Guest Speaker: Michael Haines

The DeKalb County Health Department has been serving the residents of our area for over 50 years, dealing with a number of public health and safety issues; but for the first time ever, the department is seeking help from the taxpayers to keep their operations going.

Michael Haines appeared at the March 1st Rotary Club meeting to discuss the upcoming April 4th referendum, asking voters to approve additional property taxes to go towards Health Department services.

He says that grant monies have been the main source of revenue for the Department for years; but those funds are declining, and they must now turn to the public for help.

In exchange for supporting the DCHD, the public sees a return in the various programs it supports -- maternal and child health; environmental health including restaurant, well and septic inspections; communicable disease prevention; and emergency preparedness in case of emergency...among other services.