[This transcript was generated automatically from audio using AI and hasn't been reviewed by a person -- it can contain mistakes, including plausible-sounding sentences that were never actually said. Treat it as a starting point, not a verbatim record.]

[15:00] Thank you.
[32:32] Officer Firefighter Awards banquet. My name is Kim Kranz, and is my pleasure to represent the
[32:39] Midland Exchange Club tonight to honor the officers and firefighters of our Midland
[32:44] community. And as I look around the room and I see all these officers and firefighters,
[32:50] I know that I speak for everyone here. Thank you for your service and it is greatly
[32:56] appreciate it. At this time I'd like to introduce the MC for the evening, Greg
[33:02] Crawford.
[33:12] Thank you, Kim. My goal here is just to keep things moving and have
[33:18] the mic on. There we go. My goal here is to keep things moving so we can get you
[33:21] fed and get our awardees recognized and get you out for the evening. So at this
[33:26] time, ladies and gentlemen, if you would please rise. We have the Midland Police
[33:32] Department on a guard who will present the colors. I'd also ask for Amber,
[33:37] Please join me up here also. Thank you.
[37:40] Again, that's Amber Blvens from Midland County. So give it up for Amber, please.
[37:49] Now, we want to recognize some of our distinguished guests. So if I could start with our senators, representatives, and congressmen that are in attendance, if you could please rise.
[38:05] About our city council, city manager, also please,
[38:15] county controller, county commissioners, please rise.
[38:25] Also, now these folks may want to stay in cognito, but our judge is in prosecutor.
[38:32] We give it up for those folks.
[38:38] Thank you.
[38:38] Now I'd like to invite Reverend Walley
[38:40] Maintainup for the invocation.
[38:54] With all the talk about wanting to move things along,
[38:56] then you invite a preacher to come up here.
[38:59] You may be in trouble.
[39:03] We are glad to be here tonight.
[39:05] I am very glad and feel privileged and blessed to be here tonight.
[39:09] This community and you represent this community.
[39:12] each of you seeks to do good and not harm all of your days and we live in a world that
[39:20] is fraught with danger and violence and conflict and warfare and I thought there would be
[39:26] no better way for you as people to seek to serve and to do good and not harm all of your
[39:32] days for us to pause in our prayer and just a very short period of silence to remember those
[39:39] who are suffering,
[39:42] who are in harm's way, and of course those who seek to bring peace into our world.
[39:50] Let's thank and feel and be grateful for those who seek good and not harm all of their days.
[40:04] I have only God, we thank you for bringing us together in a moment of quiet.
[40:10] It is a moment of friendship, it is a moment of gathering together our hearts and our spirits
[40:17] to reflect and reveal the good that we know you intend for your world.
[40:25] Lord, help us to be models of the charity of your grace. As you command us to
[40:31] love one another and be neighbors to one another, may we fulfill that hope and
[40:37] strive Lord to be the blessing that you have created us to be. This night I
[40:44] ask your particular blessing on all these and others who serve so generously and
[40:49] so abundantly who live in self-sacrifice for the sake of others thanking you
[40:56] their devotion to helping others thanking you for their courage, courage, their wisdom,
[41:04] their strength, and their compassion. As we gather this Lord, night, Lord, together we pray that
[41:12] we may reflect our faithfulness to our service to you and that we too may continue and increase
[41:20] to seek good and not harm all of our days.
[41:25] Bless us now.
[41:25] We thank you for the hospitality of this place.
[41:28] We thank you for the food prepared for us.
[41:31] Nourish us and body as we in your presence
[41:36] are nurtured in your spirit.
[41:38] We ask this blessing.
[41:44] Thank you, Holly.
[41:45] I brought you up five minutes early.
[41:47] And you didn't take it, so we're good at a schedule.
[41:50] So now at this time, I'd like to ask our award recipients
[41:53] in their tables. You may get up. Food is ready and you can start first so we have only the four
[41:59] tables up here. Then we'd ask our presenters. So if you're sitting with Chief Ford or Chair of Green,
[42:07] it's them in their spouse or guests that go but not the whole table. And then Tammy here will dismiss
[42:13] everyone else. She does accept cash and then Mo.
[42:22] So our ward recipients of your tables you can get
[42:24] There's a couple lines.
[42:37] All right, ladies and gentlemen,
[42:41] it's 7.30.
[42:42] So we want to get started.
[42:44] We'll give a couple minutes.
[42:45] We got some of our guest tables that are out.
[42:49] But you've had a good meal.
[42:51] How many of you work today?
[42:53] Probably a rough day, right?
[42:55] Had a good meal.
[42:56] Your stomach's full.
[42:57] Let me see if I can get a little laughter out of you.
[43:00] And I don't know.
[43:03] Maybe I'll ask Brad K.
[43:04] This would be directed to him.
[43:06] But it says, by order of the city of Midland,
[43:11] only toilet paper is to be flushed.
[43:14] Refrain from flushing wipes, paper towels,
[43:16] and other items, flush toilet paper only.
[43:19] I would agree with that.
[43:19] I've got you the jail agrees with that, too.
[43:22] Problem was, I was standing up the urinal.
[43:27] I was standing up the urinal.
[43:30] Yeah, OK.
[43:32] Well, there's a little bit of humor in it didn't work.
[43:35] So at this time, though,
[43:39] so it
[43:39] As mentioned, this is actually the 58-1 for the City Police and the County Sheriff's
[43:46] Department.
[43:48] So, let's start with the City Police.
[43:50] If you're a past recipient of this award, please stand.
[43:54] City Police officers,
[44:05] about our County Sheriff's in jail and such, past recipients.
[44:21] Now, 1993 is when they added in the City Fire Department and our Township Fire Departments
[44:27] So this is the 31st time for that. How about if you're a City of Midland Fire fighter that's received this award in the past?
[44:34] Please stand and be recognized.
[44:43] And last but not least, our Township Fire representatives pass recipients. Please stand and be recognized.
[44:57] If you flip your program over on the back, it has all.
[45:00] I'm listed by name in the years, so you can figure out who's the oldest one in here on your own. That must have been wife of one of them.
[45:10] So on behalf of all the presenters and recipients, we'd like to express our thanks to the following.
[45:15] The Midland Exchange Club, the Midland Country Club, the Karl and Esther Gerstacker Fund through the Midland Area Community Foundation.
[45:23] The following financial contributors, RBE, Satoa Weak, city sewer cleaners, Spencer Family
[45:30] Fund, Edward Jones, Scott and Carl McFarland, Sheryl and Cliff Block.
[45:37] Also like to recognize McKay Press and our Donnelly Company, we'd also like to thank
[45:41] MCTV for being here also on the Midland Daily News.
[45:45] For all their involvement, participation and financial support for this year's award banquet.
[45:49] Please give it up for those folks.
[45:50] Now
[45:56] we're going to move right into our awardees and we're going to start with the city police department.
[46:02] I'd like to invite Chief Nicole Ford up to the podium.
[46:14] She loves doing this. That's why she gets to go first.
[46:16] Normally, they're on that side of the room. I don't know what's happened this year.
[46:20] Pure chaos.
[46:21] Pure chaos.
[46:24] Chief Ford ladies and gentlemen.
[46:32] Good evening everyone and thank you for being with us here tonight as we celebrate this year's
[46:37] after the year award recipients. With the cooler fall temperatures and the
[46:42] great skies that we've had lately, it's nice to be inside where it's
[46:45] warm and cozy and gathered tonight in a celebratory fashion. Moving on to the
[46:51] nitty gritty of why we're here tonight, it's my true pleasure to introduce to you
[46:57] detective Lucas Huss. Oh yeah, this is going to happen.
[47:03] Detective Huss began his
[47:05] with the Midland Police Department as a road patrol officer on April 15, 2013. However, he had
[47:11] worked for the Sag Noveli State University Police Department for several years prior to joining
[47:16] our department. It wasn't long after joining our team when he applied for and was assigned to
[47:23] the detective bureau. Successful completion of a multitude of trainings have made detective
[47:29] a truly valuable member of our team.
[47:32] He has investigated and closed countless cases using the unique skills he has learned throughout
[47:37] his years of specified training, pinpointing all aspects of investigation from interviewing
[47:43] interrogation to evidence collection to cell phone data recovery.
[47:48] We regularly refer to detective husks as one of our departmental nerds, with love of course.
[47:56] These skills have also culminated in his assignment to numerous major crimes, some of which
[48:01] include homicide of adults and children like, as well as criminal sexual conduct cases
[48:06] involving adult and juvenile victims, the less desirable cases, if you will.
[48:13] These types of cases are intricate in nature, and very time-consuming, and death, the detective
[48:19] host does an excellent job investigating each and every case he is assigned to.
[48:24] In fact, I had the privilege of awarding Detective Hust, and several of his MPD Detective
[48:30] Bureau colleagues with the Department Unit Citation and September of 2022.
[48:35] This award was given to each member of the team for the tire list yet successful work
[48:39] that they performed on a homicide investigation from March 2022 in which a boyfriend killed
[48:45] his girlfriend and then took their children to a neighboring community.
[48:48] The teams combined efforts resulted in locating the suspect and safely returning the victim's
[48:54] children to their extended family members, which is truly the best outcome possible
[48:59] following such a horrific crime.
[49:02] Earlier that year, March of 2022, Detective Hust was bestowed upon with the champion
[49:07] of children, award given by Satan's sound to a child advocacy center.
