Ronald Wallin opened the Thursday, October 2, meeting of the Mackinaw City Village Council by noting the local impact he expects to see from the national financial crisis.

"We are facing extremely difficult economic times," the village president began, referring to the credit crunch that Congress was tackling that week. "It's going to have an impact on most people in business.

"It behooves us and the Planning Commission to pay very close attention to this bailout or whatever you want to call it," Mr. Wallin said. "Most people who are watching this closely know that is barely scratching the surface of how difficult things are going to be."

There will be an impact on the village, he warned.

"It behooves us to be attuned to what the new breed of tourist wants - what's walkable, bikable, very easy going."

The village depends on tourism for as much as 75% of annual revenues in a period when Michigan tourism is declining because of high gasoline prices and a shaky economy.

With Village Manager Jeff Lawson on vacation for the first few days of October, the council:

• Approved nominations of Paul Allers and Bo Whipkey to the Village Planning Commission.

• Heard comments from Mr. Wallin about the necessity of the village's Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and whether it served a useful or redundant function, but took no action.

"I'm not discounting the importance of it," Mr. Wallin said. "I would like anyone to come forward with anything that's come forward from the EDC. The city has a lot of commissions."

• Heard a request from Executive Director Dawn Edwards of the Chamber of Commerce for $1,120 to rent five billboards advertising Mackinaw City from Wolverine Signs, but took no action.

• Heard a request that a marker be placed to the freighter Cedarville, which sank off Mackinaw City in May 1965 after a collision with the Norwegian vessel Topdalsfjord in heavy fog in the Straits of Mackinac, but took no action. Ten lives were lost in the accident.

• Approved Mackinaw Outfitters' request for a "buck pole party" in its parking lot during November, where deer will be measured and prizes awarded to competing deer hunters.

The next council meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, October 16, at the Village Hall.