A Note From The Administrator
It’s Halloween week, and our team is getting excited to celebrate! From festive decorations to creative costumes, it’s always great to see the fun and community spirit that this season brings.
I have been in Tampa this weekend attending the ICMA Conference, which brings together local government professionals from across the country to share ideas, strengthen leadership, and explore innovative solutions for our communities. It’s been a valuable opportunity to learn from peers, gain new tools and insights, and bring fresh ideas back to our team.
As always, 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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Celebrating A Special Day At Our 17th Circuit Court
On October 17, the 17th Circuit Court had the joy of hosting a truly special celebration—an adoption and a birthday party all in one!
Eleven-year-old Daizy was officially adopted by her aunt and uncle, marking a major milestone just in time for her birthday weekend.
“We’re gathered here in court to celebrate this—the confirmation of a new family through adoption. Today is about love, commitment, and new beginnings, and it’s a privilege for this court to be a part of it,” said Judge Matthew DeLange.
Daizy’s classmates and teachers from the Northview Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program joined the hearing to celebrate the occasion, filling the courtroom with smiles, applause in sign, and heartfelt excitement. The morning continued with a daisy-themed after-party in her honor, complete with decorations and birthday treats.
We were thrilled to share in Daizy’s special day and congratulate her on this exciting new chapter. Watch the video of the ceremony and celebration here.
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Operation Green Light Starts Next Week - Show Your Support for Veterans!
Join us November 4-11 for Operation Green Light and help honor our local veterans!
Our Veterans Services department is encouraging residents, businesses, and community partners to light their homes or buildings green as part of this awareness campaign. Stop by any Kent District Library, Grand Rapids Public Library, or our Veterans Services office to pick up a free light bulb and participate, while supplies last! We’re excited that several West Michigan landmarks have already signed on to participate, including the Grand Rapids Griffins game, Gerald R. Ford International Airport, fire stations, and more.
By shining a green light, you help show veterans that their service is valued and appreciated. To learn more, visit here.
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Happy Homes, Happy Hearts: Connecting and Celebrating Community Action
We had a wonderful time at the Happy Homes, Happy Hearts Luncheon on October 16, celebrating Community Action’s impact across Kent County! The event brought together connection, gratitude, and community, with Program Manager Chad Coffman sharing how our weatherization and lead abatement programs are changing lives.
We were also proud to recognize Lazaro Victores as our Volunteer of the Year for his outstanding contributions to our senior programs.
If you couldn’t join us but would still like to support families and individuals in need, please consider making a donation at kentcountymi.gov/KCCAdonate
A Fright-Free Home: Lead Safety Tips for Families
- Get blood lead tests at ages 1 & 2
- Wash hands, toys, and pacifiers often
- Wet wipe windowsills and dusty surfaces
- Leave shoes at the door
- Serve foods rich in calcium, iron, vitamin C & zinc
Kent County families with a pregnant person or a child under 6 can receive a free home health screening. Call 616-632-7063 to learn more!
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Road Commission Fall Color Tour
Fall colors are nearing their peak across Kent County, with roads lined in yellows, reds and oranges. To help residents and visitors take in the season’s outdoor tapestry, the Kent County Road Commission invites motorists to explore the annual Fall Color Tour.
The Fall Color Tour showcases not only the beauty of Kent County’s fall landscapes but also the history and accessibility of its parks and bridges. Along the routes, travelers can stop at Kent County parks featuring picnic areas, green spaces and regional trails.
The Color Tour encompasses more than 350 miles of county roads, divided into four regions—northern, southern, eastern and western Kent County. The routes can be driven individually for a short outing or connected for a full-day adventure. Each region is available as a downloadable map at kentcountyroads.net.
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New Riverfront Gathering Space and Classroom Debut at Public Museum as Grand Rapids Marks 175 Years
On October 17, we were happy to join city and state officials as the Grand Rapids Public Museum unveiled a special plaque celebrating the opening of their riverfront educational & gathering space, as well as commemorating the City of Grand Rapids' 175th anniversary!
