Getting Fit just a little Bit? I’ve noticed a positive effect of technology addiction. I’ve seen it at home and at work. Among family members and coworkers. It’s the impact of technology on physical fitness. We are goal driven! Having a device that keeps track of what we do, or don’t do, can develop habits that make you become healthier and more active. As we look toward summer, maybe our New Year’s resolution to get more fit is running the usual course of decline. The initial surge at the gym and on the treadmill is dwindling. But spring is here and there is a new energy in the air.  So get out your Fitbit, take a walk in the woods, or sign up for the “Step It Up” challenge:

https://www.miottawa.org/parks/stepitup.htm

But the real question is how do you make exercise a habit? How do you make a habit STICK?  That’s where technology helps. Here are three quick ways to get going.

1. You need to commit.  Peer pressure helps and programs like Strava, MapMyWalk, MapMyRide, etc. provide a social network aspect to connect you with others.  Join the Parks Step It Up program. Sign up for a 5K early. Early sign up makes it hard to back out the day of the event.
   
   
2. Be consistent with an end in sight. They say habits are developed over time through repetition. Whatever you do, do it at the same time. Have a cue. Technology aid – automatic reminders and popup notifications. If you’re not an early riser, you’re in luck. It’s no longer dark when you leave work so you still have plenty of time.
   
   
3. Don’t overcommit. Something is better than nothing. Track your time, steps, repetitions or distance. Keep it at that and after a couple weeks increase your time, steps, etc. Technology aids: Smartphone apps, Fitbit. Setup a tracking system that records your effort daily and weekly.

I hope you all enjoy a happy, healthy summer.

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As the “Luck ‘O the Irish” might have it, this month’s spotlight is the Manager of Applied Technology, Aaron Boos. Aaron manages the activities of the Application Specialists, Business Analysts, consultants and contractors who are engaged in designing, developing, modifying and improving County information systems such as MUNIS, MICA, and OnBase. 

Although Aaron is a well known Buckeyes fan, we try not to hold that against him.  His 15 year County anniversary is next month and we would like him to stick around!  Of course, as you read the following interview you might glean a better understanding of how this loyalty came about.   We hope you enjoy getting to know Aaron as much as we enjoy working with him!

How did you end up in IT?
I attended the University of Toledo. After a few months commuting each day I decided to move to a neighborhood just outside of UT’s campus. My roommate majored in Geography and specialized in the computer software aspect of GIS (Geographic Information Systems). I tried a few classes and it really clicked with me. I enjoyed the creativity in having the ability to create something from nothing through writing code. I also became aware of the happiness it brought to users by making their jobs/functions/processes easier. I enjoyed the software development side of IT, I decided to continue working with software into graduate school. After graduate school I taught software development classes at Owens Community College for a few years while working as software developer for Lucas County (in Ohio).

What was your very first job? 
Working at Schlessman’s Farm walking down rows upon rows of corn removing tassels to prevent cross pollination. I don’t remember what the pay was but I remember having a great time working with my friends.  This was in the early 80’s I was pretty young. I also had a job working at a green house on the weekends transplanting flower sprouts into flats. We received $.25 per flat. I could knock out about 100 flats on a Saturday. With $25 in my pocket at 12 I felt flush with money. 

What did you aspire to be as a child?
I always saw myself as doing something active, so I joined the Marines after high school. I’m not sure if I aspired to be a Marine when I was younger, but it was one of the greatest experiences of my life. By the time I was 20 I had already traveled to 8 countries. 

Did you go to college?  If so, what college and what was your major?
I attended the University of Toledo for my undergraduate degree and went on to attend graduate school there as well.

Are you married? If so, spouse’s name? 
Yes, Megan Boos. Megan is also from Ohio (Orville, Ohio) we met at the University of Toledo in 1998. I was working as a software developer in the Government Center down town Toledo and Megan was working at an internship for “Sister Cities”, (also in the Government Center). I asked her to lunch one day and the rest is history. We have been married for 17 years.

Do you have Children?  If so, names and ages? 
We have 3 children. Andrew 16, Ethan 14 and Anna 9.

Where are you from originally?  If not this area, how did you end up here? 
I am from Sandusky Ohio. I grew up 4 miles from Cedar Point and spent most of my summers there as a kid. My first seasons pass was $29.00. My parents would drop me off with my friends in the morning and pick me up when it was dark. Some of the best summers ever. After high school I served in the Marine Corps, when I got out I attended College (University of Toledo), after graduation I got a job at Lucas County as a Software Developer where I worked for 4 ½ years. In 2003 I applied for the GIS Director job with Ottawa County. I was pretty confident back then and thought I landed the job before the interview was over. After the interview, I stayed the night in Grand Haven so I could drive around and sight-see the next day. As I was driving around the next day I realized what a great area this is. What a wonderful place to raise children, not to mention the Lakes and beaches. At this point I was starting to get nervous about not getting the job. I replayed the interview over and over in my head. Thank goodness about a week later I was called back for a second interview. I started about 2 weeks after the second interview.

Do you have any Pets? 
We have one dog and one cat.

Do you have any Hobbies? 
Most of my hobbies seem to be related to whatever the kids are into at the moment. When my oldest was 13 he wanted a long board so rather than buying one we built a long board press and made a few. They turned out really well, we received request from all our friends and neighbors. In total we made over 30. My two sons played basketball and football, I coached both their teams from 4th grade on up to 7th in both sports. I ran a Basketball league in Grand Haven until 2016.  

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time in addition/in place of any hobbies?
Over the years I have engaged in a lot of activities that keep me and the family busy. I’ve coached youth football and basketball for a few years. In 2011 I tried out for a semipro football team. I made the team and played Tight-End. I played for the Lakeshore Cougars for two years 2011 and 2012. Our team was part of the GMFL (Great Midwest Football League) I enjoyed traveling around Michigan and bordering states playing my favorite sport. After a few dislocations and broken bones, I moved on to something less injury prone. In 2014 I joined the Grand Haven Township Fire Rescue Department and became a paid on call Firefighter/EMT. I attended a 6 month Fire Academy and became licensed in the state of Michigan and finished a 6 month EMT school and passed the EMT National Registry. I enjoy responding to calls (outside of work hours) and picking up an occasional weekend shift at the Fire Department. I’ve enjoyed a lot of great experiences and take a lot satisfaction in helping people.

In your opinion, what is the greatest technological advance of our time? 
Has to be the smart phone. Now if I could just figure out a way to teach my kids to manage their time using them…

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The Real Value of Change Detection:  A ChangeFinder™ Story Map

Article from the February 28, 2018 blog from Pictometry: https://www.eagleview.com/2018/02/real-value-change-detection/

Assessment officials are tasked with keeping their jurisdiction’s tax rolls fair and equitable. To do so, they must stay on top of any property changes that occur, such as new constructions, improvements, updates, and demolitions.

Yet with limited resources, many assessment departments find themselves struggling to complete field inspections in a timely manner. Coupled with hard-to-access properties, tracking year-over-year change can feel downright impossible.