Ottawa Out Loud

Latest Episodes:

16: The Water Quality Dream Team! Jan 22, 2026

Show notes

Water Resources Commissioner Joe Bush, Ben Jordan from Ottawa Conservation District, and Dan Callam from the Outdoor Discovery Center Network join us to dive into the groundbreaking Water Quality Monitoring Initiative, spearheaded by our Water Resources department. This initiative brings together experts from across the county to collect data from our streams, rivers, lakes, and watersheds to understand how water pollution happens— and how we can improve Ottawa County’s water supply for generations to come.

Learn more about the Water Quality Monitoring Initiative: https://ottawacd.org/water_quality_monitoring/

Outdoor Discovery Center Network: https://outdoordiscovery.org

Ottawa Conservation District: https://ottawacd.org

OCCAA Walk for Warmth: https://miottawa.org/caa/walk-for-warmth/

Housing Commission Survey: https://ottawacounty.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_ehbLdX1t8d224rc

Materials Management Plan Survey: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8592519/Recycling-Survey?source=slider

Upcoming Board of Commissioners Meetings: https://boards.miottawa.org/calendar/

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15: Having Snow Much Fun in 2026 w/ Ottawa County Parks Jan 02, 2026

Show notes

Cold weather got you feeling stuck indoors? We're kicking off season 2 of Ottawa Out Loud with an exciting look at winter recreation opportunities from Ottawa County Parks, including skiing, snowshoeing, birding, and more. Plus, a sneak peek at the new-and-improved 2026 Parks Challenge, featuring bigger and better prizes!
——————Links——————
Learn more about Parks & Recreation Programs: https://miottawacountyweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web/splash.html?ccode=Activities
Upcoming Birding events: https://miottawacountyweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web/search.html?module=AR&Type=Nature&Subtype=Birding&_csrf_token=Li0O1M611O112O2W3A2G2Z4I5L4P6E501N5I4Y4J6B01724Q6K400D5R5X6M4U1A005U5H4I055M4V5E4Z66044O5F6K706W65536P0P5R4G6O57734P4R56511I5H4L5K
2026 Parks Challenge information: https://miottawa.org/parks/parks-challenge/

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14: Keeping "Community" in Community Mental Health Dec 26, 2025

Show notes

CEO Dr. Michael Brashears joins us to give you a deeper look into Community Mental Health, the philosophies that drive it, and the challenges that it faces in today’s complex environment. See how CMH administration and staff are preparing for changes at the federal, state, and county level while still providing top-notch comprehensive mental health services to our community.

“Did you Know?” Video Series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyDvvIv66xGcrHhSd1cmRDsRpK405PSE_

Learn more about CMH Services: https://miottawa.org/cmh/

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13: In Our Administrator Era! Nov 25, 2025

Show notes

In our most exciting episode yet, former interim administrator Gary Rosema and administrator Patrick Waterman join the podcast to talk about what administrators do, give their perspective on the last 12 months, and look toward the bright future of Ottawa County.
Make sure that you're subscribed so you don't miss anything from Ottawa County!
----------------Links from Announcements----------------
Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ottawacountymi?_r=1&_t=ZP-91fYRiY5FB0
Ottawa County Road Commission: https://ottawacorc.com

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12: MSU Extension: Cultivating a County Nov 06, 2025

Show notes

Kendra, Bill, and Morgan join us to talk about just a handful of the many programs offered by Ottawa County's MSU Extension Office.

Learn more about:

MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/ottawa/

Product Center: https://www.canr.msu.edu/productcenter/

Christmas tree farms in your area: https://mcta.org/choose-cut-farms-map/

Keeping your tree fresh all season long: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/water_is_the_essential_ingredient_in_keeping_your_farm_grown_christmas_tree

4-H Club: https://www.canr.msu.edu/ottawa/4-h/

Follow 4-H Club on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ottawacounty4HMSU

Participate in the Kitchen Survey for aspiring or active food and beverage entrepreneurs: https://msu.co1.qualtrics.com/survey-builder/SV_a3ubmJiLcoJqcbI/edit

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Food resources in Ottawa County:

CALL-211: https://www.call-211.org/news-events/

Ottawa Food: https://ottawafood.org/findfood/

Meeting Minutes for the October 28 Board of Commissioners Meeting: https://youtube.com/shorts/ldP_kIIwMdA?feature=share

