The Kent County Health Department has rung in the New Year with a partnership with the Grand Rapids Red Project to provide free access to life-saving Narcan in a vending machine at its main clinic in Grand Rapids.
The Grand Rapids Red Project is a nonprofit that provides health resources to prevent the spread of disease and save lives. They have partnered with the Kent County Health Department and Cherry Health to provide Narcan vending machines in four locations around Kent County.
What is Narcan and how does it work?
Naloxone, sold and marketed under the brand name Narcan, is a life-saving medication that reverses or reduces the effects of opioids. When a drug overdose occurs, Narcan can be given to reverse the effects of decreased breathing and help the patient regain consciousness. For a more scientific explanation from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, Narcan is an opioid receptor antagonist which means it binds to opioid receptors and reverses or blocks the effects of other opioids.
Why is Narcan needed?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 92,000 people in the United States died from a drug-involved overdose in 2020. The State of Michigan reported in 2018, there were 2,809 deaths from drug overdoses in Michigan alone.
In Kent County, Rachel Jantz from the Kent County Opioid Task Force, said there is an increased need for Narcan due to the synthetic opioid Fentanyl becoming more pervasive in the community.
The opioid epidemic is one of the largest public health crises in United States history and Narcan is an available resource to help mitigate drug overdose deaths.
How do you administer Narcan?
The vending machines available in Kent County are stocked with intranasal Narcan, a spray that can only be applied into the nose to produce its desired effect. The Nasal Spray contains only 1 dose of medicine and cannot be reused. The steps of Narcan administration are as follows and cited by the official Narcan website:
Narcan vending machine located at Kent County Health Department, 700 Fuller Ave NE (WKTV/Maggie Carey)
Step 1: Lay the person on their back and support their neck.
Step 2: Remove Narcan Nasal Spray from the box. Peel back the tab with the circle to open the Narcan Nasal Spray.
Step 3: Hold the Narcan Nasal Spray with your thumb on the bottom of the red plunger and your first and middle fingers on either side of the nozzle.
Step 4: Tilt the person’s head back and provide support under the neck with your hand. Gently insert the tip of the nozzle into one nostril until your fingers on either side of the nozzle are against the bottom of the person’s nose.
Step 5: Press the red plunger firmly to give the dose of Narcan Nasal Spray. Remove from the nostril after giving the dose.
Step 6: Call 911 for emergency medical help.
Where can Narcan be found?
Narcan is now available for free to residents of Kent County at four locations thanks to the Grand Rapids Red Project and its partnership with the Kent County Health Department and Cherry Health. These machines have 24-hour access and to use them, just type in the slot that has an available pack and the vending machine will distribute the pack cost-free.
This morning, Jan. 3, 21 county commissioners were sworn in, of which eight were new commissioners. (Courtesy, Kent County)
The Kent County Board of Commissioners were sworn and had its organization meeting this morning with two Wyoming and Kentwood county representatives elected to leadership positions.
Due to redistricting, the board was enlarged from 19 to 21. This included the new District 20, which covers the northern portion of the City of Wyoming, mostly the Godfrey-Lee School district, and a southern portion of the City of Grand Rapids. The district has a large Hispanic population and was created to help provide a voice to that community. Ivan Diaz was elected to serve that district. Diaz was selected to serve on two county committees, the Community Corrections Advisory Board and the Kent County Community Action Governing Board.
The other new district, District 21, is comprised of Cascade, Caledonia, and Bowne townships. Walter Bujak was elected to serve that district.
District 10 Commissioner Emily Brieve, whose district includes a southern portion of the City of Kentwood, was sworn in as vice chair. (Courtesy, Kent County)
District 10 County Commissioner Emily Brieve, whose area, due to redistricting, now includes a southern portion of the City of Kentwood, was elected as vice-chair of the board for a second term and will serve as chair of the Finance and Physical Resources Committee. Brieve has been on the board since 2015 and works for family’s business, FastoolNow.com. District 6 Commissioner Stan Stek, whose district is mostly the City of Walker, was elected as chair for a second term. Stek has been on the board since 2014 and is an attorney at Miller Canfield. Serving as vice-chair of the Finance and Physical Resources Committee is District 18 Commissioner Stephen Wooden, whose was elected minority vice-chair for the board.
District 8 Commissioner Dan Burrill, who served as a City of Wyoming Council Member and whose area is a large portion of the City of Wyoming, was selected to be serve as the chair of the Legislative and Human Resources Committee. Burrill has been on the board since 2021 and is an associate broker at Five Star Real Estate, small business owner, and a licensed builder. Burrill also was selected to serve on the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority Board.
Other appointments for commissioners were:
District 7 Commissioner Stan Ponstein, whose district is mostly the City of Grandville with a portion of the City of Wyoming, was selected to serve on the Lakeshore Regional Entity Substance Abuse Oversight Policy Board.
District 9 Commissioner Matt Kallman, whose district is Byron Center and a southern portion of the City of Wyoming, was selected to serve on the Senior Millage Review Committee and as the chair of ACSET Governing Board.
District 12 Commissioner Monica Sparks, whose district covers a portion of the City of Kentwood and a portion of the City of Wyoming, was selected to serve on the Area Agency on Aging Western Michigan Advisory Council and the Ready at Five Proposal Review Committee.
District 13 Commissioner Michelle McCloud, whose district is mostly the City of Kenwood, was selected to serve on the Public Works Board and the Senior Millage Review Committee.
The County Board of Commissioners meetings are usually the second and fourth Thursday of each month at the County Administration Building, Third Floor, 300 Monore Ave. NW. For more about the board, visit accesskent.org.
According to those at the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, students have until March 1 to apply for scholarships available through its organization. (Courtesy, Grand Rapids Community Foundation)
If you are a high school graduate interested in pursuing welding as a career, there is a scholarship for that. Perhaps you are interested in nursing or education or maybe you are interested in a post-graduate degree in business or law. There are scholarships for that.
The Grand Rapids Community Foundation is currently accepting applications for more than $1 million in scholarships to support students pursuing post-secondary education and training. By completing one application, students will be considered for hundreds of scholarship opportunities from more than 80 scholarship funds. Students pursuing bachelor and graduate degrees or technical training certificates are eligible to apply.
Some of the scholarships are specific to studies, high schools or colleges. For example, the Pullen/Lambers Memorial Scholarship is available to graduating seniors from Wyoming High School who attend a credited U.S. college/university with a preference given to education or entrepreneurial studies.
If you are senior or graduate from Godfrey Lee, Godwin Heights, Wyoming, Kelloggsville, Kentwood, Grandville or Grand Rapids, you could apply for the Hackett Family Scholarship. Students at Grand Rapids University Prep Academy can apply for the Founders’ Scholarship and South Christian students planing to major in healthcare, education or business may apply for the Roger and Jacquelyn Vander Laan Family Scholarship.
There is also scholarships like the Llewellyn L. Cayvan String Instrument Scholarship for undergraduate or graduate students studying violin, viola, violoncello, or the bass viol. There is not financial or residency requirements.
Grand Rapids Community Foundation noted in a press release that it is committed to providing opportunities for first generation students with financial need to further their education. Scholarships are available for students with a wide variety of backgrounds, GPA’s and levels of education from public and private institutions. Last year, the Community Foundation awarded $1.45 million in scholarships to 630 students.
Contributions from community members make the scholarship funds possible. Many donors have chosen to set up a fund to honor a family member or to provide opportunities for students to attend college or pursue a specific profession. Award decisions are made by more than 100 volunteer community members with applicable experience who serve on scholarship advisory committees.
The general scholarship application for the 2023-2024 academic year opened Dec. 1 and will remain open until March 1, 2023. Interested students can find more information and apply at GRFoundation.org/Scholarships.
For the November election, City of Wyoming residents will be voting on five Kent County Commission seats while the residents of the City of Kentwood will be voting on three.
There are a total of 21 commission seats, all of which are up for election this year. All the seats are for two-year terms with the four-year rotation set to start in 2024. Through the redistricting, two new districts have been added to the board, increasing the total number of districts from 19 to 21.
The new districts are District 20, which was designed to represent the Hispanic community and encompasses the northern portion of the City of Wyoming (the Godfrey Lee Public School district) and a southern portion of the City of Grand Rapids. The other district, District 21, covers the southeast corner of the county include the Village of Caledonia up past the Gerald R. Ford International Airport into Cascade Charter Township.
All candidates running for county commission seats in the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood were given the opportunity to do a We the People, where candidates may share why they decided to run, a little about themselves, and the issues the candidate feels are important.
All votes, in-person and absentee, must be cast by Nov. 8. Absentee votes must be received by 8 p.m. on Nov. 8. Those voting in-person at the polls have from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. to cast their vote. Remember to check your voter card or contact your local clerks office for you precinct since redistricting may have changed where you vote.
7th District Kent County Commission Seat
The 7th District encompasses most of the City of Grandville and a portion of the City of Wyoming with Burlingame Avenue, south of 28th Street is the eastern border and Wyoming Avenue, north of 28th Street, the eastern border. For a map of the district, click here.
Incumbent Stan Ponstein (R) is facing first-time candidate Sue Merrell, (D).
Stan Ponstein
Ponstein has been on the Kent County Board of Commissioners since 2008 and was recently elected to serve as president of the board of Michigan Association of Counties. He works for Costco.
The 8th District is contained in the City of Wyoming and includes the area between Burlingame and Clyde Park avenues south of 28th Street as well as the city’s panhandle area. For a map of the district, click here.
Incumbent Dan Burrill (R) is running for his second term on the Kent County Commission. He is facing challenger Jennie Chatman (D).
Dan Burrill
Before joining the Board of Kent County Commissioners, Burrill served on the Wyoming City Council. His occupation is a residential real estate and builder.
Chatman is the chair of the Michigan State Union Label & Services Trade Council.
Website: There is none.
9th District Kent County Commission Seat
The 9th District covers all of Byron Township and includes a section of the City of Wyoming between Clyde Park and Division avenues up to about Resurrection Life Cemetery, located north of 44th Street. For a map of the district, click here.
Incumbent Matt Kallman (R) is facing challenger Chip LaFleur (D).
Matt Kallman (R)
Kallman is the vice president of a Software Products at Compliance Systems, Inc.
Through redistrict, the 10th District is all of Gaines Township and a portion of the City of Kentwood that is bordered by Division Avenue to the west, Eastern Avenue to the east and 56th Street to the north. For a map of the district, click here.
Running for the seat is incumbent Emily Post Brieve (R). She is facing first-time challenge Julie Humphreys (D).
Emily Post Brieve (R)
Brieve has been on the Kent County Board of Commissioners since 2014 and currently serves as vice chair. She currently helps manage her family’s small business, FastoolNow.com.
The 12th District encompasses a portion of the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood, which is mostly the Godwin Pubic Schools and Kelloggsville Public Schools. For a map of the district, click here.
Incumbent Monica Sparks (D) is seeking her third term on the board. She faces challenger Lee White (R).
Monica Sparks (D)
Occupation: Small business owner
Why did you decide to run for this seat? I love my community and I am not running to just sit in an office, however, I am running to continue as a servant leader; making sure all people living in Kent County have access to quality services and opportunities for a optimal future. I will continue to advocate for Veterans, Seniors, Children, Families and Individuals that live, work or play in Kent County.
