It's construction season, y'all-- the time of year where we all regret asking "when are they gonna fix this road????". Despite our grumbling, road maintenance is a necessary inconvenience and an essential part of our county's infrastructure. The Ottawa County Road Commission is hard at work making sure the roadways all across the county are maintained to a high standard, and Communications Administrator Alex Doty is here to teach us a bit about the OCRC's past, present, and future, give us a sneak peek into some of the major projects happening this summer, and clear up some frequent misconceptions about how stuff works. At the end of the episode, I test Alex's knowledge of the county's roads in a segment called Street Smarts. Big thanks to the OCRC and Alex for taking the time to come onto the podcast to help get this important information out! 

Have a question that wasn't answered in the episode? Leave a comment or send us a DM on social media!

Subscribe to the Ottawa Out Loud email list to make sure you don't miss an episode: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIOTTAWA/subscriber/new?topic_id=MIOTTAWA_582

------------Announcement Links------------

Housing Issues + Supply Data Updates Presentation by Housing Next: https://miottawa.org/events/housing-issues-supply-data-updates-06-17-2025/

(Free, Registration Required)

Veterans Services Coffee + Donuts @ Herrick District Library: https://miottawa.org/events/coffee-donuts-at-herrick-district-library-06-11-2025/

(Free, No Registration Required)

8th Annual Ottawa County Art Trust: https://miottawa.org/administrator/art-trust/

Parks Motor Vehicle Permits (Discounts Available!): https://miottawa.org/parks/fees/

Public Meeting Calendar: https://boards.miottawa.org/calendar/

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Ottawa County Road Commission: https://ottawacorc.com/

Interactive Construction/Closure Maps: https://ottawacorc.com/resources/maps/

Strategic Plans and Reports: https://ottawacorc.com/planning-reports/

Subscribe to the Weekly Newsletter and Other Updates: https://ottawacorc.com/contact/subscribe-to-updates/

OCRC Social Media:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ottawacorc

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/ottawacorc/

X/Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ottawacorc

Connect with us!

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OttawaCounty/

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ottawacountymi/

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@miOttawa?sub_confirmation=1

Sign up for County email updates: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIOTTAWA/subscribers/new

Adam and Bekah from the Food Safety team join the pod to talk all about how restaurants, cafeterias, and food trucks in Ottawa County are inspected to keep YOUR dining experience safe!

---------------Announcement Links---------------

Veterans Services Coffee & Donuts Event (May 16): https://miottawa.org/events/coffee-donuts-at-renew-therapeutic-riding-center-05-16-2025/

Idema Explorers Camp Reservations ARE NOW OPEN: https://miottawa.org/parks/iec/

Volunteer with OCCAA: https://miottawa.org/caa/volunteer/

Public Meeting Calendar: https://boards.miottawa.org/calendar/

---------------Main Segment Links---------------

Weekly food inspection reports: https://miottawa.org/health/environmental/food-services/restaurant-inspection-reports/

Subscribe to weekly food inspection reports: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIOTTAWA/subscribers/new

Four simple steps for food safety at home: https://www.foodsafety.gov/keep-food-safe/4-steps-to-food-safety

Food news, alerts, tips, and recalls: https://www.foodsafety.gov/

Connect with us!

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OttawaCounty/

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ottawacountymi/

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@miOttawa?sub_confirmation=1

Sign up for County email updates: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIOTTAWA/subscribers/new

On today's episode, we revisit the award-winning Ballots and Banter series as Ottawa County Clerk Justin Roebuck and Elections Supervisor Katie Bard guest star to talk allllllllll about the upcoming May 6th Special Election. Plus, a special appearance from some unexpected guests, and a very entertaining game show!

------------Main Segment Links------------

More information on the May 6th Special Election (and all things elections-related): https://miottawa.org/clerk/elections/

Check your voter registration: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Voter/Index

------------Announcements Links------------

Art for the Parks: https://ottawacountyparksfoundation.org/2025-art-for-the-parks/

Grand Explorers Trail Race Info and Registration: https://grandexplorerstrailrace.com/

Medication Takeback Event: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIOTTAWA/bulletins/3d908fd#:~:text=Safely%20dispose%20of%20your%20unused,at%20Corewell%20Health%20Zeeland%20Hospital.

Bonus event that wasn't mentioned: Coffee & Donuts (and a hike!) hosted by Veterans Services at Grand Ravines on May 9th. There will be a short, scenic hike at 8am, followed by the usual coffee and donuts at 9am at the lodge. More info here: https://miottawa.org/events/coffee-donuts-at-grand-ravines-05-09-2025/


Chapters:
00:00 Intro and Announcements
06:20 Clerk/RoD Bring Your Kid to Work Day
12:18 Meeting Minutes -- April 22
15:13 Main Segment Introduction
16:01 May 6th Special Election Information
19:30 Why do Local Elections Matter?
20:40 What's on the Ballot?
23:47 What IS a Millage?
27:10 Voter Registration
28:00 Election Results Website Updates
30:30 Logic and Accuracy Testing
33:08 Participating in the Election Process
37:35 Game
45:20 Outro

Connect with us!

