Holly Township Supervisor moves on

Jesse Lambert's last day on th...

HOLLY TOWNSHIP, Michigan  - Supervisor Jesse Lambert attended his last Holly Township board meeting on Wednesday, after taking office four years ago. He’s finishing his term and moving on to a public administration job in another community, pending the other community's board approval of his hiring, he said.

Former Holly Township Supervisor Dale Smith and resident George Kullis are running for the supervisor seat.

Lambert won’t be leaving the house he’s purchased in Holly, he said, and he will remain active in the community in other ways.

“I’ll be leading in a different form,” he said.

Lambert plans volunteer his time for organizations he’s become involved with, including the Holly Outdoor Recreation Coalition, Friends of the Holly Township Library, the Holly Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and the North Oakland County Fire Authority (NOCFA).

His last day as Holly Township supervisor will be Nov. 20. In the meantime, he’s not scaling back his work schedule with the township, but rather wrapping up some projects such as communications for the Dickens Festival and his work with the DDA and NOCFA. He intends to continue running for a library board seat in Holly.

“It’s hard to imagine it’s been four years,” Trustee Steve Ruth said.

Trustee Janet Leslie thanked Lambert for his years of service.

“I’ve always said I believe your heart is in the right place,” Leslie said. “I have a tremendous amount of respect for you for that.”

Lambert thanked the audience at the township board meeting for attending, a few of whom told him they had attended because they knew it was his last meeting.

Resident Katy Hughes thanked Lambert on behalf of herself, her husband Jason Hughes and their family.

“Your leadership has been wonderful,” Hughes said, presenting him with a card from Michigan Secretary of State, Ruth Johnson, thanking Lambert for his dedication.

Downtown business owner and Dickens Festival organizer Richard Rossell also thanked Lambert, saying that he’s been a big asset for this year’s festival. Rossell said he expects Lambert to be around and continue helping out.

Ryan Bladzik, a village of Holly resident, said he met Lambert after an economic development task force meeting three years ago. Lambert, who also was leaving the meeting, grabbed his arm asking him, “Got a second?”

They had a beer together, Bladzik said, getting to know each other personally. “The community will see a loss of leadership, especially in a public capacity, with (Lambert) leaving office," Bladzik said. “I don’t call too many people my friend, but I would call Jesse one,” he added.

Resident Larry Lilly said Lambert has done a fantastic job, and everything he’s done has been positive.

“You’ve brought us into the 21st century,” Lilly said. “I’m glad you’re sticking around.”

“It’s been very interesting and unique,” Lambert said. “I wouldn’t have traded the last four years for anything.”