Recognize value of conservative approach to using taxpayer money

During the past several decades, the majority of Kent County commissioners have been members of the Republican Party.

This Republican body has accomplished significant and far-reaching human service initiatives for our county.

During the most recent decade, these have included the Prevention Initiative, urban sprawl study and actions, steps to improve health care for persons of color, advocacy for the first Michigan urban county senior millage, and development of a centralized Kent County funded Veteran’s Service Department.

These countywide measures—benefiting all 600,000 citizens who live in both the urban and rural areas of our county—were implemented when nearly all of these Republicans lived outside the city of Grand Rapids.

These initiatives have been implemented while maintaining one of the best financially run counties in the state and nation—as recognized by nationally recognized bond rating agencies.

It is important to recognize the value of our conservative approach to using taxpayer money in our county and continue to vote Republicans into the county commission. The Republican approach will continue to keep our county finances secure, while at the same time continuing to enhance activities for improved quality of life for all our community.

Issue of the Month: Waste Management in Kent County

Kent County’s Waste to Energy (WTE) Facility recently processed its 4 millionth ton of trash. This is a significant milestone for our community because the WTE Facility has reduced trash needing to be disposed of in the land fill, and also helps produce electricity for some parts of our community. It is estimated the WTE plant has extended the useful life of the South Kent Landfill by approximately 20 years since it was opened in the 1970’s. This primary solid waste disposal facility for Grand Rapids, Wyoming, Kentwood, Walker, Grandville, and East Grand Rapids trash received more than 190,000 tons of trash from residents and businesses in the past year. This trash is incinerated under strictly monitored environmental standards. The WTE Facility produces and sells approximately 100,000 MWhs of renewable electricity each year. The WTE was recently honored for its environmental ethic and stewardship by gaining a 2 year renewal of its designation as a Clean Corporate Citizen. This designation was given because the WTE facility exhibits excellence in (1) the development and implementation of an environmental management system, (2) practice of pollution prevention, and (3) a strong environmental compliance record. The County also has a good recycling program and citizens can find where/how to dispose of recyclables at www.recyclekent.org.

Issue of the Month: Kent County Health Needs Assessment

Over the past several months, The Kent County Health Department has been working with more than 60 community partners, including the area’s major hospitals and mental health providers, to collect data for a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). The results from the CHNA will be used to formulate a Community Health Improvement Plan which will address the issues identified in the CHNA. Community input for the CHNA included 12 focus groups with nearly 120 participants. The Health Department made sure to receive input from a racially and ethnically diverse group of individuals throughout Kent County having a broad range of life experiences and economic backgrounds. The CHNA identified more than 40 Strategic Issues that community stakeholders would like addressed. I participated in a process to rank these 40 Strategic Issues in early November. The top three issues identified through this process were: (1) Ensure all community members, including the uninsured and working poor, have access to affordable healthcare, including preventive care and a “medical home” , (2) Reduce the racial disparity in infant mortality prevention services, and (3) Ensure access to quality dental care for all citizens. The CHNA Steering Committee will immediately begin engaging the community in developing strategies to address these three high ranking issues. These will be outlined in the Community Health Improvement Plan. I will let you know information as the Plan becomes available.