Achieving our objectives goes beyond providing low-cost, dependable utility service. The Holland Board of Public Works is also dedicated to improving the environmental and economic quality of the Holland community. With a long history of being involved in the communities where we work and live, our commitment is demonstrated in a number of activities.
Lighting Up the Holidays
The Holland Board of Public Works annually installs L.E.D. holiday lights in Centennial Park as a gift to the Holland community.
| Walk for Warmth |
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Adopt A Highway |
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| The Holland Board of Public Works is one of the sponsors of Walk for Warmth. Thi is a community-wide effort to raise money for community residents in need of utility financial assistance during the winter months. |
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Holland Board of Public Works employees continue to have an active role with the Michigan Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) Adopt-A-Highway program. Three times a year, employees undertake a major clean up of a two-mile long strip along US 31 between 32nd Street and the Washington Avenue interchange. |
Volunteer Firefighters and Reserve Police
A number of our utility workers demonstrate their community citizenship by serving as volunteer firefighters and reserve police in their communities. When appropriate, these workers are released from their work responsibilities to respond to an emergency situation.
Holland Community Sustainability Committee
A staff member acts a liaison on the Holland Community Sustainability Committee, whose role it is to “provide valuable guidance and assist with final decision-making on initiatives, policies and projects which are of a ‘Green’ nature.”
Personal Pharmaceutical Collection
In September 2009, the Holland Board of Public Works joined with the Ottawa County Health Department to sponsor a Personal Pharmaceutical Collection. Area residents were offered the opportunity to dispose of unwanted, unneeded or expired prescription and over-the-counter medicines. The collection was free and available to all Ottawa County residents. The response was great --- over 800 lbs of pills, liquids, creams and controlled substances were collected and taken for incineration. It was a great opportunity to prevent accidental poisonings, intentional drug abuse and keep complex chemicals from entering area lakes and streams.
Project Pride
The Holland Board of Public Works' employees also participated in the City of Holland’s Project Pride --- a residential household waste collection event that was held annually through 2009. Volunteers helped unload unwanted televisions, computers, and appliances. Properly recycling these items help keep precious and toxic metals, including mercury, out of landfills.
Hispanic Youth Leadership Conference
The 2009 Hispanic Youth Leadership Conference held at Hope College in February 2009 featured representatives from area employers speaking to hispanic youth on future careers. Three Holland Board of Public Works staff members participated in the conference ---- speaking on different aspects of future “Hot Green Jobs” as part of a panel on "Hot Careers". The conference was a tremendous success --- over 200 youth from 8th through 12th grade area schools participated in various workshops, panel discussions and a college resource fair.