[49:13] His steadfast service investigating physical and sexual crimes against children was the reason he received the award and we are continually inspired by how ferociously he stands up for the young children who are unable to stand up for themselves.
[49:30] This is most definitely an inspiration to all of us at MPD.
[49:35] Detective Hust is also a resin expert working together with the Michigan State Police
[49:40] computer crimes unit. In fact, he has done so for many years now, in this role he performs
[49:47] data collection, extraction, and cell phones which may contain evidence in a criminal case.
[49:53] Society as a whole, find ourselves in a truly digital age, and the skill set detective
[49:59] Thank you so much.
[50:00] According to with regard to this area has been instrumental in helping to resolve many cases for not only our
[50:06] department, but many of our neighboring departments. The local law for some community is fortunate
[50:13] indeed that detective hosts chose to add this time intensive and extremely helpful skill to
[50:19] his investigative background. Those who work most closely with the detective us have shared
[50:25] time and time again that he is very committed, hardworking, detailed oriented, and a dedicated
[50:32] person whom is always willing to assist any co-worker with questions they may have while
[50:38] working a case. He quickly became and remains to this day, an integral go-to person for MPD's
[50:46] detective bureau. One whom may look up to and are proud to work with. Undoubtedly, his continual
[50:53] efforts reveal his unwavering commitment for providing the citizens of Midland a safe place to work and live.
[51:02] And has been my honor this evening to publicly recognize Detective Hus and provide a few
[51:07] highlights from his NPD career. Please join me now in welcoming the champion of children
[51:12] and detective Lucas'
[51:21] us.
[51:22] Okay, I hope that's all right.
[51:26] You know, you're just a Samuel.
[51:34] Thank you very much.
[51:40] Hello.
[51:41] There you go.
[51:43] All right.
[51:44] See if I appreciate it very much.
[51:46] She actually threw me a bone because I said that she needed
[51:48] to call me detail oriented so that I could give my joke about my wife
[51:51] not thinking that I'm detail oriented but she gave me better
[51:54] fodder because she said that I was a department nerd and it's true.
[51:56] But we all know that cap nerds just know how to turn computers on and off, you don't have to do much.
[52:04] Talk to Bren about that. Inside joke.
[52:11] Okay, so seriously, winning this award is both humbling and empowering.
[52:18] I have known most all of the award winners are worked under or been trained by most all of the award winners for the last 10 years that I've been in Midland.
[52:28] They're all masters of their craft and honestly to be kind of in a gold coat ceremony like they are.
[52:35] It's truly an honor.
[52:38] I have to thank the Exchange Club, the Foundation from putting on their dinner and honoring myself,
[52:43] and then all the other ward recipients. Sorry, I said I was going to do that once.
[52:49] I got to thank my wife and kids Sarah, Isaac, Maddie, and Emily are down there and I told them I was going to say their name.
[52:56] The kids obviously didn't have a choice. By the time they came around I was
[53:00] already in this career. I don't know if Sarah knew what she was getting into.
[53:04] We've had Thanksgiving morning callouts. We've had Christmas callouts. We've had
[53:08] birthday parties where we have to leave early. I cannot express my love and
[53:15] admiration for her enough at how supportive she's always been. I got to thank the
[53:21] Also, I'm wearing that corner in the table in the corner there.
[53:25] Tanya was my first FTO in the department, and I'm kind of wrote her coat tails through.
[53:30] She's always been one of the bosses there.
[53:32] She's a, I gotta be careful because there's more than one former supervisor here, but
[53:37] she's one of the best supervisors that I've ever had.
[53:41] Ryan's here too.
[53:44] Ryan was honestly my windshield partner for years.
[53:46] Him and I would come to work, and we'd go into those tenets office, and they'd say,
[53:49] Hey, jump in the car you guys are going to own best to get this and we'd be on the move for the next couple of days.
[53:55] He's the one that keeps me aligned make sure that I cross my teas and dot my eyes.
[54:00] And so I got to thank him for that.
[54:02] I have to thank our new partner, Mark, too.
[54:06] I told him that I would, Mark can karate chop like no other.
[54:10] Mark is also a super genuine guy.
[54:14] He's a guy that has a guy for almost any problem that you might have.
[54:17] and he's great to work with.
[54:20] I got to thank the chief.
[54:21] I got to thank all my former supervisors
[54:23] because Jimmy, I saw you came in here
[54:25] and I wanted to say thanks.
[54:26] Jimmy was my first lieutenant
[54:27] when I came back in the detective bureau.
[54:29] But Mark Gullet, Josh McMillan,
[54:31] was one of our supervisors
[54:32] and I've had a boatload of partners
[54:35] that were all rotating detectives
[54:36] that allowed them here tonight too.
[54:40] To be honest to you, to thank all the people
[54:42] for what I've learned about.
[54:43] Um, would just be all day because every shift that I've been on every supervisor that I've had
[54:49] every, you know, for both departments that I worked for.
[54:52] I tried to learn from each person because I think everybody's got a unique perspective.
[54:56] Um, and it's helped me to make me a well-rounded officer and I hope maybe.
[55:00] That part of myself is rubbed off on them as well.
[55:04] Brent Benzings-Hacksley hasn't taught me anything, because he's the only one.
[55:08] I'm kidding.
[55:11] Brent and I have a love relationship. He is the old man that we've worked with.
[55:18] He's been around the block for a long time. He knows almost everything except for how to turn his computer on and off.
[55:25] But I look up to them, I've called them day, night, whenever you ask them a question.
[55:31] He's got an answer for you, and he's a great guy, so again, thank you to everybody if I forgot I apologize I'm not a surgeon my hands are shaking but I just can't express how honored I am and how thankful I am for all of this and for the dinner and each drink and be merry and be safe.
[55:48] Thank you.
[56:06] Congratulations Lucas. Unfortunately for our remaining three he's just set the bar no pressure
[56:14] But give it up again for Lucas, please
[56:21] I'd like to welcome Sheriff my ring green up to the podium to award our Midland County Sheriff
[56:36] But all of the award recipients are a pretty big deal because I did not know that we're gonna have a guess
[56:44] a weird al-yank of edge right down here in the day we're right there.
[56:53] But tonight I have the distinct privilege of introducing the Sheriff's Office Deputy
[56:58] of the Year.
[57:00] Some of you may have already seen his name in the newspaper or on social media or now in your
[57:05] program.
[57:07] The Deputy Jedi Thomas or has, as he has been affectionately labeled by his co-workers as
[57:14] Red Pop, or, as he calls himself, Red Chad,
[57:23] then I'll apologize to mom because I know you didn't
[57:25] raise him this way, but Chad has been known to have a few girlfriends since he's moved to
[57:31] Midland, but I will not divulge what they would call it. Chad grew up in Alpina,
[57:44] and then he
[57:45] University or Lake Superior State University, I get that right.
[57:50] Which has been on the sheriff's office since 2015.
[57:54] And in a couple of nomination letters,
[57:57] Chad is referred to as highly motivated and excited to come to work.
[58:03] So much so that when he had his initial interview here
[58:08] of the sheriff's office, he showed up at the law enforcement center at 2am.
[58:14] Instead of his 2pm scheduled time for his interview, now there may have been a typo in his
[58:21] letter, but nonetheless, he still showed up at 2am and look, it ultimately worked out for him.
[58:29] Other traits that describe Chad are, team player, goes above and beyond, a proactive leader,
[58:36] A great work ethic doesn't complain, jumps calls for his call workers,
[58:47] over the course
[58:48] of Chad's career thus far, he's been selected for special assignments such as field training
[58:54] deputy, dive team, pistol and rifle instructor, less lethal and simulations instructor,
[59:04] and he's a current member of the spot team.
[59:06] This past year before returning to role patrol, Chad completed a couple year assignment of undercover drug work with the MSP BANET unit, where he was also involved in several large scale drug investigations.
[59:22] One of these cases involved in overdose that resulted in death, which then turned into a delivery causing death investigation.
[59:30] Chatted, assisted, and interviewing over 30 witnesses, obtaining and executing search
[59:36] horns, and reviewing hours of security footage, which led to charges filed against the
[59:43] individual, and is a waiting trial.
[59:47] Lastly, back in July, Chatted was also involved in responding to and investigating an attempted
[59:52] break in, and arm robbery in the Coleman area, in which one of the suspects have been shot,
[59:59] and several other...
[1:00:00] Members, we're located and arrested. So for all of these reasons, Deputy Chad Thomas is your deputy of the year.
[1:00:23] Good evening. I think House had a earpiece if we could check him. I wasn't prepared for this, would I?
[1:00:33] I'll try to read off the paper too much here, but my brother got the, my brother got the public speaking in a smart part of the brain, but I work with what I got.
[1:00:46] Good evening and two about half of you a good morning to the other half of you nice
[1:00:51] chapters. I suppose this since my time to shine I could say a few words and in
[1:00:57] honor of receiving this prestigious award. All my friends probably just took a
[1:01:03] deep breath and said oh here we go.
[1:01:07] Don't worry I promise keep your short for
[1:01:09] you all. I typically don't find myself in a public speaking role like this but
[1:01:15] And luckily, back on September 1st, I was told I'd be receiving this award, which offered me ample time to type up a decent speech for you all.
[1:01:24] So last night, I sat down and put my mind to it.
[1:01:30] There's only one person in the scrow that knows for sure that I was there typing this. She knows who she is.
