Ottawa Out Loud

OCCAA, also known as Ottawa County Community Action Agency, is part of a nationwide partnership that empowers families to achieve financial stability and independence through a variety of services: utility assistance, supplemental food supply, and October's highlighted program: weatherization services! 
In this episode, we're joined by Jen and Barb from OCCAA, who give us a close look at the weatherization program, how it works, and what it can do to give Ottawa County families a helping hand to maintain financial stability and safety through the upcoming winter.
Mark your calendar for Walk for Warmth on Saturday, Feb. 20th and get your artistically-talented student involved in the poster/t-shirt design contest ending Nov. 6th: https://miottawa.org/caa/walk-for-warmth/
Learn about OCCAA and their services: https://miottawa.org/caa/
Subscribe to the county's email updates (select OCCAA from the list of topics): miottawa.info/subscribe
Get in touch with OCCAA directly at (616) 393-4433 or info.occaa@miottawa.org
And make sure you're following this show and find us on social media so you don't miss future episodes and other great county government content.

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In this very special 25th episode of Ottawa Out Loud, we dive into Ottawa County's efforts to keep our residents informed and involved through communications. Whether you prefer to get your information on TikTok, through the mail, or in your email inbox, we have staff members dedicated to making sure the information you need is available to you. Plus, we hear from government communications professionals across the country about how they approach their craft.

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Homeowners: do YOU understand how your property taxes are calculated? 

Either way, you're bound to learn something in this new episode, as we're joined by our Equalization pros Josh and Brian, who help us understand your tax bill, local assessing, and the equalization process. 

Visit miOttawa.org/equalization to learn more about this department and to speak with someone from the team.
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We're joined once again by our Clerk/Register of Deeds Justin Roebuck and Election Supervisor Katie Bard for a great conversation on the upcoming midterm primary (August 4th) and general election (November 3rd). We talk all about:
Why Michigan has such a late primary compared to other states
The absentee voting process and what to do if you've already cast a ballot for a candidate who drops out of the race
Changes to early voting this year
The merit of speaking Minionese
Who makes a better Dark Lord-- Sauron or Voldemort?
and much, much more!
Visit miOttawa.org/elections to learn more about how the democratic process is carried out at the county level, and contact our office at elections@miottawa.org for any additional questions.
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Michael J. Fox once said, "Don’t spend a lot of time imagining worst-case scenario", and that's a great quote to live by-- life is a lot more enjoyable and fulfilling when you're thinking positive thoughts. Notice how he doesn't say "NEVER imagine the worst-case scenario", though?
Having a plan for when things don't go according to plan is the most important thing you can do to keep you and your loved ones safe in the event of a dangerous emergency. Thankfully, the folks in the Emergency Management division of the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office specialize in worst-case scenarios-- imagining what could happen, and most importantly, preparing for every possible situation.
Emergency Planning Coordinator Derek Schroeder is here to tell us about how we work with local public safety organizations, businesses, and dozens of volunteers to build an impressive network to respond to whatever situations may arise. Plus, what you can do at home to prepare yourself for emergency situations, both natural or man made. 
-----LINKS-----
Follow Ottawa County Emergency Management on Facebook for timely updates and warnings: https://www.facebook.com/OttawaEM
Visit https://www.ready.gov/ to learn about different types of disasters and what you can do to prepare at home
Visit  www.miOttawa.org/Sheriff/em to learn more about Emergency Management, including volunteer opportunities and civilian training courses
Connect with us!
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