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.

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.

Bob