Molly Howlett appointed new Stockbridge Village Council president

by Patrice Johnson

Molly Howlett (left) takes the oath of office as the new village president from Village Clerk Debbie Nogle.

Monday night, May 7, the Stockbridge Village Council meeting began with an unusual twist. President pro tem Molly Howlett called the meeting to order because that’s what a pro tempore (Latin: for the time being) does in the absence of the president. Next came the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call and approvals of minutes and an amended agenda.

Then Howlett announced Village President Robert Hollenbeck had “resigned last Thursday for personal reasons.” She praised his work and said he would be missed.

The council voted to accept Hollenbeck’s resignation, and Fred Cattell nominated Howlett to fill the newly vacated position. Richard Mullins seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.

Howlett returns to her seat at the head of the U-shaped table arrangement and continues to preside over the meeting as the new village president, pro tem no more.

Howlett stood and Village Clerk Debbie Nogle swore her into office. She returned to her seat at the head of the U-shaped table arrangement and continued to preside over the meeting as the new village president, pro tem no more.

“You’re my fifth president,” Nogle sighed and reiterated her sadness at the resignation of Hollenbeck.

The council appointed Cattell, who currently spearheads its anti-blight activities, as the new pro tem. Then it moved onto public comments, financial reports, and new and unfinished business.

After the council went into closed session regarding the school building lease, Howlett, the new village president, adjourned the meeting.

The guard was changed. Time, pro tem, moved on.

During a separate interview with Stockbridge Community News, Howlett said, “I am very sad to lose Rob. I think he did a really, really good job. It’s a difficult job. It’s huge, and he did a good job with it.”

When asked if council positions are unpaid and volunteer, Howlett confirmed.

The council appointed Fred Cattelll, who currently spearheads the group’s anti-blight activities, as its new pro tem.

“Unpaid,” she said, “unending.” She plans to spend time learning, she said, and will depend on Nogle and Chief of Police John Torres, Jr. “for so much.”

Howlett, a founding director of Stockbridge Community News, has served on the Village Council 12 years. She also serves on the Township Planning Commission and on the boards of 5 Healthy Towns and Parks and Recreation. She is an active Lioness and taught English and Spanish at Stockbridge High School for 23 years before retiring in 2004. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Michigan State University.

L-R above: Trustee Carmelita ValdezWeaks, Trustee Richard Mullins, Pro Tem Fred Cattell, and Chief of Police John Torres, Jr.

Village Council L-R: Trustee Carmelita ValdezWeaks, Trustee Richard Mullins (not visible), Trustee Fred Cattell, Chief of Police John Torres, Jr., President Molly Howlett, Clerk Debbie Nogle, Attorney John Gormley, Trustee Patrick Harden, Trustee Christina DuWig.

Molly Howlett takes oath of office.

Head Librarian Paul Crandall after presenting the Stockbridge library’s 2017 annual report to the council.