Bi-Weekly Newsletter
January 20, 2022
Dear Friends,
On Monday, I was honored to participate in a number of events that celebrated the life, sacrifices and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King.
As I joined friends and colleagues in the 37th annual Drive for Freedom, Justice and Equity in Southfield, I had the chance to reflect on some of the things I most admired about Dr. King.
His vision for an inclusive society where all people are valued and respected without exception has always resonated with me and been an enduring principle that has guided me in my career in the public and private sector and in my personal life.
But it was his strategic thinking, his pragmatism that was firmly grounded on getting the work done that has been a touchstone for me.
In these times when so many politicians are firmly planted in their corners on either side of the political spectrum, unable to accomplish much of anything, it’s instructive to look toward Dr. King’s legacy of embracing and working with people who might not have shared his vision.
He built alliances and looked for intersections where different factions could come together and find common ground without compromising their visions. He knew that when he marched for workers rights or protested a university’s admissions practices, he was fighting for a broader agenda that encompassed social and racial justice.
It wasn’t always exactly what everyone wanted, but the end product was always progress. And that’s what made Dr. King, and leaders who emulate that approach, so successful.
In the spirit of Dr. King’s approach, I will be reaching out to community and political partners to work together and make progress on some key priorities that I will outline in my State of the County speech in March.
There is plenty of common ground we can all agree will result in an enhanced quality of life for all of our residents. It is my hope that in spite of any political differences, that we can model Dr. King and work together toward progress.
With gratitude
David Coulter, Oakland County Executive
One of the longest serving county employees headed to retirement
Current and former Oakland County employees had the opportunity to pay tribute last week to one of the county’s longest serving and most dedicated employees, J. David VanderVeen, as he embarked on his next adventure – retirement.
VanderVeen has been running the Oakland County International Airport in Waterford since the county bought it from the city of Pontiac in 1967. He’s been with the county for 55 years and has also served as the county’s director of Central Services and has served under all three Oakland County Executives.
“In this day and age, when job jumping is standard operating procedure and the Great Resignation is shifting our workforce, 55 years in one place is and remarkable,” said Oakland County Executive David Coulter. “But most of all, it’s admirable that someone would devote their life to public service like Dave has.”
He oversaw explosive growth at the airport, which is now the second busiest hub in the state with 123,000 takeoffs and landings a year. His stewardship has brought him national and state acclaim and he was inducted into the Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame in 2017.
VanderVeen will continue to serve as Coulter’s appointee to the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission and the Airport Committee.
COVID vaccines, testing available through the Oakland County Health Division
The Oakland County Health Division is partnering with schools to offer COVID booster shots to eligible teens and, because of the latest surge in COVID-19 cases, is expanding the COVID testing sites in the county.
The county’s Health Division will be at Reuther Middle School in Rochester Hills from 4 to 6 p.m. on Jan. 19 and Berkley High School from 4 to 6 p.m. on Jan. 20 to provide primary and booster COVID shots to teens.
Drive-through COVID testing will be offered at: the Southfield Pavilion Parking Deck, 26000 Evergreen in Southfield from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays; the Rochester Fire Department, 277 East Second in Rochester from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays; and at the Pontiac Fire Station, 348 South Blvd. in Pontiac from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesdays.
To schedule an appointment for primary or booster doses at the school clinics or to get tested for COVID, go to OaklandCountyVaccine.com or contact the Nurse on Call at 800-848-5533.
Childcare scholarship program still available for Oakland County residents
Applications are still being taken for a childcare scholarship program for eligible Oakland County residents who are working or enrolled in college or a certified training program and are struggling to pay for childcare.
The Oakland County Childcare Scholarship Program, funded by the American Rescue Plan, is being
administered by Oakland County Michigan Works! Each scholarship is worth $1,200 and will be available to the first 1,000 eligible families that apply at an Oakland County Michigan Works! service center.
To apply for the scholarship, go to https://forms.oakgov.com/194.
|
