Macomb Matters

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County Executive - Macomb Matters August 2023 Issue 89

Macomb Matters August 2023 Issue 89

Message from Mark
Employee Focus
Employee News and Accolades
New Hires/Retirees
Open Enrollment 2023
A message from Andy McKinnon
Providing support by keeping it casual
Macomb County Animal Control Adoption of the Month
HealthStyles
Paw Print
Recipe Corner
Blog Log
News Nook
Special Offering

Click for a pdf of Macomb Matters

Message from Mark

It’s hard to believe that we're nearing the end of August and headed towards fall. This summer has certainly been one for the books! Fun events like the Bass Brews and BBQ festival and the Armada Fair have kept my weekends busy, and while these occasions have passed, there’s still plenty to look forward to this season! You can run, walk, bike and hike our incredible parks and trail systems. We’ve also got baseball at Jimmy John’s Field, farmers markets, outdoor concerts and festivals like the Richmond Good Old Days and the Romeo Peach Festival. Speaking of, I’m extremely honored to have been selected as the Grand Marshal of the 92nd Romeo Peach Festival Parade taking place Monday, September 4 at 1:30 p.m. This parade draws a very large crowd of approximately 40,000 people and really is a lot of fun! Learn more about the parade and the festival here. I hope to see you there.

Now, Labor Day is just around the corner, and for many, this marks the end of the summer season and the beginning of fall. So when you get the urge to go to a local orchard for apple picking, cider and donuts, or want to find festive or spooky events, visit www.makemacombyourhome.com or the Make Macomb Your Home Facebook and Events pages. These resources can be your one stop shop for everything fall in the County.

Finally, I just want to recognize our employees for everything they do to make Macomb a great place to call home. I want to specifically acknowledge the team who for months has been deeply involved in the Workday project, which is anticipated to be complete in early October. By implementing this industry leading integrated solution we expect to achieve more reliable and efficient processes, programs and services for our employees as well as the community we serve. We wouldn’t be able to execute our mission without your hard work, dedication and passion. And for that, I’m thankful.

Have a great holiday weekend and take care,

Mark

Employee Focus

In this edition of Employee Focus, we highlight several County employees, including Edward Scott, the new director of Macomb Community Action, Krista Willette, the new director of the Macomb County Health Department, Andrew Cox, the new director of Health and Community Services, and Irvin Wyche, the new planning director for the Macomb County Department of Roads. Keep reading for insights into their roles at the County and how they spend their free time.

Edward Scott, M.A.E.

Q: What is your current position and what do you do?

A: As the director of Macomb Community Action, I will play a crucial leadership role in overseeing and managing the organization's operations, programs and initiatives aimed at addressing various social and economic issues within Macomb County. Within this role, I will be ushering the agency through strategic planning, giving leadership to program development and implementation processes, managing budgets, fundraising and engaging with the community as the face of community action for Macomb County, with County Executive Hackel.

Q: What led you to this career and what are some of the challenges you face?

A: I originally went to school to become a teacher. I studied sociology, political science and music with plans to teach either history/civics or music. The college I attended had a really strong community service component and students frequently volunteered at local shelters and other non-profits. This really planted a seed of working with underrepresented communities or communities in need and my career has followed suit. I think doing work like this is a challenge unto itself, but probably the biggest challenge is just knowing that no matter what, you can’t help everyone who needs it. We find innovative ways to stretch the available resources to help the most people. The staff here already have an excellent track record of programming and managing resources in ways that serve the most Macomb County residents. I am looking forward to learning from them and leading with them to make my mark.

Q: What have you found most rewarding about your career? What attracted you to a career at Macomb County?

A: I’ve spent my whole career working to improve people’s lives, especially children. I think the most rewarding thing about the work that I’ve done is the success stories. Those times when you can see a person or a family make incredible strides in education, employment, getting into housing or any other aspect of their lives and you know that you had a hand in making that possible for them.

Q: Briefly describe your education/alma mater.

A: Spring Arbor University, where I received a bachelor’s degree in social science and music education, and a master’s degree in curriculum design.

Q: Briefly tell us about your family.

A: I'm married to a wonderful woman and I have one daughter who keeps us busy with her volleyball, dance team, work and social schedule. I also have a pitbull named Bella who is a drama queen but very loving.

Q: What do you like to do outside of work?

