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Posted: 08/08/12

MERRICK MARIS

DDA elects new chair,
keeps current officers

by CHRIS GRAY
Observer Staff Writer

      With a full board to work with, the Romeo Downtown Development Authority (DDA) has elected its officers.
       The DDA voted to elect its officers at its Aug. 1 meeting, selecting Merrick Maris, III as the new chairperson.
       The DDA voted unanimously in favor of selecting Maris as chairperson as well as re-electing the current officers to their positions. Maris and DDA member Jason Arnott were not present at the meeting.
       Maris, a Bruce Township resident, has operated the Maris Farm Bureau Insurance Agency in downtown Romeo for the past one-and-a-half years.
       His initial appointment to the DDA was approved by the Village Board of Trustees on June 18.
       "I thought it'd be nice to get involved in an organization that entails the business owners to see if I can make a little bit of a difference and offer some of my time to the community," he said.
       Maris is a part of the Greater Romeo-Washington Chamber of Commerce and was formerly a member of the Romeo Merchants, Restaurants and Professionals Association.
       He said since he is new to the DDA he didn't wish to speak on what direction it's going, but does hope to establish good communication with other local groups.
       "It's more about having a good relationship with the village and making the DDA a cohesive unit," he said. "You're not going to always agree upon things, but hopefully you can respectfully disagree."
       The remaining DDA officers maintained their prior positions. Randy Seidel will continue as vice-chairperson, Village President Mike Lee will remain as secretary and Carol Humphreys will continue to serve as treasurer.
       During the Aug. 1 meeting, Seidel said he would've liked it if Maris had the chance to serve on the DDA for longer before becoming the chair, but said it's important to have someone who is around during the day to handle DDA issues.
       Lee reminded the board that the DDA does have a part-time director to help out with day-to-day operations.
       None of the remaining DDA members offered to serve as an officer.
       Along with Maris, village trustees were in favor of appointing Lisa Hall to fill the remaining vacancy.
       The village president is in charge of appointing members to the village's various entities. Appointments are made once a year.