November 2017 Newsletter

Featuring Familiar Leaders, New Faces LOCAL FIRST RESPONDERS HONORED Five local law enforcement and fire department officials were honored Tuesday night for their dedication to the community as the 2017 Carl and Esther Gerstacker Police and Firefighters of the Year. County representatives include Lee Township Fire Department Assistant Chief James Bass (far right) and and Firefighter S. Scott Cronkright (second from right) as well as Midland County Sheriff ’s Office Sgt. Shannon Guilbeaux (left). Bass and Cronkright were nominated by Lee Township Fire Chief Daryl Amrozowicz, for planning and executing a rescue plan to save a woman from a flooded car on June 23. Bass has served on the department for more than 33 years, including as chief for several years. He served with the U.S. Army for more than 24 years, and is retired from Fisher Contracting. Cronkright has been a member of the department for nine years and served with the U.S. Marine Corps for four years. He works for DowDuPont and is involved with Little League. Also recognized with the Gerstacker award is Midland Fire Department Lt. Jim Heading (second from left) and Midland Police Detective Mark Stefaniak (left). Read the Oct. 12, 2017 Midland Daily News story by Kelly Dame online.

DID YOU KNOW?

President Franklin D. Roosevelt attempted to extend the Christmas shopping season, which generally began with the Thanksgiving holiday, and to boost the economy by moving the date back a week. But not all states complied, and, after a joint resolution of Congress in 1941, Roosevelt issued a proclamation designating the fourth Thursday in Nov. as the official Thanksgiving Day. IN THIS ISSUE LOCAL FIRST RESPONDERS

COUNTY EMPLOYEES HONORED

MEET NATHAN FRAZER

IT ENGINEER NATHAN KRAVAT

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

COORDINATOR HONORED

JOHN KEEFER SETTLES IN AS CHIEF

DEPUTY CLERK

TREASURER RECEIVES

CERTIFICATION

PINECREST HAS NEW FACE

STUDENTS, COUNTY JOIN FORCES

FLU CLINICS

SUPER HEROES IN UW CAMPAIGN

http://www.ourmidland.com/news/police_and_courts/article/Five-honored-with-nbsp-Gerstacker-police-fire-12272733.phphttps://www.britannica.com/biography/Franklin-D-Roosevelthttps://www.britannica.com/topic/Christmashttps://www.britannica.com/topic/Congress-of-the-United-States

COUNTY EMPLOYEES HONORED The Midland County Employee Appreciation Program was established in 1991 to recognize employees who go beyond their normal job duties. The following employees (listed by department) were recently awarded the 2017 Employee Appreciation Award on behalf of the Midland County Employee Appreciation Committee and the Board of Commissioners.

Circuit Court - Garett Curtis Community Corrections - Marisa Boulton County Clerk - Ann Manary Emergency Management - Jenifier Boyer Facilities Management - Gary Bush, Wade Lamblin Health Department-Environmental – Robert Wolfe Midand Public Guardian - Lori Enzer and Steve Wixson Mosquito Control - Charles Dinsmore, Doug Allen, Joyce McLaughlin, Andy Lowry, Brett Ireland, Dave Taylor, Lisa Town, Cody Hain, Jessica Fetterman, Chuck Sherman, Shannon Seawood, Taylor Sian, Lindsey Locke, Tanner Kelsey, Mic Petre , Charles Johnson, Carl Bland, Harry Davis, Michelle Short, Mike Mason, Theresa Foss, Kim Tozier, Olivia Hatfield, William Wallace, David Dishaw, Joseph Kullick, Kyle Owen Pinecrest Farms - Liz Foster, Harley Sanborn Prosecutor’s Office - Patrick Czerwinski Sheriff Office –Jail - Jamie Christensen, Benjamin Hinson, Alysha Tate Congratulations to all for going above and beyond the call of duty!

