Ottawa Out Loud

OCCAA, also known as Ottawa County Community Action Agency, is part of a nationwide partnership that empowers families to achieve financial stability and independence through a variety of services: utility assistance, supplemental food supply, and October's highlighted program: weatherization services! 

In this episode, we're joined by Jen and Barb from OCCAA, who give us a close look at the weatherization program, how it works, and what it can do to give Ottawa County families a helping hand to maintain financial stability and safety through the upcoming winter.

Mark your calendar for Walk for Warmth on Saturday, Feb. 20th and get your artistically-talented student involved in the poster/t-shirt design contest ending Nov. 6th: https://miottawa.org/caa/walk-for-warmth/

Learn about OCCAA and their services: https://miottawa.org/caa/

Subscribe to the county's email updates (select OCCAA from the list of topics): miottawa.info/subscribe

Get in touch with OCCAA directly at (616) 393-4433 or [email protected]

And make sure you're following this show and find us on social media so you don't miss future episodes and other great county government content.

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In this very special 25th episode of Ottawa Out Loud, we dive into Ottawa County's efforts to keep our residents informed and involved through communications. Whether you prefer to get your information on TikTok, through the mail, or in your email inbox, we have staff members dedicated to making sure the information you need is available to you. Plus, we hear from government communications professionals across the country about how they approach their craft.

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Homeowners: do YOU understand how your property taxes are calculated? 

Either way, you're bound to learn something in this new episode, as we're joined by our Equalization pros Josh and Brian, who help us understand your tax bill, local assessing, and the equalization process. 

Visit miOttawa.org/equalization to learn more about this department and to speak with someone from the team.

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We're joined once again by our Clerk/Register of Deeds Justin Roebuck and Election Supervisor Katie Bard for a great conversation on the upcoming midterm primary (August 4th) and general election (November 3rd). We talk all about:

• Why Michigan has such a late primary compared to other states
• The absentee voting process and what to do if you've already cast a ballot for a candidate who drops out of the race
• Changes to early voting this year
• The merit of speaking Minionese
• Who makes a better Dark Lord-- Sauron or Voldemort?

and much, much more!

Visit miOttawa.org/elections to learn more about how the democratic process is carried out at the county level, and contact our office at [email protected] for any additional questions.

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Michael J. Fox once said, "Don’t spend a lot of time imagining worst-case scenario", and that's a great quote to live by-- life is a lot more enjoyable and fulfilling when you're thinking positive thoughts. Notice how he doesn't say "NEVER imagine the worst-case scenario", though?

Having a plan for when things don't go according to plan is the most important thing you can do to keep you and your loved ones safe in the event of a dangerous emergency. Thankfully, the folks in the Emergency Management division of the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office specialize in worst-case scenarios-- imagining what could happen, and most importantly, preparing for every possible situation.

Emergency Planning Coordinator Derek Schroeder is here to tell us about how we work with local public safety organizations, businesses, and dozens of volunteers to build an impressive network to respond to whatever situations may arise. Plus, what you can do at home to prepare yourself for emergency situations, both natural or man made. 

-----LINKS-----

Follow Ottawa County Emergency Management on Facebook for timely updates and warnings: https://www.facebook.com/OttawaEM

Visit https://www.ready.gov/ to learn about different types of disasters and what you can do to prepare at home

Visit  www.miOttawa.org/Sheriff/em to learn more about Emergency Management, including volunteer opportunities and civilian training courses

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Our friends at the Ottawa County Road Commission return to the podcast! Alex & Ken join us to talk about OCRC's summer road maintenance, covering gravel road maintenance, chip sealing, and more of the work that, while you might be inconvenienced for a bit, helps you reach your destination safely.

Connect with the Road Commission for the latest updates to road construction, closures, and maintenance:

Website: OttawaCoRC.com

Facebook: facebook.com/Ottawacorc

Instagram: instagram.com/ottawacorc

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Memorial Day weekend is here, and that means that summer is just around the corner! But the new season doesn't just bring new opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors-- it also brings new safety concerns that might make you want to just stay inside:

-Ticks, mosquitos, and the diseases they carry
-Water contamination
-Food safety
-Rip currents

Thankfully, the Ottawa County Department of Public Health employs several experts on their Environmental Public Health team who are dedicated to monitoring risks and informing the public, like today's guests, Drew and Nick. Their work helps make sure that you can enjoy spending quality time outdoors with your loved ones, worry-free. 

Visit miOttawa.org/health/environmental to learn more about our Environmental Public Health team and the different services they offer our community!

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If you've ever had to call 911, you may remember feeling scared, hurt, or confused about what to do. What you might not remember is the calm voice on the other end, laser-focused on figuring out the best way to help. Police, Firefighters, and EMTs/Paramedics save lives every day-- but without Ottawa County Central Dispatch, they wouldn't be able to do their jobs effectively. 

We're celebrating National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (April 12-18) by featuring Matt and Austynn from the Ottawa County Central Dispatch Authority to teach us how OCCDA operates, the role they play in the emergency response process, and how staff are supported through stressful situations. 

Learn more about OCCDA at https://occda.org/

Please save the non-emergency number in your phone: (800) 249-0911. For emergencies, call 911.

Follow OCCDA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OttawaCo911

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ottawadispatch?igsh=MW5raGhhaTJ0YjJzYg==

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Veterans Services Director Jason Schenkel returns with Greg Carlson, a member of the Veterans Services Committee. Jason and Greg give us the latest in Veterans Services news, an explanation of the committee's role in decision making and oversight, and practical ways that OCVS supports our Veteran population. 

Make sure to subscribe to see new episodes of Ottawa Out Loud and follow us on social media for daily updates on what's going on in Ottawa County.

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We're bringing in Scott and Kirk from our Human Resources department to talk about how vital our staff is, what actions Ottawa County takes to be an incredible place to work, and why investing in our workforce creates the best value for taxpayers. 

If you're inspired to come and work with us, visit miOttawa.org/apply to see our current openings and submit an application today!

Visit miOttawa.org/parks to learn more about our Spring Break Camps. Act quickly-- it's already starting to fill up!

Check out boards.miOttawa.org to see upcoming meetings from our boards and committees. The next Board of Commissioners Standing Committee meetings will be on Tuesday, March 10th at 9:30am, and the next full Board of Commissioners meeting will be March 24th at 6:30pm.

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