[1:01:39] All jokes aside, what mainly came to mind was every single person that I think highly of
[1:01:45] both of them as a person and their work ethic from the hardest working deputies we have
[1:01:50] and supervisors to our meticulous detectives, spread benzene and whole zinger.
[1:01:57] And those working special assignments within the sheriff's office.
[1:02:01] I thought of how they came to work each and every day with a positive attitude, work
[1:02:06] and do their best to be respectful to others and help others learn. I thought about how each
[1:02:12] of these people have specifically helped me learn and grow as a deputy. I thought about how
[1:02:18] my close friend and co-worker Brad Staley showed me how to be a proactive hardworking deputy
[1:02:23] while working nights together in 2016-17. I thought about how much I learned in FTO in 2015
[1:02:31] Well, being trained by Vendepity, now captain, Shannon Gilbow.
[1:02:38] I thought about how many tricks of the trade I learned from now retired Lieutenant Greg Hall who he's not here today, but he's on your list.
[1:02:47] I thought about how I learned that no matter how much workload I have or how stressed I am about something,
[1:02:53] I can still put a smile on my face and be a joy to be around.
[1:02:56] And I learned that from Lieutenant Jeff Kozak.
[1:03:00] I could go on, but it's people like them who I work with daily, here I am, and I am
[1:03:07] chosen to see this award.
[1:03:09] To say the least, I am privileged to accept it.
[1:03:12] A huge thank you to my close friends, especially Mike Bass, who's been a height man throughout
[1:03:18] all of this, and he deserves that recognition to my family, and to those who have helped guide
[1:03:25] me along the way. So I thank all of you. And I thank you to Clip Lock and the Midland Exchange Club
[1:03:31] for putting this on. Thank you to the kind of words, Mayor.
[1:03:50] Now moving on to the Midland City
[1:03:52] Fire Department awardee, please welcome Chief Moser.
[1:04:03] Good evening. Our 2023 Firefighter
[1:04:06] year, FTL Max Copeland is a 10 year veteran of the Midland Fire Department currently holds a rank
[1:04:11] of fire truck operated acting lieutenant. Max has been a board member of the Midland Firefighter's
[1:04:17] foundation for many years. In this role, he helps coordinate fundraising efforts to provide
[1:04:21] community outreach and social media awareness of how the foundation is helping to youth a
[1:04:26] middle and area. As a member of the youth foundation, Max has played a major role in planning
[1:04:31] our annual St. Baldric Xavier head event. Max, stand up. Sorry, but I can see your bald head.
[1:04:40] This event is every spring and has raised over $10,000 to help support childhood cancer research.
[1:04:46] Additionally, after many years of the firefighter's charity ball not taking place, Max was able to help resurrect it and turn it into an exceptional fundraiser.
[1:04:55] With last year's event bringing in over $22,000 in donations that have been used.
[1:05:00] Health, various youth groups across Midland, which I think deserves a round of applause.
[1:05:09] Around the station, Max plays a pivotal role in helping our newer members and their understanding
[1:05:13] of the fire ground strategies and tactics. He enjoys watching training videos on new techniques
[1:05:18] and tactics that we could implement into our department as our go-to-HCBA technician. Over
[1:05:23] last year, Max has become a coordinator for a fire department social media, constantly heading fire safety
[1:05:29] messages, information on different trainings, we're taking part in, I'll try to bring a little
[1:05:33] humor to the team. He continuously exceeds expectations of the member of the fire department,
[1:05:38] while always showing up to work with a positive attitude and a big smile on his face. We're very
[1:05:42] appreciative to have someone like Max be a member of the Midland Fire Department. Please help me
[1:05:47] welcome our 2023 Midland Firefighter of the year, Max Scott.
[1:06:08] I wasn't expecting that.
[1:06:13] Yeah, I thought I was going to write something down.
[1:06:17] This is going to be short and sweet.
[1:06:18] I'm not as eloquent as the two guys before me or Chief for that matter.
[1:06:24] I was pretty speechless when he was the one to tell me, hey, you know, you won this, right?
[1:06:31] No idea.
[1:06:33] And if you know me, speechless is kind of something that doesn't happen that often.
[1:06:38] So I'm very grateful for everybody involved.
[1:06:44] I feel very blessed to have such a support of family.
[1:06:47] My wife and I, Laura, just celebrated our 13th wedding
[1:06:50] anniversary yesterday.
[1:06:56] And our two beautiful daughters, Kyle and Ann Adley
[1:06:58] definitely helped with that.
[1:07:00] I'm very grateful for her mom and dad, as well.
[1:07:04] family's very important to us and yeah I really don't have much else thanks to the guys
[1:07:14] I work with both the guys there the guys on duty right now hi Dave hi Justin
[1:07:20] other than that yeah eat drink and be merry and
[1:07:36] make sure you got a designated driver
[1:07:39] and Max I got to correct you you didn't win anything you and the other three or awardees
[1:07:45] you guys earned as did all the past recipients.
[1:07:52] So now representing our township fire departments,
[1:07:55] please welcome Chief Jerry Cole.
[1:08:07] Last one of the night, I'm the guy
[1:08:08] standing between everybody going home right now.
[1:08:12] So I'm going to keep this as short as I can,
[1:08:14] but deliver a message.
[1:08:16] So I was an honor to attend these.
[1:08:18] I can't think enough there,
[1:08:19] everybody's involved in putting the sign
[1:08:21] from Danielle to Clifford appreciate it.
[1:08:25] Today, it's my privilege to be able to introduce Tim Hammond for the County Firefighter of the Year.
[1:08:31] Tim has been a member of our department for 28 years.
[1:08:34] 18 years has asked for an leadership role.
[1:08:36] It's 15 years as a lieutenant in three years as a battalion chief.
[1:08:40] Tim is one of those steady contributors to work behind the scenes.
[1:08:44] Does not want to be the center of attention.
[1:08:46] I'm going to repeat that for anybody that knows Tim.
[1:08:48] He does not want to be the center of attention.
[1:08:51] He takes it upon himself to learn new skills and share him with others.
[1:08:56] He takes those learnings and uses them to update our procedures and policies, which is
[1:09:00] everybody knows is a backbone of any organization.
[1:09:04] If it wasn't for people like Tim and paid on call departments, we'd really struggle because
[1:09:08] we wouldn't have that expertise or his operational discipline.
[1:09:14] Because of this credibility and integrity, the other people see every day, they know the procedures
[1:09:20] and policies or something that need to be fault.
[1:09:22] And he reminds me on a regular basis that I'm strained from the path, so he keeps everybody
[1:09:28] in check.
[1:09:30] Tim Crescent, a strong sense of operation on discipline and a mutual respect for the chain
[1:09:34] of command.
[1:09:36] With him's been in the service of the Drone Thompson Fire Department for over 28 years, I'm
[1:09:40] just going to talk about last three years briefly.
[1:09:43] If he averaged a 70% of our roughly 590 runs a year, which is huge when you think about
[1:09:49] impact on the personal life.
[1:09:52] Tim's knowledge and leadership was its minutes after that during the the Info years of 2020.
[1:09:57] He participated in the 2019 drill.
[1:10:00] Before that, it's all very fresh and it's mine when it came about. And Tim is very procedural oriented. I mentioned that. His efforts and his knowledge, what he brought to the table on that Monday and Tuesday were the key for a lot of people for the evacuations and the notifications that took place over those two days and getting people out of harm's weight.
[1:10:26] Even after the flood after the first couple of days, he remained front and center for helping
[1:10:31] look for people that were on account of four and assisting another cause and other matters
[1:10:36] we had going on in the township.
[1:10:40] So that was a huge huge operation in his part.
[1:10:45] In 2022, Tim took the lead of our department's effort to create pre-planning for the
[1:10:50] we have 83 commercial properties in the township. Our goal is to get 70% of them done with
[1:10:56] Tim's leadership. We were able to complete 90 of them, 90% of the commercial buildings in
[1:11:01] our area. So, it was one of those things that doesn't go notice that you have that event.
[1:11:07] You need that information.
[1:11:09] Also in 2022, Tim and other GTF personnel were returned from a rescue run when they observed
[1:11:15] director's driver driving through Sanford. It's a speeds of 70-80 miles an hour. He hit
[1:11:19] traffic island going through town, flat and all
[1:11:21] tires on this SUV, kept going with no regard for public safety,
[1:11:26] tens of leadership in this burden that day
[1:11:28] they managed to fall the individual out of safe distance,
[1:11:31] not aggravating the situation.
[1:11:33] And we were able to direct deputies in this location
[1:11:35] in a remote area of the township,
[1:11:38] which he was arrested for in charge of some serious offenses.
[1:11:43] There was also a member that the Fire Truck Committee
[1:11:45] has been for the last three engines,
[1:11:46] we've purchased, including our most recent one.
[1:11:50] So that is the time to assume he's a thankless task,
[1:11:52] but everybody's second guest is after the new truck gets there.
[1:11:56] So, Tim, so we're just a US Marine and they're retired from
[1:11:59] down, they're a Himalach semiconductor.
[1:12:01] He's the role model for a well-balanced life
[1:12:03] of service, hobbies, and most of all family.
[1:12:06] He's married to Robin, his wife, for 33 years,
[1:12:09] and they have six children together.
[1:12:11] Robin, I can't thank you enough for sharing 10 more
[1:12:13] of that past 28 years, all the interruptions
[1:12:15] of family events and dinners.
[1:12:18] Tim was very dedicated to our department, our community, and the fire service in general.