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IMPORTANT DATES

Nov. 7 ̶ Board of Commissioners adopts general appropriations resolution and budget

Nov. 5 ̶ Daylight Savings Time ends; change your smoke alarm batteries

Nov. 12 ̶ Mid-Land Run Half Marathon

Nov. 5-11 ̶ Winter Hazards Awareness Week

Nov. 10 ̶ Veteran’s Day holiday (County offices closed)

Nov. 16 ̶ Great American Smokeout

Nov. 23 – 24 ̶ County offices closed for Thanksgiving

Nov. 28 – Santa arrives in Midland Courthouse Lighting, 7:00 pm

MORE DATES

December – MSU Extension’s Fruit Cake Month

December – Shop with a Hero at Meijer

Dec. 7 – Pearl Harbor Day

Dec. 5 – Midland County Service Awards

Dec. 21 – Winter Solstice

Dec. 24-25 – County offices closed for Christmas holiday

Dec 31-Jan. 1 – County offices closed for New Year’s holiday

Jan. 15 – County offices closed for

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

https://co.midland.mi.us/Commissioners.aspxhttp://www.halfmarathons.net/michigan-the-mid-land-run-half-marathon-10k-5k/http://www.halfmarathons.net/michigan-the-mid-land-run-half-marathon-10k-5k/http://www.cancer.org/healthy/stayawayfromtobacco/greatamericansmokeout/http://www.midlandfoundation.org/santa-house/http://msue.anr.msu.edu/topic/info/food_health

MEET NATHAN FAZER GIS Technician

“I tell people I make maps” says Nathan Fazer, GIS Technician, "but really there is a great deal of work that goes into managing a GIS." As the GIS Technician, Nathan provides GIS and mapping support to the County Departments.

With a degree in Community Planning from Northern Michigan University, Nathan spent nine years in Sault Ste. Marie working for the Eastern U.P. Regional Planning Commission doing GIS and planning work. He then spent two years in Escanaba working for the Central U.P. RPO before coming to Midland. Nathan says, “In my free time, I enjoy watching football or baseball and as a Yooper, anything outside in the woods ̶ hunting, canoeing, four-wheeling, or biking.”

IT ENGINEER NATHAN KRAVAT JOINS COUNTY STAFF

There’s another new Nathan in Midland County and most of the employees are hoping to quickly become his best friend. Nathan Kravat, Senior Information Technology (IT) Engineer is a handy person to know in today’s workplace.

“I help with the day-to-day operations of the County as far as computer, network, phone, and printer solutions,” says Nathan. “In the IT Department, we provide new materials and processes that keep the County running smoothly and maintain a stable technology environment.”

Nathan earned an associate’s degree in computer networking and a bachelor’s in network security before beginning his career. His job experience includes work at the help desk at Chemical Bank, in IT

security at Rehmann, as a workstation technician and in enterprise document management at Dow Corning Corp., and in Data Center Administration at The Dow Chemical Company.

A world traveler and dedicated frisbee golf player, Nathan is also a semi-professional color caster for esports on twitch.tv.

Veterans Day - Celebrate with Us Sat., Nov. 11, 2017

11:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Veterans Memorial – Midland County Courthouse

Keynote speaker: Iraqi War veteran Colonel Rhoda K. Daniel Guest speaker: U.S. Congressman John Moolenaar

Sponsored by Veterans of Foreign Wars Chemical City Post #3651 in Midland

https://co.midland.mi.us/GIS.aspxhttps://go.twitch.tv/

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR HONORED BY MEMA Jenifier Boyer, Midland County’s Emergency Management Coordinator was honored as Michigan Emergency Management Association’s (MEMA) 2017 Emergency Coordinator of the Year for her work on the flood response this June. “She is a shining example of the people in the County of Midland who are committed to good government, this community, and its residents,” says Administrator/Controller Bridgette Gransden. “Doing what is expected is just

not enough ̶ going the extra mile and reaching every life possible is the goal. I would say Jenifier has gone above and beyond.” The award is given to emergency coordinators in communities with less than 60,000 people. Other 2017 MEMA award recipients include Jerry McCoy,

Frank Post, Larry and Sally Gibson, and Professional Emergency Manager of the Year recipient Marc Griffis.

JOHN KEEFER SETTLES IN AS CHIEF DEPUTY As the newly-appointed Chief Deputy County Clerk for the County, John Keefer is looking forward to serving the local clerks, assisting them in their transition to the new voting equipment. Beyond elections, he is excited about

his service to the community in the County Clerk’s office ̶ he has a passion for helping others.

John began his career working for ElectionSource in 2011, serving 29 counties in Michigan as their support liaison, maintaining and servicing their voting equipment. Prior to working in the election industry, he worked for 15 years as a graphic designer.

