Around Macomb

Food Program Volunteers Recognized

Food Program

On Sept. 11, the Macomb Food Program recognized more than 150 volunteers who help the program its network of more than 50 pantries throughout Macomb County.

COMTEC Shown to the World

ITS

Macomb County’s COMTEC was chosen as a tour site for the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) World Congress conference at Cobo Center, Detroit last week. ITS involves technical innovations that apply to the efficiency and safety of ground transportation systems.

The tours showed visitors how Macomb County manages traffic operations. This will make COMTEC one of the most toured public facilities as a part of the World Congress.

Hackel, Randazzo Featured at Pet Conference

Friend of animals

The Michigan Pet Fund Alliance presented Macomb County Executive Mark A. Hackel with an Elected Official's Homeless Animal Friend award during the organization's conference on Sept. 4. Macomb County Animal Chief Jeff Randazzo was also a featured speaker at the conference.

You're Invited

Feel free to check out any of the events listed below -- or look at our events calendar -- for additional ways to be involved either at work or around Macomb County!

NextGEN Macomb Invites Young Professionals to Attend an Informal Mixer, Participate in Survey

NextGEN Macomb, a young professionals group in Macomb County, is inviting the public to join them at a launch party from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sept. 24 at Three Blind Mice in Mount Clemens. The event is sponsored by Macomb County Planning and Economic Development. Read More...

Super Prepared!

Healthstyles Brings Lunch and Learn to Employees

Mount Clemens Santa Parade Seeks Volunteers

Drive Time

If you're driving around Macomb County, click here to find a list of the latest construction projects.

SEMCOG and MAC Survey Asks for Citizen Perspectives on Driving Behaviors

In an effort to impact quality of life in Southeast Michigan by keeping our roads and highways safer, SEMCOG, the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, and its partner organization MAC, the Metropolitan Affairs Coalition, have launched a survey to gather driver perceptions on dangerous activities behind the wheel. Read More...

Mark's Message

It’s been almost two years since Macomb Matters first graced the screens of our work computers, and during that time, it has provided the latest news and events to employees. This is more than just simple information sharing. Knowing what goes on in the workplace, where we spend a great deal of our time, also builds a sense of community.

We are continuously looking at making improvements where needed, which is why we decided to make Macomb Matters a now fully digital version. This will allow everyone to get information faster with more links to more information.

In that same idea, we recently updated our Make Macomb Your Home website with new school information just in time for the start of the school year. Visit www.makemacombyourhome.com/schools.html to read up on all the great educational opportunities available in Macomb County.

Enjoy your fall! I hope that there are plenty of football games, cider mill trips and campfires in your future.

Mark A. Hackel

Macomb County Executive

Blog About It

By Melissa Roy, Assistant Macomb County Executive

Storytelling… It’s a skill that can make gatherings more enjoyable, experiences more memorable and can give life and vibrancy to its subject matter. It’s also the latest transformation in media and communications. Blogging is a way to showcase something with more life and a humanized twist. Great media writers have been doing this for years in the New York Times (think: Russell Baker), Detroit Free Press (think: Neal Shine) or Macomb Daily (think: Chad Selewski). Read More...

Macomb County’s Health Leader Gets Diversity Award

Macomb County Director of Health and Community Services Steve Gold has received a Diversity Award from Corp! Magazine for his efforts in Macomb County’s OneMacomb program.

Gold began his career as a teacher in rural North Carolina before beginning an extended period of international travel in Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and Nepal.

“My travels taught me a great deal about the importance of diversity within a community,” said Gold. Read More...

Baseball Stadium is a Macomb Home Run

Macomb County Executive Mark A. Hackel, along with the Macomb County Planning & Economic Development Department and the city of Utica, announced a development project that will allow for the building of a multi-million dollar baseball stadium that will host independent league games.

“This ballpark is a welcomed development in Macomb County,” said Macomb County Executive Mark A. Hackel. “This minor league stadium is a great economic advantage for the city of Utica. It is also a major league quality-of-life opportunity for the region.” Read More...

Sterling Heights Dedicates First Paddle Landing Site

Sterling Heights and Macomb County officials, business owners and area residents gathered on the banks of the Clinton River Aug. 21 to dedicate Sterling Heights’ brand-new paddle landing site.

The Sterling Heights Landing in Clinton River Park North (located off of Riverland Drive between Van Dyke and Clinton River roads) offers enthusiasts another landing site from which to explore the Clinton River, provides access to the Sterling Heights Nature Center and offers a short recreational ride in a canoe or kayak from Utica’s Heritage Park that is easy for novices and great for families. Read More...

Labor Day Lawn Chores

By Kevin Frank, Michigan State University Extension, Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences

The Labor Day holiday signals the unofficial end to summer and also a great reminder that September is a key time for homeowners looking to spruce up the lawn.

It’s a busy time of year with school starting, fall sports kicking into full gear, and of course lawn chores preparing for winter. Throughout most of Michigan, the summer of 2014 will likely be remembered for cool temperatures and adequate if not excessive rainfall. Some will also remember 2014 as the summer the turf would never quit growing. Probably the biggest challenge I’ve seen with most lawns is simply a lack of fertility. With perfect growing conditions, turf has burned through fertilizer applications quicker than normal resulting in many lawns starting to lose density and becoming invaded by pests such as white clover and rust. Read More...

Employee Focus - Our Mr. Fix-its

By Sarah Cormier

Macomb County Executive Office

It may be as simple as changing a light bulb or setting up for a meeting or as complicated as fixing a stubborn leak or painting an entire department.

Whatever the need may be, the 32 tradespeople that are part of Macomb County’s Facilities and Operations (F&O) Department can take care of the issue.

“We maintain the buildings and keep all of the facilities in operating order,” said Brian Bauman, union carpenter who has worked for the county for three years. Read More...

Macomb's Memories - George Caram Steeh

By Cynthia Donahue, Facilities and Operations

Born in Mount Clemens in 1919, George Caram Steeh was the son of Caram and Dora (Lappin) Steeh. George’s immigrant parents played a major role in the shaping of his remarkable career. Their values regarding hard work and the importance of a good education greatly contributed to his success

Caram George Steeh, born June 26, 1886 in Mersine, Turkey, came to the United States aboard the Lazio on September 1, 1907. He began his career with Tadross & Zahloute, an Oriental rug company in New York, under the guidance of Naumi Tadross’s nephews Naseem and Saliba Zahloute. Read More...