[1:12:23] He's always represented all of them in a positive professional manner.
[1:12:28] He's also the most patient and patient person I know, so it was all further delay.
[1:12:32] I'm going to introduce our down chief Tim Hammett.
[1:12:51] The kind words, chief Cole.
[1:13:00] Chief Moser, chief Ford, Sheriff Green, chief Cole.
[1:13:05] For the time and thought you've taken to draft up nomination letters, remarks, for each of us
[1:13:10] tonight I'd like to say thank you. You're all very talented people, but I'm certain you don't
[1:13:16] throw that all together in just a couple of minutes, so thank you to you and your staff.
[1:13:22] Thank you to the members of the Midland Country Club and to staff here for allowing us the use of
[1:13:27] fantastic facility in the warm welcome we receive to the Midland Exchange Club whose
[1:13:36] members so graciously volunteer, volunteer their time and efforts for others and
[1:13:41] service. Thank you. And everyone else I'm not supposed to take the time to thank
[1:13:47] thank you anyways. When Chief Cole first informed me that he admitted me, smitten my name
[1:13:54] for this award and my nomination was accepted. My wife Robin was sitting next to me in the car.
[1:14:01] I don't know if you noticed, but there was a slight pause and hesitation before my reply.
[1:14:09] But as I sat there trying to think of how it was going to diplomatically tell you,
[1:14:13] no thank you, I'm not interested. I go and go over at Robin and in an instant realize,
[1:14:20] It's not about me.
[1:14:23] Whether you're full-time professional firefighter, law enforcement, there are always
[1:14:27] extra shifts to cover, callbacks over time training, unscheduled events, and I'm sure
[1:14:35] the list goes on and on.
[1:14:38] Of the work commitments that can take you away from your family.
[1:14:42] On our end, in addition to employment, family, as paid on, call a volunteer firefighters.
[1:14:48] there are meetings, training, school drills, community events, and oh yeah, that little black box.
[1:14:58] They close off during holiday get...
[1:15:00] Together's birthdays, dinners, middle of the night during violent storms, when a family's on the way out the door for
[1:15:08] name the name of the name of the thing. It just goes off. I'm sure some time, along the way, I've had a positive impact on some one or something.
[1:15:19] But, honestly, I'm just in the drunken junkie trying to get a quick fix while being able to help others in the process.
[1:15:28] One thing we all have in common is time.
[1:15:31] Time is precious and cannot be replaced.
[1:15:34] And the time that our family and friends
[1:15:37] abruptly spend without us beyond what is normal
[1:15:41] is their unrecognized contribution.
[1:15:46] That allows us to go off without notice and help other people
[1:15:49] during what's often one of the worst moments in our life.
[1:15:53] Time cannot be replaced and I appreciate all the time.
[1:15:57] you have unselfishly given us.
[1:16:01] So, to the live husbands, partners, sons, daughters, grandchildren,
[1:16:06] pets, friends, of all recipients who have, or ever will,
[1:16:11] receive this award.
[1:16:13] I say thank you for your time to us.
[1:16:15] Thank you and have a good night.
[1:16:30] Congratulations, Tim.
[1:16:31] How about another round of applause for all four of our recipients?
[1:16:39] Now, we have a number of things up here.
[1:16:41] Normally, these things are given to these folks at the end of the program,
[1:16:44] But we got some representatives here that brought these for our Ward recipient.
[1:16:50] So I'd like to ask if Representative Bill G. shooting Senator Roger Hawke and district
[1:16:56] rep representing Representative Dan Killty of Andrea Foster could come forward.
[1:17:00] Please, they have some proclamation stand out.
[1:17:02] I think Danielle is going to help.
[1:17:04] So we'll start with Andrea if you want to come up and if we could have our four recipients
[1:17:08] come up also.
[1:17:30] Thank you so much, Sheldon, Hamdan, the Congressman and Kelly, we would like to present
[1:17:34] even the certificate of commercial recognition for all of your service and affordable working
[1:17:39] to protect our community.
[1:17:41] Thank you.
[1:18:05] Thank you.
[1:18:06] Thank you.
[1:18:06] I want you to get in the middle and get a photo.
[1:18:08] You guys want to get a set of no flags.
[1:18:09] Are you going to put photo?
[1:18:10] Yeah.
[1:18:15] Okay.
[1:18:16] Thank you.
[1:18:18] Thank you.
[1:18:24] Nice.
[1:18:24] Can you just hold the air-taking address?
[1:18:27] Good.
[1:18:32] Gentlemen, congratulations. I want to first say thank you to the Exchange Club, the Community Foundation,
[1:18:38] for having us for hostness, it's an honor for Roger and for me to be here with you today.
[1:18:44] Chief Forward, Chief Mosher, Chief Cole, Sheriff Green, thank you all for writing your
[1:18:49] arguments with such great integrity. We're able to celebrate your departments this evening.
[1:18:55] And we're really here to say thank you.
[1:18:58] Do you tell them that any congratulations to Lucas, to Jan, to Max, to Tim?
[1:19:03] Thank you for all you do because, you know, we've talked about, we ask a lot of those who are
[1:19:08] a law enforcement.
[1:19:09] We ask a lot of our firefighters.
[1:19:11] It's at all hours of the day.
[1:19:13] It's on holidays.
[1:19:14] We've talked about it.
[1:19:15] So when we're constantly asking from you, it's nice to have an opportunity to give the
[1:19:21] small token of our gratitude, the small token of our thanks.
[1:19:23] So, with my colleague, Roger Howck here from the States Senate, we have a stage review for you,
[1:19:29] I refer you, and this is a small token of our gratitude for all you need to keep our community safe.
[1:19:33] So, thank you.
[1:20:26] I'd like to invite city manager Brad Cate of the podium, please.
[1:20:44] Brad.
[1:20:44] Good evening. Thank you. Also, as I've expressed already, thank you to the exchange club for hosting us tonight. We certainly appreciate that.
[1:20:53] I don't have necessarily not handing it out particularly. We're going to do some plaques here in a moment.
[1:20:58] but the one thing that I do get to do each year at this time
[1:21:01] is to talk about from the city of Midlands perspective,
[1:21:04] the things that we have for the firefighters
[1:21:06] for the police officers and certainly all of the award recipients.
[1:21:10] I'm going to agree with Tim, not on the adrenaline junkie
[1:21:13] looking for a fixed comment, but on the comment
[1:21:16] that it's not about me.
[1:21:18] I think that's an appropriate comment.
[1:21:20] The city of Midlands has a program
[1:21:22] that we call the Strive Awards, and it's something
[1:21:24] that we recognize employees that can be a nomination
[1:21:26] and that comes from a city employee, it can be a nomination that comes from the general public.
[1:21:31] And it's about recognizing employees who have done more than can be expected or should
[1:21:35] be expected in the course of their normal duties.
[1:21:38] And we recognize employees on a fairly regular basis for that.
[1:21:42] And when I look at that program and I think about the recognition tonight, it's very similar.
[1:21:46] In the context that it's not about me.
[1:21:48] It's employees who are doing what they believe to be the right thing.
[1:21:52] Employees who believe that it's about more than themselves as they go about doing their
[1:21:56] individual work and in the course of their actions and I think all of our recipients tonight
[1:22:02] are emblematic and reflect above that. Lucas, Chad, Max, Tim, you all have been recognized by
[1:22:08] your peers and now by your community for the work that you have effortlessly put forward for
[1:22:12] the self-sacrifice that you have put forward on an ongoing regular basis and quite frankly it's
[1:22:17] deserved. And I think it was also recognized by the award recipients too that it's not just about
[1:22:23] the person that received the award, it's really about the department, it's really about
[1:22:27] the service that the fire and police services within our community to provide to us.
[1:22:32] On behalf of the city, this is one of the very few times I ever speak on behalf of City Council.
[1:22:38] I usually try to reflect the actions that they take in my course of work.
[1:22:42] On behalf of tonight, we have a number of City Council members that are here.
[1:22:46] Thank you.
[1:22:46] all of you in the region.
[1:22:48] Save the time, the effort, and again, the sacrifice that not only you, but your family, so put
[1:22:53] in leading up to tonight's recognition.
[1:22:55] So thank you all for that.
[1:22:57] And Greg, I think we are going to recognize both Lucas and Max coming up, would do have some
[1:23:02] plaques that will be presenting to you as well, so if the two of you could both come up as
[1:23:05] well.
[1:23:15] That's the way making their way up here.
[1:23:17] One thing that we actually do for both of these two gentlemen, if they're not already
[1:23:20] well aware of it, is we'll do videos, we'll make them come to our city council meeting, put
[1:23:24] on camera. So the public will have an opportunity beyond tonight's attendance to see these
[1:23:29] gentlemen as well. So again, on behalf of the City of Midden Bank, I
[1:23:43] guess I want to
[1:23:44] answer to Mr. Thomas Thomas,
[1:23:47] I'm going to get this to the committee for the
[1:23:49] Secretary.
[1:23:50] I'm going to do it for Bob.
[1:24:06] Now, representing Midden County Board of Commissioners, please welcome Vice Chair, Steve
[1:24:09] Glazer.
[1:24:32] Well, on behalf of Midden County, I want to thank our host, all of our
[1:24:38] servers who've certainly prepared and given us a wonderful meal for the exchange club
[1:24:45] and your gracious preparation and all of the planning and everything that went into this again,
[1:24:51] it's been at the lightful evening. And certainly to all of the firefighters city of
[1:24:57] Midland and the County for the...