What are a couple of issues you would want to address if elected? If elected by the people, I will continue as a servant leader to make sure the people that live work and play in Kent county have a quality of life and access to resources to reach their full potential with opportunities and resources everyone can access.I will continue to advocate for Veterans, Seniors, Children, Families and Individuals that live, work or play in Kent County. My priorities as a Kent County Commission are Mental Health care, Veterans and Senior Services and Early Childhood Readiness, Foster care and Adoption as well as Agriculture / Food Security for the future.
Lee White is a graduate of East Kentwood high School and has served many community organizations such as SKRA baseball, Wyoming, Grand Rapids, Kentwood and Michigan Jaycess and the West Michigan Veterans Branch.
The 13th District covers most of the City of Kentwood except for Districts 10 and 12 cover. For a map of the district, click here.
Incumbent Michelle McCloud (D) is seeking her second term on the board. She faces challenger Tom McKelvy (R).
Michelle McCloud
McCloud is an assistant dean in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Grand Valley State University and has volunteered with hospice, Meals-on-Wheels and on the board of directors for Court Appointed Special Advocates of Kent County.
Why did you decide to run for this seat? This was an opportunity to continue to serve the residents of Kentwood and to make sure their voice is heard at the county level. I believe that the role of a leader is to amplify the voices of the citizens and to find ways to empower them to improve their communities and their lives. I’m running to ensure that government isn’t the answer to the problems, but a resource to empower and support the residents of our communities.
What are a couple of issues you would want to address if elected? There needs to be a focus county-wide on improving safety in our communities. We need the leaders at the Kent County Commission to mobilize community leaders, citizens, and organizations to work in unison to address the increase in crime that all of us are witnessing. I also want to see a focus on long-term strategies that will prepare our young adults to be ready for the jobs of the future so that Kent County stays attractive to our youth for decades to come.
The 20th District is a brand new commission seat. It covers the northern portion of the City of Wyoming and a southern portion of the City of Grand Rapids. For a map of the district, click here.
The candidates are Ivan Diaz (D) and Eliza Rodriguez (R).
Ivan Diaz (D)
Diaz is a Grand Valley State University student who is from the Roosevelt Park neighborhood, which is represented by District 20.
Artist Kathie Van Hekken and Kent County Sheriff Officer Krystal Stuart shown with the portrait of Axel created by Van Hekken. (WKTV/Jodi Miesen)
When Rockford resident Kathie Van Hekken learned about the death of Kent County Sheriff K9 officer Axel, it spurred her into action.
“I saw it on TV the day he died,” said the 76-year-old artist of Axel, who died from an undiagnosed heart condition while tracking a suspect in August of 2021. “And I love dogs. I love pets. I know I have the skill to draw them…And I thought you know what? I could take something so sad and I can do some good with this.”
Her something good was the creation of a 44- by 44-inch color pencil portrait of Axel that is currently part of the 2022 ArtPrize exhibit. The piece hangs at the First (Park) Congregational Church, 10 E. Park Place NE.
A late bloomer in art
Van Hekken discovered her passion for art later in life, after stumbling upon it about seven years ago. Her mother was an artist who dabbled in oil paintings. Van Hekken had inherited her mother’s art supplies when she passed away in 2005, but it wasn’t until years into her retirement that Van Hekken finally got them out.
Artist Kathie Van Hekken admits her passion for art started several years after she retired as an engineer. (WKTV/Jodi Miesen)
“I went to one of those wine and women kind of things,” she said. “I took my paintings and I showed them to the teacher, and I asked if he could teach me what I was missing. And that’s when I started learning.”
She shared her desire to be “good enough” someday to be an ArtPrize artist and with encouragement from that teacher it happened in 2015 when Van Hekken entered her hand drawn, nine feet tall sunflowers.
Making a connection
Through a mutual acquaintance, Van Hekken reached out to Axel’s handler, Kent County Sheriff Officer Krystal Stuart about getting permission to create the piece.
“She told me how big it was going to be and I was like, ‘What?’” Stuart said. “Like, I didn’t even know that was possible, especially for like color pencil, like a drawing, you know. I was like, ‘How is this even going to be a thing?’”
Van Hekken admitted once she got Stuart’s permission, the project was a little nerve wracking as she wanted to do “a really good job.” Stuart was with her every step of the way, coming over regularly to see the piece as it progressed in its various stages and to let Van Hekken know she was heading in the right direction.
“The first conversation we had, we talked,” Van Hekken said. “She told me stories. I’ve learned that I have to know what I’m drawing. If I have an emotional attachment, it will come out. You know, when people say that I captured Axel, that’s because she made sure I knew Axel, even though I had never met him.
‘Hi, Axel’
Through this process and utilizing one of Stuart’s favorite pictures of Axel, slowly he emerged through the drawing.
The portrait of Axel that artist Katie Van Hekken used for her piece. (WKTV/Jodi Miesen)
“I think I had his ears and a little bit of his face,” she said. “And I had sketched in his mouth and I could see him for the first time for me, other than a photograph. And it was like, ‘Hi Axel.’ And I cried for him. It was just really emotional. It still is.”
It took Van Hekken about seven months to complete the massive art piece and as soon as it was, the first person she had to see it was Stuart.
“She was quiet,” Van Hekken said. “She just stood quietly and looked at it. It was very, very touching.”
And for Van Hekken, Stuart’s reaction was payment enough.
“She did a phenomenal job capturing his essence,” Stuart said. “He had that, like I say, twinkle in his eye, which sounds so cliché, but he really did when he was not in work mode. He had this goofy, like ‘I’m a big doofus look in his eye.’ And then when he was working, it just went black.”
Celebrating Kent County Sheriff’s K9 unit
Van Hekken said she chose Axel not only to honor him, but to raise awareness and money for the donation-based K9 Unit. Currently, there are 10 Kent County Sheriff K9s covering most of the county. The animals are trained to detect explosives, track suspects, secure buildings, or may be used as a compliance tool. Axel was the department’s first explosive detection dog.
Van Hekken said she had cards made with Axel’s portrait on them that she handed out when people visit her exhibit. The cards include a QR code to make a donation directly to the Kent County K9 Unit.
“She wanted to tell Axel’s story,” Stuart said. “She wanted to explain what the process was of getting Axel, what happened to Axel, the work that we put in and how much these K-9s actually do for our community.
“Because it’s not just having them and showing off and whatnot. I mean, they find missing children, they find vulnerable adults, suspects in places that we won’t. They protect our officers in different everyday situations.”
Sharing with the community who loved him
After ArtPrize, VanHekken will give the piece to Stuart, who hopes to donate it to the Kent County Sheriff’s Department. Stuart said she wants to share Axel with the community since he was “everybody’s dog.” Stuart is hoping to get approval to have it installed in the new North substation, which is scheduled to open in 2023 in Cedar Springs. Stuart said the location is fitting since northern Kent County was their home base “and those are the residents that had seen him the most.”
Van Hekken said she’s proud to be a part of the project. For her, it was a labor of love.
“I never entered ArtPrize thinking I would win, she said. “I just wanted to do something good. I wanted to make a difference. I wanted to call attention to the K9 Unit and Axel.”
And with a satisfied smile adding. “I’m already the winner.”
Kent County celebrates the opening of its new Parks Department office located at 1700 Butterworth SW. (Courtesy, Kent County Parks Department)
Kent County held a ribbon-cutting ceremony today for its new Parks Department office, located at 1700 Butterworth St. SW in Grand Rapids. The new office will provide administrative space for staff and improve public access to Parks operations.
This capital improvement project was approved by the Kent County Board of Commissioners in January of 2020. The $2.68 million facility was funded by the County’s Capital Improvement Program, which was established to reduce the size of debt associated with large capital projects.
“Our county parks are a pillar of our community,” said Kent County Board of Commissioners Chair Stan Stek. “The Board of Commissioners is very pleased that we were able to build this new facility without raising taxes or issuing a bond.”
The new facility features more than 7,000 square feet of office space, replacing temporary modular offices constructed in 2002.
“This is an exciting time for the County and has been a long time coming,” said Kent County Administrator Al Vanderberg. “The opening of this facility brings closure to years of hard work and equips our Parks staff with the resources needed to maintain our public spaces for years to come.”
Kent County contracted Progressive AE for Architectural and Engineering Services and JKB Construction as the General Contractor for construction.
The Kent County Parks Department manages over 6,800 acres of land including 42 properties and trails, offering a wide range of recreational opportunities. The new office will be open to the public Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“The importance of getting our child immunize is that we need to keep them healthy,” said Amy Shears, the immunization program supervisor for the Kent County Health Department. “Our vaccine campaign is ‘The Future is Ours.’ We want our children to stay healthy. We don’t want a resurgence of diseases that we haven’t seen in years whether that is polio, measles or mumps.
“That is where we get nervous. If these immunizations rates continue to drop, could those diseases we haven’t seen in years, rear their ugly heads? That’s were we get concerned.”
In fact, about a couple of weeks before the news of polio in New York City’s wastewater was released, the Kent County Health Department had announced it would be launching a public awareness campaign, “The Future is Ours,” to address falling vaccination rates in the county.
Immunization rates are low
“As of Aug. 1, children 24-36 vaccine coverage rate of 71 percent,” Shears said. “Granted that is not a bad number but we would really like to see that in the high 80s.”
According to many health experts, the best way to protect against a number of different diseases is too immunize. (pxhere.com)
Recently the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services released information that Michigan’s numbers have gone below 70 percent for immunizations for children 19 to 36 months. The rate is currently around 68 percent.
The practice of immunizations dates back hundreds of years. For modern-day immunizations, the smallpox vaccine is considered the first successful one. It was developed in 1796. The polio vaccine came next follow by MMR which is for measles, mumps, and rubella.
There is the Tdap which protects against there diseases: tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough). A more recent vaccine is the HPV vaccine. This is a sexually transmitted infection that is linked with cancer such as cervical, penile, and cancers of the back of the throat.
This is only a short list of the vaccines available. For a complete list and immunization schedules, visit accesskent.org and click on “immunizations.”
Data shows immunizations helps
To reflect how beneficial vaccines have been, the American Journal of Preventive Medicine note that since the release of the HPV vaccine in 2006, there has been a 29 percent decrease in cervical cancer. In fact, the World Health Organization estimates that immunizations have saved two to three million lives each year.
As to why there has been a decrease, Shears said numbers were dropping before the COVID pandemic, which also had an impact. With medical facilities combating COVID-19 and putting as “many boots on the ground” where needed, immunizations were not a main focus.
For 19- to 35-month-olds, Kent county is about 3.4 percentage points below its pre-pandemic levels, Shears said, adding the biggest drop has been with those who have Medicaid.
Educating on the importance
The “Future is Ours” campaign is designed to share information about all immunizations. The project included rebuilding the VaccinateWest Mi.com website, which was originally built to provide COVID-19 vaccine information. The website now features information on age-appropriate vaccine timelines, links that allow parents to make vaccine appointments for their children, and how to find a local health department clinic.
Those interested in scheduling a clinic appointment, can call 616-632-7200 or visit accesakent.org.
Do you have an interest in helping seniors or a passion for preserving farms?
The Kent County Board of Commissioners is seeking residents interested in serving the community through appointment to its boards, commissions and committees.
Interested residents may view all current vacancies and apply online for appointment by Sept. 30/ Applicants should include a cover letter and professional resume in a pdf format. For more information, please contact the Board of Commissioners’ office at 616-632-7580.
