Matt Bach Director of Media Relations Michigan Municipal League (734) 669-6317; C: (810) 874-1073 mbach@mml.org; www.mml.org
Michigan Municipal League Honors Rebecca Hopp
LANSING, Michigan – The Michigan Municipal League has honored Ferrysburg Mayor Pro Tem Rebecca Hopp with its Ambassador Award for exemplary service. She received the recognition during the League’s annual Capital Conference Awards Gala March 21 in Lansing.
The Ambassador Award is given to Michigan Municipal League members who successfully complete all four levels of the League’s Elected Officials Academy program. Hopp is among just a handful of leaders to complete all four levels.
“Rebecca Hopp has been a staunch supporter of the League and active participant in many League programs over the years. Accomplishing the highest level of the League’s EOA program demonstrates her commitment to being the best public servant to her community and the state,” said Lois Allen-Richardson, Ypsilanti council member and chair of the League’s Elected Officials Academy board. “This is a tremendous achievement.”
The goal of the Ambassador Award is to encourage and recognize the exemplary service of locally elected officials to their community, to the communities of the state of Michigan, and to the Michigan Municipal League. The Ambassador Award demonstrates the practical application of acquired education and skills and requires a portfolio of achievement reviewed by the Elected Officials Academy board.
Hopp began her political experience as a write-in candidate, defeating a defense attorney, in November 2009 to get elected to the Ferrysburg City Council. A month later she attended her first EOA training and her involvement with the League grew from there. She served as Region 3 President, EOA Vice and President, past League Board of Trustee member, and currently is President of Michigan Women in Municipal Government. In her comments at the Gala, Hopp thanked the unending support from her husband Jack, daughter Amanda, and her mother.
About the Ambassador Award: The Ambassador Award demonstrates the practical application of acquired education and skills. Hopp demonstrated this through a portfolio of achievement reviewed by the Elected Officials Academy Board (EOA). She is only the seventh person to receive this award.
For photos of Hopp receiving this honor go to this Michigan Municipal League “Award Recipients” album on flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/michigancommunities/albums/72157677900745904. Photos can be downloaded from the League’s flickr page for free. We just ask that the following photo credit be given: Flickr Photo Michigan Municipal League/mml.org.
For additional information contact the League’s Matt Bach, director of media relations, at (734) 669-6317 (office) and mbach@mml.org.
Click here for more photos.
Inspired by the success of the recent Poor Farm Sesquicentennial Celebration in October, a documentary film on the facility was created and will premiere this spring in Holland and Grand Haven.
When
the Ottawa County Poor Farm received its first resident in 1866, no one could
have imagined the benefits it would provide over the decades. The Poor Farm was
a haven for indigent people who, due to the happenstance of birth, misfortune,
or poverty, were in dire straits and needed a place to call home—a sanctuary
staffed with people who could nurse them to better health. Now, as Eastmanville
Farm County Park, it provides hiking and equestrian trails to outdoor
enthusiasts.
The
Poor Farm: A Documentary, was made in association with the Ottawa County Parks
Foundation and Ferris State University. Co-producers Assistant Professor,
Joshua Pardon and local historian, Marjie Viveen gathered additional research
following the October Sesquicentennial celebration event and many of the
re-enactors who participated in that event were also interviewed for the film.
FSU students edited the film to profile the iconic property and its amazing
people.
Viveen
has dedicated the last year to recruiting a volunteer committee and planning
the very successful Sesquicentennial event, researching more stories from the
farm, and coordinating with the film crew to preserve the memories and the
legacies of the people who worked and lived there. "The words 'Poor Farm'
conjure up stereotypical images and beliefs in many people," says Viveen.
"'Poor folks' may not seem as smart or hardworking as we perceive
ourselves, but years of researching the individual lives of Poor Farm residents
has erased any ill-conceived notions I might have held. One need only ask, 'Who
would I become if I were unable to live independently?'" She thinks these
stories might change your mind too, which is why the documentary project is so
important to her.
"I
entrusted the life stories of Poor Farm residents to Ferris State University
film-maker Joshua Pardon. The resulting documentary is respectful, honest,
heartfelt, and masterfully produced - a testimony to the professionalism of
Joshua and his dedicated students. Every life is a story and a lesson. These
will not be forgotten," says Viveen.
There
will be a special movie premiere event in both Holland and Grand Haven. At each
event, guests can expect light snacks and a beer and wine cash bar. There will
be a small silent auction and live music. The documentary will be introduced by
the co-producers and its run time is about a half an hour. DVDs will be
available for sale.
Tickets
for the premiere events are now on sale ($10) on the Ottawa County Parks
website: miOttawa.org/OCPEvents. All proceeds benefit
the Ottawa County Parks Foundation.
Holland Movie Premiere: May 24, 6-8 pm
Park Theater, 248 S River Ave, Holland, MI 49423
Buy
tickets to this event by clicking here.
