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Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Candice S. Miller receives the Michigan Recreation & Park Association’s “Local Elected Official Award” from Amy McMillan, director of the Huron-Clinton Metroparks, on April 13.
Candice Miller recognized by Michigan Recreation & Park Association
MACOMB COUNTY — The Michigan Recreation & Park Association has honored Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Candice Miller with its “Local Elected Official Award” for her years of efforts to improve the quality of life for Michigan residents through parks and recreation promotion.
“This was an unexpected honor, and I’m very grateful,” Miller said in a statement. “Throughout my career in public service, I’ve always tried to think about quality of life and how we can improve the quality of life for everyone. Even though I might be the one getting the award, members of the association deserve awards for all the things they do for the quality of life for our folks throughout Michigan, each and every day.”
Miller’s work toward public parks projects includes securing funds for the Freedom Trail hiking and biking path along Metropolitan Parkway and a focus on improving water quality for boaters and anglers through maintaining and improving sewer infrastructure.
“From my perspective, what is so impressive is Candice’s will and drive to get things accomplished, utilizing all of her available resources to do so,” said Kyle Langlois, Sterling Heights parks and recreation director and chairman of the MParks Public Policy Committee. “Her ability to collaborate with all stakeholders to work together for a common purpose is second to none, and she should be viewed as nothing less than a model for other county public works operations to emulate.”
The Local Elected Official Award was announced recently at the MParks Conference and Trade Show and was presented to Miller at the April 13 meeting of the Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority’s Board of Commissioners, held at the Stony Creek Metropark Nature Center.
Celebrate Arbor Day in Mount Clemens
MOUNT CLEMENS — With Arbor Day around the corner on April 28, organizations in Mount Clemens are gearing up to plant trees.
The Mount Clemens Beautification Commission is planting an eastern white pine tree at Seminole Elementary School at 9:30 a.m. Across town, the Mount Clemens Public Library is hosting an Arbor Day celebration by teaching about the life cycle of trees and the ways they affect the world around them. Library guests will also receive a small tree courtesy of Green Michigan, while supplies last.
CMPL hosting walk-in events this May
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Those looking for no-hassle fun this May can find it at the Clinton-Macomb Public Library with multiple walk-in events.
The Chippewa Valley Schools Festival of the Arts returns to the Main Library will be showcasing the artwork of the district’s K-12 art students from April 28 to May 5 for all to see during library operating hours. The main branch will host a “Star Wars” celebration at 5:30 p.m. on May 4 featuring a Jedi Academy obstacle source, Stormtroopers and more. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 6, teens in grades 6-12 can pick up a free comic book and make comic-themed items. At 2 p.m. on May 7 at the main branch, Hubbell Street Jazz will play a free concert.
The North Branch will host events throughout May, with teens being invited to make resin bookmarks at 6 p.m. on May 8. At 3 p.m. on May 22, historian and architect Bruce Allen Kopytek will talk about the history of the Hudson’s department store company, the rise of founder Joseph L. Hudson, the culinary delights of Hudson’s restaurants and everything in between.
For more events and registration information, visit cmpl.org.
DNR says to watch for fish kills
MICHIGAN — As the last chills of winter thaw away, lakes and rivers might take on a morbid sight.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is encouraging people to be aware of seasonal “fish kills,” though deceased turtles, frogs, toads, crayfish and other water life will surface as part of the usual winter die-off.
“Winterkill is the most common type of fish kill,” said Gary Whelan, DNR Fisheries Division research manager. “As the season changes, it can be particularly common in shallow lakes, ponds, streams and canals. These kills are localized and typically do not affect the overall health of the fish populations or fishing quality.”
Ice freezing over water cuts off feeding sources for fish, stressing them and using up oxygen reserves.
“Winterkill begins with distressed fish gasping for air at holes in the ice and often ends with large numbers of dead fish that bloat as the water warms,” Whelan said. “Dead fish and other aquatic life may appear fuzzy because of secondary infection by fungus, but the fungus was not the cause of death. The fish actually suffocated from a lack of dissolved oxygen from decaying plants and other dead aquatic animals under the ice.”
The public is welcome to report fish kills using the Eyes in the Field website. Such reports are valuable to the DNR’s ability to manage the state’s aquatic resources. If you suspect a fish kill is due to unnatural causes, call the nearest DNR office or Michigan’s Pollution Emergency Alert System at (800) 292-4706. For more information on fish kills in Michigan, visit Michigan.gov/Fishing.
