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Doug Heins
May 6
 
Philip S. King
May 6
 
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May 7
 
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May 14
 
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May 15
 
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May 10
 
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May 16
 
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May 28
 
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David Rhem
Lori
May 14
 
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Mickey Coulson
May 19
 
Dave Stocking
Lori Zellers
May 28
 
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Tanya Kval
May 31
 
Join Date
Katherine Hegedus
May 18, 2015
3 years
 
Brad MacLachlan
May 31, 2013
5 years
 
Lisa Ashcraft
May 31, 1996
22 years
 
Russell Hampton
National Awards Services Inc.
ClubRunner
Stories
Upcoming Speaker's
Posted by Jess Garrison on May 16, 2018
5-18-2018/   Michelle Ready- Ottawa County ISD Director
 
5-25-2018/   No Meeting- Memorial Day
 
6-1-2018/   Ed Grafton- Bow Tie Interview
Last Week's Scribe Report
Posted by Randall White on May 16, 2018
OTTAWA COUNTY
 
                Our guest was Al Vanderberg, the County Administrator.  He presented a lot of information in a slide presentation that moved quickly.  My shorthand largely failed me.  The bottom line is apparent – Ottawa County is doing very well and the administration does not sit by and gloat – rather they are constantly seeking new avenues of improvement.
 
                Overall, the county has adopted a slogan coined by Judge Ed Post; “The Ottawa Way” (TOW).  TOW encapsulates a culture and way of doing things which are good for citizens and employees alike.  It signifies that good government is practiced here.  As a result, four unions have left county representation, and employee grievances have dropped from 70 a year to as low as zero.
 
  1. Vision:  Described as “Where You Belong,” Ottawa County is highly attractive and the fasted growing county in each of the last five decades.
 
  1. Mission:  Committed to a safe environment from people to natural resources.
 
  1. Goals:  There are a number of goals but primary among them are a strong current balance sheet and a long term financial environment which entices investment.  Ottawa County has the fifth lowest tax rate (3.6 mills.) of the State’s 83 counties.  Furthermore, it maintains a AAA bind rating with Moddy & Fitch.
 
  1. 4 “C’s”:  Going forward the plan is:
 
  1. Communication.  Improved and expanded delivery of information to citizens.  This includes Facebook.  Most county business can be transacted online. 
 
  1. Cultural Intelligence.  Need to work on and improve on diversity issues and training to eliminate unintentional biases.
 
  1. Customer Service.  This includes intergovernmental cooperation.
 
  1. Creativity.  Big issues to be addressed in this area:
 
  1. Ground water capacity
  2. Mental health funding
  3. S.W. Ottawa Landfill
  4. Michigan Indigent Defense Commission
  5. Juvenile Justice Center
  6. Grand River Greenway
  7. M-231 improvements
  8. Increasing the number of paved road shoulders
  9. Robots and use of artificial intelligence
 
To say that all has a lot on his plate only means he has filled a huge plate.  The future paths look interesting and exciting and we all will be the beneficiaries of his efforts.  Thanks Al!
 
Raffle Loser:  Craig Cather
Raffle Winner:  Doug Heins