[1:25:00] Police officers and the sheriff deputies and your families. Thank you so much for all of the time and effort that you put into it, your comradery, your love for each other, for your department, for your community shows from the remarks you've made from the good will that you have for each other. We live in a challenging time.
[1:25:25] And I just am so proud of our community that we hold our police officers, our firefighters
[1:25:33] and high esteem, and we appreciate all of the work that you do.
[1:25:40] And again, the mentoring that goes into developing young men, young women, to serve in these
[1:25:47] various roles and sharing the experiences that have been acquired through the years of the
[1:25:54] practice of your respective crafts is reflected again in the men that have come forward this
[1:26:02] evening and all of the remarks that they have made showing the impact that each of you have
[1:26:09] had on their careers and their development and for bringing them home safely and helping members
[1:26:16] of the community such as myself to come home after you have rendered your services and your
[1:26:23] So I'm honored to recognize both Tim and Max, Chad, and Lucas for all of the work that you have done.
[1:26:38] The time that you have put into your preparation and for the work that you have done to get you this nomination and this recognition.
[1:26:47] So on behalf of the Midland County and the Board of Commissioners, I want to thank you all for the sacrifice that you made for the dedication to your respective jobs.
[1:27:00] And I look forward to presenting the proclamations that the Midland County Board of Commissioners have made and recognition of your contributions and for all of the work that you've done.
[1:27:13] So, Chad and Tim, if you could come up.
[1:27:36] So, Chad, have a good county.
[1:27:39] I want to present certainly your plaque,
[1:27:44] but also the population, giving a bit of a history of your career
[1:27:49] and your contributions that you made in the county.
[1:27:53] So, thank you so much.
[1:27:54] Thank you.
[1:27:55] And kind of kind and best wishes for you in the future that you have.
[1:28:00] Thank you.
[1:28:06] Thank you very much for your message. It was touching to hear and I think it shows the
[1:28:13] seriousness that you take in carrying out the responsibility of your duty. I had five
[1:28:20] townships that I represented, I'm delighted to work with the various fire chiefs that are there
[1:28:27] and I just appreciate all the work that you put in time you put in to develop these young men and women as you come along.
[1:28:36] So congratulations.
[1:28:52] Thank you.
[1:28:59] Thank you.
[1:29:00] Thank you, Brad.
[1:29:00] Thank you Steve for those appropriate awards for our city and county representatives.
[1:29:06] Now we have one more final thing.
[1:29:08] You won't see anything sitting up here that this lady's got.
[1:29:11] She keeps it close to her heart.
[1:29:13] And there's a reason, but please welcome the Executive Director of the Midland Community Foundation, Sharon Mortensen.
[1:29:28] All right, so I've got the money.
[1:29:31] And which I always say is why I get invited to a dinner here each year.
[1:29:37] But if one wonderful evening this is, and congratulations to this year's recipients.
[1:29:42] One quotation I particularly enjoy is everybody can be great because anybody can serve.
[1:29:48] And we really are in a room filled with greatness tonight.
[1:29:51] The service that the men and women in this room provide on a daily basis to all of us
[1:29:56] is something that while often unseen by most of us enables us to...
[1:30:00] We enjoy life in this wonderful community that we all love. Many years ago, two very special community members, Esther and Carl Gerstacker set up a fund at the Midland Area Community Foundation to honor the service of those of you in this room.
[1:30:15] It was important to them that each year, those serving a law enforcement and firefighters be honored.
[1:30:21] So, the military community foundation is really excited to keep their legacy alive through
[1:30:27] this gift that we are able to provide each year.
[1:30:30] And a community foundation is based on the principle that everyday people can put their
[1:30:34] money together and invest it and then change this community where we live and leave a legacy
[1:30:39] for our children, our grandchildren, and beyond.
[1:30:42] Now the word hero is often used in our world and when people think hero they often think
[1:30:47] heroic act. And while that certainly does happen, what we might not always recognize are the
[1:30:54] daily faithful acts of those who are ready to serve acts of heroism. Because when we think
[1:31:00] about it set every day, being ready to serve, and the comments that many of you made about,
[1:31:06] okay, so when it goes off, we go to work. We leave whatever we're doing, we leave our families,
[1:31:11] we go do the work that we need to do. So thank you for that. And it's my privilege to
[1:31:17] to read the checks tonight. And one of the traditions that was started by Esther, and actually
[1:31:25] this is the Esther and Carl Gerstacker Fund. And I think that's important because Esther was the
[1:31:31] one that really was behind this. And certainly they both were. And she had a tradition that she started,
[1:31:39] and that was she wanted to recognize, and I know three of our recipients tonight have spouses,
[1:31:44] but she wanted to recognize by giving the check to the spouse.
[1:31:48] Now, I will tell you it's me out to the award recipient,
[1:31:51] but we still go to the spouse.
[1:31:54] And she did that because she wanted to recognize the incredible service that family provides.
[1:32:01] And really, when you look at it, family and friends that support these individuals
[1:32:06] in their service, that's so important.
[1:32:09] So, we are going to invite up again, this is, I think, your last time on the stage tonight.
[1:32:14] except we're going to also invite Lucas and Sarah up to the stage and chat just you get
[1:32:21] you get the chat chat but come on up and then Max and Laura if you could come up and
[1:32:31] Tim and Robin so if you all could come up to the stage here
[1:32:37] and again as we give this
[1:32:42] And I know this is really a small token, but what it represents is just the heart of all of
[1:32:48] us in the community and the appreciation that we have for what you do every day.
[1:32:53] And, again, in giving it to those of you that have a spouse to recognize the great service.
[1:32:58] So Lucas, I'll give you this to Sarah here.
[1:33:01] Of course.
[1:33:03] And it goes away, Mike, as soon as I'm dead.
[1:33:07] All right, Chad.
[1:33:08] Of course.
[1:33:10] All right, have that tomorrow and drop.
[1:33:19] Congratulations to all of our recipients and also thank you to the service that family that you provide to
[1:33:53] them.
[1:33:57] All
[1:34:07] right, Chad, in that check to your mom for a few minutes.
[1:34:14] You may not have a wife, but I'm sure you owe a lot.
[1:34:20] Please, and gentlemen, now I would request and we have a few things to do after the colors are retired,
[1:34:24] but if you would all please rise as the Midland Police Department retires our colors.
[1:36:31] Ladies and gentlemen, please give it up for our Illinois City Univer,
[1:36:42] congratulations to our Ford awardee recipient. Please give them another round of applause.
[1:36:52] So we ask also, if family presenters are representatives that were here that presented awards, if you could please remain afterwards so they can get some photos to clear things up there and finish things off. You can sit down. One final thing,
[1:37:09] one final thing. Could I have off-cert Tyler Holland's worth standing please?
[1:37:21] So, very rare does it happen, but Tyler is a two-time awardee of this award.
[1:37:27] And Tyler is retiring from the Midland City Police Department.
[1:37:29] So, ladies and gentlemen, please give it up for Tyler.
[1:37:46] We've got five minutes.
[1:37:47] I don't know what the chief wanted, but you're up here, so I'm just going to give you the
[1:37:50] microphone.
[1:37:55] This is the second time today.
[1:37:56] I got handed a microphone and then know what to do.
[1:37:59] I just wanted to say thank you to everyone in the community, I guess, I've said this
[1:38:04] many times before being up here before and given my final sign-off today on the radio was pretty
[1:38:09] art-grinching.
[1:38:10] I didn't expect to be leaving this early, but the time I've gotten to put in the people
[1:38:14] I've been able to work with, chief, deputy chief, all lieutenant, I've been back in the
[1:38:19] detective bureau for the last two and a half years with Lucas and the rest of the gang
[1:38:22] over there and it's been just an honor to be there and I missed one of Mattie's pizza with
[1:38:27] Lucas for daily lunch dates, but I just want to say thank you to everybody.
[1:38:31] I was not prepared, so I can't do this twice in one day, so thanks to everybody and thank you Chief.
[1:38:51] So that concludes everything again.
[1:38:53] We want to thank the Midland Exchange Club, the Karol Nestergurstacre Foundation,
[1:38:56] Midland Community Foundation, the Midland Country Club, MCTV,
[1:39:00] Midland Daily News, photographers, everything here.
[1:39:03] Have a great rest of the evening.
[1:39:06] Drive safe, and we'll see you next year, so thank you.
[1:39:11] Number of pictures.
[2:00:12] Good evening, and welcome to the appreciation of beautification awards. My name is Melissa Farley, and I'm the Public Services Manager for the City of Midland.
[2:00:21] In my role, I also serve as the city staff representative for the beautification advisory committee, which is the subcommittee of the Parks Recreation Commission.
[2:00:31] Each year our committee sponsors two very important community events. The first is in spring, we hold the Make Midland Beautiful Art Celebration.
[2:00:40] For this, we have the second and sixth graders create posters of what makes Midland
[2:00:45] beautiful to them.
[2:00:47] One poster is selected from each participating elementary, junior high, croquial, and charter
[2:00:53] school.
[2:00:54] And the artists are given special recognition at the City Council meeting in May.
[2:00:59] Each fall, we sponsored this program, the Appreciation of beautification awards.
[2:01:03] Please be aware that the awards will be televised and I have included a copy of the MCTV network
[2:01:09] schedule on the back table. Now I'd like to invite Abby Clearhout, the chair of the
[2:01:15] beautification advisory committee, up to the podium to begin this evening's festivities.
