WALBRIDGE – Mayor Dan Wilczynski sees village businesses as the main arteries pumping
through town.
"The revenues provided by businesses help to pay the cost for the services that
our residents enjoy and have come to expect," he said.
The mayor and council want to make sure the businesses are healthy and that the
owners know they are appreciated.
A "Coffee with the Village" for Walbridge business will be held Thursday at
8 a.m. in council chambers on Main Street.
Nathan Eikost, who was sworn in as a new councilman in January, will host.
Eikost, who is chairman of council’s business and economic development committee,
said the goal of the meeting it to improve communication with businesses and the
community and to build a networking relationship.
"That’s really my goal as economic development chairman, to enhance the
communication process," he said. "In all aspects of government,
communication and improving it really is the key to leadership."
He wants to hear "what we’re doing right and what we’re doing wrong and what we
can do better for business."
If there’s good turnout, Eikost hopes to host the coffees quarterly.
Pam Klotz, who is clerk of court and council and police administrative assistant,
said there are approximately 30 businesses in Walbridge, including home-based
ones.
"They benefit and we benefit, so why not include them?" she said of the
coffee.
Wilczynski is hoping that by nurturing businesses, residents’ wallets will benefit.

"My goal is to increase the business residents of Walbridge and as we do so, to
decrease the income tax from 1.5 percent to 1.0 percent. I believe this is
absolutely doable but it will take the commitment and forward vision of our
council members," he said in an e-mail.
As a first step, the mayor envisions buying vacant buildings downtown and either
tearing them down or renovating them.
"A big part of this vision is our upcoming coffees with our businesses to share
ideas and figure out how we can help our businesses and maybe work with some of
their suppliers and customers," Wilczynski said.
The village Web site could be used to promote businesses, Eikost said. He hopes to
develop links to village companies on the economic development tab.
Communication with residents is also continuing.
A second town hall meeting is also Thursday in the municipal building, at 6 p.m.
The first was held in December and covered everything from the pool, to property
maintenance and parks.
"This format provides us with an open communication path to our residents. The
first meeting provided some great ideas for us and also supported our current
practices such as making sure that we live within our budget. I really look
forward to continuing and growing both of these methods of communication,"
Wilczynski said.