The following boards and committees are accepting applications, click to learn more about each group is responsible for:
The Kent County Health Department (KCHD) was notified by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services that the first probable case of Monkeypox was identified in Kent County.
The patient is currently isolating and does not pose a risk to the public.The KCHD is identifying and monitoring any close contacts for symptoms and no additional cases have been identified at this time. To protect patient privacy, no further case details will be provided.
Monkeypox is a rare but potentially serious disease that has an incubation time of one to two weeks after exposure. Symptoms of monkeypox include headache, fever, muscle aches, and exhaustion followed by a rash and lesions often beginning on the face one to three days after the onset of illness. The illness typically lasts two to four weeks. The virus is spread from person-to-person by direct contact with bodily fluids or monkeypox lesions. Less common routes of transmission include respiratory droplets from prolonged face-to-face contact or contact with contaminated materials such as clothing or bedding. The KCHD recommends anyone experiencing monkeypox symptoms to contact their healthcare provider.
There are no treatments specifically for MPV infections. However, MPV and smallpox viruses are genetically similar, which means that antiviral drugs and vaccines developed to protect against smallpox may be used to prevent and treat MPV infections. Most people don’t need a monkeypox vaccine right now. However, if you have had contact with someone who has the disease you should contact your healthcare provider.
So far, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has reported 767 cases of Monkeypox. there have been three other cases, besides the one in Kent County reported in Michigan, two in Oakland County and one in Detroit.
Monkeypox was first discovered in 1958 when two outbreaks of a pox-like disease occurred in colonies of monkeys kept for research. Despite being named “monkeypox”, the source of the disease remains unknown. However, African rodents and non-human primates (like monkeys) may harbor the virus and infect people.
The first human case of monkeypox was recorded in 1970. Since then, monkeypox has been reported in people in several other central and western African countries. Prior to the 2022 outbreak, nearly all monkeypox cases in people outside of Africa were linked to international travel to countries where the disease commonly occurs, or through imported animals.
The Kent County Animal Shelter will become a stand-alone department answering directly to administration. (Supplied)
Following the nationwide best practices in animal welfare and public safety, Kent County has announced it will be restructuring its animal shelter and animal control operations.
On July 1, the animal shelter will become a stand-along county department report directly to the administration. It is currently under the Kent County Health Department. With that change, the animal control operations will be reassigned to a dedicated, special tailed team at the Kent County Sheriff’s Office.
“Best practices in animal welfare and animal control are Kent County’s top priority in restructuring these operations,” said Kent County Administrator Al Vanderberg. “We consulted subject matter experts and community members and commissioned extensive research into county-level animal shelter and animal control operations before recommending these changes. These decisions are data-driven and reflect nationwide best practices in animal welfare, as well as public safety.”
Kent County Animal Control
Animal control will be reassigned to the Sheriff’s Office because these operations are largely a function of law enforcement. The team will be led by certified law enforcement officers including a KCSO Enforcement Division lieutenant and two Enforcement Division sergeants who will oversee daily operations and staff. Staff will include a civilian animal control supervisor and civilian special deputies who will be supported by community outreach, media relations and training staff already at the Sheriff’s Office.
Kent County Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young
At a meeting on June 9, the Kent County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved recommendations from its Legislative and Human Resources Committee and Finance and Physical Resources Committee to create and fund the three full-time animal control unit supervisors at the Sheriff’s Office.
“For years, KCSO officers have worked cooperatively with Kent County animal control officers in response to calls and to carry out the law enforcement aspects of these operations,” said Kent County Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young. “With these changes, animal control operations will be led by sworn law enforcement officers trained to provide oversight and to protect due process in rapidly unfolding legal and civil rights matters.”
While the animal control officers will be civilian positions and will not have arresting authority, the certified Sheriff’s deputies in the animal control unit will have authority to make arrests when there is cause to believe a crime has been committed.
To prepare for these changes, the Sheriff’s Office is developing a new Kent County Animal Control Ordinance to replace the Kent County Health Department Animal Control Regulations that have been on the books for more than 20 years. Starting July 1, the new ordinance will apply anywhere in the county where local city, township or village ordinances are not already in place. Existing local ordinances will supersede the Kent County Animal Control Ordinance.
How and When to Contact Animal Control
If a Kent County resident encounters an animal emergency – an animal is attacking a person, or a pet is in immediate danger – they should call 911. Otherwise, residents should call the Kent County Sheriff’s Department dispatch at 616-632-7310 if they encounter a stray dog, in the case of a dog bite, or to report a suspected case of animal cruelty or neglect.
The primary focus of Kent County Animal Shelter will be the care and welfare of lost and abandoned animals. (KC Animal Shelter)
Kent County Animal Shelter
With the restructuring announced today, the Kent County Animal Shelter will maintain primary responsibility for the care, shelter and feeding of lost and abandoned animals in Kent County. The change in reporting directly to the administration will allow the Kent County Health Department to focus more exclusively on human health.
“Our mission hasn’t changed. We remain keenly focused on reuniting pets with their families and finding safe and loving new homes for animals when needed,” said Kent County Animal Shelter Director Angela Hollinshead. “We value the assistance that many community leaders and animal welfare agencies have provided in support of that mission and of the animals in our care over the past several years. We look forward to working with these leaders and organizations to formalize and increase community support in the months ahead.”
Following the restructuring, County administration and the animal shelter will explore the possibility of establishing a foundation and “friends group” to increase financial and volunteer support for the shelter.
Now all fire and police departments in Kent County will be on the same countywide digital radio system for emergencies. (pxhere.com)
The Kent County Dispatch Authority, Kent County Sheriff’s Office and Kent County Fire Chiefs Association announced the final users of the new countywide digital radio system for police, fire and emergency response personnel have transitioned to the system.
The final users are comprised of 28 fire departments across Kent County that utilize fire paging to alert emergency responders. Many of the county’s fire departments serve rural areas, where pagers provide clearer and more reliable communications. The Kent County Dispatch Authority, or KCDA, which led the radio system project, purchased the fire pagers in 2018 through a voter-approved surcharge. The pagers were used on the old system before they recently were reprogrammed by the Kent County Sheriff’s Office to the new system. The new radio system enables first responders to better communicate between agencies, ultimately saving lives, property and time.
“While the radio system has been operational for more than a year and we have already transitioned nearly 5,000 radios, transitioning the fire pagers was the final step in ensuring all of our public safety agencies in Kent County have clear and reliable communications,” said Kent County Dispatch Authority Chairman Mark Herald.
The $25.7 million radio system – funded by the 2016 voter-approved surcharge – went live in December 2020, with the Grand Rapids Police and Fire departments and Kent County Sheriff’s Office transitioning to the system in early 2021.
The 800-megahertz, or MHz, radio system replaces an outdated analog system and joins the statewide radio system operated by the Michigan Public Safety Communication System that allows coordination between local, state and federal agencies. The Kent County system is comprised of 12 transmission sites and two 911 dispatch centers: Kent County and Grand Rapids. It was the result of nearly four years of planning, site acquisition, construction, equipment installation and testing.
“The Kent County Sheriff’s Office worked closely with these 28 fire departments to provide technical support and other assistance to ensure a smooth transition,” Kent County Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young said. “Adding these agencies to the new radio system enhances the safety of our residents and first responders.”
The KCDA is a multi-jurisdictional and multi-disciplinary board created by Kent County and the cities of Grand Rapids, Grandville, Walker and Wyoming to enhance 911 communication services in the county.
“These pagers are critical to alerting firefighters of calls for service and ensuring response activities are coordinated between agencies,” said Kent County Fire Chiefs Association President Sam Peterson. “We are grateful to the Kent County Dispatch Authority and Kent County Sheriff’s Office for their partnership in this important project.”
LANSING – From 2017 to 2021, the number of bridges in poor condition in Michigan increased from 1,146 to 1,240, according to the National Bridge Inventory.
A recently launched bridge bundling program by the Department of Transportation (MDOT) will tackle those numbers and is expected to repair up to 78 locally owned bridges that are in serious or critical condition, according to Dan Weingarten, the MDOT Superior region communications representative.
The bundling program covers multiple bridge locations under one contract and repairs are already underway at five of the 19 bridges in Jackson, Macomb, Lapeer, Clinton and Ottawa counties.
The other 14 are in Clinton, Eaton, Hillsdale, Ingham, Lenawee, Lapeer, Livingston, Luce, Jackson, Macomb, Muskegon, Ottawa, St. Clair and St. Joseph counties.
“Michigan has aging bridge infrastructure and we have faced decades of underinvestment. Basically, bridges have been deteriorating faster than we can repair or replace them. This has created a growing inventory of bridges in poor condition,” said Weingarten.
The 19 bridges in Phase I were deemed high priority, Weingarten said.
Michigan Department of TransportationRepair work underway on the abutment for the Byron Road bridge over the Black River in Ottawa County.
According to Weingarten, bridges are inspected at least every 24 months, but complex, moveable and large bridges are inspected more frequently. Bridges rated “poor” may be inspected as frequently as every six months, depending on the condition and details involved.
“People should not worry when they cross over or under a bridge. Bridges are inspected regularly and, if the bridge is open, it’s safe. MDOT and local agency bridge owners close unsafe bridges,” he said.
The repaired bridges could last up to 50 years before needing to be fixed again and could potentially last even longer with maintenance projects, Weingarten said.
The second phase of the project could repair or remove up to 59 other bridges. This phase focuses on closed or weight-restricted bridges, according to MDOT.
“The pilot project is being funded by Federal Highway Improvement Program dollars. Then, late last year, $196 million in federal COVID relief funds were appropriated,” Weingarten said. “This will allow the state to execute Phase II of the bridge bundling program, beginning later this year.”
The program has been backed at all levels, from federal to state to local.
“This is the most supportive program from the state for local bridges that I’ve ever seen,” said Wayne Harrall, the deputy managing director for engineering at the Kent County Road Commission in a press release. “The MDOT Bureau of Bridges has engaged with local agencies from the beginning, before there was even funding allocated to the effort.”
The County Road Association says the program is a great concept and would like it to bear some fruit in cost savings, according to Ed Noyola, its deputy director. The association represents 83 road agencies and provides legislative, operational and engineering advice.
But its main concern is that the project may run out of funding before work on all bridges is complete.
“Costs have gone up exponentially, and it’s a problem,” Noyola said. “The cost of material and labor is just going through the roof, and bridge projects are probably the most costly of all the road work that’s done that’s gone up.”
Weingarten said federal COVID relief funding for Phase II requires the money to be allocated by 2024 and spent by 2029, and MDOT intends to finish Phase II by then.
According to the National Bridge Inventory, a U.S. Department of Transportation database, there are 11,284 bridges in the state.
MDOT estimates it would cost $2 billion to get all state-owned bridges up to good or fair condition, and an additional $1.5 billion to do the same for all local government-owned bridges.
Weingarten said that MDOT bridge staff and consultants are doing the design and construction administration work, as well as providing engineering and contract negotiation expertise.
Kent County residents will be electing a new probate judge this falls as the Kent County Board of Commissioners recently voted to add one new probate judge position.
The Kent County Commissioners has decided to add a fifth judgeship to the probate court. (Supplied)
“Our current judiciary staff is hard-working, but the work and time needed to handle the high caseloads was not sustainable,” said Kent County Board of Commissioners Chair Stan Stek. “The addition of a probate judge will provide much-needed support to our court while being efficient with our resources.”
