The City of Midland - Going Above and Beyond

Below are highlights of the many achievements of City employees/departments in 2010. For a list of current year achievements, or to recount a positive experience you've had with a City worker or department, visit the Above & Beyond Homepage.

*Achievements are in chronological order, with the most recent listed first.

LIBRARY WINS "I LOVE MY LIBRARY" CONTEST (December 21, 2010) The Grace A. Dow Memorial Library has been named winner of a national "I Love My Library" sweepstakes through an Indianapolis-based distributor of audiobooks on CD and preloaded players. The library was recognized by its patrons as being "inviting and community-oriented." Hundreds of cities and towns across America were in the running for the national recognition. Click here to learn more.

MIDLAND ONE OF TOP FIVE PLACES TO RAISE A FAMILY (October 25, 2010) Forbes Magazine has named Midland one of the top five family-friendly small cities in the nation. Midland was noted for being a quiet, prosperous, and safe community that offers a high quality of life, housing affordability, positive educational outcomes, and job opportunities.

MIDLAND A GREAT PLACE FOR ENTREPRENEURS (October 19, 2010) Midland was honored with a five-star rating for efforts to bring more business to the area. In a study by researchers at the University of Michigan-Dearborn’s Center for Innovation Research (iLabs), the City of Midland was recognized for fostering entrepreneurial growth and economic development.

CITY FOREST CROSS COUNTRY SKIING THE BEST (October 14, 2010) Midland's City Forest received an award from the Great Lakes Bay Regional Lifestyle magazine for the Best Cross Country Skiing in the region. Cross country trails are sprinkled throughout the City's 520-acre nature park, which is maintained by the City of Midland Parks & Recreation Department.

CITY STAFFER A TOP BUSINESS LEADER (October 7, 2010) Congratulations to the City of Midland's Selina Tisdale, named one of Junior Achievement of Central Michigan's 2010 Rising Stars for her outstanding work as the City's Community Relations Director, City Clerk, and Downtown Development Authority Executive Director, plus her many years of service to the community. Selina was one of four JA Business Hall of Famers honored during a Midland Country Club event on October 7, 2010.

GREATER MIDLAND ONE OF 100 BEST COMMUNITIES FOR KIDS (September 21, 2010) For the third year in a row, Greater Midland - comprising all of Midland County - was named one of the 100 best communities for young people in the country. This national recognition was announced on September 21 in Washington, D.C., by America's Promise Alliance, a cross-sector partnership of 400+ corporations, nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and advocacy groups that work to improve lives and change outcomes for children. Greater Midland was lauded for its many youth-centered programs and initiatives designed to develop healthy, happy, well-adjusted kids who will be successful throughout their lives. Click 100 Best to find out more.

CURRIE GOLF A TOP READER'S CHOICE AWARDEE (September 21, 2010) Currie Municipal Golf Course was once again named a "Gold" winner in the Midland Daily News' annual Readers' Choice competition. Click Currie Golf to learn more about Midland's premier municipal golf course.

MIDLAND NAMED ONE OF NATION'S BEST LOCATIONS FOR BUSINESS (August 23, 2010) Midland Tomorrow presented the City of Midland with a plaque recognizing the City’s contributions toward making the community a great place to do business. In the July/August 2010 edition of Business Facilities magazine, Midland was ranked as one of America’s top 10 metro areas with economic growth potential. Midland was ranked third among communities with a population of under 200,000, following cities in Florida and Kansas. Midland was also ranked third in the alternative energy sector, behind similarly-sized communities in Arizona and New Mexico. This unsolicited recognition was determined based on recently announced projects, strategic development plans, tax incentives offered, industry sector leadership, and overall growth potential. Magazine editor Jack Rogers attributed Midland’s recognition to the recent surge in alternative energy initiatives, such as solar power and car batteries.