A: When we’re not at volleyball tournaments or dance recitals, I enjoy backpacking, fishing or pretty much anything outdoors, but I also love reading and computer games.

Q: Briefly describe something you are passionate about, or a philosophy you embrace, or a topic that matters greatly to you, etc.

A: The human condition is what I'm most passionate about and my career has almost always put me in a place where I could help improve that condition for those who were struggling somehow. I firmly believe that every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential, regardless of their background or circumstances. I love that I get to be connected to Head Start and all of the excellent work they do to support children and families. Poverty in America is such a complex issue to tackle and there are so many aspects of a person or family's life that are affected when they don't have enough resources to support themselves. I've always admired the comprehensive approach of the community action network and again, I'm so excited to be a part of an organization that not only is providing opportunities for children, but food, housing assistance, transportation, even home repair for those who can't afford it. I'm ecstatic to be a part of this agency and to be helping others in a meaningful way.

Krista Willette, R.N., M.S.A.

Q: What is your current position and what do you do?

A: I am the director of the Macomb County Health Department. I am responsible for the oversight and operations of the health department and its five divisions – Community Health Planning & Promotion, Disease Control, Environmental Health/Emergency Preparedness, Family Health Services, and the Medical Examiner’s Office.

Q: What led you to this career and what are some of the challenges you face?

A: Early in my career, I started out as a nurse at Royal Oak Beaumont. But because I was inspired by my mother who was a teacher and was committed to public service, I applied for the position of public health nurse at the Macomb County Health Department. I saw this as an incredible opportunity to help people maximize their health and avoid chronic health problems. I started as a home visiting nurse in the Maternal Child Health Program and have been blessed with the ability to work in multiple areas during my 28 years with the department. Although there are many challenges facing public health, currently our biggest challenge is a lack of trust in the public health system following the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re engaging this challenge by doing our very best to educate the residents we serve and deliver first-class, compassionate service.

Q: What have you found most rewarding about your career?

A: Perhaps the most rewarding aspect of my career is working with the dedicated staff of the health department and delivering services that genuinely make a difference in the lives of the residents we serve. During the pandemic, health department staff went above and beyond every day. Their hard work was recognized by our residents who routinely shared their compliments on the high level of customer service they received from our Help Line staff, at our immunization clinics and COVID-19 testing sites. I am incredibly proud of our staff and the work that they do!

Q:Briefly describe your education/alma mater.

A: I have a B.S. in nursing from Oakland University and an M.S. in administration with a concentration in public administration from Central Michigan University.

Q: Briefly tell us about your family.

A: My husband Jerry and I both grew up in northern Macomb County. We have two children – Andrew, who is 26 and lives nearby; and Amanda, who is 19 and is a sophomore at Grand Valley State University. We also have Sawyer, a Shih Tzu who is also an important member of the family.

Q: What do you like to do outside of work?

A: Outside of work, I love spending time with my family. I also like cooking, reading, and doing crafts. We also enjoy time Up North kayaking, snowmobiling and other outdoor activities.

Q: Briefly describe something you are passionate about, or a philosophy you embrace, or a topic that matters greatly to you, etc.

A: I think it is important to focus on the positive – in our careers and in everyday life. If you approach difficult situations and challenges with a positive attitude, you will experience better results.

Andrew Cox, MPH, REHS

Q: What is your current position and what do you do?

A: Director of Health and Community Services/Health Officer. I oversee the Department of Health and Community Services which includes the Health Department, Macomb Community Action, Office of Senior Services and MSU Extension.

Q: What led you to this career and what are some of the challenges you face?

A: I have always been interested in public service and helping out the community and individuals that need assistance the most. The COVID-19 pandemic was the most challenging thing I faced in my career and hope that we never go through anything like that again. I am very proud of all the work that has been done to protect and serve our community. It was a difficult time for everyone.

Q: What have you found most rewarding about your career? What attracted you to a career at Macomb County?

A: Working with a great team at Macomb has been the most rewarding and enjoyable. I was attracted to Macomb County and continue to work at Macomb County due to always being welcomed and the feeling of inclusion from Macomb County staff.

Q: Briefly describe your education/alma mater.

A: I received a master’s degree in public health and bachelor of science degree from Michigan State University. .

Q: Briefly tell us about your family.

A: I live with my wife Suzanne as well as four children, Madison, Isabella, Gabriella and Alexander, and two Cavalier King Spaniels, Chewy and Coco.

