Adeline Hambley and Dr. Gwendolyn Unzicker from Ottawa County Public Health came to discuss past and present Public Heath in Ottawa County.
The Public Heath Department started in Ottawa County way back in 1873. It was not officially formed in its current capacity until 1931. Over the years, the Public Health Department has assisted in lowering diseases like measles and illnesses like the Spanish flu. They also have offered proper training for food handling, and well water testing.
The Public Health Officer position is he only position where it is not an elected official, leading to some guardrails to ensure those holding the position of Public Health Officer so that they meet state requirements and have the needed education and experience. These requirements ensure that in the State of Michigan, Public Heath is still an important and protected aspect of our lives.
We are seeing trends of less vaccination in Ottawa county, leading to higher Measles and Whooping Cough cases. The Heath Department conducts all vaccine waiver requests, and they track this data to better educate our general public. The Department has the authority through State law to protect vaccine access in Michigan. The State of Michigan continues to offer the COVID vaccine and others more broadly than the guidance from the Federal Government. This allows those outside of the federal recommendations to be able to receive the vaccine they choose without making any vaccine a requirement.
Rotary Anniversaries: Sid Disbrow - January 1st (46 years), Tom Manderscheid - January 1st (32 years), Chris Mountford - January 5th (11 years), James Cook - January 6th (1 year), Larry Burns - January 6th (1 year), James Mungai - January 6th (1 year)
Announcements:
Rotary is sponsoring a food truck on February 6th. More information to come, but add it to your calendar, it is a GREAT opportunity for a Club Service Project.
Change for Change jar is on the back table. Drop your change to assist our Interact Club in granting additional Micro-Loans with the Interact Club of Grand Haven High School.
We have a new Rotary Spotlight, monthly on WAWL.
Next year's Rotary International is being held in Tiapei Taiwan, Gernot and Kirstin are looking to see if any members are interested in attending. Cost will only be $5000 in total.
Save the Date - Friday, March 27th will be a Literacy Summit at Trillium in Spring Lake
Board Meeting on Thursday, January 8th. The meeting will start at 7:30 at Kenzie's Be Cafe
New Board Orientation will be next Monday, January 12th, following the regular Rotary weekly meeting.
50/50 Raffle: Gernot drew the Joker and will take home $99, the remaining $138 will go to a charity of his choosing!
Coffee at the Grand Haven Rotary Meetings provided by Kenzie's BE Cafe - please be sure to thank them by visiting the shop for a coffee or your next meeting!
