Pictured: David Pawloski, Travis Bartholomew, Mike Boersma, Ann Simmons, Mark Worden, Deb Buchholtz, Thom Brennan and Larry Stehouwer
The County Road Association (CRA) of Michigan honored the Road Commission of Kalamazoo County (RCKC) with statewide IMPRESS Awards at CRA’s 2020 Highway Conference. IMPRESS Awards recognize county road agencies that demonstrate innovation with special projects in communications, operations and collaboration.
RCKC received an IMPRESS Award in Communications and a People’s Choice Award for its “110 Years of Service” project. RCKC also earned an IMPRESS Award in Operations for “Roadside Vegetation Response.”
In 2019, RCKC celebrated 110 years of service. On October 10, 2019, the agency hosted an open house to let the public and partners learn more about the mission, history and day-to-day operations of RCKC. Their efforts in engaging the public earned them the IMPRESS Award in Communications.
In its “Roadside Vegetation Response” project, RCKC started using pink flags printed with agency information placed near fallen trees, directing property owners to contact them within 15 days to have the tree removed. The flag project provides citizens with a convenient solution to storm damage while also saving the resources of work crews.
“The Road Commission of Kalamazoo County has proven its dedication to engaging with the public in both its anniversary celebration and the tree removal program,” said Denise Donohue, CRA director. “Kalamazoo truly shows its attention to the safety and well-being of others. Their efforts to educate and protect the public make them a positive example for other road agencies.”
An independent panel of communications and operations experts from several of Michigan’s 83 county road agencies judged the projects. Award recipients were honored for projects that solved time restraints, labor costs, communication barriers and fostered collaboration.