invitation
Catalog Number
T00-1572Description
A handmade invitation to City Employees for a Christmas Party in 1974History
Louis Hallacy II came to Holland in 1956 to become a businessman and stayed to establish a 32-year career as a politician and civic leader. He served five years as city councilman (1968-1973), three terms as mayor (1973-1979), and 20 years in the Holland Area Chamber of Commerce as president and CEO. Before his retirement in 2000, Hallacy also served as president of HEDCOR, the Holland Economic Development Corporation, and on the Tulip Time board of directors, and was a member of the Jaycees, Rotary, and other Holland and Michigan organizations.Projects completed during Hallacy's mayorality include the construction of the Central Fire Station, the combination police department/district court complex, and Bouws pool; expansions of the water plant and wastewater treatment plant; and completion of the Maplewood/Lela drain project, which facilitated industrial expansion on the city's south side. Hallacy participated in the Downtown Development Steering Committee (a forerunner of the successful Mainstreet revitalization program), and promoted the building of the Municipal Stadium. He is also remembered for the Tulip Time visit by President Gerald R. Ford and family.
Under Hallacy's stewardship, the chamber of commerce created community programs such as Lakeshore Link, a national business and education partnership; Leadership Holland, a motivational association; Holland First, a cultural awareness effort; Silent Observer, a crime-tip program; and the Holland Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. Hallacy has been recognized for his chamber achievements with awards from the Michigan Chamber of Commerce and regional and national Chamber organizations.
The Hallacy-led HEDCOR brought greater Holland two industrial parks, one on the city's south side and the other in Holland Charter Township. It is no exaggeration to say that Hallacy's record of foresight and leadership contributed to the early nineties' Streetscape rehabilitation of the main business district that graces Holland's Eighth Street today.