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A Note From the Administrator
As the leaves begin to turn, weekend plans are getting filled with visits to apple orchards, cider mills, and corn mazes; and football games are filling our screens.
I had the pleasure of attending Steve Warren's retirement party last week, honoring his more than 35 years in public service at the Kent County Road Commission. Steve has been an invaluable asset to Kent County, consistently going above and beyond the call of duty to ensure the safety and well-being of our residents. We wish him all the best in his retirement.
My wife, Leslie, and I also attended the annual Kent County Parks Foundation annual “Something’s Grilling” fundraising event. During the event, Dave and Carol Van Andel were celebrated for their support of our parks and trail projects.
Tragically, Christine Burns, the President of the Village of Spring Lake, passed away unexpectedly last week. Known for her exceptional professionalism, Chris never shied away from tackling difficult and intricate issues as a manager. Her leadership as the former City Manager of Cedar Springs will remain in the memories of many here in Kent County. The loss of Chris will be felt deeply by her loved ones, colleagues, and anyone fortunate enough to have crossed her path.
Please let us know if you have articles, topics, or ideas that you would like to include in future newsletters.
- Al Vanderberg
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Ribbon Cutting for New Fleet Services Building
We were happy to host a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house last week for Kent County's new Fleet Services building!
From the Kent County Sheriff's Office's cruisers to Kent County Community Action's vans providing transportation to older adults for medical appointments and grocery shopping to the Kent County Health Department's mobile units bringing health care services and testing to the community, the fleet services team makes our vehicles operational so our staff can deliver high-quality services to our residents.
This 13,170 square foot facility will serve as a centralized hub for the maintenance and repair of more than 300 county vehicles and equipment. The Fleet Services Division provides preventative maintenance and repair services, emergency and municipal vehicle upfitting, fueling infrastructure, motor pool vehicles, and other ancillary services to county departments.
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Test of FEMA emergency alert system planned for October 4
If an alarm blares on your phone on October 4, don’t worry – it is just a test.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) are implementing a national test October 4 at 2:20pm to radio, TV and wireless emergency networks to ensure that the systems continue to be effective as a means of warning the public about emergencies.
All major U.S. wireless providers participate in the emergency alert system and will transmit the national test. If your phone is on and within range of an active cell tower, from a participating wireless provider, you should receive the national test.
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Visit from Ghost, Sheriff's Office K-9
The Kent County Administrator's Office had a special visitor on Sept. 22 - Ghost! A 3.5 yr. old German Shepard, Ghost is a member of the Kent County Sheriff's Office’s K-9 unit and, along with being a highly trained team member, he is obsessed with his Kong chew toy. Ghost is such a sweet boy and we thoroughly enjoyed the tricks he performed with his handler and best friend deputy Hendrixson! To view a video of their tricks, you can visit here.
Dogs in the Sheriff's K-9 Unit are bred and chosen for their intelligence and strong sense of smell. They can help when pursuing fugitives, searching for missing persons, narcotics, weapons, and explosives.
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Get Ahead of Lead Program Success
The Kent County Health Department, through a partnership with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and the City of Grand Rapids, continue to make lead reducing water filters available to qualified residents. The Get Ahead of Lead program that started in June has already distributed free water filters to 5,354 people!
The problem does not come from municipal water supplies in Kent County, but lead can accumulate in colder types of older plumbing. If your home has a lead service line, galvanized plumbing or faucets and fixtures that were made before 2014, it is recommended that you use a lead reducing water filter for all drinking needs in your home. It is also recommended that you use a filter if you do not know if these conditions exist in your home.
The Get Ahead of Lead program is the first of its kind in the state. Kent County, MDHHS, and the city of Grand Rapids are working together to not only distribute the filters but to gather the data and experience that will help guide future programs throughout the state.
Find out if you qualify for a free lead reducing water filter by clicking here.
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Agricultural Preservation Bus Tour
Kent County Commissioners Ben Greene (District 1), Jennifer Merchant (District 3), Katie DeBoer (District 4), and Walter Bujak (District 21), along with representatives from the Agricultural Preservation Board, Cascade Charter Township Parks Commission, West Michigan Works, and Plaster Creek Stewards, took a bus tour on Sept. 21 to learn more about Kent County's Purchase of Development Rights program.
The group toured many of the 29 farms who have purchased their development rights, a program that compensates owners of agricultural property for their willingness to accept a permanent deed restriction on their land limiting its future development for non-agricultural purposes, as well as made a visit to apple packing facility Elite Apple.
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Sheriff's Office Job Fair - Oct. 11
If you are looking to get your career started at the Kent County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO), our upcoming job fair is a great opportunity! The event will be at the Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday, October 11, from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. and they are hiring corrections officers and maintenance staff. The KCSO will be having on-the-spot interviews as well as drug tests, background checks, and jail tours.
Please pre-register for our event by visiting here. If you would like to review the job description or benefits visit accesskent.com/jobs. No need to apply prior to attending our event.
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Kent County Purchasing & Business Networking Event - Nov. 1
Michigan suppliers interested in doing business with Kent County are invited to join Michigan Economic Development Corporation's (MEDC) Pure Michigan Business Connect team and the Kent County Purchasing Division for a no-cost Kent County Purchasing and Business Networking Event on Nov. 1 from 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. This event includes several opportunities to meet with Kent County staff and engage in informational networking with county business resource partners.
Kent County will focus on a variety of commercial and residential construction and other business opportunities with the county. Over $21 million in construction contractor opportunities is anticipated over the next four years. You can register for the event here.
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Introducing Community Action's newest team member, Tomás!
Kent County Community Action (KCCA) was fortunate to receive a small financial donation from a community member following the death of their family member. The gentleman had previous ties to KCCA, the State Legislature, and was an advocate for older adults. Thanks to the donated funds, KCCA was able to purchase a new “pet” for the Congregate Meals Program.
Tomás is a robotic cat that interacts with those around him due to sensors in his brow, cheek, head, back and belly. He blinks, purrs, meows, licks his paw, dozes off, and will even roll over to let you scratch his belly! Tomás has brought such joy to program participants who come to KCCA for a hot meal, activities, and to socialize. Pets (even mechanical ones) help to increase the quality of life for older adults by providing companionship, reducing feelings of isolation, calming anxiety, and facilitating connection.
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Impacting the Community Starts with You. Click here to see current career opportunities.
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