Sam Bode, an environmental health specialist for the Ottawa County Department of Public Health, was recently recognized by the county for outstanding customer service.
Photo provided
Ottawa County is proud to recognize Sam Bode of the Department of Public Health for outstanding customer service.
Bode, a specialist for the environmental health division of the health department, recently used his own lunch break to cover another inspector’s pre-inspection, helping keep the process on schedule for a food service establishment.
Client experience data shows that 92% of customers rate Bode’s service as helpful and describe him as knowledgeable, respectful, and supportive, even during regulatory interactions.
Bode also supports his coworkers, develops multilingual communication tools, and continues to pursue advanced training and challenging assignments. Last year, Sam was recognized statewide as the Michigan Environmental Health Association’s Sanitarian of the Year.
“Whether it’s writing laws, inspecting crime scenes, or inspecting just a kitchen like me, it’s all about service,” Bode said. “It’s all about service to the public, so I think as long as you can always remember that, you’re going to be doing right by the people.”
Exceptional customer service is important to Ottawa County government. Each day, employees interact with residents seeking information, resources, and support. Launched in 2012, Ottawa County’s Customer Service Initiative empowers employees to solve problems and ensure residents feel valued and respected.
The county’s Customer Service Award program celebrates employees who go beyond expectations while serving the public. By sharing these stories, the county reinforces a culture of excellence, where positive interactions build trust and demonstrate the impact of local government.
Residents who wish to nominate an Ottawa County employee for exceptional service may do so at miOttawa.org/administrator/customer-service.
Bode, a specialist for the environmental health division of the health department, recently used his own lunch break to cover another inspector’s pre-inspection, helping keep the process on schedule for a food service establishment.
Client experience data shows that 92% of customers rate Bode’s service as helpful and describe him as knowledgeable, respectful, and supportive, even during regulatory interactions.
Bode also supports his coworkers, develops multilingual communication tools, and continues to pursue advanced training and challenging assignments. Last year, Sam was recognized statewide as the Michigan Environmental Health Association’s Sanitarian of the Year.
“Whether it’s writing laws, inspecting crime scenes, or inspecting just a kitchen like me, it’s all about service,” Bode said. “It’s all about service to the public, so I think as long as you can always remember that, you’re going to be doing right by the people.”
Exceptional customer service is important to Ottawa County government. Each day, employees interact with residents seeking information, resources, and support. Launched in 2012, Ottawa County’s Customer Service Initiative empowers employees to solve problems and ensure residents feel valued and respected.
The county’s Customer Service Award program celebrates employees who go beyond expectations while serving the public. By sharing these stories, the county reinforces a culture of excellence, where positive interactions build trust and demonstrate the impact of local government.
Residents who wish to nominate an Ottawa County employee for exceptional service may do so at miOttawa.org/administrator/customer-service.
Four Injured in Two 72nd Avenue Crashes
Two crashes on 72nd Avenue in Blendon Township left four people injured Monday.
The first crash took place at 2:19 p.m. on 72nd near Polk Street. Investigators from the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office said that a green Subaru, driven by a 30-year-old Florida man, was southbound on 72nd when he crossed the median and crashed into the east ditch.
Two rear-seat passengers, a 30-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman, both from California, were not wearing their seat belts and received non-life-threatening injuries. They were taken to Corewell Health Zeeland Hospital for treatment, Sgt. Jon Smoes of the sheriff’s office said in a news release.
The driver and another passenger, a 22-year-old Las Vegas, Nev. woman, were wearing their seat belts and were not hurt. The crash shut down 72nd for about an hour for investigation and cleanup, Smoes said.
Then, shortly after 5:30 p.m., two vehicles crashed head-on at 72nd and Bauer Road. An initial investigation by the sheriff’s office said a GMC Acadia, driven by a 41-year-old Indiana man, was southbound on 72nd when it crossed the centerline and slammed head-on into a northbound Chevrolet Colorado driven by a 29-year-old Hudsonville woman.