With Kent County’s increasing population, the probate court’s caseload has grown by more than 60 percent since 2008.
In 2019, the State Court Administrators’ Office (SCAO) recommended three judgeships for Kent County- one in each in the Probate, 17th Circuit, and 63rd District courts – based on a review of population trends and court caseloads. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly slowed and altered the legislative approval process of adding additional judgeships. However, Governor Whitmer signed into law Senate Bill 694 (Public Act 08 of 2022) in February, which created a new probate judgeship for Kent County and five other new judgeships across the state.
Meanwhile, a Board of Commissioners Judicial Resources Subcommittee was appointed to review the actions of the SCAO and the State Legislature and make a recommendation to the full Board regarding the addition of new judgeships. The Subcommittee subsequently recommended adding an additional probate judge position.
“The Probate Court is facing an overwhelming docket so adding a new judge to the bench will ensure cases will be considered timely and more efficiently,” said Chief Probate Judge David M. Murkowski.
Chief Probate Judge David M. Murkowski
“The beneficiaries of this additional judicial resource will be the residents of Kent County. We appreciate the Board of Commissioners, State Legislature, and Supreme Court understanding our need and approving the addition of a new probate judge.”
The new probate judge will be chosen by election, with the filling deadline in April and the primary election in August. The general election is in November 2022. The new judge will assume the office on Jan. 1, 2023.
One of the items that surprised Dan Burrill while seeking election to the Kent County Board of Commissioners was the fact that the seat was only for two terms.
Dan Burrill
“So basically, I had a year and then I am already back into campaigning,” said Burrill who won his bid to be the District 8 commissioner representing the City of Wyoming in 2020.
Michigan in fact was one of about five states in the United States that still had its county commission terms at two years. Note the “was” because in December Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed bills into law that would extend the terms of county commissioners from two to four years. The change will begin with the fall 2024 election.
“People have asked me ‘What do I get out of it?’” said Kent County Commissioner Stan Ponstein, who is the first vice president for the Michigan Association of Counties (MAC), the organization that worked to get the county commissioner term lengths changed. “And, well, for me personally, nothing as I am at the end of my political career.
“It will be a big help to those counties in the north, mostly the knuckle area and beyond, and in the U.P. (upper peninsula), where they have had problems finding people to serve on the county board of commissions.”
For the lower half of the state, the issue has been more on the cost of running a campaign.
“There have been people who have spent $30,000 to $40,000,” Ponstein said. “That is a lot of money just to be a county commissioner and then have to spend it about every two years.”
Up until 1963, county commission seats were four-year terms. At the time, the group was referred to as the Board of Supervisors. With the development of townships, which became supervisors, the county boards were changed to Board of Commissioners, serving two-year terms, Ponstein said. Besides county commissioners, all other county- and township-elected officials are elected to terms of at least four years. This includes county clerk and treasurer. U.S. and state house of representatives are now the only government-elected offices that have two-year terms in Michigan.
Stan Ponstein
The change, according to Burrill, gives newer commissioners like himself a chance to learn the ins and outs of county government, which includes representing county interests at the state and federal government, participating in long-range planning and managing the county budget and finances. Much of the Kent County budget covers the sheriff’s office, the courts, the prosecutor, the treasurer and other independently elected county officials.
“Having the four years allows you to work together more on a local level while forming relationships and concentrating on the needs of the county,” Burrill said.
The change will not impact the upcoming county election, which is set for this fall. “This will be the last year Kent County commissioners will run for two years,” Ponstein said.
Also, all county commission seats will be up for election at the same time unlike in some city and township elections where seats are staggered for consistency. This is not a change for Kent County as currently all county commission seats are up at the same time.
Ponstein, who will become the president of MAC this year, said the effort behind getting the commission terms changed does demonstrate the efforts of what MAC does to help county commissions boards. Currently, the organization is working on several issues such as mental health and protecting revenue sharing on the county level.
The Rev. Khary Bridgewater and Kent County Chief Inclusion Officer Teresa Branson, at left, led the Monday, Dec. 20, “Prayer Service for Health Care Workers” and pandemic awareness gathering. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
It is no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic seriously impacts the lives of all Kent County residents regardless of race, ethnicity and faith — although current statistics make clear it impacts the unvaccinated to a more serious degree.
It is not surprising, therefore, that speakers at a Monday, Dec. 20, “Prayer Service for Health Care Workers”, attended by county clergy, the leaders of local hospital networks, and Kent County officials, stressed three things: appreciation to frontline healthcare, the non-discriminatory nature of the virus, and the need to get vaccinated as an individual’s part in keeping themselves and their neighbors safe.
The prayer service was led by several local clergy. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
“One of the realities that we are seeing — and I just came off the hospital floor — is the fact that there is not sector or section of this community that is not being affected by COVID,” Rev. Khary Bridgewater said to WKTV at the gathering at Mercy Health Saint Mary’s downtown Grand Rapids. “Young. Old. Regardless of ethnicity. Regardless of creed … We are all in the same boat. We are all dealing with the same impact.
“Everyone is having the same sort of regrets as they struggle with this virus, particularly those at the end of life and they realize this was an avoidable situation. It doesn’t matter who you were when you get to a hospital bed. We are working very hard with every member of our community to stress the simple truth that COVID is dangerous.”
The gathering and prayer service was led by the Kent County Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships Team, formerly known as the Kent County COVID-19 Task Force). The gathering’s stated goal was to “stand with our front-line medical workers, hospital staff and public health officials, as well as their families, who are sacrificing daily to provide the care that our community needs.”
Leading the gathering was Rev. Bridgewater, facilitator of the Kent County Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships Team, and by his side was Teresa Branson, Kent County Chief Inclusion Officer, who as been a leader of the group since its inception. The pandemic-aware gathering was limited to local media, a few other people, and several persons remaining in their cars in the parking lot location.
The gathering also highlighted numerous churches and faith-based organizations “coming together to raise community awareness of the current situation in our hospitals; issue a public statement of commitment; and pray and bless our health care personnel and their families.”
Among the local medical leaders present were Dr. Matt Biersack, president of Mercy Health Saint Mary’s; Dr. Darryl Elmouchi, president of Spectrum Health; Kent Riddle, CEO of Mary Free Bed; and Dr. Ronald Grifka, chief medical officer of University of Michigan Health-West.
“In this season of hope, when so many workers turn to their home, their families, their traditions, remember many healthcare workers will be working around the clock taking care of their patients,” Grifka said to the gathering. “That selfless spirt embodies what we celebrate this time of the year. I ask that no matter what your beliefs, please keep our healthcare workers in your hearts.”
At a Monday, Dec. 20, “Prayer Service for Health Care Workers”, Kent County clergy, leaders of local hospital networks, and county officials gathered. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
The Kent County Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships Team, according to supplied information, is a group of faith-based and non-profit community leaders that have partnered with the Kent County Health Department and its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion office.
“Together, they have reduced the spread of COVID-19, provided space for church vaccination clinics and informed the community about the vaccine,” according to the supplied information. But in doing so, thy have also heard “the concerns of our hospitals who are beyond capacity and our health care professionals who are weary and overburdened.”
In response to the current pandemic situation, faith leaders from across the city and the county also pledged to eliminate all non-essential, indoor gatherings; restrict essential gatherings to less than 50 people per 2,000 square feet; require all attendees at indoor gatherings to wear a mask and abide by social distancing and COVID-19 hygiene; and — maybe most importantly — to encourage all members of our community to get COVID-19 vaccination and any appropriate booster shots.
Kent County’s efforts to assist Afghan refugees being resettled in West Michigan gained a boost as the Kent County Board of Commissioners, at a Nov. 18 meeting, approved two grants to meet the health and nutritional needs of newly arriving Afghan refugees.
One grant is a $333,000 Refugee Resettlement Food Assistant Grant from the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services which will be managed by Kent County Community Action (KCCA), according to an announcement from the county.
The second is a $180,000 Refugee Screening Grant from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity which will be administered by the Kent County Health Department (KCHD).
The health department will screen newly arriving refugees for contagious disease, review and document medical history, administer vaccinations, and provide referrals for primary care physicians, according to the announcement.
“Kent County is expecting more than 350 refugees from Afghanistan and the responsibility to provide health screenings and immunizations for these new residents falls on local public health,” KCHD Public Health Division Director Joann Hoganson said in supplied material. “These funds will allow us to provide screenings and other support services to the Afghan refugees and assist them in their transition to a new life in the United States.”
The KCHD will also provide health education services that include an introduction to the U.S. health care system along with information about nutritional healthy living and Medicaid health insurance coverage.
Kent County Community Action has been providing meal assistance to local Afghan refugees. (Supplied/Kent County)
The food assistant grant will assist KCCA in its temporary meal and housing assistance to refugees.
“I am glad that KCCA can help during this time of need,” KCCA Program Manager Rachel Kunnath said in supplied material. “I cannot imagine what these families have been through over the past few months, and it is my hope that these meals are a little taste of home that brings them comfort.”
Local resettlement agencies determine the needs of each family as meals are provided to those in temporary living quarters until permanent housing is established. To date, KCCA has prepared more over 1,000 meals which are packaged in boxes containing 20 culturally appropriate meals with four to five different varieties and pita bread.
Michigan aid organizations are scrambling to provide housing and services for 1,300 Afghan refugees they’ve pledged to resettle, some of whom will be heading to Kent County.
To answer the call, Kent County has created the Gateways for Growth Welcome Plan Steering Committee, which is working to coordinate residents, businesses, organizations and funders to support the hundreds of Afghan refugees who will be arriving in West Michigan. These opportunities will address their essential needs, such as housing, supportive services, mental health care, and volunteers to help them adjust to life in the United States.
“Creating a welcoming community takes all of us coming together in support of our neighbors, whether its our long-time residents or individuals who just arrived,” said representatives from the Kent County Gateways for Growth Welcome Plan Steering Committee. “We are encouraging our community to join together to ensure these families have the resources and support they need to resettle in West Michigan.”
Won’t You Be My Neighbor?
“These are really nice, hardworking and kind people,” said Kurt Richter, a Michigan State University associate professor who helped evacuate more than 70 Afghan staff and scholars from the country. “I would welcome them as my neighbors.”
And they also can be strong contributors to the state’s economy, said Richter, who ran the university’s Grain Research and Innovation Project in Afghanistan. The MSU refugees are in Albania where they await transport to the United States.
Also waiting are about 60,000 refugees who were evacuated to U.S. military bases for resettlement following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, said Judi Harris, the director of refugee development in St. Vincent Catholic Charities, a faith-based nonprofit in Lansing that has pledged to resettle 300 Afghan refugees in Ingham County.
About 1.300 Afghan refugees are scheduled to come to Michigan with several hundred expected to be relocated to Kent county. (pxhere.com)
One family was recently settled in West Michigan by Samaritas, according to Rev. Bill Danaher, who is a board member of the faith-based social service agency. Samaritas has pledged to support 350 refugees. The West Michigan location was chosen because of the existing Afghan community there, Danaher said, adding that beyond housing, it is important to find the refugees a welcoming environment, which is why there are efforts to help settle refugees near other Afghan families.
Representatives from Samritas along with representatives from Kent County, City of Grand Rapids, West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce comprised The Gateways for Growth Welcome Plan Steering Committee. The committee has worked with local partners to compile a list of prioritized needs and ways the broader community can contribute.