[2:01:20] Abby.
[2:01:25] Thanks Melissa. Hello everyone. We're so glad to have you here tonight.
[2:01:31] Celebrating your beautiful homes and businesses. We understand what it takes and that's why
[2:01:38] the City of Midlands beautification advisory committee is dedicated to finding properties like yours.
[2:01:45] We comb every single street. We also rely on our fellow neighbors to help by sending in nominations.
[2:01:54] So thank you for those who have reached out and I would like to take a moment to introduce our
[2:01:59] committee to you tonight. Nellie Monhey, Vice Chair, Joe Koju, Future Chair, Ronda Chapman,
[2:02:06] Erica Peña, Wayne Earguides, Kim Bennett, Georgina Leach, and Cindy Bancroft, and
[2:02:13] a special shout out to our city liaison, Melissa Farley, and Marcy Post. Thank you again for
[2:02:19] all you do. I would also like to invite any of you who are interested in participating in
[2:02:26] committee to submit an application to Melissa Farley or online at the City's website.
[2:02:32] So for our honorable mentions tonight, we see you keep up the great work, 1205 Crestwood,
[2:02:41] Catherine Arms, 4909, Dijkman Road, Rachel and Tim Peters, 625 Hillcrest Road, Brad and
[2:02:51] Sandra Bromley, 337 Longview Street, Mark and Vicki Gillis, 2005 West Nelson Street, Pamela
[2:03:01] Kucci, 3310 West Nelson Street, Ward and Virginia Brigitte, 2305 Virginia Street, the current
[2:03:11] residents there, 5903 Wild Flower Circle, Gregory Rogers,
[2:03:19] I'd like to introduce one of
[2:03:21] education champions and promoter of our city, the Honorable Madam Mayor,
[2:03:27] Maureen Donker.
[2:03:35] I love this night.
[2:03:36] I really do.
[2:03:37] And let me just say, I did serve on this committee.
[2:03:41] And I grew up in Midland, and I really thought that I got it.
[2:03:46] That I knew this community.
[2:03:48] But this group drives every single street in the city.
[2:03:53] And once you, and you think you know where you think,
[2:03:56] Well, I mean, I did think I knew everything about the city, but I learned so much and it was an amazing experience for me to serve with them and be part of that group.
[2:04:07] And so let me just say all of you sincerely thank you for all the work that you put into this to make this night very special.
[2:04:15] And they also, we also have what they also have one other activity that they do for children, we're children second and sixth graders.
[2:04:21] They draw a picture of what Midland means to them and they come and share that with us at City Council and that's always another great event
[2:04:30] so
[2:04:32] Again, this is a wonderful a wonderful night for me and I want to say thank you to all of you because
[2:04:39] Certainly you do a lot to make Midland the kind of place where people want to live
[2:04:44] You know at the city, I think we work really hard to try and you know create the kind of community that people want to live in
[2:04:50] But certainly, government cannot do it all.
[2:04:54] And what you do is something in your neighborhoods.
[2:04:58] You create a place.
[2:05:00] That is beautiful or people come and they see it and they love where they live.
[2:05:05] And so I just, and I think that that's so important because for us, one of the major issues
[2:05:09] that we face as a community is attraction of talent. And when people come and check us out,
[2:05:16] they kind of look at, you know, our downtown, but then they drive our neighborhoods. And what
[2:05:19] they see is, you know, people's homes, people's yards. And what you do in your yard, you
[2:05:26] It's hopefully it feeds your soul but it also kind of motivates your neighbors too to do
[2:05:32] Maybe a little bit more, especially you know after a night like tonight they said,
[2:05:36] Whoa, sure, I've got it aboard. Maybe I should work a little bit harder. Maybe that's something that I can achieve also.
[2:05:44] So in 2010 there was a study that was done. It's called the Soul of the Community. Why people love where they live and why doesn't matter?
[2:05:50] And this was done by the Knight Foundation, which is a newspaper organization, and they have
[2:05:56] newspapers in 26 cities across the country.
[2:05:59] So they partnered with Gallup, and over three years, they surveyed 43,000 people and identified
[2:06:08] 10 attributes on why people love where they live.
[2:06:12] And consistently, the top three attributes were social offerings, welcoming community, and
[2:06:20] aesthetics. So aesthetics is one of the reasons why people's law for
[2:06:25] they live. So this is such an important, such an important thing that you do
[2:06:30] and we're so grateful for that. And thank you very much and congratulations to
[2:06:35] all of you. And we certainly appreciate the work that you do and being a
[2:06:42] great citizen of our community. So now I'm going to turn it over to Georgie.
[2:06:45] Lynch Lee Chu is going to start out with the announcements of who it's one awards tonight.
[2:06:56] Hi, thank you.
[2:06:59] So first up, 4612 Congress owned by Lisa Hunkins in Joel Serva.
[2:07:07] A stunning quartered lot under a canopy of trees.
[2:07:10] Under this canopy, you will see statues and a sitting area surrounded by various ground covers,
[2:07:16] Hastas, ferns, and other shade-loving plants.
[2:07:20] Amongst the lush greenery, pops of color are provided by daily lilies and a Japanese maple.
[2:07:26] This corner lot is bordered by a beautiful brick wall, which seems to elevate the art, and draws your eyes into this shady stunner.
[2:07:35] Congratulations to Lisa Angel for all of your hard work and for receiving the deserving beautification award.
[2:07:42] Please come up and accept your award and feel free to say a few words if you would like.
[2:08:01] We promise to be brief, we want to thank the committee and whoever nominated us, we don't know for sure and that's kind of this surprise behind it
[2:08:12] Just to be real brief, we came over from the Dow High side of town, we had ready to get out of the flood zone
[2:08:18] And so I just wanted to pool, and this house had a pool, and Joel had previously lived in Freeland, and he had been on a part of garden walks
[2:08:27] because he has a beautiful skill and green thumb.
[2:08:32] And so it was just a real bonus when we saw the front yard.
[2:08:35] It's like, oh my gosh, it was already planned out.
[2:08:39] However, it had just kind of fallen a little bit
[2:08:42] to ruin in the last several years.
[2:08:44] So it was let's bring this back and personalize it
[2:08:47] and make it ours.
[2:08:48] And it was really fun.
[2:08:50] We're empty nusters now.
[2:08:52] And so my two kids at Michigan State are like,
[2:08:55] instead of whining about us being gone,
[2:08:56] don't you have a garden to work on? It's like, yes, yes, they actually we do. So yeah,
[2:09:02] it's really a delight and, um, yeah, we're really, it was a wonderful surprise. So thank you.
[2:09:08] We appreciate that.
[2:09:16] Next up, 41-08 Dijkman Road owned by Bruce and Susan Beckett. Another stunning quarter
[2:09:23] lot were Haastas abound, a quick tour. It starts with large pots of red bagonias that welcome
[2:09:29] you up the front walkway, bordered by hastas, and then leading you to a full-covered
[2:09:34] arbor, all before reaching the front door.
[2:09:37] The beautifully manicured lawn has a variety of colorful plantains found in three separate
[2:09:42] flower gardens, all of which are visible from the street on all sides of the property.
[2:09:47] In addition, our more hastas circling a beautiful crap-upal tree, just beyond this is sitting
[2:09:53] area, with a water feature where birds gather to bathe and drink.
[2:09:58] Congratulations to Bruton.
[2:10:00] And Susan, on your well-deserved, beautification award, please come up and accept your award and feel free to say a few words.
[2:10:07] It's
[2:10:17] obvious I'm not sewer bruised.
[2:10:21] But I'm here in honor to receive this for them.
[2:10:28] I think Sue's hobby is her garden, and I think she does it for her neighbors and friends because
[2:10:35] she's hardly here to enjoy it, but she is a very good weed picker.
[2:10:42] I do have a chance every May to help pick out the annuals for the yard of which there's quite a few and I also would like to point out that they have another beautiful yard in Maui and that's where they are tonight.
[2:11:06] Next is 4607 Eastman Avonum, owned by Rob and Lori Webb.
[2:11:13] This property, home to an LDB Dow design, has had a bit of press this year, and has
[2:11:19] been under the watchful eyes of many in this community.
[2:11:22] The webs took out a massive project in December of 2021 of restoring and bringing this
[2:11:27] LDB Dow design back to life.
[2:11:30] In early October of this year, the webs agreed to be part of the mid-century modern
[2:11:35] Midland resiliency tour and graciously opened up their home and property to over 300 people.
[2:11:42] I happen to be one of those people and the tour did not disappoint.
[2:11:46] The expanse of front yard is host to a variety of pines, grasses and shrubs,
[2:11:51] set in the bed of black mulch making the greenery pop.
[2:11:56] Adoring the trees and plantines are rob's own functional metal art creations that set the tone
[2:12:02] for the mid-century modern architecture.
[2:12:04] This property is grand.
[2:12:06] Not just from what you see from East Monroe,
[2:12:09] but from all sides, and especially
[2:12:10] from the beautifully restored interior.
[2:12:13] Thank you, Robin Lori, for bringing a piece
[2:12:15] of million history and elderly-doubt design back to life
[2:12:18] for the whole community to enjoy.
[2:12:21] Congratulations on your beautification award.
[2:12:23] Please come up and accept
[2:12:42] so much to the committee,
[2:12:44] to everybody, Robin, I have, we have, we've worked a lot.
