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Office of County Executive
Mark A. Hackel
(586) 469-7001

In This Issue....

Executive Message: Summer events shine in Macomb County
Buildings Age, Our Resolve to Serve Does Not
Macomb County A Hit On Mackinac
Transparency Important In Macomb County Government
Join the 1,000 Mile Challenge
Share Your Feedback: Take the 2013 Community Climate Survey
Make Macomb Your Home Celebrates First Birthday, Adds Store & Other New Features
Senior Fun Fest Returns In June
Macomb County Seeking Nurses For Rewarding Career

The "New" Macomb County

By: Mark Hackel, County Executive

Summer has finally arrived allowing Macomb County to better showcase its regional assets. We have recently celebrated the announcement of large new initiatives in the County such as a new freshwater research institute in partnership with Wayne State, Macomb Community College and the Huron-Metropark Authority. Also, the County garnered a $231,000 grant from the state to market our region as the Defense Capital of the Midwest.

Additionally, we will also be hosting some exciting events this year. On June 4, Freedom Hill reopened with a fantastic concert put on by Huey Lewis and The News. Grammy Award winner Lady Antebellum played to a sold out crowd on June 13. The place was packed and it was clear that many in Macomb County are thrilled that this venue, which provides many recreational and economical benefits not only to the County but to the region, is back in business. Freedom Hill is going to have a full summer lineup of concerts and festivals to enjoy.

Macomb's Blue Economy Initiative is continuing to thrive. A water-related event, Sprint & Splash, was a huge success. Upcoming events such as Aquapalooza, the largest water concert in the state, and the Bassmasters Elite Tournament, to air on ESPN, also promise to bring large crowds from across the country to Lake St. Clair.

Many communities will be hosting festivals and fireworks for your enjoyment. Have a safe and happy summer and, if you ever need any ideas for great events to attend close to home, remember to visit www.makemacombyourhome.com.

Buildings Age, Our Resolve to Serve Does Not

By: Mark Deldin, Deputy County Executive

The "Old" Macomb County Building was built in 1931. That makes it older than FM radio ('31), helicopters ('36), antibiotics ('39), and television ('39). In April, an electrical fire that originated in the basement knocked out communications systems and electricity, and caused smoke and water damage that displaced close to 200 workers. Some people may have viewed this as a problem, but the County Executive Office saw an opportunity.

I'm grateful to say that no one was injured. County employees did an excellent job in coordinating their response to the fire and their exit from the building. Their actions since have been equally as commendable. With systems limited, they found the way to come together and get the job done. The public deserves recognition as well. The understanding from the public while we were limited in operations for a short time, the generosity from community members in offering their resources time and space to help, and everyone's willingness to do whatever it takes to help, make me proud to be a part of this community.

This unfortunate incident was the catalyst for something that has been on County Executive Hackel's agenda. Our county systems are in strong need of an infrastructure update. That's the driving force behind our new strategic operations center currently under construction at the Department of Roads site on Groesbeck. We're currently engaged in a facility/space needs assessment of our downtown government campus (Old County Building, Admin Building, Courts) as part of our capital improvement plan to ensure that we operate more efficiently and so that incidents like this will not disrupt services to the public in the future.

In Macomb, buildings age but our resolve to serve the public is timeless.

Horses and Fudge… Certainties of Mackinac Island

By: Melissa Roy, Assistant County Executive

Yes, I know….You've heard it all before…it's the same old conference…. If we were just more competitive, if we just had a brand, if we didn't slit each other's throats in the media …. And did somebody mention something about transit?

Well…there was not a single session on transit and the Big 4 took a hiatus. It was Macomb's third year with executive representation at the Detroit Regional Chamber's Mackinac Policy conference. With each year we see greater recognition of the county and greater opportunities for regional cooperation.

The topics don't make the conference. The leaders and the determination to succeed make the conference. It's building the team, getting the right mix of players, getting them to work together, play their position and move the ball down the field. Just as we build teams within our own organizations, this region and this state has the same need. If we aren't getting results with what we have, we need to change something. That seemed to be the sentiment this year – not only on the official agenda – but also among the attendees and media.

