Holly Council honors longtime DPW employee by renaming street

Mark Alan Ridley

HOLLY, Michigan – In honor of longtime Department of Public Works employee, Mark Ridley, the village of Holly will soon be renaming the road that runs from Holly Bush Drive to Lakeside Cemetery, “Ridley Road.”

Ridley spent 36 years working for the DPW, and lost a long battle with cancer on Jan. 26. He was 58.

“It was suggested by one of the current employees of renaming the drive that starts at Holly Bush Drive and runs back to the cemetery for him,” DPW Director Brian Klaassen told council members during the Feb. 12 meeting. “We brought this forward to get your blessing on it.”

Village Manager Jerry Walker said renaming that portion of the street will not have any postal service implications for residents. “This is an honorary title,” Walker said. “A sign will go on the street in honor of Mark, and it would also indicate his service as a Viet Nam veteran to his county, so we think it’s a great honor.”

Councilman Ryan Bladzik also suggested erecting a plaque in Ridley’s honor near the cemetery, not only to highlight Ridley’s service to the community of Holly, but also his service to the country after serving on the USS Kitty Hawk as a member of the US Navy.

Having been a personal friend of his, a tearful Councilwoman Jackie Campbell lauded Ridley for his service to the community. “Mr. Ridley took great honor and pride in taking care of our cemetery,” she said. “He took great pride in our veterans, he took great pride in the people of this community, and I think this would be the highest honor we could ever give him.”

In a vote of 5-0, council approved renaming that portion of the street “Ridley Road,” and also approved a commemorative plaque to be placed in the immediate vicinity. Councilman Tom Clark and Councilwoman Debra Musgrave were excused from the meeting.