Q: What do you like to do outside of work?

A: I love spending time with my family which includes sports, activities and traveling.

Q: Briefly describe something you are passionate about, or a philosophy you embrace, or a topic that matters greatly to you, etc.

A: Health equity has always been a driver for me and my career. Health equity aims to create a just and inclusive community where everyone, regardless of their background and circumstances, has an equal chance to lead a healthy and fulfilling life.

Irvin Wyche

Q: What is your current position and what do you do?
A: As the director of planning for the Macomb County Department of Roads (MCDR), I am responsible for coordination of planning and budgeting of all Macomb County road projects. Adequate funding, dedicated investment, and efficient planning are needed to fix and maintain our region’s greatest asset – our transportation infrastructure network. From planning and preparing for the future needs of the community, to evaluating our current transportation assets and potential projects, the Department of Roads takes a strategic approach to managing Macomb County’s road, bridge, and transportation network by planning projects and allocating resources based on data, conditions, and needs.

Q: What led you to this career and what are some of the challenges you face?

A: While studying to become an urban planner, there were many planning principles that resonated with me and inspired my career. I saw planning as a way to have a meaningful impact on the community while serving the public.

Q: What have you found most rewarding about your career? What attracted you to a career at Macomb County?

A: The most rewarding thing about my career is being a part of planning work that aligns with sound principles and strategies for community improvement. The focus at the Department of Roads to enhance safety and improve Macomb County's road and bridge system while delivering the greatest value to residents, drivers, and our community is what attracted me to the planning position at Macomb County.

Q: Briefly describe your education/alma mater.

A: I attended Wayne State University for my undergraduate degree as well as graduate school. I earned a Bachelor of Urban Studies degree and a Master of Urban Planning degree. I am also certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).

Q: Briefly tell us about your family.
A: My family was born and raised in Macomb County and I still call Macomb my home. I have five other siblings and we all graduated from schools within Macomb County.

Q: What do you like to do outside of work?

A: I enjoy working out and attending cross fit classes.

Q: Briefly describe something you are passionate about, or a philosophy you embrace, or a topic that matters greatly to you, etc. (your choice).

A: There are more than 1,700 miles of Macomb County roads that connect people, communities, and commerce. Complete streets are something I am truly passionate about and I look forward to planning the roads of tomorrow to ensure safe and reliable travel for all Macomb County road users.

Employee News and Accolades

Caroline Bronkema welcomes baby
Caroline Bronkema, training assistant for Macomb County Human Resources and Labor Relations, recently welcomed Amelia Joy Bronkema on August 3. Amelia was 6 pounds, 8 ounces and 19 inches long. Congratulations to Caroline and her husband, Chandler!

Employees offer assistance to the City of Mount Clemens
Andrew McKinnon, Karlyn Semlow and Donna Tuchowski recently received kudos from the City of Mount Clemens for their assistance during a recent employment transition. A letter from City Manager Gregg Shipman stated: “Recently the City of Mount Clemens was in a difficult predicament. Our human resources director resigned, and we were left with no back-up in the department. When I reached out to Macomb County for assistance they did not hesitate to immediately jump in and help. By surveying our needs, evaluating our processes and detailing where assistance could be provided, they were a tremendous help to my office. They were also instrumental in the posting, interviewing, and hiring of our new human resources director, all while making themselves available 24 hours a day for any questions or problems we encountered. Their help made a very difficult situation extremely manageable, and we cannot thank them enough!”

Magazine publishes photos taken by Kristin Deceuninck
Kristin Deceuninck, Program Supervisor for Macomb Community Action’s Head Start program, recently had two of her lighthouse photos published in the July/August edition of the Beachcomber magazine. This is the third time she has had her photos published. "Photography is a stress reliever for me," Kristin says. "When I get stressed out I try to find new things to photograph. One of my bucket list items is to photograph all 129 lighthouses in Michigan."

County deputies use belt, tourniquet to save bleeding driver after Jeep, semi truck crash
According to news reports, officials were called at 4:52 a.m. Friday, Aug. 18, about a crash at M-53 and 28 Mile Road in Washington Township. Macomb County deputies Patrick Leslie and Tara Frizzell went to the scene. A Jeep Grand Cherokee and a semi truck had collided, and dispatchers said the driver of the Jeep had a serious injury. The deputies have been lauded for taking life-saving actions before the individual was transported to the hospital. “These deputies acted swiftly and professionally to ensure the injured driver received the life-saving assistance he needed,” Sheriff Anthony Wickersham said. “I applaud all of the public servants involved for their exceptional efforts.”