Sandy Baruah and the Chamber team set out an aggressive agenda focused on education, cultural change and the 21st century global market. Governor Snyder talked about not living in the glory days of the past and diving into the now and future. Post conference, the Chamber drafted its to-do list. Specifically, #6 resonated the most for me:

"Commit to celebrating the entrepreneurial spirit – its successes and its failures – at the 2014 Mackinac Policy Conference."

Keep doing, keep innovating and don't stop.

Transparency in Government

By: Pamela Lavers, Assistant County Executive

Checks and balances are a fundamental part of government. Transparency in government provides a critical oversight that ensures responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. The Macomb County Executive Office is committed to making sure citizens are able to access all of the records and information about county operations.

Since the transition to the new executive form of government in 2010 under the new county charter, the executive office is ensuring that all budget data and financial information are made available to the public. By going to www.MacombGov.org, anyone can find up-to-date reports and records, and will be able to trace the activity of county government spending.

DID YOU KNOW:

  • The County has printed more than 40,000 accounts payable checks. All are available for review on the County website.
  • We have over two years of financial history online. All appropriations for expenditures are posted monthly, quarterly and annually.
  • Salary ranges, titles, and quantity of employees are posted online for every department.
  • Macomb County exceeds state standards recommended for financial information transparency and clarity.
  • We have a five-year capital plan which outlines and prioritizes future county expenditures.

This information is also available summarized in a financial dashboard on our website that puts our financial information in an easy to understand format. Citizens have an undeniable right to know how their tax dollars are being spent, and all of that information is readily available 24 hours a day by visiting www.MacombGov.org.

Meet the Roads' Challenge!

By: Bob Hoepfner, Macomb County Department of Roads

Clean streets and community involvement are two great characteristics of a healthy neighborhood. The Macomb County Department of Roads has an opportunity to get involved with both in your community.

The Macomb County Department of Roads' Adopt-A-County Road program offers an opportunity for individuals and groups to participate in the beautification of their community while promoting group camaraderie, conscientious environmental practices and public service responsibility.

Our Adopt-A-County Road program, which began more than 20 years ago, currently covers 517 roadside miles. This is a significant commitment, and there are still great opportunities for interested volunteers to make a difference. Our 1,000 Mile Challenge aims to increase public awareness and participation in this program.

As a way to recognize those that get involved with the program we provide a road sign with the name of the group or individual and recognition on the Adopt-A-County Road website. This is a great source of free advertising for businesses and charitable organizations within their community.

Get involved with the Adopt-A-County Road program today! Go to our website to view the map of roads available for adoption and apply in three easy steps. You can also contact Lana Smith at 586.463.8671 with any questions regarding the Adopt-A-County Road program.

2013 Community Climate Survey

By: Al Lorenzo, Assistant County Executive

For the second year, Macomb County is asking for residents' input as part of a Community Climate Survey.

-->The Community Climate Survey measures residents' sentiment on a wide variety of topics such as public safety, access to recreation and quality of government services. Gauging community sentiment is a priority of Macomb County government and this is one of many ways for residents to provide their feedback. The purpose of this project is to create a resource that can be used by leaders and decision makers in both the public and private sectors to guide future planning and policy development.

Last year more than 1,000 responses were collected in the first Community Climate Survey, and there were responses from all of Macomb's 27 communities. The insights and report generated from the 2012 survey are available online on the county website here. -->

The 2013 Community Climate Survey is just 20 questions long and should take 5-10 minutes to complete. It is open for responses from June 1 through July 31. Click here to participate in the 2013 Survey.

Make Macomb Your Home Web Celebrates First Birthday

By: Nick Posavetz, Planning & Economic Development

The Make Macomb Your Home Website just celebrated its first birthday.

Make Macomb Your Home is an initiative launched by Executive Hackel to market and promote communities and assets in the County. The website was started to give residents and visitors easy-to-access information about Macomb County.