A Place to Call Home
The most immediate need is housing. An Afghan Housing Resource survey was created for Kent County to capture housing resources people can offer, such as access to a rental property or extra rooms in their homes.
Harris said, for future arrivals, permanent options may be limited. They may need temporary housing in hotels.
The Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity has secured $500,000 to assist in these costs. The funding came from an existing Michigan State Housing Development Authority fund for rent assistance open to non-citizens.
Such support is important as resettlement can be expensive and require lots of work, said the Rev. Bill Danaher, of Christ Church Cranbrook in Bloomfield Hills. It costs about $57,000 a year to support a family of seven. Most of these costs are handled by community organizations.
“The government only does so much,” Danaher said. “We know there will be significant costs despite the government funding we are receiving.”
Other needs that the Kent County The Gateways for Growth Welcome Plan Steering Committee has identified are:
Mental Health – Mental health practitioners are invited to complete the Mental Health Provider survey to learn how they can support the wellness of New Americans, also known as immigrants and refugees.
That’s why D-Birmingham Rep. Mari Manoogian’s resolution, which the House adopted Oct. 14, is important, he said. It can help address apprehension some Michigan residents may have to Afghan refugees.
This welcome should not be limited to communities with Afghan populations. such as Grand Rapids and Lansing, Danaher said. These refugees will be resettled across the state.
“Your voice matters,” Danaher testified during a hearing on the resolution. “The state of Michigan needs to say that these refugees are welcome.”
Despite the intense vetting, some people might have unfounded fears regarding Afghan refugees, Danaher said. Therefore these state level efforts help support work at the community level.
Helping to Build a Better Economy
Welcoming Afghan refugees to the state is not just the right thing to do, but the smart one, Danaher said. Refugees in Michigan have generated about $200 million of new businesses and jobs in the economy.
Three-quarters of refugees are self-sufficient within six months of resettlement, Danaher said. It normally takes 10 volunteers to help host a family for six months, he said.
Samaritas is looking for volunteers to help, he said. Danaher said he hopes support from the state and legislators will help bring attention and energy among Michigan residents.
Michigan has also set up a webpage to gather donations and volunteers for the organizations involved. Local residents are encouraged to visit the Kent County Gateways for Growth website or follow its Facebook page to view the list of ways to support local Afghan refugees and to learn more about the Welcome Plan’s goal and objectives to foster a sense of belonging in Kent County.
On this episode pf WKTV Journal In Focus, the continuing effort of the Kent County Commission and administration to make diversity and inclusion — at all levels of the county workforce — a focus.
More than simply another focus, actually, the county has made a commitment to fully embed diversity, equity and inclusion in Kent County’s strategic priorities. Firm evidence of that commitment is the recent promotion of Teresa Branson to be the county’s first Chief Inclusion Officer.
On the WKTV set, Branson talks a little about her history, and a whole lot about what her position, its duties, and the county’s commitment means to area residents. Included in the discussion is how her job, in brief, will be working with “county leadership teams, employees and community partners to build on the work that has already been done and to implement meaningful change” in the future.
“It’s about the people I work with. It’s about the people we serve, we have what 650,000 people in Kent County,” Branson said. “At the end of the day, I want to know I have done something to make a difference. … doing something as important as ensuring people feel like they belong, in our workforce, and more importantly for every single person that comes in our door.”
Teresa Branson, Kent County Chief Inclusion Officer, on the set of WKTV Journal In Focus. (WKTV)
Branson holds a Master of Health Administration from Grand Valley State University and a Bachelor of Science in Public Health Education from Central Michigan University.
Prior to her new assignment, she worked as the Deputy Administrative Health Officer for the Kent County Health Department (KCHD). Prior to that, she held numerous public health education positions within KCHD, Child & Family Services of West MI, Inc., and Arbor Circle Corporation.
WKTV Journal In Focus airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel (For dates and times on Channel 26, see our Weekly On-air Schedule. For dates and times on Channel 99, visit here). All individual interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.
On the latest episode of WKTV Journal In Focus, Kent County Administrator Wayman Britt, who has been in the WKTV studio many times over the last four years since he took the position of lead administrator in 2018. But the next time he visits he will have a new title as on July 30 he will be ending his service to the country and its nearly 700 thousand residents, service which goes back almost two decades, to 2004.
On the WKTV set, we talk with Britt about current news within the county governance — including the county’s impressive and cooperative handling of the COVID-19 pandemic over the last year, several new county facility projects moving full-speed ahead despite the pandemic, and his personal challenge of leadership in this unexpectedly difficult time.
Kent County Administrator Wayman P. Britt. (WKTV)
He also details why he and the Kent County Board of Commissioners made diversity, equity and inclusion, in county leadership and staffing from top to bottom, such a priority that they recently hired Teresa Branson as its first Chief Inclusion Officer.
“We understand what (inclusion) is and what it means,” Britt said to WKTV. “And it is very, very important the we identify how do we increase the number of people in our community that are empowered and engaged to make our community a better place to live, to work.”
We also talk with Britt about the importance of coaching — on the baseball court and in government administration — and what’s next for the man whose motor is always running. (Hint: there’s a book in the works …)
WKTV Journal In Focus airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel (For dates and times on Channel 26, see our Weekly On-air Schedule. For dates and times on Channel 99, visit here). All individual interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.
The Kent County Plan Coordinator Gateways for Growth Steering Committee, comprised of representatives from the City of Grand Rapids, Kent County, West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce and Samaritas, will be hire a Welcome Plan Coordinator to facilitate implementation of the Kent County Welcome Plan.
Grand Rapids/Kent County was one of 13 communities throughout the U.S. who participated in the national initiative, Gateways for Growth, with each community developing a localized plan. The community-led plan is structured around helping refugees and immigrants overcome barriers in five categories: civic engagement, economic development, safe and connected communities, education, and equitable access to services.
“Between 2016 and 2018, our immigrant community grew by more than 5,000 residents. With nearly $1.1 billion in spending power, creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for New Americans is both the right thing to do and economically beneficial,” said Grand Rapids Chamber Vice President of Sales & Marketing Omar Cuevas. “These neighbors are making critical contributions to the local economy and adding to the rich cultural fabric that collectively creates a great community.”
The Steering Committee is now accepting applications for candidates to work with community stakeholders to implement the plan’s recommendations and strategies.
“The Welcome Plan Coordinator will play an integral part in executing initiatives geared toward making Kent County more welcoming to immigrants and refugees,” said Kent County Chief Inclusion Officer Teresa Branson. “We are excited to fill this important position and to work with community members to bring this plan to fruition.”
This part-time contracted position will be under the supervision of the newly established Kent County Inclusion Office with guidance and direction from the Welcome Plan Steering Committee. Additionally, the coordinator will collaborate with community stakeholders.
Qualifications for this position include:
Project management, budget management, and community engagement experience
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to effectively coordinate the implementation of long-term projects
Skills in organizing complex projects with multiple components and stakeholders
Demonstrated problem-solving skills
Ability to effectively promote and engage people during events both in the community and during interactions with key stakeholders
Ability to be creative and flexible
Ability to facilitate a consultative process with individuals, sub-teams, and large groups.
Demonstrated experience engaging diverse communities and cross-cultural experience
Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office Suite and social media platforms
Bachelor’s degree in International Development, Political Science, Public Administration, Social Work, or related field preferred
Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred
Grant writing experience preferred
“Our immigrant community has faced and overcome challenges and systemic barriers, but much remains to be done,” said West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Guillermo Cisneros. “We look forward to selecting a Welcome Plan Coordinator to help us implement the plan and bring meaningful change to our immigrant community.”
The Public Health Departments of Ottawa County, Muskegon County, Ionia County and Kent County (“Local Health Departments”) jointly announce that, as of May 5, 2021, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (“MDDHS”) has advised them that enforcement of MDHHS’ school quarantine guidelines must be now by local health department order. The requirements of employees, including school employees, to isolate or quarantine under Public Act 339 of 2020 are not impacted by this change and remain in full effect pursuant to state law. The requirements for the wearing of face masks is embedded in MDHHS epidemic orders and remains an enforceable mandate at the state and local level.
As of this release, the Local Health Departments have advised the school districts within their jurisdictions that in consideration of current epidemiological trends, increasing vaccination coverage rates, and the availability of safe and effective vaccines, the Local Health Departments are not issuing county-wide orders requiring all school districts to comply with the MDHHS’ quarantine guidelines. Instead, the Local Health Departments will 1) maintain their continual assessment of vaccination and new case data; 2) consult with hospitals, infectious disease experts and educators; and 3) respond as warranted to particular school situations with individually developed guidance and, if necessary, orders. This is consistent with their long-standing standard enforcement approach to communicable diseases and also will be applicable to COVID-19.
The Local Health Departments continue to recommend that the local school districts use the MDHHS’ quarantine guidelines as best practices for the protection of area children, teachers and staff and the prevention of outbreaks in the school setting.
For Dr. Adam London, the Kent County Health Department health officer, nothing underscores the need for people to get vaccinated than the more than 200 people hospitalized for COVID, of which 50 are fighting for their lives.
“We all want to get back to life as we want it to be as quickly as possible and the COVID vaccine and the vaccination is the best way to do that,” London said during a recent PSA for the Health Department. “We all want to see our restaurants full, we want concerts and ballparks and classrooms full. We want to get back to work and back to life as we want it to be here in West Michigan. The power to do that is your hands.”
London said the best way to accomplish these goals is for people to get vaccinated, and for those already vaccinated, to encourage or help others to do the same.
London noted that the vaccines are safe and and effective and are held to the highest standards before being approved. More than 75 percent of people 65 or older have received vaccines and that group is having the fewest number of new cases, London said.
The groups that are driving up the resurgence are the 20s and 30-year-olds, London said. In the twenty-something group, there is a 22 percent vaccination rate and in the thirty-something group, there is about a 32 percent vaccination rate.
“We need to do what we can to get these numbers down,” London said. “We are seeing more than 400 new cases of COVID diagnosed everyday in Kent County.”
For those unable to navigate the internet or schedule appointments online, they can call 2-1-1 for assistance.
For more about COVID cases in Kent County, visit the Kent County Public Health Department’s website.
On the heals of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s warning of increase COVID cases, he Kent County Health Department (KCHD) is alerting the community to the reality that COVID-19 cases, positivity rate and hospitalizations are all increasing within the county.
Over the past week, the average number of new Kent County cases per day has increased from approximately 75 to more than 100, including the 178 which were reported on March 17. The county’s positivity rate has increased to 5.4 percent after two months of a four percent rate. Local hospitals are also reporting an increase in COVID-19 inpatient admissions. These increases reflect trends being observed in many other parts of Michigan and around the world.
“It is critically important for everyone to remember that the arrival of coronavirus variants and prematurely relaxed attitudes about COVID-19, put our community in grave danger of a resurgence in cases and deaths,” said Kent County Health Department Administrative Health Officer, Dr. Adam London. “Our county has already lost at least 656 residents to this pandemic. We do not want to see anyone else lose their life, especially when we are so near to the end of this pandemic.”
COVID cases are on the rise in Kent County. (FDA.gov)
Public health and healthcare officials urge people to continue adhering to the prevention strategies which have been proven to reduce transmission:
1) wear facial coverings in public places,
2) stay home if you are not feeling well,
3) avoid large social gatherings, and
4) practice good hand washing.
