The City of Midland - Going Above and Beyond

Below are highlights of the many achievements of City employees/departments in 2011. 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.

TISDALE NAMED A "GREAT WOMAN OF THE GREAT LAKES BAY REGION" (December 2011) Selina Tisdale, City Clerk/Community Relations Director, and Downtown Development Authority Executive Director, was one of eight area women recognized for demonstrating extraordinary commitment to advancing the Great Lakes Bay Region. Click here to learn more about this Graff Chevrolet-presented program.

MCTV WINS AWARD FOR TOP MEETING COVERAGE (October 8, 2011) Midland Community Television (MCTV) received a Philo T. Farnsworth award for having the best government meeting coverage in the Central States Region of the Alliance for Community Media. The Central States Region includes Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Kentucky. For live and replayed coverage of City meetings, watch on-demand video.

WATER DEPARTMENT RECEIVES STATE AWARD FOR SAFETY EXCELLENCE (September 2011) For the fifth time in the past six years, Midland's Water Department was awarded the Michigan Section American Water Works Association award for outstanding safety programs and records.

MCTV WINS AWARD FOR TOP MEETING COVERAGE (October 8, 2011) Midland Community Television (MCTV) received a Philo T. Farnsworth award for having the best government meeting coverage in the Central States Region of the Alliance for Community Media. The Central States Region includes Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Kentucky. For live and replayed coverage of City meetings, watch on-demand video.

POLICE CARRY TORCH FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS (September 15, 2011) After a long hiatus, Deputy Police Chief Rodney Rotten and Community Relations Officer Chris Wenzell of the Midland Police Department almost single-handedly brought the Michigan Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics back to Midland. The statewide run raises money and creates awareness for Michigan Special Olympics, and benefits more than 18,600 children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Locally, the run involved nearly 40 runners - primarily law enforcement officials - and raised $1,200 for the cause.

MIDLAND SECOND IN NATION FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH (September 1, 2011) For the second year in a row, Midland was recognized as one of the nation’s best locations for business in the U.S. Business Facilities magazine ranked Midland second in their list of the Top 10 Metro Areas in the nation for Economic Growth Potential. Midland was high on the list due to its outstanding project development in specific industry sectors such as solar energy, as well as excellent growth strategies and the availability of a skilled workforce. Midland was also noted for the collaborative spirit that exists between business, government, and higher education.

NEW BEAUTIFICATION IDEA SPROUTS UP (July 12, 2011) City Engineering's Office Manager Dave Foote planted the seed for a new idea in 2010 that is making Midland more beautiful. After the City installed water main pipes along the Pere Marquette Rail-Trail from Northwood Drive to the City's Municipal Service Center, Dave suggested planting wildflowers instead of the City's usual grass seed in the area where project work had taken place. Since then, the flowers have bloomed into a beautiful display along the trail, and the project has received many positive comments from the public. Way to go, Dave, for going above and beyond to enhance our community!

OFFICER AWARDED FOR DRUG-FIGHTING WORK (April 11, 2011) Community Relations Officer Christopher Wenzell of the Midland Police Department received the Midland Area Partnership for Drug-Free Youth's 2010 MAP Coalition Champion Award for his efforts to eradicate youth drug and alcohol abuse in the Midland community. Officer Wenzell has played a large part in the success of the Dump Your Drugs program, through which more than 2,000 pounds of outdated and unused prescriptions have been collected since 2009. He also has taken part in numerous other programs to benefit Midland County youth, and was recently named the police department's newest DARE officer.

PARKS & RECREATION MANAGER WINS STATE AWARD (March 17, 2011) Midland Parks & Recreation Manager Marcie Post recently received the "Growing the Association... Making a Difference" award through the Michigan Recreation and Park Association. The award is presented to the MRPA member who contributed the most to the association's growth in the year 2010.

PUBLIC SERVICES DIRECTOR A RUBY AWARD WINNER (January 2011) Department of Public Services Director Karen Murphy was awarded with the area's coveted RUBY award for those under the age of 40 who exhibit outstanding professional accomplishments and contributions to the Great Lakes Bay Region. Karen was one of only nine area residents selected for the award, which recognizes young professionals who exemplify "the best and the brightest" in the region.