Summer is upon us and your County government has many activities, projects, and initiatives underway. I hope you enjoy the Digest and find it informative and let us know if you have content or ideas for articles.

The energy was high last week at Michigan American Legion Auxiliary Girls State in Lansing last week as a group of young women from high schools across the state dove headfirst into hands-on experiences in government. The week kicked off with an insightful panel discussion featuring three newly elected County Commissioners, Lisa Oliver-King, Jennifer Merchant, and Katie DeBoer, all from the Kent County Board of Commissioners, who shared their knowledge of working in government with the delegates. It was a busy, exciting week at Girls State, and the learning opportunities were endless.

I have had the privilege of serving with Girls State since 1986, first as an educator/facilitator and then as the Government Coordinator for the program for the past 26 years. As I reflect on my time in this role, I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of a program that has taught and mentored so many of our future leaders. I am now passing the Government Coordinator reins to the next generation and MSU Professor Erika Rosebrook will bring a fresh perspective and renewed enthusiasm to propel this program to new heights. Many in West Michigan will remember Erika as a former Kent County Management Analyst and former Assistant County Administrator of Ottawa County.

I will be taking some time off over the 4th of July, so I wanted to wish everyone a wonderful holiday!

- Al Vanderberg

Saying Goodbye To Our Equalization Director 

On Friday (June 23), our Equalization Director Matt Woolford retired after a 26 year career with the County. 

Matt came to Kent County in 1997 as the Director of Property Description and Mapping. He held that title until the Bureau of Equalization and Property Description and Mapping were combined into one department in 2000, and he became the Deputy Director of Equalization. In 2007, he became the Director of Equalization.

With Matt’s thirst for innovation and desire to standardize the profession, he was awarded Director of the Year in 2021 by the Michigan Association of Equalization Directors. Under his leadership, our Equalization Department was recognized as the Distinguished Assessment Jurisdiction of the Year in 2022 by the Michigan Assessor’s Association.

We thank Matt for his years of service and wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement. 

Refugee Foster Grandparent Program

A unique partnership between Kent School Services Network (KSSN) and Senior Neighbors is making a difference at Glenwood Elementary School in the Kentwood School District. Glenwood students represent a wide variety of cultures, with over 78% identifying as being part of a historically underrepresented population.

KSSN has collaborated with Senior Neighbors to pair two 55+ volunteers who represent the diverse cultures of the school with students and teachers who benefit from their support in the classroom. The program provides the senior volunteers with a sense of belonging, acceptance and purpose, while students receive reading and math education assistance as well as emotional support.

One teacher reported that their classroom refugee grandparent is so popular that she had to enforce a one student per day rule, so everyone can get their one-on-one time doing an activity with him. A student summed up their experience with the grandparent as “They are always so nice and I can talk to them when I am sad and they actually understand me because I feel better talking in Kinyarwanda than English.”

KSSN and Senior Neighbors plan to recruit additional volunteers and expand the program to more schools in the Kentwood District. For more information, contact Maddie Rhodes at maddierhodes@kentssn.org. 

Deputy County Administrator Elected to Statewide Board

Deputy County Administrator Jenny James was recently elected to the Michigan Association of County Administrative Officers (MACAO) Board of Directors for 2023-24. 

MACAO was formed in 1959 to assist county administrative officers in improving their ability to serve their respective board of commissioners and public business. Beginning on Oct. 1, 2023, the Board will be led by President Michael Bosanac, administrator/chief financial officer for Monroe County.

Congratulations Jenny for being selected to join the MACAO Board of Directors and for representing Kent County with dedication and commitment!