By Susan Bromley
Staff Writer
Ortonville- There were no major bumps in the road Tuesday as the village received accreditation as a Main Street community.
‘It’s another feather in our caps that we are doing things appropriately in enhancing the downtown,? said Village Manager Bill Sprague.
Bob Donohue and Julie Courtney from Main Street Oakland County were in town Jan. 19 for the year-end evaluation of the village’s progress in the economic development and historic preservation program. The village became a Main Street community in 2004. The 10 criteria used to evaluate progress in Main Street communities are broad-based community support; vision and mission statements; historic preservation ethic; paid, professional DDA/Main Street Program Director; program of ongoing training; reporting of key statistics; Main Street Network membership; comprehensive work plan; active board and committees and adequate operating budget.
Donohue said all criteria were met, as required. He noted a few areas could use improvement, including historic preservation and the increasing of volunteers and funding sources, but overall it had been a good year that had seen improvement over last year. A full report on the assessment will be issued in 60 days.
‘Small towns seem to work at things harder and don’t take it for granted,? Donohue said. ‘It’s fun to come back to a community that cares.? Main Street/DDA Executive Director Molly Lalone said, ‘Our little town makes it look easy and it is not easy to get accredited. We have to get all 10 criteria and I’m really proud of everyone who has worked to get to that point.? Lalone is looking for more volunteers for the program, particularly for the organization committee, which recruits volunteers and is in charge of major fundraisers. Economic restructuring committee volunteers are also needed to help with business assistance programs. In 2010, the DDA, through the Main Street program, hopes to get electricity and a pavilion installed in Crossman Park, both prior to CreekFest in June, to lengthen the time people can spend in the park, as well as enhance events.
Lalone is also seeking input on what kinds of repairs and maintenance projects business owners want. She hopes to receive feedback at a town hall meeting planned for 9 a.m., Jan. 25, at the Old Town Hall, 486 Mill St. gram of ongoing training; reporting of key statistics; Main Street Network membership; comprehensive work plan; active board and committees and adequate operating budget.
Donohue said all criteria were met, as required. He noted a few areas could use improvement, including historic preservation and the increasing of volunteers and funding sources, but overall it had been a good year that had seen improvement over last year. A full report on the assessment will be issued in 60 days.
‘Small towns seem to work at things harder and don’t take it for granted,? Donohue said. ‘It’s fun to come back to a community that cares.? Main Street/DDA Executive Director Molly Lalone is looking for more volunteers for the program, particularly for the organization committee, which recruits volunteers and is in charge of major fundraisers. Economic restructuring committee volunteers are also needed to help with business assistance programs. In 2010, the DDA, through the Main Street program, hopes to get electricity and a pavilion installed in Crossman Park, both prior to CreekFest in June, to lengthen the time people can spend in the park, as well as enhance events.