A native of Washington, John moved at an young age to Oklahoma, where he lived until joining the U.S. Army at the age of 18. He credits most of his work ethic to his training in the infantry. He moved to Michigan in 1998 after meeting his wife, a Michigan native. He is a graduate of Baker College of Flint and Baker College of Auburn Hills and holds a bachelor’s degree in Visual Communication.

When not working, John enjoys fishing, the outdoors, and spending time with his wife and kids. He and his family will be relocating from Grand Haven to Midland County in the coming months.

Happy Birthday, Marines!

Join Us in Celebration U.S. Marine Corps 242nd Birthday When: Nov. 10, 2017; 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Where: Veteran’s Memorial, Midland, Michigan

https://co.midland.mi.us/EmergencyManagement.aspxhttps://co.midland.mi.us/CountyClerk.aspx

TREASURER EARNS CERTIFICATION Midland County Treasurer Cathy Lunsford received certification, after completing

education during a period of three years, and says the process is worth it ̶ to the County and to its residents. “The Michigan Certified Professional Treasurer or MiCPT certification covers a wide range of topics and enables participants to work through implementing improvements in our own offices that will help with daily operations,” Cathy says. “As a result, I am currently evaluating improvements to procedures and processes in

the areas of customer service, education/training ̶ all the way up to fraud and embezzlement protection.” The certification by the Michigan Municipal Treasurers Association is renewable every four years with continued education. Ann Townsend, Chief Deputy Treasurer, is currently going through the program and will receive her

certification in 2018. Cathy is currently working on the educational requirements for the Certified Public Finance Administrator certification through the Association of Public Treasurers of the United States & Canada. She will be eligible for that certification in 2019. PINECREST FARMS HAS A NEW FRIENDLY FACE As Activity Coordinator at Pinecrest Farms, Elizabeth Foster is responsible for planning and leading residents in regular exercise and recreation activities as well as special activities, such as Chippewa Nature Center talks, Creative 360 art classes, even a petting zoo and horse carriage rides. Throughout the day she makes sure they have their daily exercises, a lot of music, and different types of card games, too. Elizabeth is originally from Gaylord and attended Central Michigan University where she received her bachelor’s degree in Recreation, Parks, and Leisure Administration with a concentration in Therapeutic Recreation. In 2016, she became a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. After college, she moved to Mount Pleasant to work as a Special Care Program Manager. She also has experience working as a CTRS at the Dimondale Nursing Center. Currently engaged, Elizabeth’s fiancé is a teacher in Beal City. With a September 2018 planned, most of her free time is currently going to wedding planning, but she also enjoys being outdoors, exercising, camping, and traveling up north to spend time with her family.

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Watch the most recent Board of Commissioners meeting and check out meeting agendas/minutes here.

https://co.midland.mi.us/Treasurer.aspxhttps://co.midland.mi.us/PinecrestFarms.aspxhttps://co.midland.mi.us/Commissioners/BoardMeetings.aspx

SCENES FROM ST. BRIGID’S SCHOOL TRICK-OR-TREATING AT THE MIDLAND COUNTY SERVICES BUILDING

STUDENTS, COUNTY JOIN FORCES TO HELP VETERANS Members of the National Art Honor Society from Curt Gledhill’s H.H. Dow High School art class visited the Midland Veterans Memorial this fall to refurbish the engraved bricks.

Gledhill and his students are committed to the on-going partnership between the school and Veteran Services of Midland County.

In the Community

November 28: Courthouse Lighting (Santa House kickoff) Join us in front of the Midland County Courthouse on November 28th at 7:00pm to kick off the 2017 Santa House season! Free cookies, beverages, and visits with Santa. Learn more about the Santa House from the Midland Area Community Foundation.

FLU CLINICS STILL AVAILABLE AT HEALTH

DEPARTMENT Remaining dates for the 2017/2018 Tuesday flu clinics are: • 11/07/17 - 1:00 - 6:00 • 11/21/17 - 1:00 - 5:00 All clinics will be held in the Board of Commissioners Room on the first floor of the Midland County Services Building at 220 W. Ellsworth. The Health Department can vaccinate anyone 6 months of age and older. For more, visit the website.

