to move forward in a different direction. I am honored to have been a part of the Walbridge Police Department and only wish the best for the future of the department and the Village. Although I have no exact end date it will be no later than March of 2026. This will give the Village time to find a new Chief.”
Kolanko shared the news at the council meeting, requesting that the safety committee meet sooner than later in an effort to get the replacement process started.
In related news, and with numbers low within the police department, Kolanko made a recommendation to promote part-time police officer Chris Mullins to full-time, which was approved by village council.
Village awarded large grant
Another highlight of the meeting included Kolanko announcing that the village has been awarded $571,000 in grant money from the Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments (TMACOG).
It is in regard to the village’s application for the Union Street Sidewalk project submitted for Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funding.
TMACOG is funding $571,000 of the project through Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) funds.
Thus, by 2030, the grant money will help re-do all the sidewalks along Main Street and install a new crossing beacon on Union Street.
“Basically, it’s a $750,000 project,” Kolanko said. “We'll (only) be responsible for about $180,000. This is probably one of the largest grant awards that we've ever received that I'm aware of. Thanks to you guys for making time for that meeting and passing that legislation. Without that, it wouldn't have happened.”
Security cameras at the parks
Following up the security camera installations in both Loop and Railway Parks mentioned two weeks ago in The Press, Kolanko said they should have the cameras purchased within seven to 10 days.
Loop shelter house for Lake
Lake High School wrestling coach Mark Hummel was on hand at the meeting to request of council that he could take the shelter house at Loop Park and turn it into a wrestling room for his biddy program.
“Every year, I usually have around 75 kids,” Hummel said. “And unfortunately, the facility I have right now, I can't hold them all in.”
Kolanko said the shelter house hasn’t been rented in approximately three years, and he was in favor of the idea. He noted that the electricity is on and that HVAC is working, but they’re going to give it a once-over.
“It works out well,” Kolanko said. “I think it's something from a community standpoint. It's not being used. And it's going to be used for a good cause.”
Council members approved that decision for their indefinite use of the shelter house year-round.
Final item
Village council members also approved the purchase of a 2025 Polaris Ranger 1000 from Monroe Motorsports, Inc. for the maintenance department to replace the aging Bobcat in the amount of $15,918.
