Michael Young was the City Manager of Rockford. Michael passed last week due to complications from a stroke; he was 48 years old. He was respected for his accomplishments and successes and I learned a few things from those accomplishments that helped me in my role here. He had his detractors, which is unavoidable in this profession, but he made notable differences nonetheless. While we were professional associates whose paths crossed on occasion at various board meetings and conferences, we were not personally close but we knew of each other’s communities and some of the issues that occupied our attention. I always wanted to tell Michael that I learned a number of valuable lessons from him, but I didn’t, and the opportunity is now lost.
I write about this now because his passing reminds me that I need to be more in the moment, to communicate in a timelier manner how much I appreciate the special relationships I have formed over these many years as City Manager both in the community and in my personal life. The opportunity to share with friends, family, and colleagues how much they add value and depth to my life is TODAY, not tomorrow. The moment is ours, tomorrow is not. I must remember this simple truth as I move through my life so there will be fewer lost moments and fewer regrets. Thank you Michael for this lesson and may you be blessed with ever lasting peace.
20th Anniversary Policing Partnership
Recently I talked with Sheriff Gary Rosema and he expressed a desire to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the relationship between the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office and the City of Coopersville. Sheriff Rosema subsequently sent me an email that stated, “…Steve, as I had mentioned at the Policy Board, I would like the opportunity to stop into your first City Council meeting in February 2016. As you know it is our 20 year anniversary of our policing partnership with the City of Coopersville and what a GREAT partnership it has been. I truly believe because of Coopersville and the relationships that have had over the years that it has really allowed other communities to move forward in their initiatives as well…” Monday night we had a brief acknowledgment of the occasion and a few words from Sheriff Rosema and maybe Councilman Bush, as he is the only one standing that was present when the partnership began. What a truly remarkable achievement and I congratulate everyone involved as it took vision, dedication, and WILL to make this experiment a success.
Water Project Phase I
Information is still being gathered on the feasibility to inspect the interior diameter of the 16 inch water transmission main under the Grand River. Preliminary study is leaning towards not inspecting the line due to the possible need of significant downtime required to complete the inspection. A detailed scope of the project should be finalized by the end of next week.
WWTP Project Phase II
Since our last council meeting, very little action/progress on the WWTP Phase II has been done. Most of my time has been spent on permit issues with CDF and personnel related tasks. My expectations for the next two weeks, is to meet with Utility Advisory Committee and begin discussing in more detail relevant options to pursue in the forthcoming months. As was stated in previous memos, the difficult work of formulating long-term utility policy must take place so we as council and staff have a logical and deliberate course to follow. (1-25-16)
I write about this now because his passing reminds me that I need to be more in the moment, to communicate in a timelier manner how much I appreciate the special relationships I have formed over these many years as City Manager both in the community and in my personal life. The opportunity to share with friends, family, and colleagues how much they add value and depth to my life is TODAY, not tomorrow. The moment is ours, tomorrow is not. I must remember this simple truth as I move through my life so there will be fewer lost moments and fewer regrets. Thank you Michael for this lesson and may you be blessed with ever lasting peace.
20th Anniversary Policing Partnership
Recently I talked with Sheriff Gary Rosema and he expressed a desire to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the relationship between the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office and the City of Coopersville. Sheriff Rosema subsequently sent me an email that stated, “…Steve, as I had mentioned at the Policy Board, I would like the opportunity to stop into your first City Council meeting in February 2016. As you know it is our 20 year anniversary of our policing partnership with the City of Coopersville and what a GREAT partnership it has been. I truly believe because of Coopersville and the relationships that have had over the years that it has really allowed other communities to move forward in their initiatives as well…” Monday night we had a brief acknowledgment of the occasion and a few words from Sheriff Rosema and maybe Councilman Bush, as he is the only one standing that was present when the partnership began. What a truly remarkable achievement and I congratulate everyone involved as it took vision, dedication, and WILL to make this experiment a success.
Water Project Phase I
Information is still being gathered on the feasibility to inspect the interior diameter of the 16 inch water transmission main under the Grand River. Preliminary study is leaning towards not inspecting the line due to the possible need of significant downtime required to complete the inspection. A detailed scope of the project should be finalized by the end of next week.
WWTP Project Phase II
Since our last council meeting, very little action/progress on the WWTP Phase II has been done. Most of my time has been spent on permit issues with CDF and personnel related tasks. My expectations for the next two weeks, is to meet with Utility Advisory Committee and begin discussing in more detail relevant options to pursue in the forthcoming months. As was stated in previous memos, the difficult work of formulating long-term utility policy must take place so we as council and staff have a logical and deliberate course to follow. (1-25-16)
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