“This is only one example of the heroics that our Sheriff’s Office performs on a daily basis," said Deputy County Executive Andy McKinnon. "While it doesn’t take away from these deputies saving a life, it’s a fact that life saving happens daily with these public safety employees. Whether it’s responding to an accident, an overdose, a domestic situation or the myriad of other contacts our Sheriff's employees have with the public at their time of need, we can truly call them heroes. Thank you to all who serve in this capacity. As a County, we lift you up and value your contributions to making Macomb what it is." Read more about the rescue here.

Is there someone in your office who deserves a “pat on the back” for an outstanding achievement? If so, please let the Macomb Matters committee know about it! Email Maria.zardis@macombgov.org with the details.

New Hires/Retirees

Jami Lane

The Macomb Matters team would like to congratulate Jami Lane, office assistant senior for the Macomb Food Program, on her retirement this past July.

Tell us about the different positions you held during your time with the County.

My first hire date was August 5, 1985 until June of 1995. We had three children and I decided to stay home with them and with the intention of returning to work with the County at some point. Hire date number two was February 4, 2019 as an Americore Vista for one year and hire date number three was February 5, 2020 with the Food Program.

What will you miss most about working for Macomb County?

What will I miss the most? Of course I will miss my co-workers (truly friends) the most. I am so grateful to have been able to work with some amazing people, they make you want to get up and come to work! I have never had a job where I felt so accomplished, working with the food program gave me the opportunity to really delve into skills I didn't know I had! It truly was a pleasure to work with a program manager who supported my strengths and guided me through my weaknesses. I wholeheartedly appreciate the rarity of that kind of leadership. I will truly miss everyone!

What are you most proud of during your career with Macomb County?

I am so proud of the improvements we were able to make at the food program. Although there had already been a very good foundation, we were able to implement some new ideas to improve food pantry relations and outreach. We are currently serving double the amount of individuals monthly than when I first started. We have created online forms, sign ups and monthly informational emails which makes for more accurate reporting and easier communication with our pantries and volunteers. I am proud of the fact that we are moving toward the more current trends in the food banking industry.

What are your post retirement plans?

Post retirement, hmmm is there really such a thing? We are in the process of purchasing a pole barn and remodeling it to live in, a barndominium. After two and a half years I am looking forward to settling in! We plan on spending as much time as possible with our family, camping and sprint car racing and perhaps a trip or two in the RV. And yes, I will be working just so I don't spend all my retirement at Hobby Lobby and Home Depot.

Do you have any words of advice?
Less is more. Everyone has a story, be kind. Nature is God's gift, please take care of it. Lastly, from time to time stop and ask yourself, "does this bring me joy?"

Congratulations on your retirement Jami! It is well earned!

Click here for a list of New Hires/Retirees

Open Enrollment 2023

The time to consider and select your benefits for 2024 is approaching! Dates will be determined soon. In the meantime, if you would like to evaluate what insurance plans the County offers, please visit https://hrlr.macombgov.org/HRLR-CountyBenefits. You will find all the current plan summaries there, as well as links to the various provider websites.

Macomb County benefits packages for 2024 will continue exactly as they are now. Please remember: If you want to enroll in the flexible spending accounts (FSA) for medical or dependent expenses, you must re-enroll every year.

Flexible spending accounts are financial vehicles to reduce the costs of paying for health care or dependent care products and services. FSAs for medical expenses are no interest loans you make to yourself. You can select an amount to have deposited into the account, and the full amount will be available to use on the first day of the year. For 2024, you can choose to deposit up to $3,050. Over the coming twelve months, payments are automatically deducted from your check on a pre-tax basis, which might also reduce your yearly income tax obligation. FSAs for dependent care services are different. The maximum amount that can be deposited into Dependent Care FSAs is $5,000. There is no debit card issued, and funds are not deposited up front. The money can only be used after it is deducted from your check. But these deductions are also done on a pre-tax basis, which may result in tax reduction for you. Because contributions to both of these accounts are on a pre-tax basis, the IRS has regulations in place, and the funds must be used in compliance with their rules. This means you may have to submit receipts to substantiate the expenses from time to time.

