By James Hanlon
Leader Staff Writer
Oxford Village Council approved the following appointments recommended by Village President Kelsey Cooke:
Kelly Arkles, Michelle McClellan and Jonathan Nold were each appointed to full, three-year terms to the Village Planning Commission. Arkles is a 19-year village resident who has been involved in various committees with the Oxford Lakes Subdivision. McClellan was re-appointed after serving a partial term. Nold is an Oxford Township Trustee who also serves on the Township Planning Commission.
These terms expire Dec. 31, 2023.
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Marie Powers and Bill Dunn were appointed to four-year terms on the Downtown Development Authority Board of Directors.
Powers is co-owner (with her husband and family) of HomeGrown Brewing. She is a retired General Motors engineer. Recently, she served on the M-24 Taskforce planning the M-24 road construction.
“I believe it is very important to represent the voice of the business owner on the DDA board,” Powers wrote in her application. “It is crucial that government and business owners work together to make our downtown vibrant and attractive to residents and surrounding communities.”
Cooke was “very impressed with her application” and noted, “The DDA is going through a lot of changes right now, so I think someone with Marie’s energy, background, experience and desire to serve could really benefit the DDA.”
Dunn is a village resident, township trustee and former Oxford Township supervisor. He was recommended by Township Supervisor Jack Curtis.
There is one final spot on the DDA, held by Rod Charles, whose term just expired. Cooke said she has received multiple applications from other business owners and is expecting a few a more. “I also recognize the strengths that Mr. Charles brings to the DDA, so I am going to come back to that next month,” she said. “So, Mr. Charles will continue to serve until someone else is appointed. That’s what I’d like to do, just to have a little bit more time to figure out who the best fit on the DDA board is.”