Passing the torch: Dave Handwerk reflects on 34 years in city government

Between 18 years as a council member and 16 years as mayor of Orrville, Dave Handwerk almost never missed a council meeting. He took joy in addressing citizens' concerns, always willing to lend an ear and find solutions.

“The most enjoyable thing is when somebody would have an issue and come into my office with this or that is being able to fix it,” Handwerk said.

The sacrifices he made, often missing family moments to attend to the needs of Orrville, exemplify the depth of his dedication.

Now, as he approaches retirement, he looks forward to passing on his obligations to Orrville’s new mayor, Matt Plybon.

Handwerk's leadership journey traces back to his high school days, where he served as the class president at Orrville High School. He had a strong passion for making a positive change in his hometown.

In 1989, former city mayor Howard Wade asked him if he would be interested in filling the unexpired term of a council member. With no hesitation, Handwerk agreed and then spent 18 years as a council member including 12 years as a council president, until he was elected for mayor in 2008.

The transition wasn’t easy for the Handwerk family in the first two years. His wife, Nancy, often received phone calls from citizens who had complaints, part of it because they didn’t know the right information.

“When he first started, I would get calls at home during the day because of something that they were upset about,” she said.

Nancy would give them his office number instead.

“I'd call him at work and say, OK, somebody's really mad, and they called me, so beware,” she said.

Fairness was a guiding principle

As satisfying everybody is impossible, fairness is the key point that led Handwerk’s decisions as a mayor.

He described decision-making as his days of coaching basketball, that no matter what call is made there will always be half of the crowd angry and half that isn’t.

Handwerk recalls one time when he received a call from a citizen who was angry over the city purchasing a new firetruck.

“I ended up saying, well, when your house catches fire, stop and think. If you want them to get there sooner or later because their truck broke down,” Handwerk said.

Orrville witnessed a period of unprecedented growth and development under Handwerk’s leadership. Several projects, including the Splash Pad, skateboard park and street resurfacing, enhanced the quality of life for residents and attracted new businesses to the community.

One of the projects he is most proud of is the cemetery improvement. The city worked with organizations like the American Legion to redo the stage and add flagpoles in the area Memorial Day services are held.

“In the first few years there was less area and there was not enough room for anybody to sit up like they do now,” he said.

“I got a picture of it on my wall,” Handwerk said.

”One of the first few days it was pretty breezy out there, beautiful sunny day, and all the flags were blowing the same direction and they were open so you could see what they were,” he said.

Challenges along the way

Accompanying the accomplishments were some bumpy roads and challenges for Handwerk.

He recalled feeling frustrated after a council member changed his vote regarding renaming a section of a road in front of the Orrville High School building.

“I was not happy because he was in my office and told me he was OK with it and he was going to vote for them, he changed his mind. You have to just roll with that,” Handwerk said.

But he always believed in the abilities of his staff and city employees.

“They're just a great group to work with, that’s probably one of the things I would miss the most, not seeing them very often,” he said.

Handwerk plans to step back from community service and resume doing some of his favorite activities like painting, mowing, or working out. But most of all, he wants to spend quality time with his five grandchildren.

“I’m glad he won’t be out for meetings, he has put in plenty of time and it's time for him to relax,” Nancy said.

He is thankful for the citizens' support throughout the years that kept him a mayor for 16 years. As his term comes to an end, people show their appreciation for his service whenever they encounter him or his wife in Orrville.

“People who know me would come up and say, your husband has done the best job for this city. It is really nice to hear that because a lot of times you hear the other side, but I've heard a lot of that,” Nancy said.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Retiring Orrville mayor, native son Dave Handwerk reflects on tenure