Bob's Update - March 26, 2007
I can remember when the Western Service Center was just one idea in a
conversation. And I remember it sounded a little fantastic, too:
collocating all the programs and departments that “touch the land” together
at one campus. As with any potentially great idea it seems, this one had
its share of stops, starts and work-arounds.
The collocation meant a long series of changes and
compromises. The drive towards collaboration among a number of very
different people and styles was pretty difficult at times. I know you’ve
heard about the success of the Customer Service Specialists out at Zeeb,
the public interface; the people who have cross-trained to be able to
answer or find an answer to just about any question on any program –
environmental health, sewer or drain inspections, master gardening – that
is based at the Center.
But what you may not know is that last week I
saw proof that the idea that sounded a little fantastic a few years ago is
absolutely taking hold. The creativity, the “cross-pollination” – really
the synergy – that we’d hoped for is happening, and the evidence is at
www.ewashtenaw.org/ep.
Not only is this innovative environmental
portal a public service that engaged all the departments across the Land
Use & Environment community of interest, the story of this effort has a
couple of great twists: an important incentive from the Board of
Commissioners, and making the most of the talent we have right here at the
County.
The first twist is that Commissioner Mandy Grewal had urged
the staff out at Zeeb to make the web site “easier” to access and navigate.
She thought that people don’t think of “departments or programs” when they
need help, and that the web should indicate what we actually do in those
programs.
The ensuing talks and ideas out at Zeeb
brought about the second twist: Tom
Winebrenner. Tom is a Sanitarian with the Drain Commissioner’s
Office – and happens to be a very talented graphic artist. He started
doodling and the rest, with the help of our IT department, is
history.
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Bob's Update" is a weekly message to Washtenaw County employees from County Administrator Bob Guenzel. eWashtenaw publishes these columns when they are deemed timely and useful to the wider community. Please contact Administrator Guenzel with your comments. |
So this very successful initiative was about
horizontal communication across departments, as well as vertical alignment
with the Board. It was about thinking of the consumer and finding ways to
meet their needs. I think the site is compelling enough that, once you get
there, you want to stay and check it out. So, it offers an educational
component, too.
I wasn’t able to make it to the Board of
Commissioners’ Working Session last Thursday night, but I have seen the
Environmental Programs Update that was presented
and so should you. As our world becomes smaller, and our
focus must shift towards better stewardship of our environment, you can be
proud of this organization’s stand and programming.
To all
those involved - Planning & Environment, the Drain Commissioner’s
Office, MSU Extension, Public Health, Parks & Recreation, Support
Services and the Board of Public Works – congratulations!
And I suppose I should add, as an old friend
of ours always did – what’s next?
Have a great week.
