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Holtsberry plans to run for Council president

(The Crescent-News)

Defiance's Ward II Councilman Tim Holtsberry filed his petitions and announced his candidacy for the president of city council.

Incumbent President Charles Beard is expected not to seek re-election.

A three-term councilman, Holtsberry is in his 10th year on that body, and says he will "bring the same level-headed and even-handed approach to the office that President Beard has employed during his tenure in that position. I intend to build upon the leadership and guidance President Beard has commanded by giving counsel and advice to the administration and city council, acting as an intermediary to both groups, and by strengthening strategic planning and visioning through strong five-year capital improvements and general fund budgeting plan."

During his entire tenure on council, Holtsberry has been chairman of the sewer committee, helping oversee an $8 million upgrade of the wastewater treatment plant and an upcoming $50 million, EPA-mandated combined sewer overflow elimination project.

Holtsberry has served on the police and fire committee and is currently on the streets and sidewalk committee. From 1999-2004 Holtsberry was council's representative on the Greater Defiance Area Visitors and Tourism Bureau, serving as that board's treasurer.

 Holtsberry was elected by fellow councilmen to serve as president pro-tem in January 2004, and has performed that duty on several occasions.

He serves as president of the Defiance High School Band Boosters, is a member of the Defiance County Democratic executive and central committees, DHS Athletic Boosters, American Bar Association, Ohio State Bar Association, University of Toledo Student Bar Association and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America.

A graduate of Bowling Green State University with a bachelor of science degree in business administration, Holtsberry is attending the University of Toledo College of Law. He is pursuing joint juris doctorate and master of business administration degrees with anticipated completion this summer.

Holtsberry is employed by the Defiance law firm of Arthur, O'Neil, Mertz & Michyel, and continues to prepare taxes and give financial advice through his business, Tim's Tax Service.

His wife,Deb, is a teacher's aide at St. John's Lutheran School. They have two daughters, Amanda, a senior at DHS, and Kyle, an eighth grader at Defiance Junior High School, and attend St. John Catholic Church.