New Millersburg mayor eager to collaborate with county

Kelly Hoffee took office as the mayor of Millersburg on Jan. 1 and wasted little time in connecting with the Holmes County commissioners three days later to introduce herself and chat about the opportunities that lie ahead for her, the village and the county.

“I really look forward to the commissioners,” Hoffee said to commissioners Joe Miller and Dave Hall at the meeting. “As the mayor of the county seat, it’s important for Millersburg to move forward into the future, and by working together, we can get a lot more done, so I am looking forward to working and collaborating with you for the betterment of not just Millersburg, but for all of Holmes County.”

Miller said they were pleased to get the opportunity to collaborate and said the county has always had a good working relationship with the Village of Millersburg.

Both parties said the experience and knowledge Millersburg village administrator Nate Troyer brings to the table will enhance the two entities’ collaborative spirit.

Miller said one of the biggest advancements the village and county have worked with was the project to restructure the intersection of state Routes 39, 62 and 83, where three major state routes have made for plenty of traffic.

The project took place several years ago and expanded the turn lane on the southeast corner of the main intersection, with the expansion allowing semi-tractor trailers easier access through town and more turning area. Originally, there was a cast-iron bell there to keep trucks from shorting the turn, which was resulting in many tire explosions that brought traffic to a standstill.

The two entities worked together to create funding that allowed the widening to take place, and the problem has been lessened greatly. Miller said working on the bell on the northeast corner of the square is something else to do.

Hoffee said one thing she would like to prioritize is the ongoing effort to work with traffic issues in the village.

“A lot of truck drivers were happy about what took place,” Hoffee said of moving the bell back. “But the traffic situation in Millersburg is something we definitely need to talk about further, as well as getting people to understand the left-turn lanes at the lights. That is a big problem.”

She said drivers continue to make turns left from the nonturn lane because they aren’t aware of the left-turn lane in time.

A former longtime Millersburg council member, Hoffee has had the fortune of seeing how things work in the village for many years, and that insight should prove valuable in her new role, according to Hall.

“You have opportunities to put your own spin on things,” Hall said. “We are always working on grant programs through Arnie (Oliver) at the planning commission office, and we are also working on the Appalachian Fund project. There are a great many grant resources out there.”

Hoffee said she is excited to work alongside the commissioners and do great things in office. She said she also hopes to bring an energy to her role.

“I’m so excited,” Hoffee said. “I feel like we’re already hitting the ground running. I’ve already gone into a lot of committee appointments and experienced so many things already this early in the year. Now that this is actually here and happening, I’m ready to get this show on the road and continue to improve our village to make it even better.”

She said both signage and traffic lighting issues along the downtown streets are an issue she will look into, noting there are times when automobiles will sit for a length of time for the light to turn green, then only two cars can advance through the light, which she said can be exasperating for drivers.

She also said she would like to create classes for people interested in running for local government, noting the process can be intimidating if someone doesn’t know how to go about getting started the right way.

Hoffee also said she hopes to create a more inclusive environment at council meetings so people know they can sit and listen, speak their mind, share their thoughts, and have their voices heard.

Her office hours will be Tuesday and Thursday from 4-6 p.m. for anyone who wants to talk or has ideas concerning the village.