Holton Town Council president resigns at meeting

Wanda English Burnett, Editor

At the regular meeting of the Holton Town Council April 11 a letter of resignation was read from Robert Furst, who serves in the capacity of president. Council member Rick Holman read the letter that asked for his resignation to be effective April 30. Furst noted that due to the recent controversy and hassle from some citizens, his doctor had recommended he resign. The resignation will not be official until it is filed in the courthouse.

Wilma Myers noted that while the council knew there were those in the audience with “ill feelings” toward Furst, she noted it will be hard to replace him. She further commented that when her term is up she hopes some of those who are there to offer negative comments to the present council will put their names on the ballot.

There were 13 people in attendance at the meeting that lasted approximately one hour. Danny Beach was first on the agenda to speak. He addressed the council saying that for the last two meetings council members have discussed a sewer leak he supposedly has at the Barrett property, which adjoins the community building on Versailles Street. Beach continued by saying he doesn’t have a leak and if they have any questions they should contact Andy Bryant. He asked about a question that he did not feel was answered at a previous meeting about Bob Furst having a gun on a night in question when the town marshal was responding to a call. The question was originally posed by Roseanne Mills.

Council member Rick Holman said he thought the attorney had addressed the issue at the previous meeting. Beach said it wasn’t answered, and asked, “What’s the purpose of asking questions if you don’t answer them?” Holman said he would get with the town’s attorney and get back to him. (At this time Larry Eaton, attorney for the town, was not at the meeting).

Henrietta Lay on behalf of the Jamboree Committee, requested the use of the Holton Community Park for the Jamboree, which is scheduled for June 16 and 17. She also requested that streets be closed for a short time on June 17 for a parade. Those streets would include portions or all of Versailles, Marion and Washington. Rick Holman made a motion to accept the request and Wilma Myers seconded.

Myers made a motion for the town to donate $500 toward the Jamboree. After discussion with Attorney Eaton, Rick Holman seconded the motion. Eaton advised the council they could use funds from the Riverboat to promote an event such as the Jamboree, which would in turn be promoting economic development.

A request from Lisa McConnell to have the town sponsor a town wide yard sale event and place an ad in the local newspaper was turned down. Attorney Eaton said the town as a unit shouldn’t sponsor the event. Discussion was held concerning the reason why the town couldn’t sponsor the event and finally Henrietta Lay said her shop, Victorian & Lace from Osgood, would buy a $13.50 ad in the local paper for McConnell’s yard sale effort.

In other business:
• Heavy Trash Pick Up Day was set for May 6.
• Music in the Park was announced for May 13.
• The community center will be used for the polling place for the Primary election for Otter Creek Township, rather than the firehouse as it has been in past years.
• Rick Holman noted that the name Derrick Street will stay.

Marshal Billey Moore noted that the police vehicle had been wrecked by him during a storm since the last board meeting. He said a light pole fell directly in front of him and he couldn’t stop. There was approximately $3212.00 worth of damage and it was being repaired at AJ’s Body Shop in Napoleon.
The marshal further addressed an issue that had been discussed at a previous meeting about the mileage on the police vehicle. He said when he serves a warrant or does an investigation sometimes it takes him outside the town’s limits. He said, “I work with the county and they work with me.” After several derogatory comments from Frank Vanosdol, he was asked to be quiet by Attorney Eaton.

Eaton commented on the resignation letter from Bob Furst. “He’s been a great supporter of the Town of Holton.” He further noted that Furst had tried to make it a better place to live and spent hours of his own time and gas money to make the quality of life better for those living there. He said while no one’s perfect, “Bob had a heart of gold.” He wished him well, thanking both Bob and his wife Peggy for their involvement with the town.

Myers noted that the policy on renting the community building had changed somewhat. Before when the building was rented, she would hold the $100 deposit check and then just give it back when the event was over. She noted that auditors want the town to cash the $100 deposit check and then when the event is over and nothing is destroyed or broken, the town will write a check back to that individual for the deposit.

The next meeting of the Holton Town Council is set for May 9 at 8:00 a.m. at the Holton Community Building on Versailles Street.