Greetings from the Administrator

As I write this, it is hard for me to believe that tomorrow is Election Day! I say that because it's mild and sunny right now. It's usually cold, windy and cloudy during most general elections in November. While enjoying these last few days of gorgeous weather, please remember that voting is an important right and duty of our citizens. If you have not done so already, I encourage you all to exercise your right to vote. The Ottawa County Clerk/Register of Deeds, Justin Roebuck, and Elections Coordinator, Katie Sims, have put together a thorough website for voters. The site has helpful information such as sample ballots, polling locations and absentee voting resources. Their educational campaign, Step into Elections, details the procedures and policies through the entire election process so you can be confident that Ottawa's elections are secure and transparent.

John Shay | County Administrator

From Parks

November Parks Update

Birding Update

From Public Health

Food Inspection Report: 11/3

Food Inspection Report: 10/27

Reportable Diseases Summary

September Unemployment Rate

The state recently released unemployment rates for September 2022. Ottawa County's rate for September measured 3.0%. This rate is the fourth lowest in Michigan for September, with unemployment rates ranging from 2.1% in Livingston County to 7.7% in Roscommon County.

From August to September, seventy-nine counties saw their unemployment rates decrease. Over the past year, jobless rates have decreased for sixty-seven of Michigan's eighty-three counties.

Photo: Kristin Kirsch, City of Holland

Highlights from the 2022 Ottawa County Diversity Forum

Read the feature story from The Lakeshore West Michigan about the recent Diversity Forum.

Ottawa Employee Awarded for Accessible, Transparent Elections

Katie Sims, Ottawa County Elections Coordinator, was honored last week at the Ottawa County Diversity Forum with the Excellence in Equity Award. The award bestowed by event organizers recognizes public sector employees in Ottawa County who implement equity within their practices, programs, policies and decision making.

Katie has been with the Ottawa County Clerk's office for six years. She was brought aboard as an elections intern in October of 2016. Sims later became full time with the office as a Clerk-Register of Deeds Specialist. In 2021, Katie was promoted to Elections Coordinator. In this role, her unwavering dedication to accessible and transparent elections earned her the Excellence in Equity Award from Ottawa County.

• Katie is passionate about inmates' rights to vote, and she has forged a partnership with the Ottawa County Sherriff's Office to ensure this population has access to voting.
• Katie was a pioneer in securing and publicizing Ottawa County's accessible voting machines, known as the voter assist terminal.
• Educating voters about all of their options to cast a secret ballot is of utmost importance for Sims.
• Katie speaks Spanish and is giving customers and candidates the resources that are needed to help them with their voting needs; recognizing language is part of accessibility.

State offering grants, fellowships and stipends for future educators and child care professionals

The State of Michigan announced last week the availability of funds to develop educators and childcare providers. Ottawa County residents interested in learning more about the application process should follow the applicable links:

• MI Future Educator Fellowship for aspiring teachers
• MI Future Educator Stipend for student teachers
• Our Strong Start Grants for childcare entrepreneurs