The KCHD is also encouraging residents to be prepared to get vaccinated as soon as an opportunity is available. To date, 28.1 percent of Kent County’s population has received at least one dose of vaccine. Approximately 70 percent of our residents aged 65 or older have received at least one dose and the number of cases in that age group has been cut in half. The approved vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson have shown themselves to be safe and effective. The KCHD, Spectrum Health, Mercy Health Saint Mary’s, and many other partners anticipate the volume of vaccine allocated to our area to increase dramatically between now and the end of May.
The Health Department continues to vaccinate healthcare workers, first responders, K-12 educators, childcare providers, congregate care workers, all people aged 65 and older, people aged 50 and older with underlying health conditions, caregivers and guardians of children with special healthcare needs, and uniquely vulnerable/underserved populations of people. All people aged 50 and older will become officially eligible on March 22, but Health Department officials encourage them to pre-register now.
At this time, the Health Department are also strongly encouraging other people in category 1B to pre-register. This group includes people who, by the nature of their business, work in close proximity to other people in the workplaces of food and agriculture, critical manufacturing, public transit, grocery stores, postal service, civil service, utilities, and other critical infrastructure. Appointments will generally be made according to vulnerability and phase status. Pre-registered persons in upcoming Michigan Department of Health and Human Services phases may be scheduled early depending on vaccine availability.
The Kent County Department of Public Works(DPW) announced last week the temporary closure of its Wealthy Street recycling drop-off station and electronics drop-off site. The closure will begin 5 p.m. Friday, March 26 and last through the fall.
The closure is due to the construction of a new Kent County DPW administrative building on the Recycling and Education Center campus. It will not impact the processing of residential recycling delivered to the Recycling & Education Center by commercial recycling haulers or recycling dropped off at the Rockford Recycling Station at the North Kent Recycling & Waste Center.
“We understand this temporary closure may present an inconvenience for some residents using the drop-off station,” said Kent county DPW Director Dar Baas. “We continue to work to improve access to recycling for Kent County residents without curbside recycling where they live.”
Since 2010, the Kent County DPW has operated a recycling drop-off station at the Recycling & Education Center at 977 Wealthy St. SW in Grand Rapids to provide access to recycling for residents who may not have access to recycling services. Residents affected by the closure are encouraged to contact their local waste hauler for services and pricing.
For residents in apartments, condominiums or other multifamily dwellings impacted by the closure, Kent County is offering a partnership program for property managers to begin recycling services with a waste hauler. Contact Kent County DPW at recycle@kentcountymi.gov to inquire about this program.
Kent County DPW has created a list of alternative recycling options while this location is closed. Visit http://www.reimaginetrash.org/wealthystdropoff for alternative recycling options for paper, electronics and other recyclable materials.
Valley City Electronics Recycling works closely with Kent County DPW for electronic recycling and is offering residents the option to drop-off their electronics Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at its location on 32nd Street in Kentwood.
“We encourage residents to explore all the options for recycling, including bringing in their electronics so they can be refurbished or properly disposed of by our team,” said Valley City Electronics Recycling General Manager Dave Perry.
Visit reimaginetrash.org for additional information on how and where to properly dispose of materials in Kent County.
“No one wants to stick it to you more than the Kent County Health Department,” said the department’s public relations director Steve Kelso after a Friday afternoon press conference.
And that is fairly obvious as the press conference was to announce a new cooperative between the Health Department, Mercy Health and Spectrum Health to host a central community vaccination site. the West Michigan Vaccine Clinic, at DeVos Place, 303 Monroe Ave. NW. Scheduling is now taking place at the new location with it being open on Monday, Jan. 25.
The West Michigan Vaccine Clinic will be by appointment only. Area residents are encouraged to register by visiting wmvaccineclinic.org. For those unable to register online, they may call 833-755-0696. According to Spectrum Health Chief Operating Officer Brian Brasser, who will be overseeing the clinic, when vaccines are available, registered participants will be notified to make an appointment.
Kent County Health Director Dr. Adam London at today’s virtual press conference announcing the new West Michigan Vaccine Clinic at DeVos Place. (WKTV)
Those coming for appointments will be directed to park in the underground parking and will have the first two hours of their parking waved, which according Brasser, will be enough time for the person to go through the vaccine process.
Funded currently by the three organizations, Kent County Health Department Director Adam London said the location was chosen because it is convenient for a large number of area residents, with the organizations hoping to deliver about 20,000 vaccines a day.
Due to “kinks” in the supply chain delivery, the facility will start by administrating around 7,000 doses.
“In reality, it is always better to start out lower than your expectations to help work out the efficiency,” said Spectrum Health President Darryl Elmouchi at the press conference.
London, Elmouchi, and Mercy Health Saint Mary’s President Hyung Kim all acknowledged the frustration over getting appointments due to delivery issues. London said the Health Department will not make appointments for vaccines it does not have.
“The demand is high and we are trying to do our best,” Elmouchi said. The Kent County Health Department will administered and has scheduled 8,000 doses, according to London with plans to administer 3,000 doses about every week. Kim reported that Mercy Health has distributed 14,000 of its 15,000 vaccine doses. Spectrum Health, which is covering the southwest lake area up to Ludington, has administered about 43,000 vaccines with another 30,000 scheduled, according to Elmouchi. The population of Kent County is around 660,000.
Creating a cooperative partnership and providing a centralized location that will allow for thousands to receive the vaccine should help the West Michigan area get an increase in vaccine supply.
“This is what the state is looking for,” Elmouchi said, adding that the West Michigan Vaccine Clinic is what state officials want to help with getting as many people vaccinated as quickly as possible.
The partnership allows the three organizations to pool resources for staffing and other needs when it comes to getting people vaccinated, Kim said. The clinic also will provide a safe and comfortable environment that is dedicated to the vaccine process, London said.
Representatives for Spectrum Health and Mercy Health St. Mary stated that the West Michigan Vaccine Clinic would be in addition to current vaccine clinics being offered by those organizations. London said the Health Department plans to move its community operation to the DeVos site and focus on targeting specific or underserved areas.
London also noted that the University of Michigan Health – Metro Health will not be partnering in this project. but is focusing on offering more availability to those on the southwest side where its main facility is located.
For more information about the clinic, how to schedule an appointment or if you are eligible for the vaccine, visit wmvaccineclinic.org.
Most Kent County offices and COVID-19 testing sites will be closed on Thursday, Dec. 24, and Friday, Dec. 25, in observance of the Christmas holiday. County offices also will be closed on Jan. 1, 2021 in observance of New Year.
A few service exemptions are:
The Kent County Correctional Facility will remain open with regular hours; however, all other services will be closed.
The Department of Public Works disposal facilities will close at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 24. The Recycling Center will reopen on Saturday, Dec. 26, for commercial haulers from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Additionally, all disposal facilities will close at 4 p.m. on Dec. 31, the Recycling Center will reopen on Saturday, Jan. 2, from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. for commercial haulers.
County offices are open for business Dec. 28, 29, 30 and 31.
For more information on how to access Kent County departments and offices, visit www.accesskent.com.
Kent County Administrator/Controller Wayman P. Britt — who has held leadership roles in county administration for nearly two decades — will retire in 2021, (Supplied)
Following an announcement early this month from Kent County that current Administrator/Controller Wayman P. Britt — who has held leadership roles in county administration for nearly two decades — will retire in 2021, the county wasted no time in setting out plans for future leadership.
The county expected to extend Britt’s current contract, due to expire in January 2021, to July 2021. It has hired a new Deputy County Administrator who brings more than 15 years of local government leadership experience to Kent County. And it has formed a seven-person Administrator/Controller Search Committee comprised of county commissioners and community leaders to “coordinate a national search to identify a replacement for Britt” as top administrator.
“After 17 years serving Kent County, it will be hard to walk away from this job,” Britt said in his letter of resignation, according to supplied material. “But I remind myself that I’m not walking away from this tremendous community. So many people have made an indelible mark on me — from our County team to those leading and making a difference out in our community. I’ll carry that with me well beyond my tenure here.”
Britt joined the county as its assistant county administrator in March 2004. In July 2017, he assumed the interim county administrator/controller position and was hired to fill the position in January 2018.
At the time of his resignation, announced Oct. 8, county Board of Commissioners Chair Mandy Bolter confirmed that, “working under the authority granted to her by the board,” she and Britt negotiated the six-month extension to his current employment agreement. The Board voted on the extension Oct. 22 to push the contract expiration to July 24, 2021.
“On behalf of the entire Board of Commissioners, I want to thank Wayman for his commitment, dedication, leadership and true public service to the people of Kent County over the past 17 years,” Bolter said in supplied material. “I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to partner with him in service of our County and wish him the best on his well-deserved retirement.”
Under Britt’s leadership, according to supplied material, Kent County significantly modernized its IT infrastructure, worked with First Steps Kent to create a funding source for early childhood services, and helped launch the Kent County Population Consortium to address the need for a mental health crisis center in our community.
Also under his leadership, the county funded a new Kent County Parks Office, a northern county service hub and a new fleet service facility, as well as developed and launched a comprehensive strategic plan, and hosted the first-ever State of the County Address “as part of their commitment to heighten transparency through enhanced County communications programs.”
Most recently, of course, Britt has led the county’s ongoing public health and economic relief response to the COVID-19 crisis — including planning and distribution of more than a $100 million in federal CARES Act pandemic relief funding.
Administrator/controller search committee formed
The county announced on Oct. 12 that the board formed a committee to replace Britt, headed by Commission chair Bolter, as well as fellow commissioners Stan Stek and Carol Hennessy.
Also on the committee are Birgit Klohs, President & CEO of The Right Place, Inc.; Mike Verhulst, Vice President of Rockford Construction; Dante Villarreal, Vice President, Business & Talent Development, at the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce; and Sam Moore, executive director of the Kent County Parks Foundation.
“I am thankful to the community leaders who have agreed to serve on the search committee,” Bolter said in supplied material. “Together, I am confident we will find a highly qualified individual who is dedicated to maintaining not only what we have achieved, but who possesses the drive and ability to push us toward continued innovation and excellence in service to our community.”
Jennifer Kimball James named Deputy County Administrator
The county announced on Oct.15 that it had hired Jennifer Kimball James as deputy county administrator. She was expected to start the new position on Oct. 19.
Kent County deputy county administrator Jenny Kimball James. (Supplied)
“Jennifer’s passion for public service and more than two decades of experience in local government — including 16 years in leadership positions — are what set her apart from an excellent field of candidates,” Britt said in supplied material. “We are confident her background, skills and enthusiasm for serving her community will help us further the County’s mission and execute our strategic plan.”
Most recently, James was the deputy city manager for the City of Rockville, Maryland, and previously served as the assistant city manager. She worked for the City of Rockville since 2004. Prior to that, she held research and analyst positions with Montgomery County, Maryland‘s Office of Legislative Oversight.
“I am honored to have spent the past twenty-three years collaborating with elected officials, city and county leaders and employees, residents, businesses and other stakeholders to implement the vision of the community where I lived,” Kimball James said in supplied material. “I look forward to partnering with the people of Kent County in the same way as, together, we work to strengthen West Michigan.”
According to supplied material, James will “plan, direct, coordinate, and oversee operations activities of the County, ensuring development and implementation of efficient operations and cost-effective systems to meet current and future needs of the County all under the direction of the County Administrator.”