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11: The Budget Episode Oct 16, 2025

Show notes

Happy New (fiscal) Year! Thanks to Tyler and Sandi from Fiscal Services for joining us today to talk about our county budget: why it's necessary, how it's created, and what's new in fiscal year '26.
For more information on the Fiscal Services Department, visit https://miottawa.org/fiscal-services/
FY2025 Budget Book: https://stories.opengov.com/countyofottawami/62d95624-e0be-4ccb-9c83-128fe6d3bbd4/published/ZBz7ZzVoY?currentPageId=6758633d804de880113a2dba
-----Announcements-----
Game Day for Good:
October 25 from 9-10am
Pigeon Creek Park, West Olive
https://miottawa.org/events/game-day-for-good-10-25-2025/
Walk for Warmth Student Poster Design Contest:
https://miottawa.org/caa/walk-for-warmth/
Send an email to walkforwarmthcaa@gmail.com for more information and to submit an entry
CMH Medication Takeback Event
October 25 from 10am-2pm
Corewell Health Zeeland and Holland Hospital

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10: What's New with the Sheriff's Office? Ft. Sheriff DeBoer Sep 25, 2025

Show notes

Sheriff Eric DeBoer joins us to talk about some organizational changes, new technology, recruiting updates, and what makes the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office an incredible place to work.

Important Links:

The Ottawa Sands Project Documentary Award Press Release: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIOTTAWA/bulletins/3f2dd96

Board Meeting Calendar: https://boards.miottawa.org/calendar/

Sheriff's Office Website: https://miottawa.org/sheriff/

Sheriff's Office Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/OttawaCountySheriffMichigan

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9: CMH & RecoveryFest 2025 Aug 28, 2025

Show notes

Daniel and Max from Community Mental Health sit down with Scott to talk about the options provided for those struggling with substance use, the live-saving impact these programs have, and details about RecoveryFest, a family-friendly event celebrating recovery and building community.
Crisis Helpline: 866-512-4357
or call 911 if someone is actively endangered.
Find SUD resources from CMH: https://miottawa.org/cmh/substance-use/
Learn more about RecoveryFest: https://reachforrecovery.org/recovery-fest/
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OCCAA September Food Distribution Eligibility and Information:
September 5: https://miottawa.org/events/free-food-distribution-2-09-05-2025/
September 26: https://miottawa.org/events/free-food-distribution-09-26-2025/
OCSO Avoid Financial Scams Seminars:
September 17: https://miottawa.org/events/civilian-financial-scams-class-09-17-2025/
September 22: https://miottawa.org/events/civilian-financial-scams-class-2-09-22-2025/
Veterans Services Stand Down and Resource Fair: https://miottawa.org/veterans-services/stand-down/
Farms are the Tapas: event.gives/tapas2025

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8: No Farms, No Food: Protecting Ottawa County's Farmland Jul 24, 2025

Show notes

Newsflash--Ottawa County is one of the top agricultural powerhouses in the state. That means farming is literally (okay, figuratively) in our DNA. Julie Lamer and Becky Huttenga from the Department of Strategic Impact join the podcast to discuss how strategic, data-driven land planning is essential to the county's economic future, and how preserving and protecting farmland from being overdeveloped is at the center of that effort. We discuss the philosophy and data behind Farmland Protection Program, its impact thus far, and how DSI is able to secure funding without using county general funds. Also, details on Farms Are The Tapas, a beloved annual small-dish chef competition and silent auction event coming up in September.

Question of the day: What's one business you'd like to see open a location in West Michigan?

----------Links-----------

Learn more about Farmland Preservation: https://miottawa.org/dsi/economic-development/farmland/

Get tickets to Farms Are The Tapas (act quickly-- tickets are selling fast!): https://event.gives/tapas2025

Cops and Bobbers: https://miottawa.org/events/cops-and-bobbers-08-07-2025/

Visit the Idema Explorers Camp: https://miottawa.org/parks/iec/

Back-To-School Parent Resources: https://miottawa.org/health/parents/

Public Meeting Calendar: https://boards.miottawa.org/calendar/

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7: Stars, Stripes, and Service with Veterans Services Jun 26, 2025

Show notes

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 veteranservices@miottawa.org.

3. Subscribe to the Veterans Services Newsletter here: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIOTTAWA/subscriber/new?topic_id=MIOTTAWA_63

Keep 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=Event

Keep 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_582

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