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5 of 7

7: Stars, Stripes, and Service with Veterans Services
Jason and Caleb join us to chat about the philosophy driving the Ottawa County Veterans Services Department, the ways the team works to provide resources and community for local Veterans, and info about some big community events coming up!For more information about OCVS and everything we talked about:1. visit https://miottawa.org/veterans-services/2. get in contact with the department by calling (616) 393-8387 or send an email to [email protected]. Subscribe to the Veterans Services Newsletter here: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIOTTAWA/subscriber/new?topic_id=MIOTTAWA_63Keep an eye on the Community Events Calendar for events from every department: https://miottawa.org/event-calendar/Attend a Parks Program (it's good for your health & wellbeing): https://miottawacountyweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web/search.html?display=Calendar&module=EventKeep up to date with boards & committees: https://boards.miottawa.org/calendar/Subscribe to the Ottawa Out Loud Newsletter: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIOTTAWA/subscriber/new?topic_id=MIOTTAWA_582Click Here to Submit Fan Mail!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 Make your voice heard! Speakpipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/OttawaOutLoud Fan Mail: https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2445724/open_sms
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6: Getting Street Smart with Ottawa County Road Commission
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/------------Main Segment Links------------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: htClick Here to Submit Fan Mail!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 Make your voice heard! Speakpipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/OttawaOutLoud Fan Mail: https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2445724/open_sms
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5: Keeping it Clean with Food Safety
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/Click Here to Submit Fan Mail!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 Make your voice heard! Speakpipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/OttawaOutLoud Fan Mail: https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2445724/open_sms
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4: Ballots and Banter Returns!
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 Announcements06:20 Clerk/RoD Bring Your Kid to Work Day12:18 Meeting Minutes -- April 2215:13 Main Segment Introduction16:01 May 6th Special Election Information19:30 Why do Local Elections Matter?20:40 What's on the Ballot?23:47 What IS a Millage?27:10 Voter Registration28:00 Election Results Website Updates30:30 Logic and Accuracy Testing33:08 Participating in the Election Process37:35 Game45:20 OutroClick Here to Submit Fan Mail!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 Make your voice heard! Speakpipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/OttawaOutLoud Fan Mail: https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2445724/open_sms
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3: Small Homes, Big Impact
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. -----------------------------------------------------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.pdfAnnouncement 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/Click Here to Submit Fan Mail!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 Make your voice heard! Speakpipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/OttawaOutLoud Fan Mail: https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2445724/open_sms
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