[2:12:49] we took on a project that we didn't we didn't expect any of this we just took it out because
[2:12:55] that's what the home has for and we did we we tried to follow the midland
[2:13:00] just the midland fingerprint and we we kept waiting for us and the gardens in our mind when we chose our
[2:13:07] plants for the yard so it's been a work in progress still continue so to be continued
[2:13:14] Thank you very much.
[2:13:23] 803 West Ellsworth, another corny lot and more middle in history.
[2:13:28] Home to the par de-house built in 1890 and now beautifully maintained and owned by Michael and Cassie
[2:13:34] Levely.
[2:13:35] This corner lot provides fantastic curb appeal at a secret garden vibe as described by an nominee.
[2:13:42] And abundant of beautiful trees, hoses, and hydrangeas, graces, this yard, as well as a variety of annuals, which were planned to provide pops of color in the beds.
[2:13:52] This yard in house are both beautiful from West Ellsworth, Throne Park, and St. Nicholas Street, and I would guess even more beautiful from that expansive front porch.
[2:14:02] Congratulations to Michael and Cassie for maintaining this historic treasure, and for receiving this well-deserved beautification award, please come up and accept your war and feel free to save few words.
[2:14:11] So
[2:14:19] this is quite an honor.
[2:14:22] I have to give full credit to the prior owners,
[2:14:24] Marcean Ian.
[2:14:26] We've only owned this home for a couple of years.
[2:14:28] They created an amazing foundation
[2:14:30] and really a canvas for me to experiment,
[2:14:33] which I am doing this year.
[2:14:35] I actually challenged myself with a viscous,
[2:14:38] which was very difficult, but we made it through.
[2:14:41] It was still popping color as a few days ago,
[2:14:43] if you can believe this.
[2:14:45] So I really appreciate this.
[2:14:47] like I said, quite an honor and thank you very much everyone.
[2:14:54] And on to our next committee member,
[2:14:56] Cindy Bandcroft to introduce the next four winners.
[2:15:05] Hello, everyone. I'd also like to say that I know what an honor it is to have your properties recognized, because I know you guys all do a lot of work.
[2:15:17] And so just it's wonderful that this city gives us a chance to look and view and honor you for all the work that you have done.
[2:15:27] I'm going to start off with 601 Hillcrest with William and Catherine Worsley.
[2:15:34] Simply charming are the words I would use to describe this front walkway.
[2:15:38] With round limestone patio that graces the front entrance with boxwoods, hydrangeas, Japanese
[2:15:45] maple, bird nest spruce, and a very large specimen of red pine, all that enhances the front
[2:15:54] but oh, the Bernara must be gorgeous when it's in bloom.
[2:16:00] So I'm going to make sure I go back to your property to see what it looks like in the spring.
[2:16:06] Because I have some of that in my yard and I know how magnificent it is.
[2:16:10] So congratulations on this award and please come up and accept your
[2:16:15] and feel free to say a few words.
[2:16:18] Thank
[2:16:27] you. And first of all, I'm sorry my wife couldn't be here. She came down and she actually is the creator of all of this.
[2:16:34] I was telling someone earlier this night there was a walkway about this big when we moved into the house. None of that was there.
[2:16:43] And she designed and they basically architect the whole thing. So it all goes to her. I'm just sorry that she couldn't be here tonight, but thank you.
[2:16:59] Next up is 2902 Mount Vernon, Angie and Dan Murray.
[2:17:08] I have a personal connection with Angie and Dan, as I had the great privilege of selling
[2:17:12] this home to them, oh, so many years ago.
[2:17:17] But it wasn't until I read their nomination that I realized, it was the same home.
[2:17:21] The trees have grown up and all the enhancements that both Dan and Angie have made are
[2:17:27] simply special, but let me read from John Warnowski, or a comsky, thank you, nomination.
[2:17:38] This couple has improved their property annually for decades.
[2:17:42] The front lawn is lush with trees, shrubs, and many varieties of husta and flowers.
[2:17:48] It is immaculate.
[2:17:50] You can also glimpse into their yard with numerous plantings at Hanover Street.
[2:17:59] The Murray's take great pride in their property, describing it once to him as a civic obligation
[2:18:07] and it shows.
[2:18:09] As a former winner, John is convinced that they are worthy of both the nomination and the
[2:18:16] board and I couldn't agree board when I went by.
[2:18:20] So congratulations, Dan and Angie, for the hard work you have done, and please come up and
[2:18:25] accept your award and feel free to say anything you'd like.
[2:18:41] Thank you to the committee, and I guess the award comes to you for now and 18 us.
[2:18:46] It's certainly an honor to receive this award.
[2:18:49] I don't think any of us do this work to receive an award.
[2:18:52] We just enjoy getting outside in the short summers and gardening and it's a good opportunity
[2:19:00] for us to meet our neighbors, people walking by and it's a great, great hobby and we certainly enjoy
[2:19:07] it.
[2:19:08] So again, thank you to the committee and thank you everyone.
[2:19:17] Next up, 2209, Norwood, no no, forgive me. I had a long travel day today. 2903 Mount Vernon, a Bill
[2:19:32] and Nancy Humphrey. What struck me about the Humphrey's yard was there a maculaly kept shade beds
[2:19:39] sweeping across their front yard. The beds are outlined with rock, including an intriguing
[2:19:46] pathway that leads to the backyard, which draws us in.
[2:19:52] We want to see more.
[2:19:55] There are nooks and crannies waiting to be explored.
[2:19:58] There yard is beautiful.
[2:20:01] Congratulations on the hard work you did and please come up and accept this award and make any statement you'd like.
[2:20:34] Thank you. What an honor. Like Dan said, we don't do this for the award. We do it for the enjoyment. And of course, we live right across the street from the brewery. So we get to enjoy their beautiful yard as well.
[2:20:45] Thank you to the committee, thank you to who nominated us, we appreciate it, and we'd also like to recognize
[2:20:51] Dan Wallace and the Wallace Landscaping crew for all of their help. They do all of our maintenance and special projects.
[2:21:00] Those rocks.
[2:21:10] Now we move on to 2209 Norwood.
[2:21:14] Is Laura here?
[2:21:17] You're over here.
[2:21:18] Wonderful.
[2:21:20] I want to tell you the hydrangeas that splash across your property make you stop and admire when driving by.
[2:21:27] Then the Japanese maple, the Norwegian pine, that stand as sentinels, which continue to draw you in.
[2:21:35] Kathy also has made a great use of the corner lot by planting a beautiful garden of hostes.
[2:21:42] Rotate dendrons, flowering cherry, and a beach tree surrounded by rock border all under a beautiful canopy of natural trees.
[2:21:53] Please come up and accept this award for the hard work you put forward.
[2:22:12] The credit actually goes to the Baltimore family.
[2:22:15] I didn't plan any of that stuff.
[2:22:16] I bought it just the way it was.
[2:22:18] I just maintain it.
[2:22:20] It's all I do.
[2:22:21] And thanks to my neighbor for the nomination here.
[2:22:34] And now I'd like to ask our next committee member to come up, which is Nelly, and she'll begin to present.
[2:22:42] Thank you, Nelly.
[2:22:46] Thank you so much.
[2:22:47] Welcome everyone.
[2:22:49] The first property that I will be presenting today is 412 Sudbury Court.
[2:22:53] It's owned by Michael and Joy Marchione.
[2:22:56] Michael and Joy lost a large Norway maple in the front yard and decided to make the most of their loss.
[2:23:01] Their former shade garden was updated with sun-loving plants such as tulips and daffodils,
[2:23:06] and the spraying and P&E's hydrangeas and Asian lilies to help make their yard colorful throughout the growing season.
[2:23:13] They achieved a variety of textures by planting a Japanese maple, a burning bush, and a pink blooming rose of Sharon.
[2:23:20] The centerpiece of the updated yard is a lovely tri-colored beach that helps provide filtered sunlight to the plantains.
[2:23:26] Michael and Joy have very lovingly updated and maintained the score just home.
[2:23:31] Congratulations.
[2:23:31] Please come up and accept your award.
[2:23:51] I'd like to thank the committee for the nomination.
[2:23:54] I never expected this.
[2:23:57] And also whoever not nominated us.
[2:24:01] This has been a very work and progress for us.
[2:24:05] We lost that maple and it was all shade.
[2:24:09] And then we've turned it into some area which is, you know,
[2:24:13] I love, and I'm constantly looking for new plants to put in.
[2:24:20] I'm not been, I, in fact, what I have done is sometimes
[2:24:25] can't stop a plant that I, maybe go to somebody else's yard and did.
[2:24:31] But I'm sure all you gardeners know that that's a practice we all undergo.
[2:24:37] So, but I enjoy gardening, that's my mental health time.
[2:24:42] And thank you all.
[2:24:51] The next home is 5808 Sutton Place, owned by James and Kate Niagara.
[2:24:57] I have known Jim and Kate since my very early early days in May.
[2:25:00] We've recently retired, and are likely spending some of that time making their yard more beautiful, and it shows. The front yard is mostly shade, so they were challenged to find plants to help help make their yard interesting and colorful, with the small amount of sun that they receive.
[2:25:15] This was a great year for the perennials, including the ornamental aliums, variegated segeras, seedum, hydrangea, and hospice, so they were more robust and full than they've been in years past.
