Kent County Road Commision

Last year’s open house. (Courtesy, City of Kentwood/Ingrid Campos)

By WKTV Staff

The Kentwood Department of Public Works and Kent County Road Commission are inviting community members to take a behind-the-scenes look at how local public works departments serve residents during an open house Wednesday, May 22.

The open house takes place 4-7 p.m. at the Kentwood Department of Public Works, 5068 Breton Ave. SE. Community members of all ages can meet the Public Works team, learn more about the services it provides and explore vehicles and other equipment used by the department. The event is in recognition of National Public Works Week, which is May 19-25.

“The Kentwood Department of Public Works is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life, health, and safety of our community, whether that’s clearing roadways, beautifying green spaces or ensuring the reliability of public safety vehicles,” Public Works Director Chad Griffin said. “We welcome this opportunity to engage with our community members, provide information about our operations and showcase the tools we use to fulfill our mission.”

Last year’s open house. (Courtesy, City of Kentwood)

The event features giveaways, hands-on activities, live maintenance and repair demonstrations and more. Complimentary food and refreshments will be provided.

Additionally, semifinalists and finalists of the Work Zone Safety Poster competition will be recognized at 5:30 p.m. Sponsored by Kent County Road Commission and public works agencies throughout Kent County, the poster contest invited third-graders from across the county to design a caution sign focused on safety tips for driving through a work zone. A gallery of entries will be displayed during the event.

The Kent County Road Commission also will have team members and equipment on-site to share more about their role in the community.

“We look forward to this event every year. It provides a fun and interactive opportunity for the community to experience the collaboration among local agencies, meet our teams, see our equipment, and discuss the ways we work to keep Kent County moving,” said Kent County Road Commission Managing Director Jerry Byne.

The Kentwood Department of Public Works has five divisions that work together to maintain the City’s infrastructure, which includes more than 150 miles of pipes underground and more than 155 miles of streets above ground, as well as City parks and grounds, buildings and vehicles. The divisions are building maintenance, fleet services, grounds maintenance, streets maintenance and utilities (water and wastewater) services. To learn more about Kentwood DPW, visit kentwood.us/DPW.

Prior to the open house, Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley will provide a proclamation for National Public Works Week during the Tuesday, May 21 City Commission meeting.

2017 Contest Winners: (top row, left to right) Faith Rogers, Appleview Elementary; Adeline Bender, Beach Elementary; (bottom row, left to right) Maria Huston, Saint Patrick Parnell; and Hritvi Mahajan, Orchard View Elementary

In support of National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) running April 9-13, the Kent County Road Commission and Kentwood Public Works Department invite third-grade students in Kent County to participate in the second-annual Work Zone Safety Poster Contest and help spread the message that Work Zone Safety Is Everybody’s Responsibility.

National Work Zone Awareness Week is an annual spring campaign held at the start of construction season. This year’s theme, “Work Zone Safety: Everybody’s Responsibility,” reminds drivers that we all play a role in maintaining safety during construction season. For motorists, this means using caution and care when driving through work zones.

For the poster contest, third-grade students are asked to design a “caution sign” that focuses on one of the following safety tips for driving through a work zone:

Avoid distractions. Dedicate your full attention to driving. Avoid using a phone or changing the radio station.
Pay attention to directions. Follow directions from work zone flaggers and pay attention to warnings posted on work zone signs.
Keep an eye out. Watch for construction workers and their equipment. Also, stay alert to the vehicles around you.

Students may use crayons, markers, colored pencils, pens and/or pencils to create their design. Posters (i.e. caution signs) will be judged on creativity, originality, and their ability to strongly convey a message.

Submission deadline is Friday, March 23: Educators will collect submissions from their students and submit the entries to the Kent County Road Commission, as directed.

Families may also participate directly. For more information, email us here: mlamoreaux@kentcountyroads.net

Three posters will be selected as winners and schools will be notified during National Work Zone Awareness Week, April 9-13, 2018.

Contest winners will receive a special prize and metal replica of their sign
Each student participant will receive a certificate of appreciation
All contest submissions will be exhibited at the 2018 National Public Works Week Family Event on May 16