The Kent County Board of Commissioners has 19 districts of which five represent portions of the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming. Here are those seeking to represent Wyoming and Kentwood residents at the county level.
7th District Kent County Commissioner
In the 7th District Kent County Commissioner race, Republican incumbent Stan Ponstein, of Grandville, will be facing off against Democrat challenger Jane Newton, of Grandville. The 7th District covers most of the City of Grandville and the northern portion of the City of Wyoming, most of which is in the Godfrey-Lee Public Schools district. For specific borders, visit accesskent.com.
Jane Newton – Candidate (D)
Occupation: Operations Manager at LaFleur Marketing
Why did you decided to run for the 7th District Kent County Commission seat?
I am running for Kent County Commission because people in our community are ready for real change and new leadership. I am passionate about how local government affects our daily lives and care deeply about equity, air and water protection, public health, accessibility, and supporting the community and small businesses. I’m a creative problem solver who brings a lens of sustainability, equity, and access to decision making.
If elected, what issue (s) would you want to focus on and why?
1) Water is our most valuable and irreplaceable natural resource. We must do all we can to protect it. For example, the county’s department of public works can help protect groundwater and our environment by building the sustainable business park to stop burying trash and drastically reduce what we send to the landfill. Protecting water and being on the cutting edge of sustainability creates jobs and makes Kent County a leader.
2) Make sure our health department has all the tools and resources it needs to respond to public health crises like COVID with a test, trace, and isolate strategy to protect the health of all individuals as well as our local economy and small businesses.
3) Build and create truly accessible county parks for kids and adults of all abilities. This year has shown us how valuable and essential the county’s outdoor spaces are for the physical and mental well-being of residents and how important it is to keep parks and trails maintained and updated.
Stan Ponstein – Incumbent (R)
Occupation: Works for Costco
Why did you decide to seek election to the 8th District Kent County Commission seat?
2020 has been an interesting year as we faced the challenge of COVID-19. I believe it is important to for the Board of Commissioners to have the experience and expertise on the board as we continue to maneuver through the next challenges to keep our county moving forward.
If elected, what issue (s) would you want to focus on and why?
COVID-19 showed some areas that we need to improve upon, mental health being one of them. As a board member of the Network 180 Mental Health Board and the Regional Substance Use Advisory Board, the shutdown affected the most vulnerable in our communities. We need to refocus and prioritize programs for mental health, substance abuse, and the mental and physical health so that those who are most vulnerable do not get left behind. Another area that stood out due to COVID, was our park system. Having the park system provided a place where people could get out of the house and socialize. I have always made our park system a priority so we can ensure that future generations will be ale to enjoy the beauty of nature in Kent County. The county has strong fiscal policies and has been able to maintain a AAA bond rating along with a fully funded pension program. Lastly, I fully support law enforcement in Kent County. We have partnered with communities and governmental agencies to deliver effective services at reduce costs and better outcomes. Our Sheriff Department is always looking at and challenging itself to deliver services with better outcomes for all people. Whether it’s partnering with Court officials, jail diversion programs or local community engagement, we have something we can be proud of in Kent County.
8th District Kent County Commissioner
There are two candidates seeking the 8th District Kent County Commission seat, which had been held by Harold Voorhees. Voorhees announced earlier this year that after more than 18 years as the 8th District Kent County commissioner, he would not seek re-election.
The candidates are Republican Dan Burrill and Sarah Chatterley, both of Wyoming. The 8th District Kent County Commission seat covers the eastern portion of the City of Wyoming, including the pan handle. For specific boarders, visit accesskent.com.
Dan Burrill – Candidate (R)
Occupation: Residential real estate and builder
Why did you decide to seek election to the 8th District Kent County Commission seat?
My desire to serve started back on the student council for middle school. When I was older, I served on the Grandville Public Schools Board of Education and continued that obligation to serve our community by first being on the Wyoming Zoning Board of Appeals and currently on the Wyoming City Council. I believe if you have the ability and willingness to serve that you owe it to the local community to offer your tools, talents and time to help make it a better place. With Harold Voorhees stepping down after 18 years of serving Wyoming at the county level, I was encouraged by others to run for the 8th District Commission seat and continue the great job that Harold Voorhees has done and the success at the county level.
If elected, what issue (s) would you want to focus on and why?
I want to continue to assure that we have clean water throughout the county. I would want to make sure that there is adequate funding for mental health services, especially since COVID-19 has heighten awareness of such issues as violence and mental health. COVID-19 has brought forth a number of issues for businesses and health which the county will need to continue to focus on.
Sarah Chatterley – Candidate (D)
Occupation: Candidate for Kent County Commission; Planning Commissioner for the City of Wyoming
Why did you decide to seek election to the 8th District Kent County Commission seat?
I am running for this seat because I am passionate about issues that are facing Kent County. I want to make sure that county government is adequately and equitably serving each of our residents – all 650,000 of them. I am excited to meet constituents, hear their ideas and concerns, and advocate for our community on a variety of issues, including health and economic inequities that existed before and were exacerbated by the pandemic. I look forward to engaging in a countywide effort to address disparities and making sure that our community has all that it needs to recover. This includes help for members of our community who are already struggling to make ends meet: vulnerable populations, including ALICE households (households that are Asset Limited, Income Constrained, & Employed), households experiencing poverty, and marginalized communities. Nearly one third of households across Kent County are ALICE households, struggling to afford the basic necessities. About 11 percent of Kent County households are living in poverty, and approximately one in every seven children in Kent County live in poverty (Source: https://poverty.umich.edu/data-tools-poverty-and-well-being-map-2020/). It will be important to pay attention to how these numbers change due to the pandemic and respond appropriately.
If elected, what issue (s) would you want to focus on and why?
I would like to focus on prioritizing people in various ways. Here are a couple of issues I would like to focus on: expand investment in early childhood learning and improve access to fair and affordable housing. Early childhood learning is important to creating the foundation of education and helps all of our community’s children get the best start in life. Fair and affordable housing is greatly needed throughout the county. I would also like to improve the transparency of the Commission by making meetings more accessible to the public. I believe that attendance could be improved by moving County meetings to the evenings, outside of most residents’ working hours.
9th District Kent County Commissioner
In the 9th District Kent County Commissioner, Republican incumbent Matt Kallman is being challenged by Democrat candidate Keith Courtade. Both are from Byron Center. The 9th District is all of Byron Center and a southern portion of the City of Wyoming east of Burlingame Avenue and west of Clyde Park Avenue to 36th Street and a portion that goes from north of 40th Street to Division Avenue. For specific boarders, visit accesskent.com.
Keith Courtade – Candidate (D)
Occupation: Worked for GM
Why did you decide to run for the 9th District County Commissioner seat?
I have a real passion for this and I miss not being able to represent and serve the people of Kent County. When I served as a Kent County Commissioner, I was a voice for the working families, the middles class, the poor and senior citizens – all the residents. I brought a commitment to fiscal responsibility, tax fairness and open government.
If elected, what issue (s) would you want to focus on and why?
I will put jobs first, working to find jobs and retaining laid-off workers; ease family burdens by helping them cope with the demands of caring for family members who are disabled; keep parks affordable by opposing park and recreation fees so no Kent County families would be priced out of county activities; push for local first purchasing to keep our tax dollars with local businesses; and defend the senior millage.
Matt Kallman – Incumbent (R)
Occupation: Software
12th District Kent County Commissioner
In the 9th District Kent County Commissioner, Democrat incumbent Moncia Sparks, of Kentwood, is being challenged by Republican candidate Ryan Malinoski, of Kentwood. The District 12 Kent County Commissioner seat covers the western portion of the City of Kentwood and the eastern portion of the city of Wyoming. For specific boarders, visit accesskent.com.
Ryan Malinowski – Candidate (R)
Occupation: Security guard
Why did you decide to run for the 12th District County Commissioner seat?
I’ve always been interested in running for office from a young age and feel it’s my time to serve the people by keeping Kent County going in the right direction.
If elected, what issue(s) would you want to focus on and why?
I think voters want to feel like the government is working with the health department to give the knock out punch to COVID and end the lockdown orders, and I believe most feel the defund the police movement is sending the wrong message.
Monica Sparks – Incumbent (D)
Occupation: Small business owner, State of Michigan licensed real estate broker and instructor
Why did you decide to run for the 12th District County Commissioner seat?
To become a policy maker that seeks to protect the services of our residents and ensure a quality of life for those living in Kent County.
If elected, what issue(s) would you want to focus on and why?
Too many uncertainties of the future with COVID for everyone, especially education.
Local Small businesses are suffering and closing affecting our local economy.
Access and barriers exist to mental health care services and stigma reduction.
Violence and crime rates rising.
13th District Kent County Commissioner
With the announcement that current 13th District Kent County Commission Betsy Melton would not seek re-election, two candidates are vying for the seat: Republican Levi Cipcic, of Kentwood, and Democrat Michelle McCloud, of Kentwood. The Kent County Commission District 13 covers the eastern portion of the City of Kentwood. For specific boarders, visit.accesskent.com.
Levi Cipcic – Candidate (R)
Occupation: Producer
Why did you decide to run for the 13th District County Commissioner seat?
I want to represent Kentwood in a way that brings the city to the forefront of thought when decisions are being made. In order to be effective, one needs to show up and communicate efficiently. I will do just that. Kentwood has a lot to be proud of and it’s time we position the city in a way that inspires the other districts around the county to be as equally exceptional.
If elected, what issue(s) would you want to focus on and why?
Health and wellbeing. Community safety and emergency preparedness. Fiscal responsibility.
Michelle McCloud – Candidate (D)
Occupation: Assistant Dean, Grand Valley State University
Why did you decide to run for the 13th District County Commissioner seat?
I’m running to serve as your Kent County Commissioner because I want to bring positive results to our community.
If elected, what issue(s) would you want to focus on and why?
Defending Public Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic. In collaboration with the county health department, ensure that the department is equipped with the resources necessary to test, trace and isolate COVID-19 cases. Our community’s essential workers deserve leaders that are willing to address the impact of COVID-19 today and in the future.
Invest in Early Childhood Education. Ensure children are kindergarten-ready through initiatives geared towards infants and toddlers, while ensuring that all children receive equal opportunities.
Support Our Neighborhood Businesses. Ensure that commercial property tax dollars are invested locally, so that we can prioritize smart economic growth for our local business. The City of Kentwood is an extremely vibrant community and local businesses are the heart of this great city.
All candidates were contacted and invited to participate in sharing their message to the voters.
The Kent County Board of Commissioners announced Aug. 6 that it is seeking residents who are interested in serving the community through appointment to various boards, commissions, and committees. Most positions begin January 2021.
For example, the county Veterans Services Committee is seeking veterans who served honorably on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces to work to support the county’s veterans population.
Kent County residents may apply for the various vacancies by completing an online application on the county’s website at accessKent.com/boardappointments. Resumes and cover letters are encouraged and may be attached. The application deadline is Sept. 30.
After the deadline, applications for the vacancies will be reviewed by the Legislative & Human Resources Committee, which will then recommend candidates to the full Board of Commissioners for final approval.