To celebrate, a number of new features have been added to the online experience of Make Macomb Your Home:

  • A new web store where users can purchase MMYH gear, where purchases will help fund the marketing and promotion of Macomb County.
  • Real time real estate listings have been added, now it is easier than ever for someone to get the information they need to Make Macomb Their Home.
  • For those only staying a little while, now you can find the right place to stay thanks to Kayak's hotel finder that we've added to the website.
  • The Make Macomb Your Home Blog has been added, featuring local events, businesses and groups and what makes them and Macomb a special place to live, work and play.
  • More great information about local attractions, events and entertainment options.

These additions are part of a continuous process to better market Macomb County and build upon the new community-driven content added earlier in the year. The Make Macomb Your Home blog content is submitted by community members and features local events, businesses and groups highlighting what makes Macomb a special place to live, work and play. The website content will continue to be refreshed and updated to provide visitors with the most up-to-date County-related information.

The Make Macomb Your Home website is accompanied by billboards, social media, television and movie commercials.

Follow Make Macomb Your Home on Facebook and Twitter.

Senior Fun Festival Returns For 5th Year

By: Renee Burch, Macomb Community Action Communications Specialist

-->The Macomb County Office of Senior Services is hosting the 5th Annual Senior Fun Festival from 10 am – 3 pm, June 21, 2013 at the Gibraltar Trade Center North Show Arena, 237 N. River Road, Mt. Clemens.

The Senior Fun Fest is a free event for our area seniors. Annually, more than 2,000 attendees visit the festival to receive free health screenings and fitness demonstrations, dance to live entertainment, dispose of outdated/unused medications, play bingo and visit the more than 100 vendors and exhibiters who take part in the event. Attendees will receive giveaways from sponsors and useful information and enjoy a wonderful day geared toward their needs.

The Senior Fun Festival was established to help empower senior citizens through advocacy and education and improve the quality of life for seniors living in Macomb County. For more information about the services and events provided by the Macomb County Office of Senior Services, visit our website.

If you are a senior, or know one in Macomb County, we hope to see you at the Fun Fest!

Parking and entry to the Fun Fest is free until 3 pm. Concession food is available onsite. For more information, contact the Macomb County Office of Senior Services at 586.469.6313.

Macomb County Seeks Nurses For Rewarding Career

By: Lillian Schreiber, RN, BSN, Macomb County Dept Public Health Services/p>

Macomb County Health Department Public Health Nurses provide services to individuals and families throughout Macomb County. Their mission is to improve, promote, and protect the health status of county residents through health screening, assessment, anticipatory guidance, education, and referral as needed. Services are delivered in homes, schools, clinics, and community outreach sites. Public Health Nurses are also trained to respond in the event of a public health emergency. Thanks to our Public Health Nurses, many Macomb County residents lead healthier lives.

With a growing county population, there is increased demand for these services, and as a result, Macomb County is looking to hire additional nurses. The Maternal Child Health Field Nursing program is compromised of highly trained Public Health Nurses (PHNs) who have extensive education and experience in assessing infants, children and their families within the community setting to provide services which include but are not limited to the following:

  • Support the family to have a positive pregnancy and a healthy baby
  • Provide prenatal guidance, birthing, and breastfeeding information
  • Help parents strengthen parenting skills
  • Provide education on growth and developmental and recognize if the baby has special needs
  • Provide education on a variety of topics that impact individual health as well as community health such as immunizations, lead poisoning, child safety, communicable disease prevention and control, etc.
  • Connect families to other community resources
  • Administer immunizations

Macomb County values our Public Health Nurses and we do our best to make sure they are cared for as well. As county employees, nurses are eligible for the benefits offered to all full time employees, but have many additional perks as well. For example, Public Health Nurses may qualify for the NURSE Corps Loan Repayment Program which offers up to 60% of total outstanding qualifying educational loans balances. For more information about what benefits are offered and to learn more about our program, click here.

We're looking for candidates that have a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing and are licensed by the Michigan Board of Nursing. Make a difference and join our team by playing a major role in providing services to Macomb County Residents. Ready to take the first step towards a rewarding career? We'd love to hear from you. Openings are listed here.