[2:25:25] annuals were added around the border to help bring in color to the hearty mainstays of the
[2:25:30] yard and pots and hanging baskets also helped to welcome visitors as they approach this
[2:25:34] gracious home. Congratulations, Jim and Kate. It's my honor to present you with this award.
[2:25:57] There's a story. Thank you, Nellie. You know, I walk around this beautiful town a lot and
[2:26:02] you'll sometimes find me stopping and staring at yards that I think are really extraordinary
[2:26:08] and really lovely and I'm envious, and to think that the committee came to my yard and stopped and found it worthy of admiring and giving us this award is really over the top. I'm pretty thrilled. We're both really thrilled.
[2:26:25] Especially because I'm more known in our neighborhood as the lazy grumpy gardener. I'm grumpy because I don't have enough sun.
[2:26:34] I'm grumpy because there's too much shade.
[2:26:37] I'm grumpy because the deer eating my day lilies.
[2:26:40] I'm grumpy because I have to weed it.
[2:26:43] And I'm grumpy because I have found my husband
[2:26:45] cutting down my high ranges thinking he's helping me weed.
[2:26:51] But he does an excellent job keeping the yard tidy,
[2:26:54] and especially very anal with the grass.
[2:26:58] So it's definitely a partnership.
[2:27:01] And I also have to give a shout out.
[2:27:03] have a neighbor, Trudy Dutel, few doors down. She's an incredible gardener and she's the one that
[2:27:08] cheers me on and gives me advice. And so I'm just lucky that this year, the way the sun and the trees
[2:27:14] moved, we got enough sun that I could get some color and things just sort of came together this year.
[2:27:20] So thank you all for this recognition. It is really a surprise and we're really tickled. So thank you.
[2:27:31] The next home is 2307 Virginia Street. It's owned by Pete and Carrey Boofa. This well-caped
[2:27:39] home on Virginia Street is owned by Pete and Carrey Boofa, but as Pete acknowledges,
[2:27:43] most of the credit goes to Carrey, as she spends many hours tending her tidy garden.
[2:27:47] The flowered boxes and hydrangea add a nice pop of color and coordinate nicely with the red
[2:27:52] shutters and front door. The lush green grass and ornamental trees are very graphic and clean.
[2:27:58] This home stands out as a gem of the neighborhood.
[2:28:01] Pete and Carrie are not able to attend,
[2:28:03] but we'd like to extend their congratulations.
[2:28:11] And the next one is 3021 whitewood.
[2:28:15] It's owned by James and Caroline Travis.
[2:28:18] A wonderful border of Hostes surrounds
[2:28:19] the cute ranch home of James and Caroline Travis.
[2:28:23] The large flower bed in the front
[2:28:24] helps to frame in the yard,
[2:28:26] and is filled with the varying textures and colors
[2:28:27] of ornamental grasses and lilies.
[2:28:30] Small boulders help bring that Michigan feel,
[2:28:32] and their gray color coordinates with the sighting of the house to draw the eye around the property.
[2:28:37] The large trees add privacy and height as well as shade to the home.
[2:28:41] Congratulations to James and Caroline.
[2:28:43] Unfortunately, they were also unable to attend.
[2:28:46] I would like to add invite Erica Pignupp to do the remainder of the awards.
[2:28:54] Good evening.
[2:28:55] I'm going to start with 4-12.
[2:28:58] Ashman Street, the office of Robert Eborn, he is the owner as well.
[2:29:03] Robert shows pride in his business through the upkeep of his lot, which is centrally
[2:29:07] located to our downtown.
[2:29:09] The pop of Red Bloom shines bright amongst the asphalt parking lot.
[2:29:14] Both Bloom's and Pot's livin' up this busy street.
[2:29:17] Theresa Reynolds is a garden whisperer who designs a layout, plants, and maintains
[2:29:22] beautiful shrubs and Bloom's.
[2:29:25] Christopher Bartlett handles a lawn care.
[2:29:26] and you just can't go wrong with the big American flag they usually have
[2:29:31] out with the red and the pops of colors. I don't know if they had a
[2:29:37] representative come here tonight I didn't see one but we will deliver their
[2:29:41] award this week.
[2:29:47] Okay next we have 314 Northgate Drive which is Northgate
[2:29:52] precision dental owned by Jeffrey Delude in Karen Bartling Gifford. This dental
[2:29:58] office is surrounded by.
[2:30:00] While tended plant plantains that fill every inch surrounding their building, there is a quaint employee break area that has containers, spilling with annuals, and their back fence line has art, in garden ornaments, tucked sweetly between hasa, shrubs, and blooming prenails.
[2:30:18] This is the place for pollinators and wildlife. The diversity of plants ranging from lollies, catmint, grasses, alms, alms, and more.
[2:30:29] keep a continuous show from the spring to the fall. Do have a quick comment
[2:30:35] Karen's here, but I did whatever I want to know that I want her to talk a little
[2:30:40] more about it, but she has some varieties back there called for two-thait, a
[2:30:45] two-thait plant in Yarrow, which I've been used for dental pain. They also are
[2:30:50] very supportive. The owners are very supportive of ongoing efforts in the
[2:30:53] garden. They grow tomatoes and the sidebed for staff to snack on, and they
[2:30:58] Also, over winter, the cannabals and give them to patients in the spring, and they credit a lot of this help from MSU Extension Master Gardening Program.
[2:31:08] Please come up and accept your award.
[2:31:11] I have a lot of questions.
[2:31:27] We'll receive the award.
[2:31:29] So thank you very much to the committee.
[2:31:31] Yes, the two-day plan.
[2:31:33] You chew on it and it numbs your mouth and that was really interesting.
[2:31:36] We tried that last year and the euro as well.
[2:31:38] You chew on the root and it has a numbing effect.
[2:31:40] So we had that by the front door last year, in case we weren't open and someone had a tooth issue.
[2:31:47] There wasn't. We need a label for next year. Anyway, thank you so much.
[2:31:55] Okay, our next property is 2711 West Wackely,
[2:32:00] Nash, Dermatology, Owner's Jennifer Nash, and Chelsea, who tough.
[2:32:06] Now and they're not here tonight, but Nash Dermatology moved into the space a few years ago,
[2:32:11] and they've really kept up the beautiful landscaping.
[2:32:14] Tall grasses and the lilies surround the sign,
[2:32:17] welcoming you to the street.
[2:32:19] Hydrangeas and more lilies flank the exterior foundation and pathway.
[2:32:23] The property is homey and welcoming.
[2:32:27] They wanted to add attractive landscaping in a building,
[2:32:30] designed that was professional and unique.
[2:32:32] So with the help of talented architects and landscapers,
[2:32:35] they created a beautiful exterior with many trees,
[2:32:38] shrubs and plants around the property. We'll make sure they get their award.
[2:32:49] And then our last property, 1100 atoms, the original owners, John and Cheryl Ross and our here. This is also a special recognition. I'm going to let them elaborate on it, but the charming property can be viewed from all sides as a surrounded by public walkways.
[2:33:08] Glances of Arbor's garden ornamentation and containers all enhance the beautiful plantings that fill every nook and cranny of the scarred.
[2:33:17] The owner lives near Adam's school, so words of encouragement for reading and small scavenger hunt in the alley,
[2:33:24] a nestled amongst the lush perennials, take this to a whole other level.
[2:33:28] It's a great place to stop and take in all the views and the special recognition is for the pathway that they created for the children.
[2:33:35] And I believe you were a teacher as well, and if you want to come get your award and give it a little more insight that would be great.
[2:33:43] Thank you.
[2:34:00] Thank you very much for this award.
[2:34:03] I think it's increasingly a rare thing to be the original owners of a home.
[2:34:11] And 1100 atoms.
[2:34:13] Our story is from choosing a lot, finding a builder.
[2:34:18] Adam's at one time, the supposed to go through to swede, and it didn't, because of
[2:34:22] climate coming through.
[2:34:24] At one time there was a woods behind us until the Catholic Church sold that property
[2:34:30] and turned it into a lovely neighborhood.
[2:34:32] Many changes have happened and somehow, 55 years have gone by.
[2:34:39] The changes in joint, I were talking about this, when you have been with one piece of property
[2:34:44] all that time.
[2:34:45] There are a lot of things that you do differently, as time goes by.
[2:34:50] Trees grow, trees get cut down.
[2:34:53] And one of the biggest changes for us was to have the public path go alongside our property that now goes back.
[2:35:00] Back into that neighborhood of where whispering, oak, and the three courts are behind us.
[2:35:06] So we decided to take advantage of the fact that we have lots of children going to add them to school.
[2:35:11] Every single day, walking by our house and enjoying the dunes, diabetes service dog as well.
[2:35:18] And so that's why the children's gardens came about.
[2:35:22] and I have another passion in life besides gardening. I am very much into literacy and so that's
[2:35:31] why we create a little garden. I call it the be a reader garden because that's what the sign says
[2:35:36] and every little person or animal is reading a book in that garden and the kids do notice it.
[2:35:45] So we thank you so much for this honor. We really appreciate it.
[2:35:58] Thank you all for coming tonight.
[2:36:01] And keep up the great work and to reiterate what our mayor said earlier, you are a big part
[2:36:06] of the reason of what makes Midland such a great and beautiful place to live.
[2:36:12] And a final shameless plug to join our committee or send us those nominations.
[2:36:19] Thank you all and congratulations on your awards.
[2:59:52] Welcome to City Hall News Update. The program that provides a weekly rundown of the city's top news releases, court info and more superfan.
[3:00:00] May I please?