Thanks, Bill Barlage for 25 years of leadership…
25 Years of Commitment to EEV ~ Thanks for the Memories!
William “Bill” Barlage has served our East English Village well for 25 years on our EEV Board and 21 years as President. The June 8 General Meeting was an emotional one for both Bill and the many residents he has served during this time. Bill entered the room greeted with a large poster designed by longtime resident, Nancy Brigham, stating “Thank you Bill Barlage for 25 years of outstanding services to Detroit & your EEV neighbors!” Flowers and a thank you card (also designed by Nancy) were presented from the EEV Board. D4 Councilwoman Latisha Johnson thanked Bill for his commitment to his neighbors. As a resident of EEV and having served on the EEV Board, Councilwoman Johnson was familiar with the quality-of-life issues that Bill has always made a priority. She presented Bill with a Proclamation from Detroit City Council as well as the “Spirit of Detroit” award. Michigan State Representative from the 1st House District, Tenisha Yancey, also presented a Proclamation on behalf of the State of Michigan.
During Bill's tenure, EEV has thrived in the role of being recognized as "A Neighborhood of Choice". Included among the many accomplishments benefitting our residents that transpired during this timeframe: ensuring sponsorship and publication of our monthly newsletter delivered to all 2100 homes, development of an EEV website and active Facebook Group, Community Cleanup/Makeovers, Annual Garage Sale, Beautification Award Program, Holiday Party, Garden Tour, support of the E. Warren Business Corridor Streetscape as well as special events including local pub crawls, tours of historic buildings and other community gatherings. In 2014, Bill hosted (at that time) VP Joe Biden and Mayor Mike Duggan and other City dignitaries and residents during Detroit's Labor Day festivities. Bill has maintained excellent communication with City Administration, City Council, Detroit Police Department 5th Precinct officers and all City Departments ensuring quality of life issues – focusing on the safety and well-being of our residents and pets – were promptly addressed. He also developed an excellent working relationship with our neighboring communities of Morningside and Cornerstone. Bill’s face (and car with the personalized license plate “Gotham1”) is such a familiar one that he’s often been affectionately referred to as the “Mayor of East English Village”. Bill physically drives the neighborhood daily whenever he is in town – sometimes two or three times a day ~ and has always been available to residents to assist and help resolve issues including sponsoring Foreclosure Prevention Workshops and advising individuals of available City and County Assistance Programs for which they might be eligible.
Under Bill's outstanding leadership, EEV was awarded "Curbed Detroit's Neighborhood of the Year" 2017 & 2018 as well as being recognized several times as "Eastside Community Network's Neighborhood of the Year". EEV has not only remained strong but has thrived under Bill Barlage’s extraordinary commitment and dedication to the residents of East English Village. We are deeply grateful for the work that has been accomplished. A solid blueprint for excellence has been established under your leadership, and we commit to “carry the torch” in encouraging all of our neighbors ~ young and old ~ to become involved and continue to make EEV the best possible place to live, work, play and pray. And, Bill, thanks for the many wonderful memories! ~ Maureen Dritsan