Our Board Chair, Commissioner Ben Greene, spoke at the event and was joined by County Administrator Al Vanderberg and Commissioner Steve Faber. The unveiling was held in the Museum’s soon-to-open outdoor classroom overlooking the Grand River - a space that will welcome future generations of students to explore Grand Rapids’ history, ecology, and culture.
Congratulations to all involved, for this milestone year and exciting community project!
Public Votes on the Animal Shelter's New Mascot Name: Bark Kent
On October 16, our Animal Shelter celebrated its 85th Anniversary with a special Fall event where residents and families enjoyed seasonal treats like cider and donuts, got creative with fall-themed crafts, and participated in a variety of kids’ activities.
A highlight of the day was the debut of KCAS’s brand-new mascot, and a reveal of it's new name. By popular vote, the mascot's name is Bark Kent! Guests had the chance to meet Bark Kent and take photos, making it a fun and memorable celebration for all ages.
The event provided a wonderful opportunity for the community to come together, celebrate KCAS’s history, and learn more about the growth and changes the Shelter has experienced over the years.
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Gerald R Ford Airport Voted #1 Best Small Airport in the U.S.
This incredible recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our airport staff, who go above and beyond to provide an outstanding travel experience to all our passengers. From convenient facilities to exceptional customer service, they are committed to making your journeys smooth and stress-free. Thank you to everyone who voted for the Ford Airport in the public poll!
Let's celebrate this remarkable achievement together, and here's to many more great travel experiences ahead!
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Discovering Kent County: The Legendary Log Jam of 1883
As part of our "A to Z: Discovering Kent County" series, we are highlighting the Log Jam of 1883, for the letter L!
In the 1800s, Grand Rapids was at the heart of Michigan’s booming lumber industry, which fueled the city’s growth and laid the foundation for its famous furniture trade. In the summer of 1883, Grand Rapids faced one of the most dramatic disasters in its history, a seven-mile-long log jam that threatened to destroy the city’s bridges and cripple its booming lumber and furniture industries. The river was choked with over 600,000 logs, stacked thirty feet deep - one of the largest log jams in U.S. history. When the jam broke loose, it tore through Grand Rapids with terrifying force, demolishing railroad bridges and damaging others across the city. For hours, residents watched helplessly as millions of board feet of timber rushed west toward Lake Michigan.
To learn more, read our full article here.
Zoo Researcher Called to Madagascar after Success with West Michigan Turtles
John Ball Zoo's conservation team has spent years perfecting techniques to raise native turtle hatchlings in captivity before releasing them into the wild. A creative use of radio telemetry, developed by John Ball Zoo's field conservation coordinator Faith Kuzma, allows crews to track the turtles after release, charting their progress and survival over time.
Faith's experience recently brought her halfway around the world to Madagascar. The country is working to rehabilitate 20,000 radiated tortoises that were rescued from the illegal wildlife trade in 2018. Kuzma and members of the international Turtle Survivor Alliance will use a combination of transmitters, receivers, and antennas to verify that the tortoises finally being released are acclimated safely. Kuzma will spend a month in Madagascar before returning to West Michigan.
John Ball Zoo has released over 100 Eastern Box Turtles since launching our "head starting" program in 2019.
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Do Business with Kent County: Bid Opportunities & Vendor Registration
Do you want to do business with Kent County? If so, our Purchasing Division offers community businesses a fair and open way to work with county departments, from office supplies to major projects, all through a transparent and competitive bid process.
Here’s how to get started:
- Visit kentcountymi.gov/1655/bid-opportunities
- Review current bid opportunities and apply online (you’ll provide basic business info, references, and any required documents)
- Register as a vendor to receive email alerts for future opportunities
Our Purchasing team operates with integrity, efficiency, and the best interest of taxpayers in mind - ensuring every bid follows professional and ethical standards.
To learn more and view available resources, please visit here.
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Explore Rewarding Careers At Kent County Today
Working for the County, you will have the opportunity to serve the public and your community. We have employment opportunities in general government, health, public safety, judicial, recreational, and much more. To view our open positions and apply, visit kentcountymi.gov/jobs. To learn more about our employee value proposition, visit here.
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