|
 January 2025 | Volume 15 | Issue 1 | 
|
|
|
Pursuant to Act 266 of P.A. 1976, the Board of County Road Commissioners of Ottawa County will hold its regular meetings during 2024 according to the following schedule.
Unless otherwise noted, all regular meetings will begin with a Committee of the Whole work session at 8:30 a.m. for the review and audit of vouchers. The regular Board meeting starts at 9:00 a.m.
Meetings take place at the OCRC offices, 14110 Lakeshore Dr., Grand Haven.
|
|
|
All official minutes of the Board are located and available at the above address or downloaded off our website of www.ottawacorc.com.
All special meetings or changes in the following schedule will be noticed in accordance with the Open Meeting Act.
 |
|
Kurt Van Koevering, Board Chair
Email
Kurt Van Koevering was first appointed to the Road Commission in December 2020. He was born and raised in Ottawa County and currently resides in the City of Zeeland. A Hope College graduate, Kurt is the President of Zeeland Record/ZR Graphics, a 128-year family printing, publishing and large format business, and editor of the Zeeland Record. Kurt is co-president of the Bridge Ministry Center and a past member of the City of Zeeland’s Shopping Area Redevelopment Board. He also served on the City of Zeeland Planning Commission for 27 years.
|
 |
|
Francisco Garcia, Board Vice-Chair
Email
Francisco Garcia was first appointed to the Road Commission in December 2022. Francisco (Frank) Garcia and his wife (Yolanda) have been residents of Ottawa County since 1977. Both their daughter and son, Daniela and Damian, are also residents of Ottawa County and graduates of West Ottawa High School. Frank is a graduate of the University of Michigan and holds a master’s degree from Michigan State University. After 30 years as a local educator; classroom teacher, school administrator and superintendent, Frank retired in 2008. He also served as County Commissioner between 2016-2022. While serving as County Commissioner, Frank served on numerous local, county, regional and state committees.
|
 |
|
Jim Miedema
Email
Jim Miedema was first appointed to the Road Commission in December 2012 and was reappointed in 2018 and again in 2024. Jim Miedema is a retired body shop owner and currently resides in Jamestown Township. Jim has over 20 years of township service as both a former Jamestown Township Supervisor and Jamestown Township Trustee.
|
 |
|
Betty Gajewski
Email
Betty Gajewski was first appointed to the Road Commission in December 2014, and again in 2020. She has owned a business and worked as an environmental professional for a nonprofit organization, public university, international manufacturer, engineering firm, and development commission. Betty served as a member of several Ottawa County commissions as well as the Tallmadge Township Planning Commission.
|
 |
|
John Field Reichardt
Email
John Field Reichardt was first appointed to the Road Commission in December 2022. Field Reichardt is a Spring Lake native with substantial business and government experience. He was the President of Reichardt, Inc, in Grand Haven, a specialty retail store which operated from 1908 to 1989, at which time, for economic reasons the business closed. He served as Chief of Staff to State Senator John Schwarz from 1989 to 1991, at which point he was appointed head of all Michigan Government International activities. In 1994, he served as chief of staff for the Secchia Commission on the effective delivery of Michigan Government services, a non-partisan commission accepted by the Governor in early 1995. Following his stint in state government, Field was involved in a number of business and consulting ventures in the USA, and in Europe. He is married to Kenneth Wright, and lives in Grand Haven.
|
Water and sewer customers of the Ottawa County Road Commission Public Utilities Department now have a new payment platform for paying water and sewer bills online.
Those affected by this change are customers of the Southwest Olive Township Water System, Olive-Blendon Township Water System, Olive-Robinson Township Water/Sewer System, Port Sheldon Township Water/Sewer System, and West-Central Ottawa Sewer System.
Online Public Utilities payments are now made through the BS&A online payment website. Residents can search for their utility bill by name or address in order to make an online payment.
Residents can also create an account for saving payment information and signing up for automatic payments.
There is also an option for paying in person using a check or exact cash, or via telephone by calling 616-952-4466.
Link:
BS&A Online Payment Page
|
Michigan's winter weather can make it difficult for snowplows to avoid garbage cans placed alongside the road.
To avoid a scenario where a snowplow vehicle damages your trash cans, it may be necessary to postpone putting your trash out on pick-up days during a snowstorm.
Here are a few helpful tips that are sure to come in handy during the winter months when it comes to dealing with roadside waste:
- Dig out a spot adjacent to your driveway for your garbage can. Having a place for the can to go can help keep it protected during snow removal operations.
- Do not place garbage cans in the street. We realize this cleared area is an enticing location to place garbage cans, but it creates a hazard as they could get hit by vehicles or snowplows.
|
Incorrect Trash Can Placement
Additionally, most garbage trucks are equipped with a hydraulic extending arm that grasps garbage cans. It is recommended that garbage cans be placed at least 3 to 5 feet off the edge of pavement, into your driveway. In this location they are out of the way of the snowplow or snow being pushed aside while the snowplow is going down the road.
Do not place garbage cans on top of the snow piles. This might cause your garbage can to tip over and litter your garbage along the street. Placing them high off the ground can also make it difficult for garbage trucks to set carts back down.
Retrieve your garbage cans soon after collection. Garbage cans often sit at the roadside on collection day until the evening. Empty cans are vulnerable to winds and snow removal operations and could cause a hazard if knocked into the roadway. Prompt removal of empty containers is recommended.
These tips can make garbage collection day safer and easier for snowplow and garbage truck drivers.
|
|
|
|
|