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https://www.arteducators.org/community/articles/151-national-art-honor-society-chapter-benefitshttps://www.midlandfoundation.org/upcoming-eventshttps://co.midland.mi.us/HealthDepartment/FluClinics.aspx

COLEMAN PLANS DEVELOPMENT A $1.8 million Community Development Block Grant Infrastructure Capacity Enhancement grant received by Coleman was one of 14 grants awarded to small communities. Forty-eight communities applied for grants, totaling $72.5 million, and must meet requirements that include a percent match and capital improvement plans for the funded projects. Coleman's grant award, plus $200,000 in local matching funds, will be used for a waste stabilization lagoon and pump station improvements. Consultant Fleis & VandenBrink helped the City apply for the grant and will provide design and construction engineering for the improvements.

SUPER HEROES HELP RAISE MONEY FOR

UNITED WAY

Thanks to the popular fundraiser in which employees pay to send super heroes to their coworkers, Midland County’s United Way employee campaign has exceeded its goal of $21,000. Campaign co-chairs Jessica Gilkins, Board of Commissioners, Marisa Boulton, Community Corrections, and Shelly Peters, District Court, are thankful to everyone who participated in the campaign fun and donated during the events that included a jeans day, potlucks, and the super hero delivery. Several area businesses graciously donated gift cards, products, and services as prizes to encourage employee participation. Thanks to all of our donors listed below.

Amazing Deli Beer and Brats Bennigan’s Big E’s Boulevard Lounge Bushey Automotive Coyer Candle Co. Eleganté Salon Gourmet Cupcake Shoppe Grand Traverse Pie Co.

Great Lakes Loons Honey Baked Ham LaLonde’s Li’l Chef Live Oak Coffeehouse Maru Sushi Midland Cinemas Midland Ford Mid. Co. Finance employees Northwood University

Radiant U Saginaw Spirit State Street Grille Valley Lanes VanEerden Foodservice Vanilla Bean Bakeshop Ways to Wellness

Coleman city officials Tammy Goffnett, Bill Cozat, Steve Miller, and JoMac Rydman, with Gary Bartow, Fleis & VandenBrink project manager, at the presentation of a $1.8 million grant for infrastructure upgrades.

https://unitedwaymidland.org/https://unitedwaymidland.org/

MIDLAND COUNTY COURTHOUSE ADDITION AND RENOVATION UPDATE

October 2017 (clockwise from left) • Contractors repair 1977 window flashings that leaked in rainy weather. • Stonemasons repair joints in original 1924 stone walls. These cracks have gradually appeared over years of inclement weather, and the repairs should last for years to come. • Workers from Midland’s own Central Ceiling North begin the installation of exterior finishes. It’s important to get the enclosure done quickly so work can continue as cold weather sets in. • Sanford’s J&D Plumbing and Heating installs snow melt tubing before the concrete gathering area can be completed.

Looking for a Future with Midland County?

Check out our job postings for • Pre-trial Specialist • On-call Youth Development Worker • On-call Nursing Supervisor • On-call Resident Associate …online!

https://co.midland.mi.us/HumanResources/JobPostings.aspx

Across the Counties

MICHIGAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION ANNOUNCES GRANTS Fourteen communities around Michigan have been awarded $23.2 million in Community Development Block Grant Infrastructure Capacity Enhancement grants to upgrade existing water and sewer systems, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced today.

Announced last November, the 2017 Infrastructure Capacity Enhancement grant program was intended to accelerate economic development and assist low and moderate income communities in making improvements or upgrades to their existing public infrastructure systems. Activities could include: water lines and related facilities; sanitary and storm sewer lines and related facilities; wastewater treatment plants and related activities; and road replacement activities related to these projects. Grants of between $500,000 and $2 million would be awarded to eligible communities on a competitive basis.

A total of 48 communities applied for grants totaling $72.5 million. Communities had to provide a minimum of 10 percent match and demonstrate a locally-approved Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) where the proposed project was specifically identified within the CIP.

Funding for the infrastructure grants is made possible from the Community Development Block Grant program, allocated to the state through the Michigan Strategic Fund by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Read more about the grants online. Want to receive a reminder each month when our newsletter is published?

County of Midland ║ 220 W. Ellsworth St. ║MIDLAND, MI ║ 48640 SUBSCRIBE

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