Village council meetings in Maple Valley are generally docile. Minutes are read, dates approved, reports adopted, motions to adjourn bring meetings to an end. Last week will stand out in the history of Maple Valley council meetings, as Quintin O’Dillmotte’s shocking and outrageous plan to change the name of Maple Valley resulted in a high volume shouting match.

Everyone who heard about the argument is relieved the name of our little town will never be changed to “O’Dillmotteville”. Everyone but Quintin, that is. During the heated battle, a masterful legal step by Derk Bilsmert brought a permanent end to his absurd motion.

“I move we immediately change the name of Maple Valley to O’Dillmotteville,” Quintin said with a firm and proper voice.

“I object to consideration!” Derk shouted.

“You can’t do that!” Quintin yelled back.

“According to the rules this council follows, I can,” he answered. “No debate has occurred over your stupid motion. My motion does not need a second, and it isn’t debatable!” Derk said.

Mayor Thrashborn immediately said, “All in favor of the motion to object, say, “Aye.” Seven out of eight council members agreed. Quintin was stunned into silence. His grand plan was dead.

As disturbing as the suggestion to change the name of Maple Valley may be, the village may be facing a challenge even bigger than Quintin O’Dillmotte’s ego. There is a problem with The Old General.

There is another general also causing trouble in Maple Valley. Gella Hoolik, a multi-decade fixture on the Maple Valley Church council, couldn’t stand the thought of the Shermer family winning another Maple Valley Halloween Festival Home Decorating Contest, which she believes is besmirching the good name of the church.

A little background information on Gella Hoolik may be helpful. Her grandfather, Erhm Hoolik, was the first reverend at Maple Valley Church. He preferred to be called, “Father Hoolik,” which was not an official part of the liturgical structure of the church, but the congregants followed. Gella has successfully, whether for the good of the church or not, held her place on the council forever and wields her will like a sword. She is also very rich.

Gella Hoolik persuaded her followers on the church council to hold an emergency meeting to bring an official grievance to Reverend Shermer and demand he remove himself from the village decorating competition. The official document read,

“Whereas, the celebration of Halloween is contrary to our beliefs, and
Whereas, the involvement of the church’s clergy in the celebration of Halloween is contrary to our beliefs, and
Whereas, this council has annually voted to demand the clergy give a sermon about our beliefs concerning Halloween, and
Whereas, the council of Maple Valley Church unanimously agrees,
Now, therefore, we, the council of Maple Valley Church do demand all Halloween decorations be immediately removed from the clergy’s house and any further involvement in the annual Halloween decorating competition be refused.”

The good reverend stood in shocked silence as the resolution was presented, feeling as if his work at the church was coming to an abrupt end.

Gella Hoolik said, “And now the vote. All in favor of the resolution, say, ‘Aye’.”

The silence in the room could not have been more intense if they had all been locked in a crypt.

“All opposed say ‘No’,” she finally whispered.

“No!” was the loud response. The emergency meeting ended as quickly as it started.

It was a Halloween celebration to remember in Maple Valley. Lots of candy was handed out to happy children of all ages. Hannah and Shorty served lots of hot chocolate and donuts at Ya’ll Sit Cafe. People came from far and wide to slowly drive through town and see all the decorations. The good reverend’s family won the competition again.

The two generals in town are headed in different directions. The Old General steam locomotive will one day roll back into town. The old general, Gella Hoolik, resigned from the council and left the church. It was a great Halloween in Maple Valley.