The driver of the Colorado and her passenger, a 39-year-old Comstock Park woman, were taken to an area hospital with serious injuries. The driver of the Acadia was not injured, Sgt. Kyle Zwak of the sheriff’s office said in a news release.
The crash resulted in 72nd being shut down between Taylor and Polk streets while investigators were on the scene, Zwak said.
Blendon Township Fire and Life EMS assisted the sheriff’s office at the scene of both crashes.
The first crash took place at 2:19 p.m. on 72nd near Polk Street. Investigators from the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office said that a green Subaru, driven by a 30-year-old Florida man, was southbound on 72nd when he crossed the median and crashed into the east ditch.
Two rear-seat passengers, a 30-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman, both from California, were not wearing their seat belts and received non-life-threatening injuries. They were taken to Corewell Health Zeeland Hospital for treatment, Sgt. Jon Smoes of the sheriff’s office said in a news release.
The driver and another passenger, a 22-year-old Las Vegas, Nev. woman, were wearing their seat belts and were not hurt. The crash shut down 72nd for about an hour for investigation and cleanup, Smoes said.
Then, shortly after 5:30 p.m., two vehicles crashed head-on at 72nd and Bauer Road. An initial investigation by the sheriff’s office said a GMC Acadia, driven by a 41-year-old Indiana man, was southbound on 72nd when it crossed the centerline and slammed head-on into a northbound Chevrolet Colorado driven by a 29-year-old Hudsonville woman.
The driver of the Colorado and her passenger, a 39-year-old Comstock Park woman, were taken to an area hospital with serious injuries. The driver of the Acadia was not injured, Sgt. Kyle Zwak of the sheriff’s office said in a news release.
The crash resulted in 72nd being shut down between Taylor and Polk streets while investigators were on the scene, Zwak said.
Blendon Township Fire and Life EMS assisted the sheriff’s office at the scene of both crashes.
Macatawa Water Festival Set for July 18
The ODC Network will hold its annual Macatawa Water Festival on Saturday, July 18, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Kollen Park in Holland.
The festival is a free, family-friendly event, with the goal of helping community members of all ages learn about Lake Macatawa, the Macatawa Watershed, and Project Clarity.
Attendees can enjoy hands-on, nature-based activities, including kayaking, a bike course, exploring initiatives on native and invasive plants, water-conservation games, encounters with live animals, making nature crafts, and more. Find all the details at outdoordiscovery.org/macatawa-water-festival.
This community event also provides a great opportunity to volunteer. There are several unique, fun volunteer positions available. If interested, please visit bit.ly/waterfest26 by this Friday.
ODC Network is a registered 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to advancing outdoor education and conservation in West Michigan. Since its founding in 2000, ODC has preserved thousands of acres of native habitat and connected more than 1.5 million people to nature through outdoor learning, hands-on programs, and a network of free trails and preserves open year-round.
Project Clarity is a community-wide partnership committed to improving the health and clarity of Lake Macatawa and the Macatawa Watershed. This legacy project will have a lasting, profound impact on the economy, environment, and community as a whole.
The festival is a free, family-friendly event, with the goal of helping community members of all ages learn about Lake Macatawa, the Macatawa Watershed, and Project Clarity.
Attendees can enjoy hands-on, nature-based activities, including kayaking, a bike course, exploring initiatives on native and invasive plants, water-conservation games, encounters with live animals, making nature crafts, and more. Find all the details at outdoordiscovery.org/macatawa-water-festival.
This community event also provides a great opportunity to volunteer. There are several unique, fun volunteer positions available. If interested, please visit bit.ly/waterfest26 by this Friday.
ODC Network is a registered 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to advancing outdoor education and conservation in West Michigan. Since its founding in 2000, ODC has preserved thousands of acres of native habitat and connected more than 1.5 million people to nature through outdoor learning, hands-on programs, and a network of free trails and preserves open year-round.
Project Clarity is a community-wide partnership committed to improving the health and clarity of Lake Macatawa and the Macatawa Watershed. This legacy project will have a lasting, profound impact on the economy, environment, and community as a whole.
