Joanne Williams
Editor

(photo by Joanne Williams/TCJ)

What do you want to see in the new year?

For the City of Olivet, the answer might be new “welcome to” signs to the city.

Since July 2024, four such signs, plus one for city hall, have been in progress and off the city’s official radar and the community’s view.

According to City Council meeting minutes, In July 2024, “The University of Olivet Vice President and Chief of Staff Ryan Shockey provided council with a proof of a proposed “welcome” sign. Shockey stated that The University of Olivet has offered to pay for the new four-foot-high by eight-foot-wide vinyl sign and installation.” 

There was an estimate from Dornbos Sign and Safety in Charlotte for the sign. Council voted unanimously to purchase and install the signs in a 6-0 vote on July 8, 2024.

Then, life intervened. The sign purchase was not addressed again until the March 10, 2025 council meeting. 

“Things got shuffled around,” said Olivet Department of Public Works Director Jerry Skaggs, about the sign, and about the leadership at the University. A new director of physical plant was in place there. And one of the city’s current signs was in need of repair.

So, at the March 10, 2025 council meeting, City Clerk Amy Huepenbecker reported that “Vice President and Chief of Staff at The University of Olivet Ryan Shockey responded to her email regarding the “Welcome” signs that were approved in July of 2024. She said that Shockey stated that there is a new Facility Director, Chad Green, whom Shockey will contact regarding the signs. Huepenbecker said it would be nice to get this project done this spring. Staggs stated that he will get a current quote for the signs from Dornbos Sign, and he and Huepenbecker will work with Green to complete this project if Green agrees.”

Staggs said Green was most accommodating. In the meantime, the Olivet Community Schools (OCS) also got involved in the project and agreed to pay for a quarter of the cost.

At the July council meeting, “Staggs stated that The University of Olivet’s Facility Director Chad Green will be looking into the sign situation.”

Another update came at the September 8, 2025 council meeting.

Staggs stated that Green reported that “the University could only pay for half of the signs. Staggs said the 2023 quote for the signs and materials is outdated, and he received a new quote for $1,290.65 plus the cost of wood. He said the sign size will remain the same.”

City Councilmember Donald Walker asked why the signs would be made of wood instead of vinyl. According to the minutes once again, “Staggs said the cost difference is a major factor. Mayor Laura Barlond-Maas asked for clarification on the material used for the signs. Staggs said the signs themselves are made of metal, and wood posts will be used to anchor the signs.”

At the October 14, 2025 council meeting, “Staggs provided a quote for $1,290.65 from Dornbos Sign, Inc. for the “Welcome to Olivet” signs and a new sign for the Municipal building. He stated that he had spoken with The University of Olivet and the Olivet Community Schools (OCS) regarding the signs. He said both entities would like to be recognized on the welcome signs and would contribute to the cost of the signs and to the cost of rebuilding/repairing the framework for the signs.”

Council members voted to support the current quote for the costs and repairs, and that “The University of Olivet will pay 50%, and OCS and the City will each pay one quarter of the costs.

New year, new outlook. On January 2, Staggs confirmed that the signs are completed and in storage until the weather and time prove favorable for the work.

“One thing at a time,” Staggs said about the work of the three-member department, when, at the time of the interview, was dealing with a water main issue in 20 degree weather.