Revolutionary Relative

           

 Maybe I am destined to be elected Kent County Commissioner. 

            When Randolph County, North Carolina, was formed on March 8, 1779, my ancestor William Merrell was sworn in as one of the 14 original justices -- or county commissioners. The next day he was named coroner -- kind of like the committee assignment I will receive after I am elected in November. 

            Until the first Randolph County Courthouse was built, commissioners met a few days every quarter in a private home. According to the minutes of the Pleas and Quarterly Sessions, routine business included approving the indenture of a five-year-old orphan girl to her guardian, licensing a tavern and approving a grist mill. By March 13, 1780, Gramps qualified as Justice of the Peace and signed for the purchase of two election boxes.

            Unfortunately, William's government career was not long-lived.   Although Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown on October 19, 1781, marking the end of the war, loyalists continued to attack representatives of the new republic. Several of the original 14 commissioners -- including William -- were attacked at their homes and killed. 

             Our forefathers never promised that self-government would be easy. Happy Fourth.

Don't forget the "other" virus

     

Covid and covid testing have been getting everyone's attention the past few years. But Monday is a day to remember the "other " virus -- AIDS.    

      Back in the '80s, AIDS was the big news maker. But thanks to testing and treatments people with AIDS can expect much better outcomes today. In honor of National HIV Testing Day on Monday, the Kent County Health Department has scheduled walk-up free testing at three Grand Rapids parks this week.

• 1-4 p.m. Monday at Martin Luther King Jr. Park, 1200 Franklin St. SE
• 1-4 p.m. Wednesday at Heartside Park, 301 Ionia Ave. SW
• 1-4 p.m. Thursday at Garfield Park,  250 Burton St. SE

       Testing is important for self-care because many people don't have symptoms and don't realize they have AIDS. Once someone is diagnosed they can take medications that can bring the blood level of the virus down to "undetectable"  so they no longer spread the virus to others.

    This testing is part of Wellness in the Park events that include outdoor games, activities, snacks and drinks. Residents can also schedule free testing at the Health Department's Fuller Clinic. 616-632-7171.

Land of Lakes

       Life in Michigan is all about the lakes. From a sunrise on Lake Huron to a sunset on Lake Michigan, our days literally begin and end at the water's edge. 

   Stretching from a corner of Lake Erie in the south to the broad expanse of Lake Superior in the U.P., the state touches four of the five Great Lakes missing only Lake Ontario.

     The lakes are featured in all our best memories...summer camp, fishing trips, a walk on a pier, a beach wedding. 

   But Michigan's coastal communities are on the front lines of climate change. The record low water levels in 2013 and record high in 2020 have impacted the shoreline. Additional impacts come from the more intense and frequent storm events and unseasonable temperatures.

      This summer, the Michigan Coastal Management Program in the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) is partnering with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on a series of eight community Beach Walks. Led by Corps hydrolics engineer Jim Selegea, the walks will help community members understand coastal hazards, storm dynamics and the impact of erosion and flooding. 

       I can't think of a better classroom than the actual sands of our lakeshore where these processes play out," said MCMP program manager Rhonda Wuycheck.

     The first walk will meet at 6 p.m. tonight at Luna Pier Lighthouse on Lake Erie. Future walks are planned for June 27, Port Austin; June 28, Alpena: July 27,  Houghton; July 28, Escanaba; Aug. 16, South Haven; Aug 17, Ludington.

County restructures animal control

   

     Beginning July 1 the Kent County Sheriff's Office will take a more prominent role in animal control.          

    The Kent County Animal Shelter will cease to be part of the Health Department  and become its own  department reporting to the county administrator. Animal control operations will be handled by a specially trained team at the sheriff's department. 

      "Best practices in animal welfare and animal control are Kent County's top priority in restructuring these operations," said county administrator Al Vandenberg. He said the change was based on extensive research and nationwide data. 

     At last week's meeting, county commissioners approved adding one lieutenant and two sergeant positions to the sheriff's department to supervise and train the civilian animal control officers. They also approved the addition of two patrol vehicles. The six vehicles currently being used for animal control operations will be moved to the sheriff's department as well. 

     Kent County Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young said the sheriff's department has cooperated with animal control officers for years. 

     "With these changes, animal control operations will be led by sworn law enforcement officers trained to provide oversight and protect due process in rapidly unfolding legal and civil rights matters," she said. 

      While the animal control officers will remain civilian positions and will not have arresting authority, the certified Sheriff's deputies in the animal control unit will have authority to make arests when there is cause to believe a crime has been committed. 

    The animal shelter at 740 Fuller Ave. NE will continue to provide the care, shelter and feeding of lost and abandoned animals in Kent County. 

     "Our mission hasn't changed," said shelter director Angela Hollingshead. "We remain keenly focused on reuniting pets with their families and finding safe and loving new homes for animals when needed."

     If you have an animal emergency in Kent County -- such as an animal attacking a person or a pet in immediate danger -- call 911. Otherwise, residents should call the Kent County Sheriff's Department dispatch at (616) 632-7310 to report a stray dog, a dog bite or a suspected case of animal cruelty.

Tackling Transformation

         

$127 million is a lot of money, but can it be transformational? 

    That's what Kent County administrator Al Vanderberg is hoping to accomplish with the county's share of the American Rescue Plan. 

     "This is not a one off. We want to invest the money in projects with future impacts. We want to do something that reverberates into the future," Vanderberg said Thursday night at the first of three community meetings to discuss ideas. He said the county commission is seeking community input because it is the right thing to do. "We don't have all the answers. We value your input tremendously."

         Two major priorities emerged from Thursday's conversation -- affordable housing and mental health. Several people mentioned the current housing crisis where even people with a good income cannot afford a home. Some attendees brought up mental health as a top priority and County Commission Chair Stan Stek said mental health is his pet project. He suggested a new crisis stabilization unit to provide behavior health response when people are in crisis. 

          "Not jails, not emergency rooms," Stek said. 

            A variety of other ideas were discussed from yoga and preserving a tennis club to public transportation and immigrant services. The remaining community forums will be 6 p.m. June 6 at Rockford High School and 6 p.m. June 8 at Gaines Charter Township. Residents can complete a survey on the website until June 24. Proposals will be accepted until July 15. Then the county commission plans to approve plans in August and September.