Péwé out on City Council; new officials welcoming to college
Michael Mayday
Issue date: 11/19/09 Section: News
After serving on the Hillsdale City Council for eight years, Hillsdale College's Vice President of Administration Rich Péwé has stepped out of office. He did not seek re-election this month. But his experience on council has helped create a mutual understanding between the college and the town.
Péwé said the relationship between the college and city wasn't always amiable when he was a student. He also said there was some trepidation about whether his election to council would be good for the community.
Péwé said the council was very interested if the college could pump money downtown.
"Some see the college as rolling in money, but it's more of a matter of performing well," Péwé said. "They figured out that isn't what the college is about."
He said it took a while to explain that the college is not for profit, but afterwards both the city council and the college had come to a mutual understanding.
"The whole relationship in general has improved and has been mutually beneficial," Péwé said.
His replacement, councilwoman Ruth Brown, is a campus regular and has a strong history with the college. Her father worked as a professor of history from 1966-1978, and worked with College Historian Arlan Gilbert. She owns her own business, Sun Sand and Sea Travel Service, and ran for city council unchallenged. Brown said she has plans to further improve the relationship between the city and the college.
Brown said the college has been a sizable benefit towards the community by providing free entertainment from plays to seminars and the Center for Constructive Alternatives.
Currently, Brown said she is working with the Tax Increment Finance Authority board and the Hillsdale Business Association to help bring more shopping and dining opportunities to students and residents. She said she hopes to help make downtown a more college-friendly - a place where students bring their parents to walk around, not just campus.
Mayor Doug Moon agrees.
"The more we can make college students welcome downtown the better," Moon said.
Péwé said the opportunity to serve on council was a good experience and a mutual understanding of how the city council and college work has been established. He also said the student body has a strong influence downtown as well.
"I think it has been bettered, and no one individual can trip that up," Péwé said.
Moon and Brown agree, both saying that the college's relationship with the town can only get better.
"My wife is a Hillsdale alumna, so she's not going to let anything go bad," Moon said, jokingly.
Péwé said the relationship between the college and city wasn't always amiable when he was a student. He also said there was some trepidation about whether his election to council would be good for the community.
Péwé said the council was very interested if the college could pump money downtown.
"Some see the college as rolling in money, but it's more of a matter of performing well," Péwé said. "They figured out that isn't what the college is about."
He said it took a while to explain that the college is not for profit, but afterwards both the city council and the college had come to a mutual understanding.
"The whole relationship in general has improved and has been mutually beneficial," Péwé said.
His replacement, councilwoman Ruth Brown, is a campus regular and has a strong history with the college. Her father worked as a professor of history from 1966-1978, and worked with College Historian Arlan Gilbert. She owns her own business, Sun Sand and Sea Travel Service, and ran for city council unchallenged. Brown said she has plans to further improve the relationship between the city and the college.
Brown said the college has been a sizable benefit towards the community by providing free entertainment from plays to seminars and the Center for Constructive Alternatives.
Currently, Brown said she is working with the Tax Increment Finance Authority board and the Hillsdale Business Association to help bring more shopping and dining opportunities to students and residents. She said she hopes to help make downtown a more college-friendly - a place where students bring their parents to walk around, not just campus.
Mayor Doug Moon agrees.
"The more we can make college students welcome downtown the better," Moon said.
Péwé said the opportunity to serve on council was a good experience and a mutual understanding of how the city council and college work has been established. He also said the student body has a strong influence downtown as well.
"I think it has been bettered, and no one individual can trip that up," Péwé said.
Moon and Brown agree, both saying that the college's relationship with the town can only get better.
"My wife is a Hillsdale alumna, so she's not going to let anything go bad," Moon said, jokingly.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Joy Pavelski
posted 11/20/09 @ 12:09 PM EST
Perhaps you've covered this earlier, but the opening graphs needed a "why" somewhere for Mr. Pewe's decision. Maybe he was just ready for something else, maybe thought it was time to give someone else a turn--whatever. (Continued…)
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posted 11/26/09 @ 10:54 PM EST
I think it is great!
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