Grand Haven Movie Premiere: May 31, 6-8 pm
Grand Haven Community Center, 421 Columbus Ave, Grand
Haven, MI 49417
Buy
tickets to this event by clicking here.
Space
for each event is limited.
Poor Farm Sesquicentennial event attendees viewing an exhibit in the barn
The Status Report for the Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Promote
Walking and Walkability was released on April 5 in honor of National
Walking Day. Ottawa County’s spring 2016 Step it Up Walking Challenge was
featured in the national report as a success story!
“Your
success story about the Ottawa County Department of Health and Ottawa County
Parks and Recreation certainly adds to the high quality findings that are
described in the Status Report,” said David R. Brown, a Senior Behavioral Scientist
with the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC).
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April 20, 2017, 5-6:30 pm - brief program begins at 5:15
Nature Education Center, located in Hemlock Crossing County
Park: 8115 W Olive Rd, West
Olive 49460
Learn more about the Ottawa County Parks Foundation.
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I am excited to announce our Fourth Annual Forum. This year's theme, Work Redefined: Space, Culture and Technology, focuses on the changing work
environment. Haworth is sponsoring our
keynote speaker: Mr. Rex Miller. Rex is an author, speaker and co-authored the
book Change Your Space Change Your Culture. Rex will be kicking off this year’s forum
with The Culture Advantage | Creating a Workplace that Leads to
Transformation and Growth. The world surprises
us weekly with new and novel challenges. Healthy and resilient cultures adapt
through innovation. The most innovative organizations approach culture by
design. Our afternoon lead speaker is
Mr. David Behen, Director of the Department of Technology, Management and
Budget and CIO for the State of Michigan.
David offers an insight into the technology priorities for the State and
their efforts to keep Michigan on the leading edge. Ms. Erin Frisch, Director for DHHS and Office
of Child Support along with Mr. Keegan Malone, Policy Analyst for the Office of
Child Support will co-present on the Alternative
Work Location Program. We’ll also
have vendors present who can provide current information on products and
services to meet your immediate needs. Finally, we’ll wrap up the day with Phil
Bertolini, CIO and Deputy County Executive for Oakland County, who is back by
popular demand, to bring technology in the public sector to a level you can
appreciate addressing the day-to-day challenges we all face. The registration site is open. I’ve provided the link for more information
and to register. I hope to see you
there.
Register here!
Native plants are beautiful and low-maintenance. Their deep
roots help hold soil in place, and their flowers provide food
for pollinators. Why not add some (or some more) to your garden this
year?
Here are the details for this year's Ottawa Conservation District Native Plant
Sale Fundraiser.
Native Plant Workshop with Vern Stephens
April 29, 2017 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Hemlock Crossing County Park Nature Education Center
Mr. Stephens is well-known native
plant expert. This workshop is free and open to the public.
Native Plant Orders Due
May 2, 2017
Please send order forms with payment to Ottawa CD office
Native Plant Order Pick-up and Sale
May 10, 2017 2:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Hemlock Crossing County Park Nature Education Cente
To assure your first choices, place an order by May 2.
A selection of plants will be available the day of the sale.
MAEAP will be offering household water testing
at the event, please see the order form for details.
Hemlock Crossing Nature Education Center is operated by Ottawa County Parks and Recreation. The center
is located in Hemlock Crossing County Park at 8115 West Olive Road,
West Olive, Michigan.
As always, thank you for your interest and support of Ottawa Conservation District.
Ottawa County and the
City of Grand Haven have teamed up to bring nationally-acclaimed speaker
Charles Marohn to Grand Haven on May 18.
Charles will explore issues relating to development patterns,
infrastructure, financial resiliency, and quality placemaking practices in
local communities. The all-day workshop
will open up new ways of thinking about development by examining both new
concepts and old-but-forgotten concepts.
Charles “Chuck” Marohn is the author of Thoughts on Building Strong Towns (Volume I) and the forthcoming Volume II. He is also the author of A World Class Transportation System, and you can hear his voice as
the host of the “Strong Towns Podcast.”
He has spoken in dozens of towns and cities across North America.
Thanks to the generosity of sponsors, the cost for the
workshop is $15 per person. Workshop
sponsors include the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, Lakeshore
Advantage, Midwest Construction Group Inc., Nederveld, Prein & Newhof, and
Williams & Works.
Register
Online
If you want to learn more about the Strong Towns Workshop,
please contact the Ottawa County Planning and Performance Improvement
Department at plan@miottawa.org or (616)
738-4852.
May 18
Main Event: 8:30am to 4:00pm. Lunch provided.
After-Hours
Networking: 5:00pm to 7:00pm
Location
Main
Event:
Grand
Haven Community Center
421
Columbus Avenue
Grand
Haven, MI 49417
After-Hours
Networking:
Grand
Armory Brewing
17
S. 2nd Street
Grand
Haven, MI 49417
Cost
$15 per
person
$25 per
person after May 1
AICP continuing education
credits available!
Register
online.
Click here for the most recent update, for older updates click here.
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