Midland County MI : January Newsletter

DID YOU KNOW?

The mission of the Midland County Board of Commissioners is to perform legally- constituted county government responsibilities - to protect the health, welfare and safety of the residents of our community and County employees. The Board demonstrates fiscal responsibility, maintains credibility and builds public trust, and assumes leadership in the development and improvement of county services and programs.

IN THIS ISSUE

MEET THE COMMISSIONERSLOCKES CELEBRATE 25 YEARS ASFOSTER PARENTS

COUNTY EMPLOYEES MAKEHOLIDAYS BRIGHTER

COUNTY EMPLOYEES RECOGNIZEDFOR SERVICE

COUNTY OF MIDLANDINFOGRAPHIC

WINTER DRIVING REMINDERREVIEW YOUR VETERAN'S BENEFITSACROSS THE COUNTIES -IMPORTANT BILLS

PROTECT YOURSELF FROM THE FLUIN THE COMMUNITY -LEAGUE OFWOMEN VOTERS PROGRAM

January 2017 Newsletter‌

MEET THE COMMISSIONERS

From left - Eric Dorrien, Gaye Terwillegar, Mark Bone, Jim Geisler, Steve Glaser, Jeanette Snyder, and Scott Noesen.

All Midland County Board of Commissioners meetings are held in the Board Room on the first floor of the County Services Building, 220 W Ellsworth St., Midland, MI. Meetings are open to the public unless otherwise noted on the agenda.

Minutes of the Midland County Board of Commissioners are posted after they are officially approved. Find Board meeting agendas and minutes and view live meetings here. Contact your County Commissioner by email or call the Board of Comissioner's office at [phone].

IMPORTANT DATES

Jan.11 - Human Trafficking Awareness Day

Jan. 14 - Ratification Day

Jan. 16 - Martin Luther King, Jr's Birthday (County offices closed)

Jan. 16 - National Religious Freedom Day

January 20 - Inauguration Day

Pi n e Ha ven Recreation Area is open daily in Sanford, from dawn to dusk, with miles and miles of wooded trails on 325 acres of the most diverse terrain in Midland County. Signs indicate the degree of difficulty on each cross-country ski trail so you'll always know the challenge that lies ahead. You and your family can even l e a rn t o ski .

February - American Heart Month Feb. 2 - National Groundhog Day Feb. 3 - National Wear Red Day Feb. 14 - Valentine's Day

Feb. 14 - National (Organ) Donor Day

Feb. 20 - President's Day

Feb. 28 - Winter property taxes due

Feb. 28 - Fat Tuesday

LOCKES CELEBRATE 25 YEARS AS FOSTER PARENTS

"I love it," says long-time foster mother Rachel Locke (pictured with her husband, Gail, and daughters Tammy and Shelly). "I get to help the kids get a good start in life. Later I hear about their lives and their successes and can feel proud."

Rachel and her husband Gail will celebrate 25 years of fostering Midland County children in April. Licensed through the Midland County Probate and Juvenile Court, the Lockes have helped to raise more than 100 children, ages nine to 17. As foster parents they provide a safe and nurturing environment for children, helping them get a strong start in life, learn important life lessons, and stay in school.

"Foster parents are people like the Lockes who believe in investing in the future of children by giving them hope for a happy and successful life," says Midland County Probate & Juvenile Court Foster Care coordinator Jodie Garner. "They are really just sympathetic people who have unconditional love and understanding for all children and are able to provide a safe, nurturing, and stable home environment."

The Midland County Foster Care Program provides training and services to support foster parents. These services range from specific training in how to deal with challenges of problem youth to moral support for the foster parents. Learn more about becoming a foster parent.

As seen on Facebook…

Effective Jan. 1, Michigan's AMBER Alert protocol is changing to ensure these lifesaving alerts are reserved for the most dire of child abduction cases. Learn more from the Michigan State Police.

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COUNTY EMPLOYEES MAKE HOLIDAYS BRIGHTER‌

Midland County employees banded together for the 35th year to spread Christmas cheer to a family in need of extra help. Staff from the Register of Deeds Office organized the effort which began with a raffle at the County's Christmas potluck.

Money raised through the

$100 Visa card raffle was used to purchase gifts and food for the holidays. Raffle winner, Nancy Krouse, Bd. of Comm. administrative assistant, donated the card back to be used for the family and some employees also donated extra gas cards and gift cards.

The gifts were delivered to the appreciative family by County employees on Dec. 20.

Kim Ade, Circuit Court Probation (left), and Beth Murray, Register of Deeds, help organize the County's generous holiday efforts.

COUNTY EMPLOYEES RECOGNIZED FOR SERVICE

Thirty-four dedicated Midland County employees were honored for their years of service at a December Board of Commissioners Executive Committee meeting. They are:

• 30 years ̶ Mary Chetkovich

• 25 years - Louis Landon, Sheriff; Julie Ruppel, County Clerk; Tracy Thomas, Sheriff; Gregory Hall, Sheriff

• 20 years ̶ Nancy Krouse, Board of Commissioners; Randy Bunting, Treasurer; Ann Gaydos, Sheriff; Denise Mason, Finance; Andrew Abnet, Information Technology

• 15 years - Dorene Allen, Probate Court; Brandon Charbonneau, Sheriff; Jessee Milks, Sheriff; Marc Hale, Sheriff; Shelly Peters, District Court; Sarah Whitmer, Friend of the Court; Lisa Maxwell, Information Technology; Wade Lamblin, Facilities Management; Dena Fritz, Pinecrest; Susan Burdick, Probate Court

• 10 years - Adam Wright, Sheriff; Christopher Cantrell, Information Technology; Kristine Parrott, Sheriff; Valerie Doolan, District Court; Mary MacInnes, Health; Michael Kirby, Juvenile Care Center; Amber Blevins, Sheriff; Suzanne Ault, Human Resources

• 5 years - Sylvia Burgess, Pinecrest; Jason Rotarius, Probate Court; Ryan Slep, Prosecuting Attorney; Michael Noble, Parks and Recreation; Tammy Holsworth, Treasurer; Benjamin Hinson, Sheriff

  WINTER DRIVING REMINDER‌

  Stay Safe, Make Good Decisions

  Sheriff Scott Stephenson reminds drivers to prepare for winter with the following vehicle safety tips:

  • Check tires, engine oil, antifreeze and brakes

  • Buckle your seat belt and make sure your passengers do

  • Reduce your speed in snow, sleet, and ice

  • Allow yourself plenty of braking space on slick roads

  • Lightly pump your brakes when stopping on ice

  • Avoid distractions such as cell phones and eating

  • Listen to the radio for information on conditions

  • Pull off the road to a safe place if necessary