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! What do you want to see explained on the podcast? What do you like about the podcast? What can we do better? Speakpipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/OttawaOutLoud Fan Mail: https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2445724/open_sms
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46:05
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! What do you want to see explained on the podcast? What do you like about the podcast? What can we do better? Speakpipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/OttawaOutLoud Fan Mail: https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2445724/open_sms
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48:36
2: Parks Are SO Back!
Thanks SO much for listening to Ottawa Out Loud. We hope you learned and laughed. New episodes release every few weeks.Today, Jessica and Rylie join me to discuss the incredible Ottawa County Parks & Recreation Commission! Ottawa County is known for its expansive, accessible, and biodiverse natural spaces, and it's the perfect time to start planning your next visit to a park. In this podcast, we talk about the Parks dept, its funding sources, Jess & Rylie's favorite parks, programs, rules & reminders, and an update on the newest park: Ottawa Sands!Make sure to stay tuned all the way to the end to see if Jess & Rylie can pass the Name That Park Challenge!---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Announcements Links: Water Quality Forum Info and Registration: https://miottawa.org/wrc/Veterans Services Event Calendar: https://miottawa.org/veterans-services/events/Avoid Financial Scams Classes: https://miottawa.org/sheriff/events/financial-scams/Farming Forward: https://bit.ly/FFAlpine2025Main Segment Links:Ottawa County Parks Foundation Website: https://ottawacountyparksfoundation.orgArt For the Parks: https://ottawacountyparksfoundation.org/2025-art-for-the-parks/Volunteer Opportunities: https://miottawa.org/parks/volunteer/Parks Foundation Volunteer Interest Form: https://ottawacountyparksfoundation.org/volunteer-interest-form/Parks Events Calendar: https://miottawacountyweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web/search.html?module=AR&Type=HealthWellness,Nature,Recreation,SpecialEvent,VolunteerParks Challenge!: https://miottawa.org/parks/parks-challenge/The Ottawa Sands Project Documentary: https://youtu.be/uHniF2QdFtY?si=Am3GyMSVaAOUKxMcGet your motor vehicle permit online: https://ottawacounty.cmrpay.com/dashboard/landingClick 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! What do you want to see explained on the podcast? What do you like about the podcast? What can we do better? Speakpipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/OttawaOutLoud Fan Mail: https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2445724/open_sms
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45:12
1: OCCAA and Walk for Warmth 2025
Thanks for listening to the very first episode of Ottawa Out Loud, the Official Podcast of Ottawa County!Jen Brozowski, Program Director of OCCAA (like mocha) and international icon, teaches us about OCCAA’s mission and the life-changing services they offer. We discuss how the department is organized and funded, and we spill all the details about the free, family-friendly, and overall incredible Walk for Warmth event on March 7th at 6pm at EV Construction in Holland. Learn more about OCCAA:Department Page: https://miottawa.org/caa/Sign up to volunteer: https://miottawa.org/caa/volunteer/Walk for Warmth 2025Event Details: https://miottawa.org/caa/walk-for-warmth/Buy a shirt: https://www.bonfire.com/store/ottawa-county-community-action-agency/Register: https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/Holland/WalkforWarmthOttawaDonate: https://runsignup.com/Race/Donate/MI/Holland/WalkforWarmthOttawaClick 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! What do you want to see explained on the podcast? What do you like about the podcast? What can we do better? Speakpipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/OttawaOutLoud Fan Mail: https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2445724/open_sms
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