Please continue to watch your emails for future announcements regarding open enrollment. As always, if you have any questions about your benefits, please call us at 586-469-5650 or email us at benefits@macombgov.org.

Workday status: A message from Andy McKinnon

While this is a space that we often like to use to give tips and encouragement in a general way, the subject of this article may have more of an impact on our daily work tasks than almost any article before it. The subject is Workday.

If you haven’t heard about our transition to Workday, here’s a brief summary. Workday is a cloud-based software as a solution (SAAS) designed to help organizations manage their workforce, human resources, and financial processes. Workday's comprehensive suite offers modules for human capital management, payroll, financial management, and more, enabling organizations to consolidate their data, enhance efficiency, and gain actionable insights. In other words, Workday will replace OneSolution and Employee Online in October and Neogov and other applications moving forward.

Before we talk about Workday, its implementation and our transition, it is important to say thank you. Thank you to Human Resources and Finance for spending a significant amount of time researching systems to replace One Solution. Thank you to the Executive’s Office which made the recommendation and the Board of Commissioners that adopted a multi-million dollar solution (Workday). It is important to point out that Workday is the premier solution at this time and going with a costly but premier product hasn’t always been the county way. Finally, thank you to Information Technology, HR, Finance, and our consultants who collectively have had over 100 staff members assigned to this transition for months. It is an arduous task, but they are taking on the challenge and will hit their goal of implementation early October 2023.

When we began the Workday implementation we took a strategic approach to ensure success. The process has been divided into several phases as detailed below:

Planning and Strategy: This phase involved outlining project objectives, assembling a skilled team, and developing a comprehensive implementation strategy.
Design and Configuration: Here, the system is customized to fit the organization's unique needs. This involves mapping business processes, configuring Workday settings, and integrating data from existing systems.
Testing: Rigorous testing is being conducted to identify and rectify issues before the system goes live. This includes testing scenarios for various processes, security protocols, and data migration.
Training: Preparing employees to effectively use the new system. Training programs will cover navigation, process execution, and best practices for a smooth transition.
Data Migration: Accurate data migration is pivotal. We are working to ensure a seamless transfer of historical data while maintaining data integrity and security.
Go-Live and Post-Implementation: The system is launched for regular use. Continuous monitoring, support, and adjustments will be carried out to address any issues and optimize the system's performance.

While the prospect of enhanced efficiency is exciting, Workday implementation has come with its share of challenges and the launch of Workday (or “go-live” as our tech experts refer to it) will also be a complex process with its share of challenges. Some of which include:

Change Management: Shifting to a new system requires us all to adapt. Effective change management strategies, including communication and training, can ease the transition, but it will never eliminate the fact that change is hard and we have to adapt to it over time.
Data Quality and Migration: Migrating data accurately is complex. Poor data quality can lead to errors and inefficiencies, making data cleansing and validation critical. All of us can help in this area, if you see something in the data as you review it, and it seems off, please say something.
Customization vs. Configuration: Balancing customization needs with Workday's best practices is a key decision. Over-customization can lead to increased costs and maintenance challenges. We are an incredibly complex organization and therefore we have had to have a fair amount of customization. With that we may have bugs, so as mentioned, if you see something please say something.
Integration Complexity: Integrating Workday with existing systems demands careful planning to ensure data flows seamlessly across platforms. This will be an ongoing process as we move into phase 2 of our implementation.

We speak of “phase 2” of our implementation, because phase 1 is really focused on the core of County work. That means payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, onboarding, and offboarding, etc. These are the core areas that must be addressed so employees are able to be hired or offboarded, employees and vendors are able to be paid and the County can accurately account for funds it receives and expends. Phase 2 will include items such as the Workday mobile application, additional integrations such as CourtView and many other improvements to the user experience moving forward.

Workday implementation is more than a technological upgrade; it's a strategic move toward operational excellence. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, successful implementation will become the cornerstone of a competitive advantage, enabling us as a county to adapt, thrive, and achieve strategic objectives. However, as we make this complicated transition we would ask for your patience and understanding as it is a monumental task to transition from a legacy system located onsite to a SAAS.

FInally, please make certain to keep an eye out for emails from Workday.assistance @macombgov.org. This is not spam or a phishing test from Jako. It is our one stop email for all things Workday. It will be how we communicate the transition to you and how you can communicate any concerns, or appreciations, to us.