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OttawaCounty/

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ottawacountymi/

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@miOttawa?sub_confirmation=1

Sign up for County email updates: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIOTTAWA/subscribers/new

It's undeniable: Ottawa County is an incredible place to live.

For decades, the dream of owning a home here has been attainable, but as the nationwide housing challenges persist and the county continues to grow, affordability is becoming a struggle for many. 

The Department of Strategic Impact (DSI), alongside multiple community partners, has developed a concept that could alleviate the need for more attainable homeownership options: A series of open source small-footprint home designs that can be shared with local units of government and developers. 

Scott is joined by DSI's Project Support Specialist Rich Lakeberg and Design Consultant Nick Rolinski to shed some light on this unique idea and clear up some common misconceptions. 

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Main Segment Links: 

More info on Nick Rolinski: https://architecture.nd.edu/about/directory/rolinski/

Small-Footprint Home Design Concept Main Page: https://miottawa.org/dsi-project/small-footprint-homes/

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): https://miottawa.org/wp-content/uploads/MicroHome-Development-Concept-FAQ.pdf

Announcement Links:

Avoid Financial Scams Seminars [NOTE: APRIL 15 EVENT RESCHEDULED TO APRIL 22]: https://miottawa.org/sheriff/events/financial-scams/

Veterans Services Coffee & Donuts: https://miottawa.org/events/veterans-services-coffee-donuts-with-university-of-michigan-health-04-22-2025/

Art for the Parks: https://ottawacountyparksfoundation.org/2025-art-for-the-parks/

Grand Explorers Trail Race: https://grandexplorerstrailrace.com/

Connect with us!

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OttawaCounty/

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ottawacountymi/

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@miOttawa?sub_confirmation=1

Sign up for County email updates: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIOTTAWA/subscribers/new

Thanks SO much for listening to Ottawa Out Loud. We hope you learned and laughed. New episodes release every few weeks.

Today, Jessica and Rylie join me to discuss the incredible Ottawa County Parks & Recreation Commission! 

Ottawa County is known for its expansive, accessible, and biodiverse natural spaces, and it's the perfect time to start planning your next visit to a park. 

In this podcast, we talk about the Parks dept, its funding sources, Jess & Rylie's favorite parks, programs, rules & reminders, and an update on the newest park: Ottawa Sands!

Make sure to stay tuned all the way to the end to see if Jess & Rylie can pass the Name That Park Challenge!

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Announcements Links: 

Water Quality Forum Info and Registration: https://miottawa.org/wrc/

Veterans Services Event Calendar: https://miottawa.org/veterans-services/events/

Avoid Financial Scams Classes: https://miottawa.org/sheriff/events/financial-scams/

Farming Forward: https://bit.ly/FFAlpine2025

Main Segment Links:

Ottawa County Parks Foundation Website: https://ottawacountyparksfoundation.org

Art For the Parks: https://ottawacountyparksfoundation.org/2025-art-for-the-parks/

Volunteer Opportunities: https://miottawa.org/parks/volunteer/

Parks Foundation Volunteer Interest Form: https://ottawacountyparksfoundation.org/volunteer-interest-form/

Parks Events Calendar: https://miottawacountyweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web/search.html?module=AR&Type=HealthWellness,Nature,Recreation,SpecialEvent,Volunteer

Parks Challenge!: https://miottawa.org/parks/parks-challenge/

The Ottawa Sands Project Documentary: https://youtu.be/uHniF2QdFtY?si=Am3GyMSVaAOUKxMc

Get your motor vehicle permit online: https://ottawacounty.cmrpay.com/dashboard/landing

Connect with us!

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OttawaCounty/

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ottawacountymi/

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@miOttawa?sub_confirmation=1

Sign up for County email updates: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIOTTAWA/subscribers/new

Thanks for listening to the very first episode of Ottawa Out Loud, the Official Podcast of Ottawa County!

Jen Brozowski, Program Director of OCCAA (like mocha) and international icon, teaches us about OCCAA’s mission and the life-changing services they offer. We discuss how the department is organized and funded, and we spill all the details about the free, family-friendly, and overall incredible Walk for Warmth event on March 7th at 6pm at EV Construction in Holland. 

Learn more about OCCAA:

Department Page: https://miottawa.org/caa/

Sign up to volunteer: https://miottawa.org/caa/volunteer/

Walk for Warmth 2025

Event Details: https://miottawa.org/caa/walk-for-warmth/

Buy a shirt: https://www.bonfire.com/store/ottawa-county-community-action-agency/

Register: https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/Holland/WalkforWarmthOttawa

Donate: https://runsignup.com/Race/Donate/MI/Holland/WalkforWarmthOttawa

Connect with us!

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OttawaCounty/

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ottawacountymi/

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@miOttawa?sub_confirmation=1

Sign up for County email updates: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIOTTAWA/subscribers/new