There are openings for terms effective Jan. 1, 2021 (unless otherwise noted) on the following:
Agricultural Preservation Board (openings for agricultural interest representative and township representative)
Community Corrections Advisory Board (openings for service provider and business representative)
Community Health Advisory Committee (openings for community-based organization representative, health care provider, and faith-based organization representative)
Community Mental Health Authority (Network180) Board (term begins April 1, 2021)
County Building Authority
Department of Health and Human Services Board
Fire Commission (openings for elected official and public representative)
Friend of the Court Citizen’s Advisory Committee (opening for custodial parent)
Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRFIA) Authority Board
Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority (openings for Kent County county resident and non-county resident (must live in Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, or Ottawa counties)
Kent County Community Action Advisory Governing Board (openings for consumer, private, and public sector)
Kent County Family & Children’s Coordinating Council (openings for advocates and private funding representatives)
Kent District Library Board (Region 3, a resident of Alpine, Plainfield Township, or City of Walker; and Region 7, a resident of Byron Township or City of Grandville). Applicants must live in Region 3 or 7.
Remonumentation Peer Review Group (must be a professional surveyor to apply)
Road Commission Board
Residents with questions about the appointment process should contact Natasha Karambelas in the Board of Commissioners’ Office at 616-632-7580 or natasha.karambelas@kentcountymi.gov.
Kent County announced Friday, June 11, that a majority of the county’s departments, offices and agencies will resume in-person services today, Monday, June 15, including the animal shelter, the county clerk, veterans services and others.
However, court operations — 17th Circuit Court, 63rd District Court, and Probate — are open but remain closed to in-person services, following the mandated phased approach ordered by the Michigan Supreme Court. Court staff is assisting the public by e-mail and telephone. Additionally, to the greatest extent possible, hearings and proceedings are being conducted electronically and live-streamed via YouTube, according to a county statement.
While a majority of offices will reopen on June 15, residents are encouraged to visit the county’s website to determine if their service can be fulfilled remotely. Visitors are also asked to stay home if they are feeling any symptoms of illness or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, wear a mask if they are medically able, limit visits to one person per household, and maintain a 6-foot physical distance between others.
Please visit the county’s website — accesskent.com — for specific information on how to interact with each county department, office and agency.
About 62 Kent County companies were among the 195 small businesses in West Michigan negatively impacted by Executive Orders due to the COVID-19 pandemic that received grant support from the Michigan Small Business Relief Program.
This program was made possible by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) releasing $20 million in grants and loans through the Michigan Strategic Fund. MEDC allocated the 11-county West Michigan region $1,000,000 in grant funding to be administered by The Right Place, Inc. This region included Barry, Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana and Osceola counties.
The demand for funding throughout the region was staggering with over 3,300 applications received, requesting over $71 million in both grant and loan funding. Each county formed committees to accept and review applications for the extremely limited grant funding. A full list of the review committees can be found at this link. Grant applications were evaluated based on the criteria set forth by MEDC.
Of the $1,000,0000, $615,000 went to 62 companies in Kent County. Ionia received $40,715 grants for seven companies and in Muskegon County, $140,000 was awarded to 30 companies.
These grants may be used for working capital to support payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility expenses, or other similar expenses that occur in the ordinary course of business. To respect the privacy of our region’s small-business owners during this challenging time, The Right Place, Inc. will not be releasing the list of individual grant recipients.
As well, The Right Place, Inc. received and forwarded 33 loan applications to MEDC for evaluation under the loan portion of the Michigan Small Business Relief Program. MEDC will make final determinations for loan applications.
Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there some day.
Winne-the-Pooh
By WKTV Staff joanne@wktv.org
Visit Drummond Island or check out Harbor Country
Drummond Island now has a live camera. (WKTV)
Two new Michigan destination spots added live video or virtual tours this week. The West Michigan Tourist Association added a livestream video of Drummond Island to its website, wmta.org. The stream is one of 12 livestreams featuring West Michigan locations such as the Grand Rapids Public Museum, Binder Park Zoo, and the USS Silverside Museum. To learn more, click here.
Also, Harbor Country, which features eight towns, Michiana, Grand Beach, New Buffalo, Three Oaks, Union Pier, Lakeside, Harbert, and Sawyer, along the southeast edge of Lake Michigan, announced it has released its annual tour guide of the area digitally. To check it, click here.
Run for the Tulips
Sign up for the Tulip Time 5K virtual run and then start training. Just do the run sometime between May 1 and 10 and you will receive a t-shirt and a finisher medal plus a dollar from each registration will go toward the Kids Food Basket. You must register by April 20 to participate in the run. For more information, click here, and remember to follow social distancing guidelines!
Check out the May ballot
Michigan’s Secretary of State’s office has announced that the coming May 5 ballot will “primarily” use a mail-in voting system by expanding the state’s existing absentee ballot process with all registered voters in areas set to vote being sent absentee ballot registrations. There are two school districts that will have items on the ballot, Kelloggsville and Godwin Heights. For more on how the May 5 election will work, click here.
Fort Gratiot Lighthouse (Wikipedia Commons)
Fun Fact: Lighthouses
Michigan has more than 100 lighthouses, 116 that can be toured. Ever wonder which one is the oldest? Fort Gratiot Lighthouse was established in 1825 and is the oldest surviving lighthouse in Michigan. It help keeps watch over Lake Huron at the St. Clair River.
Lighthouse of Alexandria (Wikipedia Commons)
Bonus Fun Fact
The oldest lighthouse in the world happens to be the first lighthouse, the Pharos of Alexandria, commonly called the Lighthouse of Alexandria. It was built by the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Ancient Greece sometime between 280 – 247 BCE
On Wednesday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-14 extending the redemption deadline on 2017 tax foreclosures from March 31, 2020 to May 29, 2020.
Due to this order and to minimize face-to-face interaction during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kent County Treasurer’s Office is closed to the public until further notice. Taxpayers are encouraged to mail check and money order payments to Kent County Treasurer, P.O. Box Y, Grand Rapids, MI 49501.
The order does not defer nor cancel interest charges. Interest will accrue beyond the original March 31, 2020 deadline until paid. Money orders are available at banks and many retailers. Residents should not mail cash. Staff continues to process mail and is available to take calls at 616-632-7500.
The Treasurer’s office closure follows suit with several other Kent County offices.
Kent County Clerk/Register Office
The Kent County Clerk/Register Office suspended in-person transactions until further notice.
This change, effective until further notice will apply to the Clerk Office (Vital Records), Elections Department, Register of Deeds, and Clerk of the Circuit Court. A listing of how customers can still request or obtain common services, as well as contact information for clarification, is below.
Until further notice, the Kent County Clerk/Register’s Office will be serving customers via online or bymail services only. Below are specifics relating to service changes:
Certified copies of birth, death, marriage, business certificates/licenses/ registrations can be requested online; copies will be mailed via USPS, no in-person pick-up available.
New birth and death certificates received via hospital or funeral home will be processed; copies will be mailed via USPS, no in-person pick-up available. No new home births processed until further notice.
New marriage licenses applications accepted online only, applicants will be contacted
No new CPL applications accepted until further notice; renewals processed online via MSPwebsite
No new notary applications accepted until further notice
No in-person access to records until further notice; call or email for assistanceClerk – Elections:616-632-7650 https://www.accesskent.com/Elections
All candidate filings (Affidavit of Identity, Statement of Organization, campaign finance reports) are to be submitted via email: gerrid.uzarski@kentcountymi.gov. Payments for candidate filings should be mailed. Receipt of filings will be confirmed.
Individuals needing to turn in petitions should contact the Elections office to make an appointment.
No in-person access to records until further notice; call or email for assistanceClerk of the Circuit Court: 616-632-5480 https://www.accesskent.com/Courts/Clerk
Pleadings must be mailed to the court with the appropriate filing fee. Please do not send cash through the mail.
Ex-Parte Pleadings may be submitted to: ccclerksexparte@kentcountymi.gov. Appropriate filing fees must be mailed or waived. More information forthcoming regarding online payments.
Filings received via USPS will be processed uninterrupted. For urgent filings, call or email theoffice.
Searches and recording copies are available online; will be mailed via USPS
No in-person access to records until further notice; call or email for assistance
Courts
Most of the area courts are closed to in-person, public access. For specific details on each court, please click the court below. Due note, that many of the courts do offer an online option to pay tickets and other fines.
For a single mom whose main income is dependent on her waitressing job, the closure of all the restaurants and bars in Michigan can be devastating. But yesterday, the Kent County Health Department released a video where residents who need food or financial assistance can get help.
The answer: call 211 according to Essential Needs Task Force Director Wende Randall as she talked to Kent County Health Department Director Dr. Adam London.
Started in 2016, the United Way’s 2-1-1 has connected thousands of services in 14 counties such as Kent County. Services include food, shelter, utility assistance, disaster recovery, childcare, transportation, and more.
“They should call if they are in need assistance,” Randall said, adding that another excellent resource is the Heart of West Michigan United Way’s website, hwmuw.org.
Food
“We have several resources that have started to shift operations in terms of how they provide food access to the community,” Randall said.
As reported by School News Network, 20 school districts in the Kent Intermediate School District are making free meals available to students and families during the mandatory statewide school closures. Families are invited to pick up meals of any child ages 18 and under, and students with disabilities ages 18 – 26 with an activity IEP (individualized education program.) For a complete list of the schools and schedule of pick ups, click here.
Randall said that for older adults, Meals on Wheels has continued and many area senior centers are also providing packaged meals to seniors. Area pantries are not allowing the usually shops for food but if contacted will provide a box with food items, Randall said.
Such is the case at United Church Outreach Ministry (UCOM) which according to its website has closed its facility to the public, but food services will continue. Those in need of food services should call and talk to staff for further details, 616-241-4006. Those coming to the UCOM facility are asked to remain in their car in the parking lot and call for service.
The Pantry, now called the Green Apple Pantry, has announced it will be open for food distribution on March 18 on its website. However, neighbors and volunteers will not be allowed to enter the pantry. Instead, boxes will be prepared and set outside for pick up.
Randall noted that the YMCA and Kids Food Basket also are providing meal kits. On the Kids’ Food Basket website, it states that “because a virus will not and cannot stop hunger, we are committed to continuing to pack and distribute nourishing food in a safe, healthy and responsible way.”
Kids’ Food Basket stated that when a partner school is open, such as Godfrey-Lee Public Schools, Kids’ Food Basket staff and volunteers will be there to distribute Sack Suppers to the students that rely on the program.
Utility payments and other needs
“What we anticipating is the need for utility assistance is going to be delayed by a couple of weeks,” Randall said. “People may have the paycheck they’ve been working toward coming up this week or next week but then they will see their hours reduction hit their paycheck.
“So we are anticipating the biggest need for financial support in those areas to come within the next two weeks and beyond because of course we don’t know how long these work shortages are going to continue.”
Randall said that 2-1-1 can help with referrals for rent and utility assistance, adding that there could be some qualifications for those calling.
“Winter and spring are the biggest months for utility needs,” Randall said, adding that this could put financial strains on the organizations who help the community.
“The greatest need right now is going to be financial support for those agencies that are providing direct service to community members,” Randall said, adding that many of these organizations run on fairly thin margins with the coronavirus situation putting a financial strain on them.
Some banks and credit unions also have reached out to members stating if they are having any financial issues, to contact the specific institution that you bank at.
Volunteering
Randall said some agencies may need volunteers to help. For tips on volunteering, visit the Heart of West Michigan United Way website, hwmuw.org or volunteergr.org. Volunteer opportunities will be mostly solo efforts of providing food to people at home. It is recommended if you are bringing food to someone, make sure to practice social distancing by either texting or ringing the door bell after placing the bag on the porch and then move away.