LIBRARY VOLUNTEERS READ FOR YOUTH (July 23, 2010) The Grace A. Dow Memorial Library is partnering with the Literacy Council of Midland County on the Read-Aloud Program (RAP) at the Midland County Juvenile Care Center. The JCC is home to youths ages 11-17 who are awaiting court action. The Library’s Youth Services staff select short stories that would appeal to teens, and volunteers read the “bedtime” stories to JCC youth on Sunday nights. The kids benefit from the warm and friendly interaction with Library staff volunteers Melanie Larson and Melissa Barnard.

RAPPING FIREWORKS VIDEO (June 7, 2010) Three of Midland's firefighters went above and beyond by creating the lyrics and acting out a unique rap song about fireworks safety for "City in 15," the City of Midland's monthly news magazine. "Mixmaster Mark and the Axmen" (Firefighters Mark Laux, Roger Bebeau, and Steve Makowski) were on camera during the two-minute segment, which is posted on the City's website and the City's YouTube page.  The video received coverage from CNN, The Detroit Free Press, The Midland Daily News, WNEM-TV5, and more. The rap video served as a creative way to get children and adults alike interested in fireworks safety.

GIS AWARD (May 14, 2010) The City’s Geographic Information System (GIS) has received an award from IMAGIN for outstanding efforts to make GIS data accessible to the public. The GIS for Everyone award was presented to the City by IMAGIN (Improving Michigan’s Access to Geographic Information Networks), a statewide organization involved with professional development. Midland was heralded for the web-based interactive mapping application’s wealth of information, including layers of data involving assessing, planning, utilities, public services, public safety, and parks. GIS’s easy-to-use search feature was also highlighted, as was the ease with which City employees and citizens are able to access property and utility information.

D.A.R.E.’S LIBERTY BELL AWARD (May 11, 2010) D.A.R.E. officers at the Midland County Sheriff’s Office and the Midland Police Department were honored with the Liberty Bell Award, presented by the Midland County Bar Foundation during their 2010 Law Day luncheon. Midland's police and sheriff's officials go above and beyond to positively influence our community's children via this great anti-drug, violence, and gang program.

NATIONAL BIKE-FRIENDLY NOD (April 28, 2010) Midland received national recognition as being a bike-friendly community for efforts to develop more non-motorized transportation methods (bike/walking paths and connectors between existing pathways) throughout the city. The League of American Bicyclists announced the award on April 28. Midland is one of just 35 newly recognized communities from around the U.S. to receive this special designation.

BOOK DRIVE (April 28, 2010) Midland Police Dept launched a new national program designed to soothe agitated youth during emergency situations such as fires or domestic disturbances. The official kick-off of the program - called "To Reach a Child" - occurred during summer 2010. The Midland Police and Fire Departments, Midland Sheriff’s Office, and MidMichigan EMS will have red backpacks on their first responder vehicles signifying they have books on hand to give to kids needing something to calm them on the scene of an emergency, domestic disturbance, or other stressful situation.

Midland Police are taking the program a step further by encouraging children and young adults to continue reading through the summer months. When available, Community Relations Officers and School Resource Officers from the Police Department will drive through neighborhoods in a designated fully marked police vehicle, which will be clearly identifiable by magnetic decals stating "Books on Board" with the Reach a Child emblem. Books will also be accepted during business hours at Midland's Law Enforcement Center, 2727 Rodd St., Midland, MI. Books should be like new or new. For more details, visit www.michiganreachachild.org or call the Police Department at 989-839-4648.

UNITED WAY’S COMPANIES THAT CARE (April 20, 2010) In April 2010, the United Way of Midland County named the City of Midland as one of 30 local “Companies That Care”. 2010 companies were heralded for their commitment to strengthening our community through United Way support. They were also recognized for the United Way financial commitment they and their employees make, their impact through community advocacy and volunteerism, their long support of United Way’s mission, and their commitment to successful employee and corporate campaigns. As a company that cares, the City of Midland organization and its employees also serve as campaign volunteers, loaned executives, Leadership Circle members, Young Leaders, and community volunteers. They sponsor local events, and find innovative ways to help reach out and engage citizens in community service efforts.