As always we wish you a safe and wonderful Labor Day and Labor Day weekend, and thank you to those working Labor Day to keep our County functioning and safe.

Take care,

Andy

Providing support by keeping it casual

The Board of Commissioners has announced the continuation of the Macomb County Casual Day Charitable Collections Program. Participating employees (with department leader permission) may wear casual clothing to work on Fridays (or other designated day), if they donate at least a dollar. Participating departments will be monitored, and donations are sent in a timely fashion. Collected donations are then sent by the Board Office to the assigned charities.

Earlier this year, the BOC announced the full list of programs it will support in 2023. Stay tuned for additional announcements on the topic, and in the meantime, if you are able, please participate in the upcoming Casual Days that will help:

September 1, 8, 15, 22

Charity: Clinton River Watershed Council
Their mission is to protect, enhance, and celebrate the Clinton River, its watershed, and Lake St. Clair.

Special: September 29

Charity: Meals on Wheels
Provides hot, nutritious meals to frail, homebound senior citizens.

October 6, 13, 20, 27

Charity: The Discovery Center
Provides residents and their families hands-on STEAM learning opportunities.

Macomb County Animal Control Adoption of the Month - July/August

Pictured are just a few of the many animals who found a home with the help of Macomb County Animal Control! Is your companion waiting for you? Pay a visit to the shelter and find out! Visit the website for more information about pets available for adoption, information about the adoption process and hours of operation.

HealthStyles

Back-to-school scaries

Did you know that implementing a healthy routine is shown to help manage stress and anxiety? As summer slows down, start to consider a routine with new, healthier habits!

Here are some ideas to try:

Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time daily (sleep by 10:30 p.m., awake at 6:30 a.m.)
Start your day with a protein-packed breakfast
Plan your lunches and dinners for the week
Schedule a fun family outing each week

Back to mindfulness

Did you know that breathing exercises, such as inhaling for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds, and exhaling for 4 seconds, are shown to increase mindfulness? Repeating this exercise calms your body and activates the higher- thinking part of your brain. Try it during your work day and at home with your family!

Thanks for reading HealthStyles news. Join us at these upcoming events:

Walk Around the Block: Walk with your coworkers at a designated location near you!
Harvesting Healthier Habits: Join the Accountability Program!

More details and an opportunity to register will be available for both upcoming offerings in In September.

Paw Print

Greetings from Chief Randazzo!

Labor Day is upon us and while we’re spending some time reflecting on the contributions made by the workers around the world, I’d like to mention some of the ways our furry (and not so furry) friends have used their skills on our behalf.

When one thinks of a “working” animal, bomb-sniffing dogs or service dogs come to mind. But dogs are used in many other ways as well, including to detect certain cancers and even provide advance warning of seizures in their humans.
The U.S. Naval Marine Mammal Training Institute trains dolphins to detect underwater mines. Other mammals, such as the African Giant Pouched Rat, are in demand as land mine detectors in parts of Asia and Africa.
The British government maintains a “Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office” position, currently filled by Larry the Cat, whose job is to protect the British Prime Minister’s residence from mice and other rodents. Larry is not alone in his field. Today there are many cats mousing in America’s breweries, distilleries, vineyards and of course, on farms.
A ferret was employed to help electricians wire cables through conduit at the U.S. Space Command’s missile warning center in Colorado. And up until the 1960’s, Boeing had their own team of ferrets to carry cables around aircraft they were building. (Ferrets aren’t used much anymore; they easily lose interest and tend to fall asleep on the job)
Sheep are used around the world to prune fields and vineyards. And herds of goats are being hired out as “conservation grazers.” Goats will eat garlic mustard and other invasive plant species. They’ve been employed by colleges and municipalities across the country, including some in Michigan.

Animals contribute to the well being of society, in obvious and not-so-obvious ways. And at Macomb County Animal Control, we’re happy to give back in every way we can. We have spent our summer hosting and attending adoption events, recruiting and training volunteers, reaching out to partners for animal placement, and much, much more. In that spirit, we’d like to let you all know we’re having another free pet vaccine clinic on September 9, at Freedom Hill, from 10 a.m to 2 p.m.

This Labor Day, while you’re visiting friends and family, you can help us help others by spreading the word about our vaccine clinics, and our volunteer and fostering opportunities, and our Youtube program, On Patrol with Animal Control. (Advisory: some of these videos show animals in distress or in dangerous situations).

Thank you for your support. Take care!